AMUSEMENTS

Grey River Argus, 20 March 1940, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS

Opera House Now Showing: “THE OKLAHOMA KID.” “The Oklahoma Kid,” with James Cagney in the title role, is the surging drama of an Empire in creation, and its dramatic, thrilling action will hold audiences throughout, during its screening at the Opera House to-day. to-night, also to-morrow (Thursday.) The new Cagney starring picture is a rousing melodrama of the open spaces in the days when homesteaders were erasing the last frontiers in the United States. It is a semi-historic tale of the great land rush and other events which followed the opening up of Oklahoma territory to settlement in 1893, but it scores primarily as thrilling tainment made memorable by superb acting by the star and such players as Humphrey Bogart, Rosemary Lane and Donald Crisp. It is interesting to note that Jimmy Cagney is a dashing horseman; it is also interesting to observe him decked out in sombrero, buckskin jacket, high heeled, riding boots and with two old colt six guns on his hips instead of one automatic slung under his armpit, but all that can’t hide the fact that he’s essentially the sama Cagney who has long been recognised as the screen’s foremost exponent of forceful action. All his brilliant gallery of city bred hard guys to the contrary notwithstanding this picture proves that the elements which make Cagney such a compelling actor really fit better against the roomy background of the great outdoors, than they ever did in the narrow confines of city streets. in other words he’s great as a rip roaring hell-for-leather, quick trigger gunman of the plains. Natura ly, even a Cagney alone could not make I “The Oklahoma Kid,” the thrilling ■ entertainment it is, but he has all I the aid that is necessary—a swell story, and a swell supporting cast. [ Heading the supporting players are Humphrey Bogart who outdoes himself in a portrait of ruthless villamj , he is not, it may be noted a cowardly villain but fully courageous as the hero a fact which helps to make the final’ encounter between Cagney and himself which is a vicious hand-to-hand battle, one of the greatest fight I scenes ever seen on the screen. The romantic interest is beautifully sustained by lovely Rosemary Lane who unfolds a dramatic talent that shows that she has progressed a long way from the sweet little singer with Fred Waring’s band who landed in Holly wood a couple of years ago. Dona t Crisp as usual is brilliantly effective in the sympathetic type of role for i which he is so much in demand ! Others in the cast include Harvey Stephens, Hugh Sothern Edwaid ’ Pawley and John Miljan.

REGENT: NOW SHOWING: “HEY! HEY! U.A.S.” and “WOMEN ARE LIKE THAT.”

A new Will Hay film is always an ea°rely anticipated event. This peerless comedian whose facial antics and irresistible wise-cracks are _ always hailed with uproarious enthusiasm by filmgoers of every age and type will be in his latest comedy, Hey. Hey! U.S.A.” Will Hay in his most popular characterisation—-that of Dr. Benjamin Twist who this time sustains the most amazing and thrilling adventures in the heart of Chicago s gansterland. Bringing to the screen that unique blend of simultaneous suspense and hilarity peculiar to a Will Hay film, ‘‘Hey! Hey! U.S.A.” shows how this famous character starts out in the guise of a lawless hotel porter who is drugged, and awakes to find himself on board an American-bound liner. In an attempt to achieve his only possible salvation he is compelled to impersonate a distinguished professor of education. With the action-packed sequences ol the picture ranging in the background from the giant interior of a transAtlantic luxury liner to the bustling thoroughfares and sinister gangster quarters of Chicago, the star is aidea and abetted in his madcap mirth-mak-ing by two famous American screen personalities—Edgar Kennedy and Tommy Bupp, the combined antics of this perfectly matched trio providing highlights of hilarity which set a new record in laughter scores. THE ASSOCIATE FEATURE A delightful and novel comedy, ‘‘Women Are Like That” (incidentally, a most appropriate title) is grand entertainment on the sophisticated side, with smart and amusing dialogue, polished acting and ultra-modern settings. Pat O’Brien and Kay Francis head the cast.

Patrons are advised to book early, 'Phone 601.