ENTERTAINMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 September 1940, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE —Finally To-night: “AT THE VILLA ROSE.” Next Attraction (commences To-mor-row, Friday).—“BAßES IN ARMS.”

Youth is sweeping the country! And if you don’t believe it then go along to the Opera House on Friday, Saturday and Monday, and see Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland in the new musical comedy-drama, “Babes in Arms!” Two hundred of the cleverest youngsters in Hollywood —and that pretty nearly takes in all of them —have been assembled in one picture, and the result is one of the liveliest, swinging-est, heartappealing melody movies of cinematic history. You’ve seen Mickey Rooney as Andy Hardy, and you’ve seen him in such film hits as “Boys’ Town” and “Stablemates.” But you’ve never seen the Mickey Rooney who appears in “Babes in Arms.” He sings, he dances, he gives imitations of Clark Gable and Lionel Barrymore. And on top of that, he gives an acting performance in a truly human story that parallels anything he has ever done in the dramatic line. As for Judy Garland, she’s never been better. At the appealing age of sixteen Judy’s voice has reached a high point in musical perfection and she sings as she has never sung before. Then there are others. Betty Jaynes and Douglas McPhail, singing discoveries of Jeanette McDonald, will make you agree with Miss MacDonald that they are potential singing .stars of to-morrow. June Preisser, youthful dancing sensation, makes her debut on the screen. John Sheffield better known as “Tarzan, Jr.,” appears in his second picture role. Leni Lynn, the little Passaic, singing Cinderella, also makes her motion picture bow, Add to these the pick of 450 outstanding kid performers and you have an idea of just how Youth is taking over the entertainment chores of the moment. ;■ But there are adults in the picture too, with featured roles played . by Charles Winninger, Guy Kibbee, Grace Hayes and Rand Brooks. Being a story of the days of the passing of vaudeville, the picture revives many names of the great two-a-day. Appearing as vaudevillians in it are Irene Franklin, Harry Fox, George McKay, Margaret Young, Rube Demarest, Patsy Moran' Pat West, Joe Caits and others. Old-timers will remember them well and will be glad to see them once more. REGENT. —Now Showing—An Excellent .Double Feature Programme: “BEWARE OF SPOOKS” and “CRACKERJACK.” Joe E. Brown, wide-mouthed comedian whose antics have enlivened the screen for years, returns to “Beware Spooks!” The comedy star is seen as a policeman, whose antics make him the underworld’s best, if most unwilling, friend. An outstanding cast of screen favourites is seen in support of the star. There is Mary Carlisle, the piquant blonde actress, who portrays a young bride bewildered by the bizarre adventures which confront her husband’s career. Marc. Lawence, one of the top-rank-ing Hollywood menaces, plays the part of the dangerous desperado, while Clarance Kolb is seen as the belligerent police commissioner. Other featured players include Frank Thomas, Joseph Downing, Don Beddoe, Lorna Gray and Eddie Laughton.

ALSO SCREENING. Of the number of Englishmen who have found fame in British films, there is probably not one who is better known or better liked than Tom ■Walls. It was Walls, with his partner in comedy, Ralph Lynn, who helped to establish British films on the world market. For one of the first British films to achieve big- success was their “Rookery Nook,” still remembered as one of the screen’s outstanding comedies. Walls has achieved success in many spheres—only due to “honest to goodness” hard work. To-day Walls is one of the most vivid characters on the stage, and screen. He has been stage star, producer, director, film actor, businessman, and now he is branching out into mystery thrillers in “Crackerjack.” ’Phone 601 for reservations.