ENTERTAINMENTS Opera House

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 September 1947, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS Opera House

Now Showing: “The Bells of St. Mary’s” starring Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman.

Conceived as a drama with humour and songs and with a story that is heart-warming and , human, “The Bells of St. Mary’s” is now showing at the Opera House. Bing has the role of Father O’Malley, newly appointed pastor of a somewhat rundown parochial school, St. Mary’s. Miss Bergman is seen as the Sister Superior, Sister Benedict, whose ideas as to child-training do not always coincide with those of the new pastor. Though the nuns greatly outnumber him, Father O’Malley manages to hold his own, thanks chiefly to the warm sense of humour existing within the walls of St. Mary’s. Sister Benedict takes it upon herself to instruct a too inoffensive youngster in the noble art of self-defence. St. Mary’s is threatened by condemnation proceedings and then the methods used by Father O’Malley and the gentle nuns to preserve their beloved school are responsible for some of the most amusing scenes. There is drama in the rehabilitation of Patsy, who is a neglected waif, whose life is replanned for her at St. Mary’s. Bing sings five numbers “Adeste Fideles”; “The Bells of St. Mary’s”; “In the Land of Begin Again”; “Aren’t You Glad You’re You”; and “Santissima.” Miss Bergman sings, for the first time in her screen career, a short Sweedish folksong. Regent Theatre Now Showing: “Song of Scherazade,” starring Yvonne de Carlo Brian Donlevy and Jean Pierre Aumont.

Intriguing and delightful entertainment as keenly conceived as the spectacular whiplashing duel that provides but one of its many highlights sounds the keynote of “Song of Scherazade,” is now showing at the Regent Theatre. Done in the warm tints and chromes of technicolour, each phase of the production has been paced for interest and enjoyment, from the dashing heartstirring .story of one of Rimsky Korsakoff’s early adventures in love to the expert blending of the composer’s most popular musical masterpieces into the romance. Yvonne Carlo has the role of a vivacious Spanish dancer in a shoddy Moroccan cafe. Brian Donlevy plays a swaggering hard-bitten captain of a Russian training ship. Pierre Aumont is sincere in his convincing portrayal of Midshipman Rimsky Korsakoff. Charles Kullman Metropolitan Opera singer, player the part of the ship’s doctor, and sings among other selections, Korsakoff’s “Song of India.” FOLIES BERGERE Interest in the visit of the Tivoli Circuit company to Greymouth, centres on the personality of the artists. Among them is J. Cameron, a delightful young specialty dancer, her toe and ballet work shows this neat little artist as outstanding The “Dancationists of 1947,” have been featured at the “Colloseum,” and several of the top flight theatres in the “West End of London.” The Bridges Trio are able to commit a whole “Overture” to memory. It is no mean feat for any one person, but when three people commit “Forty overtures” to memory it borders on the incredible. This is one of the many accomplishments of the Bridges Trio. They are reputed to have the. largest repertoire of memories, including classics and popular numbers, ever retained by any one group of musicians in the world. Jack Murray and Connie Hobbs are aptly titled “A Fool and His Money.”' Jack and Connie present some of their many new. comedy whimsicalities, which they have made so popular in England.. Shirley Riddell and Maisie Merlin have been selected to tour New Zealand after their recent outstanding Australian performances. Miss Betty Linke is a soprano, and few have reached the sweetness and smoothness attained in the technique of this young lady....