AMUSEMENTS

Grey River Argus, 18 November 1941, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS

Opera House Now Showing: “Spy for. a Day” and “The Showdown’’ “SPY FOR A DAY.” The ludicrous and exciting comedy drama, “Spy for a Day,” starring the screen’s latest sensation, Dugg:e Wakefield (the man with the funniest face in the world),'.is now being screened at the Opera House. The story of “Spv for a Day” has a war-time setting and a close ■connection with present day events. Duggie is seen as Sam Gates, a country vouth whose simnle- character makes him the butt of his village. War comes and Sam falls into the hands of the enemy. He has a series of exciting adventures and by the time he returns to the village, having faced death from a firing squad on more than one occasion, he is no longer the fool of the village, but a person of considerable importance. Others in supporting casts are Paddy Brown, Jack Allan and Albert Lieven. “THE SHOWDOWN” The Old West springs to pulsating life again- in the fast-moving, actioncrammed Clarence E. Mulford story “The Showdown,” which is now showing at the Opera House, with William (Bill) Boyd again portraying the leading role- of “Hopalong Cassidy.” The story concerns the machinations of a band of crooked amblers and horse thieves who come into a frontier community and attempt to run it—until Cassidy catches up with them, and winds up With one of the most thrilling runaways and captures ever recorded. This is performed and photographed in the best manner of Producer Harry Sherman, the gent who is responsible for lifting the Western out of the old “chase” tradition into legitimate motion picture entertainment. ine cast also includes Russell Hayden, Britt Wood. Morris Ankrum, Jovciy Jane Clavton and “The Kind’s Men, cowboy singinv aggreation of radio fame. Recent Now Showing: “Maytime.” Splendid in every _ sense of the meaning, Metro Goldwyn Mayers lavish musical offer, “Maytime

with Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy in the starring roles. “Maytime” was a musical piece of gorgeous proportions when Rida Johnson Young’s play was on the boards and it closely approaches the status of a musical masterpiece on the screen. The skilful adaptation was made by Noel Langley. The songs were written by Sigmund Romberg, composer of the original Broadway score, and also by Herbert Stothart, who has composed the first film operetta, “Czaritza”, which provides a lovely sequence in the picture. In the supporting cast of “Maytime”, • John Barrymore plays a picturesque role as the temperamental impresario. There iis also Lynn Carver, a delicately beautiful young singer from the Kentucky Blue Grass regions who sings and acts unusually well.. She and Tom Brown provide the juvenile romance. In love with Nelson Eddy, a young singer, Jeanette MacDonald, an opera star, actuated by a mistaken sense of duty, marries John Barrymore, the impresario, to whom she owes her career. When circumstances brings her and the singer together again, they realise that their love is stronger than before. Mad with insane jealousy the husband kills the singer. The tragedy answers the problem of the younger girl who is drawn between a choice of love and a career. Miss MacDonald and Eddy sing “Will You Remember ?” so effectivvely that few who heard it will soon forget it. Miss MacDonald also sings two complete operatic arias and portions of others. Eddy has three novelty songs “Students’ Drinking Song,” “Vive L Opera and “Virginia Ham and Eggs.” In a touching duet the stars sing “Carry Me Back to Old Virginny.” Patrons are advised to make reservations for this production, as bookings are expected to be very heavy. ’Phone 601.