ENTERTAINMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 October 1939, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE—Now Showing: Comedy Romance, “FOUR’S A CROWD.’’ An up-to-the-minute comedy, having as its objective that of making the audience laugh, is the swiftlypaced comedy romance, “Four’s a Crowd,” to be screened at. the Opera House to-night and on Monday, with the starring honours being shared by Errol Flynn, Olivia tie Haviland, Rosalind Russell, and Patrie Knowles. The story has a ia.pid-tire succession of novel and humorous twists. The quartette to whom the title refers, is made up of Errol Flynn, as a former newspaper editor, who has become a high-power-ed public relations councillor. Olivia de Haviland as a spoiled heiress to millions; Rosalind Russell is a clever and witty, as well as good-looking newspaper reporter, and Patrie Knowes is a rich pay-boy engaged to wed Olivia, who inherits the paper on which Rosalind works. The crowding to which the members of the quartette subject each other begins when Pat decided to end his newspaper’s existence because it is losing money, but is roundly denounced by the outspoken Rosalind, who ends her tirade with the advice that all the owner need do to turn his paper into a money-maker is to hire a live-wire newspaper man like Errol as managing editor. • Pat takes the advice, Errol returns to the newspaper business and, looking for a sensational issue to arouse interest, launches a series of attacks on Olivia’s grandfather, played by Walter Connelly, who is an irascible and' unscrupulous millionaire business brigand. The final scene is in the office of a bewildered Justice of the Peace- That the Justice is played by Hugh Herbert is a cue to the hilarious aspects of the dual wedding scene. Throughout the story are scattered scores of hilarious incidents. REGENT—FiIiaI Screening- of ‘SMASHING THE SPY RING” A “SECOND BEST BED.” Commencing Saturday: “ROAD DEMON” and “THE MAD MISS MANTON.”

Supercharged with many highly spectacular racing scenes, including several “over the wall” disasters and breath-taking accidents on the track, the film is a rich mixture ignited by some sparkling comedy on the part of the volatile, incomparable Gambini Family. And then there’s an engaging romance to give motivation to the desperate rivalry on the speedway. Without quite realising how it has come about, the Gambinis become part owners of a fast racing car, named in their honour, which they enter in a forthcoming classic. The Gambinis, in case you don’t know, are the inimtable family headed by Henry Armetta, who ran the delicatessen in the widely-acclaimed “Speed to Burn,” first of this series. It is the reckless, dare-devil Henry Arthur, in love with Joan Valerie, who involves the Gambiniis in their strange venture. Joan’s the daughter of a famous driver, and her brother, Tom Beck, is following in tyre-tracks. Incidentally, Henry is a newcomer to the films. This is his first appearance and he’s very likeable. He’ll bear watching. Menaces on the auto track, however, are the Three Bullets, employed by an unscruplous promoter. It was this trio that forced Joan’s father into his fatal accident, and they are highly rattled at Tom’s resemblance to their former rival. This decides them to put Tom out of the race, by fair means or foul. In the excitement Papa Gombini finds he and his wife have sold to their relatives more shares in the car than they own so that, win or lose, Papa is going to be out plenty of lira. The story is climaxed by the magnificent race, told in breathless photography. “MAD MISS MANTON.” A romance, a murder mystery, and a comedy of errors .comprises the triple themes of “The Mad Miss Manton,” starring vehicle for Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda. Fonda portrays a young newspaper editor, and Miss Stanwyck a wilful society girl in the offering, which revolves around her efforts to solve a double killing with which she has become involved. The romance grows from a stinging editorial which Fonda writes concerning the thoughtless but sensational escapades of Miss Stanwyck and her thrill-seeking socialite friends. Plenty of exciting moments are furnished when the killer endeavours to silence Miss Stanwyck before she can reveal his identity to the police. Sam Levene, Stanley Ridges, Frances Mercer, Viki Lester, Ann Evers, Whitney'Bourne, Eleanor Hansen, Penny Singleton and Paul Guilfoyle have important supporting roles in this production. Early bookings are advised. ’Phone 601.

SCHAEF’S DANCE Another big benefit dance will be held this evening at Schaef’s Hall in aid of St. John’s Ambulance. Streamers and lucky spot prizes will add to the fun and an efficient M.C. will be in charge of the floor. The Mayfair Dance Orchestra will present many popular old and new dance melodies, and with the ballroom floor in first class condition a good night’s entertainment is assured.