AMUSEMENTS

Grey River Argus, 30 November 1937, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

Opera House

“PIGSKIN PARADE."

Stuart Erwin, Patsy Kelly. I he Yact Club boys and Jack Haley have the feature Poles in “Pigskin Parade” which will be finally screened at the Opera House to-night. “A FAMILY AFFAIR." Practically the entire east, of ‘Ah Wilderness!” that compelling drama of home life, are reunited in the new M.G.M. story of a typical American family, ‘‘A Family Affair,” which opens to-morrow at the Opera House for a two day showing. Lionel Barrymore, seen as the father in the earlier hit, again plays- a typical head r of the house in the new picture, and Eric Linden and Cecilia Parker once again represent romance in its adolescent phases. Others featured in the cast ar Mickey Rooney, Charley Grahewin, Spring Byington, Julie Haydon, Sara Haden, Allen Vincent, Margaret Marquis, Selmer Jackson and Harlan Briggs. “A Family Affair” was adapted to the screen by Van Riper from the play by Aurania Rouveyrol and was directed by I George Seitz, veteran director of many smash film hits, including “The Last of the M ? ohicans.” The story is that of a District Judge revered by

the citizens of a small Idaho city until, by fulfilling the dictates of the law, he balks the building of a great aqueduct that will link the small community to a mighty city. Ratner] than transport the entire company to Idaho for the exterior scenes, a typi-l cal town was ■constructed on two; acres of M.G.M. spacious grounds. It consists : of two streets of two-storey residences, two business streets flanked by banks, grocery stores, cafes, furniture and feed stores, a newspaper building, and a three-storey courthouse surrounded by the town square. Other impressive sets include the interior of a huge convention hall, a great engineering project and interior of the courth'ousg. "THE SHOW GOES ON” Gracie Fields in a sparkling musical comedy ..- . bubbling over with laughter and happiness .. . brimful of songs the whole world will soon be singing . . . spectacle .. . romance and riotous laughter in "The Show Goes on,” coming soon to the Opera House.

Regent Theatre COPY OF OLD CHURCH BRINGS MEMORIES TO SINGER.

It was an opening scene in Mascot’s "Harmony l ane," in which Douglass Montgomery plays the part of the father of American folk songs, Stephen Collins Foster. This production comes to the Regent Theatre next

Thursday. The set was an exact reproduction of a tiny, battered little cnurch on the outskirts of Pittsburgh. The entire Shaw Choir of over two hundred voices wqre in it, singing early spirituals, which served as the musical inspiration for Foster's genius. As the song and voices in this famous ensemble raise themselves during the scene, Montgomery noticed that one woman was visibly affected. tears coursing down her cheeks. He turned to Director Josepn Santley and said: "That woman is either a remarkable actress, or perhaps she is in some trouble.” Stepping over to where she sat, he said: "Excuse me, but why are you crying? Is there anything wrong?” The coloured woman answered: "I went to the actual church of which tnis is a copy with my mother when still a young girl. Her funeral was held from its doors. I was married there, ami the whole scene is so familiar, with the sound of these voices, that I could not help but be touched.” The Shaw Choir, during the picture, sings many of the loved American classics which Stephin Collins Foster wrote, such as "My Old Kentucky Home" “Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming,” "Oh, Susanna,’.’ "Old Black Joe, • “Beautiful Dreamer,” "Old Folks at Home” (Swanee River\ “Massa’s In the Cold Ground,” Camptown Races.” "Lou siana Belle,”, and many others. In addition to Douglass Montr-omeiv. the picture includes Evelyn Venable. Adrienne Ames, Joseph Cawthorn, William Frawley, Lloyd Hughes, Cora Sue Collins, Gilbert Emery, James Bush, and a cast of thousands.