ENTERTAINMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 February 1940, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE: Now Showing:—-“A -CHRISTMAS CAROL.”

Read by millions, for nearly a hundred years, played‘on the stage and dramatised over the radio countless timgs, “A Christmas Carol,” Charles Dickeys’' immortal story of Yuletide, has''at last’come to the audiences of the screen. Taken directly from the pages of Dickens, the new Picture to be screened at the Opera House tonight, to-morrow and Thursday, brings Scrooge, Tiny Tim, the Cratchits and the rest of the beloved characters' to life in an authentic reproduction of old London of Dickens’ day. With Reginald Owen as Scrooge and Terry Kilburn, English boy actor, as Tiny Tim, the picture reproduces almost every situation and speech exactly as written by the author. The story is Known to" the -whole world; how the miser Ebenezer Scrooge, sneers at the joy of Christmas, declaring it all <‘humbug”; how he discharges his clerk, Bob Cratchit, in a fit of rage; forbids his nephew, Fred, to wed; refuses all charity. He is visited by the ghost of his former partner, Marley, bound in the chains of his own inhumanity on earth, and conducted by three spirits first to his youth and his happy Christmases of that time, then to Christmas present, the misery among London’s teeming population contrasted with the Christmas joy and love in the home of Bob Cratchit with his family and crippled son, Tiny Tim. He learns' that without his job, Cratchit will not be able tiol provide treatment that Ayill save the boy frora death. He is shown the forgotten, untended grave bearing his name that will be his last resting place unless he changes. Regenerated, the miser spreads Christmas cheer, makes his nephew his partner that he may marry, re-employs Cratchit and arranges for Tiny Tim’s care as the drama closes with the child’s speech, “God bless us, every one.” Owen’s’ portrayal of Scrooge is finely balanced, and His make-up recreates the original illustrations of the part. Terry Kilburn is appealing as Tiny Tim, and Gene and Kathleen Lockhart as the Cratchits might have stepped from the pages of the book. Barry Mackay, new English actor, is romantically pleasing as Fred, the romantic lead opposite Lynne Carver. The ghost is played convincingly by Leo G. Carroll.

REGENT: Final Screening of “SERGEANT MADDEN.” Commencing Wednesday is another excellent double feature programme, “STREET OF MISSING MEN” and “INVITATION TO HAPPINESS.”

The pictures which dome out of Hollywood and do not include- a romance between hero and heroine are few. “Street of Missing. Men” is one of these unique motion pictures whicn has substituted regeneration of a gangster’s soul by the faith of a newsboy for the normal “girl-changes-boy routine. “Street of Missing Men” depicts Bickford’s reformation through the worship of a newsboy, played by Tommy Ryan. Racketeer .Bickford, as the picture begins, has just been released from Alcatraz. He heads straight for the managing editor ot the newspaper which helped send him to prison. By chance, Bickford switches his allegiance to the managing editor, played by Harry Carey, and helps him fight the racketeering element in the city. But Br‘kford’s soul is still filled with animosity, and tragedy occurs before' Bickford fulfills the faith that is given him. Other supporting roles are filled by Guin “Big Boy” Williams, Mabel Todd, John Gallaudet, and Nana Bryant. Also screening with Irene Dunn and Fred Mac Murray co-starred, and a supporting cast that includes Charlie Ruggles, William Collier, Sr., Billy Cook and Marion Martin, “In vitation to Happiness” is a drama which presents an emotional problem that might develop in the lives of any couple. It is the story of a'prize fighter who marries a society girl. Determined to become champion, his work takes him away from his wife. She is unhappy, but realises that it is the only work he knows how to do,. While he is away barnstorming around the fight circuit, a son is born to them. Heartbreak is hers but when he comes to her, she forgives him. The boy grows up to hate his father, to hate him bitterly because he knows his mother is unhappy. Yet these three people realise that somehow . they must find happiness, and remain united. Their groping, their efforts to understand each other, make this picture one of the best dramas of the year. ’Phone 601 for reserves. ST. COLUMBA DANCE. A long night carnival dance will be held in St. Columba Hall to-night. Excellent music and a good floor will combine to make this dance a very popular one. The hall has been tastefully decorated. Good prizes, supper, streamers, etc., all go to make the crowd a large and happy one. With the new Centennial Orchestra the dance will be one of the best in town.