ENTERTAINMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 July 1945, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

«o OPERA HOUSE—To-night: “Coney Island,” starring Betty Grable and George Montgomery. Stars, songs, dances, romance packaged in a rollicking mirthprovoking story—all the ingredients of a hit show —best describes the wonder world’s wonder musical “Coney Island.” Showing at the Opera Hous-e it will unfold on its screen the greatest show on earth, the title of which tells the complete story, with lovely Betty Grable, handsome George Montgomery and sleek Cesar Romero cast in the starring roles of this musical extravaganza. Lavisn Technicolour captures all the glamour, the riotous colour and the ever-changing background of Coney. The merry-go-round caliope, the shrill yell of the barkers, the tinkling of pianos, and off-key voices of the singing waiters in the boardwalk cafes are all registered in a glowing realism on the screen. Curvesome Betty Grable, in the role of a cafe entertainer, sings, dances and shows to full advantage the charming personality ■ that made her the nation’s Number One feminine box-office attraction. Montgomery and Romero are cast as a pair of double-crossing partners, each out to win the fair Betty. Among the new tunes with which “Coney Island” is liberally sprinkled arc “Take It From There,” “Beautiful Coney Island,” “Miss Lulu From Louisville.” and “There’’s Danger in a Dance.” whilst the old favourites include “Put Your Arms Around Me Honey,” “Who Threw thfe Overalls in Mistress Murphy’s Chowder,” “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling,” “Darktown Strutters Ball,” “In My Harem” and “Cuddle Up a Little Closer.” REGENT THEATRE— To-night: “Phantom of the Opera,” starring Nelson Eddy, Susanna Foster and Claude Rains. The long anticipated production heralded as Hollywood’s- super thrill classic. “Phantom of the Opera,” starring Nelson Eddy, Susanna Foster and Claude Rains, is showing at the Regent Theatre. Filmed in technicolour and featuring a cast of thousands, the story based on Gaston Leroux’s famous novel and filmed against the background oi the Paris Opera House, combines mystery, music, romance and an element of terror unique in movie entertainment. Nelson Eddy as the opera star who loves the ambitious young vocalist has the most colourful role of his career. Miss Foster as the singer excells herself and wins new laurels. Claude Rains is “The Phantom.” His sinister portrayal of the composer who mystifies and terrorizes the personnel and patrons of the Paris Opera House is one of the screen’s all-time acting classics. The story revolves around the mad composer who brings terror rnnd devastation to the Opera House. Enthralling musical sequences highlight the dramatic action. Besides Nelson Eddy and Miss Foster, Tudor Williams and Anthony Marlow are heard m operatic numbers which feature a large chorus.