ENTERTAINMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 May 1940, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE: Final Screening: — “THE BEACHCOMBER.” Th© delightful t comedy romance. “The Beachcomber,” starring Charles Laughton, and Elsa Lanchester, Robert Newton and Tyrone Guthrie in strong supporting roles, will be finally screened at the Opera House tonight. The story concerns a lazy, careless, - pleasure-loving remittance man, plimged deeply in the material joys of a sun-drenched Pacific isle. Next Attraction (commences Tomorrow): “MIRACLES FOR SALE.”

Twentieth century witchcraft forms the bizarre background for the screen’s newest detective mystery, “Miracles for Sale,” featuring Robert Young. Florence Rice, Frank Craven, Henry Hull and Lee Bowman, to be screened at the Opera House to-morrow, also on Wednesday and Thursday. The spine-chilling new drama deals with the solution of a murder mystery and a group of professional magicians and clairvoyants. Young, as a professional magician, is called on to help the police solve the murder of a fantastic dqmonologist, found dead in ~his' locked apartment, and another magician whom the police surgeon says was dead four hours before he was seen actually talking to the police. By turning a trick in magic to account, he finds the murderer in a surprise dramatic climax. Players include Cliff Clark, Astrid Allwyn, Walter Kingsford, Frederic Worlock, Gloria Holden and William Demarest. Henry Hull wears several bizarre make-ups, one of which actually changes the colour ■of his eves. Illusions such as “ “Sawing a Woman in Half” and Women,” the bullet trick, in which Florence Rice catches a fired bullet in her -teeth, ectoplasm, or the materialisation of a ghost, are among the uncanny wonders which serve as a backfround for the search for the murderer. ,

REGENT: Finally To-night: “GOLDEN BOY.” No Pictures TUESDAY owing to the Theatre being sublet.

Commencing WEDNESDAY is an Excellent Double Feature Programme, “HELL’S KITCHEN' and “I SEE ICE.”

“Golden Boy” is the stirring drama of a youth with the sensitive soul of a great musician, and the mauling fists of a champion prize-fighter. Tired of working towards artistic triumphs in some nebulous future, the boy abandons his art to win for himself a quick success as a prizefighter. “Golden Boy” is the thrilling, tender story of that decision; but, more important, it is the screen portrayal of the tremendous conflict which rages when the youth attempts to force both himself and his family to believe that his decision is the right one. William Holden, in the title role, merits the forethought which caused the search for more than a year in an effort to find “the” actor who could play the role of “Golden Boy.” Barbara Stanwyck, who shares starring honours with Holden and Adolphe Menjou, gives the most absorbing dramatic performance of her career. As Lorna Moon, the disillusioned young woman who finds romance ia the adoration of the “Golden Boy,” Miss Stanwyck’s characterisation has already made her a definite contender for Academy Award honours. As the caustic, harassed manager of the “Golden Boy,” Adolphe Menjou contributes a screen portrait remarkable for its naturalness. The supporting cast, as carefully selected as the leading players, includes Joseph Calleia, Lee. J. Cobb, Sam Levene, Edward Brophy, Beatrice Blinn, William Strauss, Don Beddoe, Frank Jenks and Harry Tyler. Patrons are reminded that the plan closes at 7 p.m. and early bookings are advised. ’Phone 601.