ENTERTAINMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 February 1940, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE —Final Screening: “YOUNG MR. LINCOLN.”

A motion picture that presents the story of Abraham Lincoln that has never been told, his thrilling, exciting, romantic youth is stirringly revealed in “Young Mr. Lincoln,” to be finally screened at the Opera House to-night, and Alice Brady, Marjorie Weaver, Arleen Whelan and Donald Meek in featured roles.

Next Attraction (Commences To-mor-row): “THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN.”

Dreamy days on the Mississippi, thrilling adventure, comedy and pathos, written as only Mark Twain could write of them, mark Mickey Rooney’s first solo starring vehicle in “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,’’ sequel to “Tom Sawyer,” to commence screening at the Opera House to-morrow (Friday) for a short season. The picture has caught the full flavour of Twain’s whimsical humour and deep understanding of human-kind. The adventures of the siver boy who aids a runaway slave in an attempt to reach a free .state; their travels up the river on a raft; their adventures with the rascallj' “King” and “Duke,” a pair of crooks, are all faithfully portrayed under the ’ deft direction of Richard Thorpe. The ranking comedy. highlight is the absurd “Romeo and Juliet” performance with Walter Connolly as Romeo and Mickey, in girl’s clothes' and makeup, as Juliet. Dramatic highlights! are his exposure of the crooks to save Lynne Carver and Jo Ann Sayers, playing heiresses, from being robbed, and the sequence where Rex Ingram, as the slave, carries the boy, bitten by a snake back to medical aid, knowing it means his return to slavery. The scenes, filmed on location along the Sacramento River, are beautifully picturesque. The picture follows the book with absolute fidelity. Locations, settings, costumes and all details are authentic to the period Mickey, as Huck, is given the best opportunity for dramatic acting in his career, and makes the most of it. He also has typical Rooney comedy moments. Rex Ingram, the Negro actor, who played "De Lawd” in “Green Pastures,” gives a compelling performance. Walter Connolly and William Frawley provide much hilarious comedy as the. two crooks, and Elizabeth Risdon scores as the kindly widow Douglass who befriends the boy hero

KEGENT—Now Showing: “THEY MADE HER A SPY” and “ANNABEL TAKES A TOUR.”

“THEY MADE HER A SPY" Breaking sharply away from a routine theme, “They Made Iler a Spy” •proves an entertaining drama on governmental intelligence methods. The picture.presents a vivid description of the activities of foreign spy rings in. America and how such rings are organised and operated, their methods of concealment, and their objectives. Most of the action takes place in the national capital, with Sally Eilers as a patriotic young girl who becomes an American counter-spy in a foreign ring, and Allan Dane as a newspaper I reporter who also joins the ring to] get material for an expose. Neither,, however, is aware of the other’s real

identity, which makes for the roman tic complications of the film. Miss Eil ers’ clever and successful efforts t< join the spy group, the performanci of her ostensible duties and the excit ing climax when the ring is roundet up by military and civil authorities all furnish absorbing screen material Her portrayal, incidentally, is one o the best the brunette star has givei in recent years, and Lane is equally effective and convincing as the report er. Fritz Leiber as the suave man ager of the spy ring, Frank M Thomas, Theodore Von Eltz anc Pierre Watkin as army officers, Addis on Richards as a politician, and Lar ry Blake as Leiber’s aide, head the pic ture’s supporting cast in capable fashions. - “ANNABEL TAKES A TOUR” Jack Oakie and Lucille Ball, whc recently met with outstanding Success in “The Affairs of Annabel,” repeal their orginal roles in a sequel, “An nabel Takes a Tour.” Ruth Donnelly and Bradley Page, who created the roles of the cynical secretary and the nervous movie producer in the first “Annabel” picture, deftly re?enact their original parts, with other featured performances given by Ralph Forbes and Frances Mercer, as the foreign writer and the rival actress; Alice White, as a movie-struck manicurist; and Pepito, famous clown, as a daffy musician. Most of the action takes place in Chicago, on board .a transcontinental train, and in a film studio in Hollywood, where inside glimpses of movie methods are amusingly revealed. CENTENNIAL BALL. The large crowd' expected at the Centennial Ball on Wednesday will probably constitute a record for the Trottihg Club’s pavilion. All arrangements for the full enjoyment of those present are being atended to by an enthusiastic committee of ladies Numerous novelty dances will be a feature of the programme. Music will be supplied by Ed. Davis and his Marina Orchestra. Dress for the function is optional. All proceeds are to be used for the Centennial Memorial Fund.