ENTERTAINMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 February 1940, Page 12

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 times, “A Christmas Carol,” Charles Dickens’ 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 and to-morrow (Thurs.), 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 toi provide treatment that will save the boy from 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 1 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.

Next Attraction (commences Friday): “ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES.”

The thrilling, stark, grim and yet intensely moving, melodrama, “Angels With Dirty Faces,” co-starring James Cagney and Pat O’Brien, with the “Dead End” Kids, Humphrey Bogart, Ann Sheridan, and George Bancroft as the chief supporting players, comes to the screen of the Opera House on Friday for a season of 3 nights and 3 matinees. This sweeping story is of two boys, 'who took opposite roads —one to the shadowy realm of the underworld, the other to the priesthood’s serene light.

New Serial: "RED BARRY”

Thrills and adventure in the life of a super detective ate revealed in the 13-chapter serial drama, “Red Barry,” which commences on Saturday at the matinee at the Opera House, with Larry (Buster) Crabbe, Frances Robinson and Edna Sedgwick in leading roles. Don’t miss Chapter 1 “Millions for Defence.”

REGENT: NOW SHOWING: Another excellent double feature programme: “STREET OF MISSING MEN" and “INVITATION TO HAPPINESS.”

The pictures which Come 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 (he worship of a newsboy, played by Tommy Ryan. Racketeer Bickford, as the picture begins, has just oeen released from Alcatraz. He heads straight for 'the managing editor of 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 Bickford’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 vitatiom to Happiness” is . a drama which presents an emotional problem that might develop in the lives iof 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.