ENTERTAINMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 January 1939, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE. Hollywood is concerned primarily with the production of entertainment, and accordingly deals but little with propaganda. Even when it does, the objective is still entertainment and the rest of it is incidental. When William Joyce Cowan, former A.E.F. officer of the line, wrote the novel. “They Gave Him a Gun,’’ he drew up an indictment against war. As one who had been through it and could speak with authority, that was his privilege. But when the story was bought, it was with the intention to make a picture that would entertain people, and if it carried any message, they themselves would' interpret it This picture will be screened at the Opera House to-night, to-morrow and Monday. This is a story of war —but it is more than that. It is an impressive reflection of war’s aftermath—it mirrors the life in which we find ourselves. It pictures the living panorama, in which the boys and girls of this generation find themselves —and it gives us a true vision of the effects of war on the generation that survived it. Here we see Spencer Tracy, the hero of “Captains Courageous”—the Movable priest of “San Francisco”—as a hard-boiled circus barker—a former doughboy—who sets out to make a man of a. weakling. Franchot Tone is the boy who learned how to use a gun in the war, and tries to carry his knowledge into civilian life. Gladys George, remembered for • her triumph in “Valiant is the Word for Carrie,” appears as a Red Cross nurse. Here is rapid-fire melodrama, powerfully enacted —here is a picture you will want to see, and one that will live long in your memory. Others in the cast include Edgar Dearing, Cliff Edwards, and Mary Lou Treen.

SINGING COWBOY. The public will be treated to a new form of entertainment when TexMontana makes his .initial appearance at the Opera House to-night, also to-morrow matinee and night. Tex. who is heralded as Australia’s greatest hillbilly entertainer, will, with his piano-accordeon, givet an all-round performance to suit both young and old, for apart from his feature number, “The Bridle on the Wall,” he entertains his audiences with comedy and hillbilly numbers which keep them in fits of laughter throughout his performance. Tex tells one or two amusing stories, and closes with a big community sing of all the oldtime numbers. Those wishing to hand in request numbers are asked to do so as soon as possible. Tex Montana will niake personal appearances at the Piincess Theatre, Hokitika, on Monday and Tuesday, and Blackball on Wednesday.

COUNTRY CIRCUIT. West coast Amusements' country circuit wilt commence screening:--Monday, Kumara; Tuesday. Rarryiown; Wednesday, Nelson Creel;; Thursday, Moa'na; Friday’ (Jan. 27), Ikamatua, with the picture “Cold Diggers of 19.17, starring Dick Powell and Joan Biondell. REGENT THEATRE. “Swing Your Lady” and “Blind Alibi.” a. splendid double feature progiamine, will be screened finally tonight. “NURSE FROM BROOKLYN.” The impact of a valiant girl’s love

against the inbred tiger-code of sinister waterfronts, makes “Nurse From Brooklyn,” which opens at the Regent Theatre on Saturday one of the most unusual dramatic romances ever to hit the screen. The picture drives ' home the emphatic lesson that crime does not pay. It reveals many of the hitherto hidden methods used by a police department in tracking down a hidden killer in a great city. But, most of all, it reveals the hidden streams of emotion in the human soul when confronted with a tragic decision. The story deals with a beautiful nurse who is led to believe by her fiancee, a waterfront hoodlum raised with her in the Brooklyn slums, that her brother, whom he killed, was shot by a policeman just •to earn a promotion. She makes the cop fall in love with her and when she is about to lead him into a trap to be killed, her own love for Hie man stymies her determination. Sally Eilers and Paul Kelly head the cast in the roles of the nurse and the policeman. They have strong support. in the stellar performances of Larry Blake and Maurice Murphy.

“SING YOU, SINNERS.” Cure yourself of the blues, get rid of the heebie-jeebies—it’s easy when old Doc Crosby and Professor MacMurray come swinging into town in “Sing, You Sinners.” opening Saturday at the Regent Theatre; BingCrosby and Fred Mac Murray head a grand cast of gloom chasers that include Ellen Drew, 193 S’s Cinderella girl, Donald O’Connor and Elizabeth Patterson. And there’s new music by Hoagy Carmichael, composer of “Star Dust,” who comes through with another great, hit, ‘Small Fry.” See “Sing, You Sinners,” it’s got tunes, it’s got laughs, it’s got romance. Remember Saturday at the Regent Theatre!

DUNN’S AMUSEMENT COMPANY

During the few hours of fine weather experienced' during last week, Dunn’s Amusement Carnival Company, located at Victoria Bark, has been the centre of attraction for young and old. This popular company- will close their Greymouth season to-morrow evening. BURNS NIGHT. To-night will see the inauguration of Burns’ Supper, which has been allowed to lapse for a considerable number of years. Thanks to an energetic committee, this will be a feather in the caps of the Cobden Caledonian Society-. It is essential that those attending shall be in their seats by- 8 p.m. sharp. The old-time custom of piping in the haggis at this time will take place. Visitors from Hokitika, Reel ton and Denniston will be in attendance.

LONG NIGHT DANCE. t in- weekly Surf (Tub dance will bo ill Hie Rlakolown thill Mondav niglii. when the Chib will hold a long login. Ils rnolto is plenty of novelties. including the Monte Carlo and Lucky Spot. Williams' full orchestra will provide spirited music.