AMUSEMENTS

Grey River Argus, 13 March 1940, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS

Opera House Now Showing: “WAY DOWN SOUTH” Bobby Breen’s new starring picture “Way Down South,” which wil be screened at the Opera House today and to-night, also to-morrow and Thursday, is choice screen iaie, rich in entertainment and endowed with a novelty of setting and beauty ot photography that marks it as tne young singing star’s most attractive and appealing film. All the charm of easy-going life in romantic Louisiana before the Civil War has been captured by the camera. It is realistically held together by a story which, while simple, is deeply moving and human —the story of a boy who strives io save, for the workers on his plantation, the happiness and peace which is their heritage. Bayau Lovelle, a great plantation on the outskirts of New Orleans, is the locale. It is the pride of Bobby’s father, Ralph Morgan, that his slaves are contented. °But when Morgan meets accidental death and control of the plantation goes into the hands of a shrewd lawyer who values money above human happiness, the plantation workers are threatened with the coliapse of their family ties. How Bobby manages to return security and happiness to the estate is, in brief, the story. Most of the vocal numbers sung by young Breen and the famed Hall Johnson choir are beloved old negro spiritual and traditional songs. There are but two original songs in the picture, “Louisiana” and “Good Ground.” Bobby sings the former, together with “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child,” “My Lawd’s Gonna Rain Down Fire,” “Some Folks” and “Peter, Go Ring Dem Bells.” Alan Mowbray, as the owner of an inn in New Orleans who comes to Bob’s aid when the boy is all but licked, has a particularly engaging role. Steffi Duna portrays a seductive actress of the old Comedie Francaise 'and .it is because of love of her that Edwin Maxwell, as administrator of Bobby’s estate, brings about the threatened disruption of the plantation. Others in the cast who make capital of their roles include Clarence Muse, as an old family servant, and Sally Blane.

Now Showing: “BROTHER RAT” and “THE TERROR.”

A gay blithesome comedy is “Brother Rat.” A “behind-the-scenes” revelation of life in one of the country’s oldest military schools, “Brother Rat” combines the spirit of youth and romance with the colour and dash of the Virginia Military Institute’s cadet corps, and emerges as one of the screen’s best of the year. Winsome Wayne Morris and Priscilla Lane, fresh from her success in “Four Daughters” carry oft the lead roles as a young romantic pair, while Johnnie ‘Scat’ Davis, Jane Wyman, Ronald Reagan, Jane Bryan, and Eddie Aibert, all combine to make the film version every bit the success the original stage play, which ran two years on Broadway. ASSOCIATE FEATURE. It is quite possible that audiences may not be familiar with the name of Wilfrid Lawson, but after seeing “The

Terror” they will have quite definite reasons for remembering his name. In this excellent Edgar Wallace yarn, Wilfrid Lawson has a pari that begins with a low note but gradually increases in pitch and volume until the climax of the picture which shows him to be a character actor of the first rank. Closer "description of his part would betray the intensely thrilling story and that would not be fair to anyone. “The Terror” is top notch, entertainment and also stars Linden Travers. HIBERNIAN BALL. Zero hour is rapidly approaching. The joy-germ distributors are all in readiness to “go over the top” at Schaef’s to-morrow night, with or-

ders to blast old man Gloom high. All worries, cares and troubles must be relinquished so that the joygerms can wage unrestricted warfare. Fun, frolic, and gaiety must and will, and. ail patrons are guaranteed such a • night of enjoyment and enchantment that it will endure’ in their minds forever. There are to be no restrictions on happiness, so come along with your friends, make up your parties, join in the fui\ and make up your minds that *ihis' is the one ball in the year 'you will not miss.