AMUSEMENTS

Grey River Argus, 21 May 1941, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS

Opera House

Now showing: “THE BIG GUY” and “FUGITIVE AT LARGE." “THE BIG GUY.”

Presenting Victor McLa'glen and Jackie Cooper in a story which blends fast action and thrills with heart-throbbing drama, “The Big Guy,” now being screened at the Opera House. McLaglen, whose stirring emotional performances have won him the highest acting honours that Hollywood can bestow, is seen as the war'den of a great penitentiary. When he unexpectedly com?s into possession of a fortune in stolen money, the warden finds himself subject to the same desire to keep it which might affect any of the convicts under his care. Cooper portrays an ambitious young mechanic who, through a strange twist of fate, becomes involved in the escape of two convicts who kill an officer and leave Jackie to face trial for their crime. Although the story has an action background, and presents spectacular fights and running gun battles with police, the dominant theme is warm and human. McLa'glen as the warden torn between honour and greed is said to 'give his finest performance since “I he Informer.” The supporting cast includes Ina Munson, Peggy Moran, and Ed. Brophy. \ FUGITIVE AT LARGE. J’ack Holt, two-fisted action star of so many breath-taking melodramas, crashes through with another top-flight thriller in Columbia’s gitive at Large,” now showing at the Opera House. Dealing with the close physical resemblance between a reputable construction engineer and the chief of a hold-up ring, this sensational new film tops the current output in the force and vigour of its action and in the abundance of its tense screen sequences. The ingenious plot makes the engineer the victim of a clever scheme contrived by the bandits, which sends the innocent man to prison on a framed charge. But the malefactors’ plans go awry as Holt intrepidly battles his way out of gaol and comes back for vindication and revenge in a series of breath-taking episodes. Thrill piles upon thrill as he escapes the guns of the pursuing posse only to plunge head-on into a hail of bullets from the guns of the very men who framed him. How he brings his enemies, to justice is screen drama of the kind that must be seen to be appreciated. The outstanding supporting cast features such personalities as Patricia Ellis, Stanley Fields and Guinn (Big Boy) Williams.

Regent

Now Showing “DANCE GIRL DANCE,” Delightful New Film.

Using as its thematic basis the heartaches, joys and tempestuous romances of backstage life, “Dance, Girl, Dance” is said to be the year’s unique screen offering. Maureen O’Hara, Louis Hayward and Lucille Ball have the stellar roles in this RKO Radio film, which is replete with spectacular dance numbers and captivating songs. The vivid story traces the adventures of an Irish dancer (Maureen) who dreams of some day becoming a famous ballet dancer, and of a' go-getting chorine (Lucille) whose ambition is to lure any man who is financially attract-

ive. Louis Hayward, as a millionaire playboy who becomes one of her victims; Virginia Field, as his divorced wife, and Ralph Bellamy, as a dance impressario who eventually answers Maureen’s dreams, have other pivotal roles, as do Mary Carlisle, Katharine Alexander, Maria Ouspenskaya', Edward Brophy and Walter Abel. Plans are open and patrons wishing to reserve ’phone 601. “SPRING PARADE,” “Spring Parade,” which will open on Friday, is different from anything Deanna Durbin has ever done. It is her first costume picture, her first period picture and the first aiong the very light, semi-opera style she has attempted. She is cast hs nn Hungarian peasant girl who goes to Vienna to fulfil th e prediction of a fortune-teller, and meets a soldier with whom she falls in love. Deanna sings four numbers. Bob Cummings plays the ro'.e of the soldier sweetheart who turns out to be a musician. S. Z. Sakall, who was the bewildered producer in “It’s a Date,” is the owner of a bakery in which Deanna works in Vienna, with Mischa Auer in the part of a farmer who tries to dance Deanna into th e ground with the czardas.

TAYLORVILLE HALL TO-NIGHT.

A euchre tourney and dance are being held to-night at Taylorville Hall, in aid of the Air Force Queen, under the auspices of her Runanga Committee. A ’bus leaves Runanga at 8 o’clock and Greymouth P.O. at 8.30. '

BAND OF THE ROYAL N.Z. AIR FORCE.

Fresh from a triumphant success from the North Cape, to the Bluff, where packed and enthusiastic audiences and eulogistic press notices attested popular appreciation, the Band of the Royal New Zealand Air Force will make their first appearance at Greymouth next week. During their stay here they will give an exhibition of quick-step and slow marching, and they will also render a programme of popular and modern music. The visit of the Band of th e Royal New Zealand Air Force to Greymouth will give its citizens the privilege to hear and see one of the best military bands in the British Empire. This band, consisting of GO musicians, has played in almost every part of the Dominion, and th e unanimous opinion of the New Zealand press is that the Band cjt 'the Royal; 'New ‘Zealand Air Force is an unusual and brilliant combination. Their marching and counter-marching is most spectacular and beautiful. Here are some of the comments by N.Zi critics:— “Post”: “The performance of the Band of the Royal N.Z. Air Force was remarkable; they demonstrated beyond all question that New Zealand now possesses a military band in the generally accepted meaning of the term, n band which may claim to take its place among the regimental bands of the British Empire.” “Dominion”: “New Zealand has every reason to be proud of the Band of the Royal. New Zealand Air Forde!)” “Inverc.argtl.'l, Southland Daily Times”: “A concert that will go down in history as the best of its kind ever staged in Invercargill. On more than one occasion during the too short programme the audience rose to its feet and made the theatre echo with its resounding cheers.” "Daily Herald, Hastings”: “The Band of the Royal N.Z. Air Force can compare favourably with the famous British combinations.” Readers are asked to watch this paper for the date of the Band’s appearance here, and all future announcements.