ENTERTAINMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 April 1946, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE —Now Showing: “Sudan”, starring Maria Montez and Jon Hall.

One of the most colourful adventure romances to come out of Hollywood in a long time, is “Sudan,” now showing at the Opera House, with Maria Montez, Jon Hall and Turhan Bey in the leading roles, and featuring such well-known players as Andy Devine, George Zucco and Robert Warwick. The story tells of Naila, spirited daughter of the King of Khemmis, who is found mysteriously murdered. Naila mounts her father’s throve; but the royal chamberlain plots to acquire it for himself. First he must dispose of Naila, however, and this he proceeds to do by engineering her sale into slavery. She makes a spectacular escape and finds her way to a desert oasis, where she is found, unconscious, by a couple of carefree vagabonds, played by Jon Hall and Andy Devine, who take her in tow.

But Naila and her two campanions are captured by the slaver and about to be executed when they are rescued by Turham Bey, leader of a band of escaped slaves. It is Bey whom the royal chamberlain has accused of the murder of her father. It isn’t until after some exciting pitched battles have been fought between the slave band, led by Bey, and the chamberlain’s soldiers that the young queen learns the truth —that the chamberlain himself murdered her father, and not Bey. “Sudan” is pure escapist entertainment. It is filled with suspenseful adventure and picturesque romance.

REGENT THEATRE—Now Showing: “Hollywood Canteen.”

In October, 1942, Hollywood open-1 ed its doors to servicemen in every branch of the Allied forces. The happiness it brought the boys, the lonely hours it helped erase, the laughter it provoked from dried up hearts is as immeasurable as the sands along the shore. During the war nobody but members of the forces was admitted, but it has now been transplanted to the screen to give everybody an opportunity to see, and hear what was originally intended as “entertainment for the boys.” Every star of the fabulous canteen makes an appearance; every act that made the canteen famous, is to be found in this two hours of sterling entertainment. The screen’s top stars do not play roles but merely re-live performances given so many times before for so many boys. “Hollywood Canteen” is the dancing story of two soldiers and the loves they find in make-believe Hollywood. Throughout the story is woven the warmth and charm of the Canteen, spiced with the delightful performances of the fifty stars and entertainers.