ENTERTAINMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 November 1939, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE FINAL SCREENINGS, “THE ADVENTURES OF MARCO POLO”

The mighty cavalcade of the world’s most romantic adventure are unfolded in “The Adventures of Marco Polo,” starring Gary Cooper and Sigrid Gurie to be finally screened at the Opera House to-night. Here is the private life of history’s bravest adventurer, who fought his way to the court of golden China’s emperor to win a princess. NEXT ATTRACTION “Confessions of a Nazi Spy,” dealing with Nazi espionage activities in the U.S.A., comes to the Opera House tomorrow (Friday) for a short season. This is the much awaited film which has been a subject of wide interest, the first really important motion picttre document of Nazi espionage activities in America. Mr. A. Beban, manag-ing-director of the Opera House made arrangements with' the producers because he felt that his theatre would not only render a service in showing a film of this kind, but also because he felt it would make local people more cognisant of the unbelievable spy menace which exists, perhaps, even here.

The film stars Edward G. Robinson and a brilliant supporting cast, including Paul Lukas, Francis Lederer, Lya Lys—famous European film beauty, making her American debut—and many others. Although the particular characters and events are fictional, the espionage methods revealed in the film are based on the facts brought out in the recent trials in America. Leon G. Turrou former G-Man, who acted as technical adviser smashed one of the Nazi spy rings, and his intimate knowledge of the manner in which the spies operate have given reality and authenticity to the production. “Confessions of a Nazi Spy” is a sensational picture in the true sense of the word, because it is a vivid depiction of the menacing under-cover activities fostered in a friendly country by the Nazi regime. Although the story of the film is fictional, there can be no doubt that the dangers are very real. Edward G. Robinson portrays the G-Man who breaks the spy ring and brings four of the members to trial and' conviction. Paul Lukas plays the doctor who heads the spy ring, and Lederer portrays a bungling Nazi informer. Lya Lys, whose exquisite blonde beauty and dramatic ability make hei- one of the top European stars, makes her American film debut.

REGENT: Now Showing: “FLIRTING WITH FATE” and “PERSONAL SECRETARY.”

Seldom, if ever, has Joe E. Brown been as generous with hilarity as in “Flirting With Fate,” a comedy concoction which' moves with pace and tempo and manages to leaven the laughter with a goodly sprinkling of thrills. As the harassed manager of a vaudeville troupe stranded in South America, Brown proves once more that he is past master of pantomime, clown prince of hilarity and an athlete of no mean skill. He is aided by the story which is more than a framework upon which to string laughs. Solidly constructed, it adds to the comedy by building bigger laughs through suspense. Again, the star has been given the most capable cast ever to perform with him. In Leo Carrillo, he has a running-mate who adds breeziness, gallantry and a dashing daredevilry to the film. In the role of a lovable bandit chieftain, Carrillo is more concerned with winning smiles from senoritas than purses from warfarers. The remainder of the cast, chosen with skill, includes Beverly Roberts in the feminine lead, Wynne Gibson, Steffi Duna, Stanley Fields, Leonid Kinsky and Charles Judels. THE ASSOCIATE FEATURE The amateur and (professional sleuths will be well entertained with “Personal Secretary.” The story contains far more than tjie usual amount of surprising twists and in addition, a grand but almost comical love element rarely discovered in this type of motion picture. There is a solid ingenious plot. The poisoned man’s widow is on trial and obviously guilty of murder.'lt is here that two rival newspaper columnists, Joy Hodges and William Gargan take the case into their own hands, each on a different tangent. Through intrigue, skullduggery and counter-plotting, the innocent widow is saved from execution and the real killer brought to justice; but only aftex’ Joy and Bill lose their hearts in the mile-a-minute confusion and excitement. Andy Devine, Ruth Donnelly and Florence Roberts combine sincerity as well as vast humour and add to the many complex situations. Plans are now open. ’Phone 601 for reserves. GALA NIGHT DANCE The dances conducted by the St. John’s Ambulance Association in Schaef’s Hall on Saturday nights are becoming more and more popular, as was evidenced by the big crowd of dancers that gathered last Saturday. The dancers of Greynxouth were again enthusiastic in their praise of the way in which the dance was conducted. As the summer nights are gradually becoming warmer, this hall, with its aircooling fans, should prove a popular rendezvous. The Mayfair Orchestra will supply the music for modern and cld-time dances, and novelties will again be a feature of the programme.