ENTERTAINMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 September 1940, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE—Now Showing: “BABES IN ARMS.” Youth is sweeping the country! And if you don’t believe it then go along to the Opera House to-night 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: “ADVENTURE IN DIAMONDS” and “GRANDPA GOES TO TOWN.” “Adventure in Diamonds,” featuring George Brent and Isa Miranda, is based on “Diamonds Are Dangerous,” a story by Frank O’Connor. The film is fast-moving and entertaining. The setting is the South African diamond mines. Miss Miranda is Felice, a diamond thief, who comes to South Africa to join her chief, John Loder, George Brent is Captain Denning, who meets Felice at the boat and contrives to befriend the lovely blonde. The captain indadvertently causes Felice’s apprehension, and allows Loder to escape. Remorseful, he engineers her release from prison on condition that she will help him expose a ring of diamond thieves. The partnership makes it necessary for the pair to pose as a honeymoon couple. Some clever by-play between Brent and Nigel Bruce, who appears as the head of the Criminal Investi-

gation Department, adds amusement.' The associate feature, “Grandpa Goes to Town,” is another of the comedy series in which the wellknown Gleason family head the cast. The Gleasons are a product of work in vaudeville stock and on the stage. James has had a most successful career as a writer. He wrote the hit show “Is Zat So?” and both wrote and acted in the “Fall Guy” and “The Shannons of Broadway.” Lucille has worked in many motion pictures. Son Russell has carved out his own niche as an, actor and recently scored in a “dumb-cluck” role in “Here I am a Stranger.” The trio has been lauded for work in previous Higgins Family pictures. Patrons are advised to book their seats for the week-end. ’Phone 601. PATRIOTIC DANCE. Good entertainment and a lively night of fun is offered by the Patriotic Committee (Cobden Branch) at their dance in Schaef’s Hall this evening. These functions which have proved so popular in the past are organised to raise funds to assist the boys who are fighting our cause, and warrant every support by dance enthusiasts. The music by the Mayfair Dance Band provides a pleasing entertainment and an efficient M.C. will control the programme of dances. Lucky spots, Monte Carlo prizes and novelty dances are included in the evening’s fun and a rollicking good time is assured. Buses leave at midnight for Cobden, Runanga and Wallsend.