AMUSEMENTS

Grey River Argus, 17 April 1940, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS

Opera House

NOW SHOWING: “POISON PEN."

A quaint English village is the background of the powerful drama, "Poison Pen,” to be screened at the Opera House to-day and to-night, also to-morrow and Thursday. Anonymous letters written with a terrible knowledge of the recipients' private lives starts first scandal', then a brawl, a suicide follows and then murder. This graphic presentation of the power of the scandal writer is thrown into strong relief by its frame of village fife where the least word of gossip finds a ready ear. As always, the culprit makes a mistake, and the police get a clear line of action. The revelation is amazing, the guilty paity is as unsuspected as the depths that exist in all humans. The unrolling of this drama is absorbing entertainment and gives full opportunities to Flora Robson, star of “Fire Over England” and "Wuthering Heights,” at the head of a brilliant cast. The picture is not all sombreshadow, there is some sly comedy extracted from the foibles of the righteous dames who busy themselves with the detection of the culprit. The village, pub, the post office where the purchase of groceries and the transaction of the most of the inhabitants’ public business *makes it a nerve centre of village life, the church on Sunday morning where a subdued, buzz goes round at the entrance of a notorious character —all these have had faithful representation in “Po s- ; on Pen.” Others in the cast include Robert Newton. Ann Todd, Reginald Tate, Geoffrev Toone and Belle Chrystall.

NEXT ATTRACTION (Commences Friday): “THE STORY OF VEhNON AND IRENE CASTLE.”

At last Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers are starred in a great dramatic love story entitled “The Story of Vernon and, Irene Castle,”, which commences on Friday at the Opera House for a season of three matin: es and three nights. More romantic, more amazing than any fiet.on, all the gaiety and glories, the swift drama and glamorous pageantry of an amazing, era, parading before your eyes; a story written by time and events, to be played only by Fred and Ginger. Others prominent in the cast include Edna May Oliver, Walter Brennan, Lew Fields and Janet Bucher.

Regent Now Showing: “OLD BONES OF THE RIVER” and “MR MO i O TAKES A VACATION.”

A new Will Hay comedy is always an eagerly anticipated screen event. In “Old Bones of the River,” which is adapted from the famous Edgar Wallace West African tale, “Lieutenant Bones” he appears as Professor Benjamin Tibbetts. The story provides some of the most unique and uproarious situations and will keep you laughing long after you have seen the film. Will Hay’s attempts to assert his pedagogic authority over the precocious native children —and their parents; his reasoning with recalcitrant tax-payers whose only assets appear to be wives and goats; his inexperienced mothering of a wide-eyed piccanniny whom he takes under his wing when he has snatched her from the jaws of a sacrificial death and the ingenious brainwaves he adopts to stall off the belligerent natives and hold the English residency until help arrives—all these highlights of comedy set up new landmarks in the history of cinematic hilarity. Supporting Will Hay are two outstanding comedians, Graham Moffatt and Moore Marriott, who are seen as captain and crew of the s.s. “Zaire.” WEIRD ADVENTURE. Getting mixed up with murderers and international jewel thieves probably wouldn’t exactly be your idea of the perfect vacation. But that’s what Mr Moto spends his time doing in “Mr Moto Takes a Vacation,” the newest of the 20th. Century-Fox thrillers, starring Peter Lorre as the famous detective. The film takes Mr Moto to the Arabian desert and he meets his mosl

exciting adventures to date while providing a safe escort for the Queen of Sheba’s- priceless crown jewels. Joseph Schildraut, Lionel Atwill, Virginia Field, John King and Iva Stewart head the supporting case. Patrons are advised to book early. ’Phone 601 now.