ENTERTAINMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 July 1939, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE. “THE BOY FROM BARNARDO’S” The shipmates of “Captain Courageous,’’ Freddie Bartholomew, and Mickey Rooney, are back to thrill you again in another action-packed, ad-venture-crammed joy feast, “The Boy from Barnardo’s” to be finally screened at the Opera House to-night. “Mutiny on the Bounty” knew no fiercer rebellion than that which smouldered white-hot in the heart of this “gentleman” sent to a. common sailors’ school. “Captains Courageous” offered no greater battles of character, no greater adventures than this heartstormy drama, of men in the making. Others in the cast include Herbert Mundin, Charles Coburn, and Terry Kilburn.

“THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO.’

Alexander Dumas’ “The Count of Monte Cristo,” to be screened at the Opera House to-morrow, also on Wednesday and' Thursday, is a story that has thrilled millions and become immortal. For generations this story has made glow the faces of the universe; for year on year fit has keyed the strident heartbeats of humanity; while its appeal to young and .old remains undimmed through the years. No greater adventure has ever been written than this pulsating story of Edmond Dantes, who was convicted without trial and condemned without "‘mercy to 20 years in a dungeon; 20 years of nerve-wracking patience in which he planned his freedom and' revenge upon the three men who had betrayed him to a living death in that dungeon. Dantes alive after 20 years of living death escapes with the secret key to untold wealth in his brain, and the power to wreck the lives of the men who had wrecked his. The film follows the story in every detail. For you see how the granite weight of a dungeon could not crush the stouthearted Dantes; how the far-flung vista of a thousand miles could not dim his vision; how the memory of a good-bye kiss and the beacon hope of romance-to-be-born gave him power to upset a universe and enable him as “The Count of Monte Cristo” 1o break through to victory and happiness with the glory of a Summer morn sun. All the sweep and power of Dumas’ immortal story has been captured in the film, which makes it one of the truly glorious pictures of all time. Robert Donat plays the role of Edmond Dantes, whilst others are Elissa Land!, William Farnum, Louis Calhern, Raymond Walburn. and Sidney Blackmer. REGENT: NOW SHOWING IS A SPLENDID DOUBLE STAR PROGRAMME, “THE GLADIATOR,” & “RACKET BUSTERS.” Joe E. Brown heads the cast with June Travis, Robert Kent and Man Mountain Dean, of ring fame, in “The Gladiator.” Departing from his customary characterisations, the cavernmouthed comedian, in his newest offering, portrays the role of a scientifical-ly-created superman. Those who read Philip Wylie’s novel of the same title will remember the. humorous circumstances under which -“The Gladiator” was launched on his college misadventures. Brown, returning to Webster College as a sophomore, is beaten and bludgeoned on the football field in the spirit of good clean fun when he attempts to impress Miss Travis, the belle of the campus. That night the Professor who owns the boarding ' house where Brown resides, selects Brown as the unwitting subject of an < experiment to increase the human nor- < mal strength manyfold. The experl- I

ment works. From that point on the story is as amazing as it is amusing, picturing Brown as a virtual one-man Olympic team and a favourite with''all the ladies. In the secondary male lead is Robert Kent, able young actor who is -the rival of Brown for* June Travis’ affections. In a prominent juvenile role is 12-year-old Dickie Moore, in a poignant portrayal of a runaway orphan befriended by Brown. In the role of the eccentric professor, who evolves the secret of the superman, is Lucien Littlefield. And portraying his nagging wife is Ethel Wales. Man Mountain Dean, the ponderous comic mainstay of the wrestling ring, and Brown came to grips in the climatic wrestling match, said to be one of the most spectacular and hilarious sequences ever captured by movie cameras. “The Gladiator” was directed quences ever captured by movie cameras.

Also screening a thrilling drama based on evidence unearthed during the recent drive against crime in New York, “Racket Busters,” carries with it an air of authenticity, and is the more gripping on that account. Humphrey Bogart, as head of a racketeering organisation calling itself the Manhattan Trucking Association, and George Brent, as leader of the independent truck owners on whom the association levies toll, both have strong roles, while Gloria Dickson does a very fine piece of acting as Brent’s wife. The terrorism by which the racketeer, through his gang, tries to force the truckmen to pay him tribute, leads to many gripping incidents and culminates in an attempt by the gang to call a strike, with the object of cutting off the city’s food supply and forcing the’community to* accept the gang’s terms. The revolt of the independent truckmen leads to a fight to the finish —a smashing finish. Patrons are advised to make early reservation. ’Phone 601.