ENTERTAINMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 October 1939, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE—Final Screening: “WOMAN DOCTOR.” The professional and romantic secrets of a woman in white are revealed in stirring human drama, “Woman Doctor,” starring Frieda Inescort and Henry Wilcoxon, to be finally screened at the Opera. House to-night. The story revolves around one of to-day’s most discussed problem; can a woman successfully conduct a career and a family simultaneously? “BOYS’ TOWN.” Rich in understanding, delightful in good old-fashioned humour, deep in human appeal and high in ideals is “Boys’ Town,” which commences an extended season ..at the Opera House to-morrow (Friday), starring the year’s most popular screen favourites, Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney. Tracy, ; whose previous performances are completely eclipsed by his marvellous characterisation of Father Flannigan, beloved priest, who gave up his life to the regeneration of derelict boys: Mickey Rooney at the threshold of a brilliant career, gives a wonderful performance as “Tough Whitey Marsh,” young underworld rat, regenerated by the love of the man who said “even a boy like Whitey Marsh can’t be all bad —give him to me, I’ll find some way to reach his heart.” “Boys’ Town” is real, its story provides drama greater than the imaginations of Hollywood’s best writers, it is the story of the forgotten boy, of all boys, yesterday, to-day and to-morrow, it is the symbol of Faith and a boy's courage. So utterly different, there has never been an entertainment like it before. REGENT—Now Showing: “FRA DIAVOLO” and “SILVER ON THE SAGE.”

An unusual predicament compels Laurel and Hardy to become members of a bandit gang in their featurelength comedy, “Fra Diavolo.” It is a picturisation of Auber’s famous comic opera, with Dennis King, the noted singer and stage star, portraying the Marquis de San Marco, who ingratiates himself into the good graces of all the lovely ladies while stealing their jewellery. Laurel and Hardy are seen as a couple of carefree vagabonds. They have saved their, money and decide to, take life easy. At which moment a couple of bandits hold them up and take away their savings. It then occurs to Laurel that it is easier to steal than to make money honestly. Undertaking the career of highway robbers, they eventually confront Diavolo, known throughout the country side as the notorious bandit chief. Pretending to be the great chief himself, Hardy soon discovers his mistake, but it is. too late to make a getaway. The chief’s band surround the comedians and make them prisoners. Hardy is sentenced to be hanged and Laurel is given the job of hangman. The comedians are saved temporarily when they consent to be the personal aides of the bandit chief who is in quest of a beautiful lady's jewels. In addition to the comedy team and Dennis King, the supporting cast includes Thelma Todd, James Finlayson, Lucille Brown, Arthur Pierson and Henry Armetta.

“SILVER ON THE SAGE” William Boyd as the fearless “Hopalong Cassidy” gets the toughest assignment of his adventure-packed career when a rustling king and his twin brother works together to beat out the boys from “Bar 20.” The mystery theft of a herd guarded by “Bar 20” and the imprisonment of his pal Russell Hayden on a trumped-up murder charge sends Boyd into action against the outlaws who use gambling tricks, spies, terror and murder to carry out their plans. But Boyd, who can out-trick the clevesest cardsharps and out-shoot the boldest killers, proves more than a match for them. Woven into the Clarence E. Mulford action plot is a high-geared romance between Hayden, who plays Boyd’s loyal saddlemate, and lovely Ruth Rogers, who is cast as the daughter of a murdered Arizona cattle baron. Patrons are advised that they would be wise to make early reservations for this excellent double feature programme. ’Phone 601. “TAIL SPIN.” Aviation has furnished motion picture producers with material for several of their most important spectacles. But, strangely enough, the courage and daring of women fliers has never been glorified on celluloid until “Tail Spin,” one of the most important aviation pictures, made screen history. Four outstanding stars, Alice Faye, Constance Bennett, Nancy Kelly, and Joan Davis portray the top roles. Other favourites are Charles Farrell, Jane Wyman, Kane Richmond, Wally Vernon, Joan Valerie, and Edward Norris. Plans are now open, and patrons are advised to make early reserva-' tions.