ENTERTAINMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 December 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE:—Finally To-night: “DISPUTED PASSAGE.” Next Attraction (Commences Tomorrow, Wednesday): “DEVIL ON WHEELS” and “MEXICAN SPITFIRE.” With fast-talking Pat O’Brien, Ann “Oomph Girl” Sheridan, the exotic Gale Page, heart-breaker John Payne, and comical Frank McHugh in the leading roles, “Devil on Wheels,” spine-tingling drama of automobile racing, commences at the Opera House to-morrow, for a season of three matinees and "three nights. The story concerns the efforts of Pat O’Brien, champion race driver, to make John Payne, his younger brother, continue with college, and not follow in his own footsteps. But John is bitten by the racing, and his added romantic interest in Ann Sheridan, whom Pat dislikes, causes the brothers to feud, climaxing in a race in which Pat’s best friend, Frank McHugh, is killed, in a spectacular crash. The accident breaks Pat. He gives up racing and vanishes. Gale Page, Pat’s girl friend, knowing if she is ever to locate Pat it would be at the Memorial Day speed classic at Indianapolis, goes there. She finds him at the tracks, a seedy, broken figure. As they watch Payne compete with another' for the number one spot during the last laps of the race, there is a minor accident. John needs a relief driver, and before Pat realises what is happening, Gale has rushed him to the pits. In a dramatic, sensational scene, Pat again comes into his own, and is reconciled to his brother.

“MEXICAN SPITFIRE.” Tempestuous Lupe'Velez and her inimitable style of comedy, combined with the laugh-making proclivities of the rubber-legged comic, Leon Errol, will have audiences in a panic when “Mexican Spitfire” commences at the Opera House to-morrow. Plot of the story revolves around the efforts of Linda Haynes, as the groom’s jealous ex-fiancee, to break up the marriage so that she can marry the personable young man. In this cause she has the support of Elizabeth Risdon, the groom’s snobbish aunt. On the other hand, Leop, Errol, the uncle, is heartily in accord with the marriage, although his blundering efforts to straighten out their marital troubles always boomerang. As a result of one of their schemes which backfires, Lupe and the-uncle find themselves fleeing to Mexico. Errol to avoid ar-

rest for forgery and impersonation, and Lupe to obtain a quick divorce in the heat of jealousy. Many of the film’s most amusing scenes occur in i Mexico and lay the foundation for the ensuing hilarious events which I take place in New York when the J couple return there. They find Woods at a bachelor dinner on the eve of his marriage to his former sweetheart. A telegram arrives, advising Lupe her divorce is illegal. This is the spark which ignites a little bundle of feminine TNT. The wedding ceremony turns out to be a shambles, the malicious rival is given a good working over, and Lupe gets back her man.

REGENT—Now Showing: “THE YOUNG IN HEART.” Janet Gaynor, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Paulette Goddard made their debut as an exciting new screen trio in the comedy romance, “The Young in Heart.” Roland “Topper” Young, Billie Burke, Henry Stephenson, Richard Carlson, romantic newcomer from the New York stage, and Minnie Dupree head the imposing supporting cast of this version Of I. A. R. Wylie Saturday Evening Post serial, “The Gay Banditti.” “The Young in Heart” is the delightful story.of the Carletons, a family of fascinating phoneys, who live by their charm and anyone’s money, and have been kicked out of only the best places from the Riviera to London. They’re out to “take” the world, but their hearts get the surprise of their easy-going lives. Richard Wallace directed “The Young in Heart” from a screen play by Paul Osborn and Charles Bennett. The production is released through United Artists.

BRIGHT RAILWAY REVUE. Those who were fortunate enough to attend last “Swingtime” Revue produced by the railwaymen, will have a further opportunity of Seeing talented artists at the Town Hall tonight and to-morrow night, when a new revue, entitled “Half-Shot” at Sunrise,” will be presented under the direction of Mr T. Caldwell. No effort has been spared by the producer and company to make the new revue a roaring success, and packed houses should show appreciation of their work. Comedy numbers,- a strong feature, of the last/revue, will be featured, with “Shorty” Sorenson in the role of leading comedian, ably assisted by Jack Hussell, Sid Ellis, j and Trevor Cheetham. Miss Monica Sinnott has produced the ballets, “Waltz-Time,” “Military”

[and “Dance of the Seven Wails,” j three novelty numbers that should have instant appeal. The company is strong in vocalists, with Mesdames Woollett, J. G. Mclntosh, Jean Campbell, and Messrs Jack Russell, Archie j Campbell, Harry Ferguson and Sid i Ellis taking the leading parts. The scenery has been specially arranged jfor the revue by Mr J. Rhodes. Mr Trevor Brown is the musical director, in charge of an orchestra of seven. Mr R. Henry has arranged the lighting effects. The fact that the proceeds are in aid of the Westland Patriotic Fund should ensure that the hall is packed for both performances.

PLUNKET ROSE DAY. • Next Friday, December 6, is the day set aside for the annual Rose Day of the Greymouth Plunket Society. Sellers will be out with quantities of choice buttonholes from early morning, and it is hoped everyone will sport what, that day, will be the badge of the Society—a rose. The headquarters of the sales effort will be at Schaef’s, where a shop will be conducted and supplies of home-made delicacies and choice flowers will be available. The recent effort of the Society, the Garden Party, in no way assisted the administration funds, as the proceeds were donated to the Centennial Memorial Fund. Every Plunket mother should make it a duty to assist this annual appeal, both with donations to the shop and as purchaser, as every penny to the fund is in the nature of a self-help insurance for herself and her family.