AMUSEMENTS

Grey River Argus, 21 March 1940, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS

Opera House FINAL SCREENINGS: “THE OKLAHOMA KID.” The thrilling outdoor action drama, “The Okliahoma Kid,” starring James Cagney, with Humphrey Bogart, Rosemarv Lane and Donald Crisp in featured roles will be finally screened at the Opera House to-day and tonight. This rousing melodrama tells of America’s great westward surge in the days when homesteaders erasing the last frontiers in the United States. NEXT ATTRACTION. (Commences Saturday). “SHIPYARD SALLY.” Gracie Fields has never given a more l human, more vital, nor more amusing performance than she does in her latest film, “Shipyard Sally/ to be screened at the Opera House on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday Opening with the launching of th. “Queen Mary” on the Clyde, moving powerfully on to depressed days and progressing through comedy ano pathos to a triumphant and inspiring ending, the story provides a perfect setting for the finest film yet made by one of the most popular stars the world has ever known. Gracie appears as Sally, variety singer, who is discouraged by the poor response of Glasgow audiences and embarrassed by the presence of her rascally but lovable father. “The Major,” played by Sydney Howard. “The Major” buys a Clydeside “pub” with Sally’s savings, just before the depression settles over the shipyards. By the time Sallv has learned the running of the place, her customers have no money left. She gives them encouragement and beer with equal generosity. When the men learn that a commission has been appointed in Lonuon to report on the situation at Clydebank, they realise how important it is that the authorities should know of their desperate plight. A petition is signed and Gracie is persuaded to go to London to urge that the men be given work. In London Sallv still has the “Major” to kep under control as well as trying to see the elusive Lord Randall, chairman of the commission. But there are many inc dents to contend with before Sally is able to see him. She must pose as an American blues singer to gain admittance to & party at his house; she must pose as a young man to gain admission to his club; she must continue her impersonation of the singer so that she might visit his country mansion. Eventually, in spite of the “Major.” her efforts succeed, and the way is paved for an inspiring close to an entirely satisfying film. The screen has rarely seen anything so hilarious as Gracie’s male impersonation, nor anything so stirring as the finale in which Gracie sings “Land of "Hope and Glory.” Greatest star of England’s entertainment world, Grac e shows in “Shipyard Sally” all th: qualities that have made her beloved of millions throughout the world. She has never given so varied and spellbinding a performance. Among her songs in the film are: “Wish Me Luck.” “I Got the Jitterbugs,” ‘‘Grandfather’s Bagpipes,” “Annie Laurie,” “In Pernambuco,” and ‘‘Danny Boy.” The supporting cast includes Oliver Wakefield (8.8. C. comedian), Morton Seiten, Norma Varden and Tucker McGuire.

Regent: Final screening of “HEY, HEY, U.S.A.” and “WOMEN ARE LIKE THAT.” Commencing Saturday, “THE SUN NEVER SETS.”

“The Sun Never Sets” should register an instantaneous appeal.. It is on those sentiments that the-film is based. On this basis it is easy to see tnat the picture will be full of drama, action and thrills, and because o£ the present international situation these thrift's will have a deeper mean ng. The Randolph family is an English ■family who have this tradition. It is life blood to the elder brother, Clive (Basil Rathbone) and to deepen th s family tie he toils unwearyingly in outposts of the Empire, lonely and unimportant. To John, the younger brother (Douglas Fairbanks, junr.), the call is not so strong. In fact, when the cah does come he is a failure on the African Gold Coast. More than that, he is responsible for h:s brother’s demotion. These are scenes in which the atmosphere is electric. The audience will feel with the family that John is a waster, a failure and a disgrace. But this is not the climax of the plot. When John discovers that, unless he acts, the Empire, and with it civilisation, may fall, he realises that he, too, is bitten with the sense of tradition. Act he does, and his activity now is in proportion to his lassitude before. As a background to the whole picture is Sir John Randolph (C. Aubrey Smith), whose delineations of roles of this sort are well enough known not to need amplification. Suffice it to say that he can do no other than add to. a reputation already of the highest. Virginia Field and Barbara O’Neill play the feminine leads and infuse the spice of romance to give the story full flavour. Among others in the strong supporting cast mqy be mentioned Lionel Atwill, Melville Cooper, and Mary Forbes. The film is we’l produced. The atmosphere is just Tigl£. ’ The photography is excellent. Various scenes from the war form part of the supports. These in themselves will serve as a fitting prelude for the main picture, while a Mentone musical and a most amusing cartoon, “Crackpot Cruise,” will round out an entertaining programme. Patrons are advised to make early reservations over the holiday period.