AMUSEMENTS

Grey River Argus, 4 June 1942, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS

Opera House Finally To-night; “The Round-up” and “Forced Landing.” Next Attraction (commences to-morrow. Friday), “Sunny.” “SUNNY” Stressing its delightful romance along with its gay Jerome Kern tunes and its spectacular dance numbers, Anna Neagle’s new “Sunny”, commencing at the Opera House tomorrow (Friday), is hailed as an exceptionally attractive filmusical, and as something of an innovation ’ in screen entertainment, being very different from any of Miss Neagle’s earlier vehicles. Seven unique dance routines and the four song hits of the original show, including the memorable “Who ?” are woven into the plot of the story, laid against the colourful background of New Orleans during the Mardi Gras season. Sunny is a dancer with a travelling carnival company playing the Louisiana city when she meets Larry Warren, a rich young socialite, in the hectic whirl of a Mardi Gras crowd. The two fall immediately in love and against the wishes of Larry’s sister and the carnival manager, they plan to marry at once. But Sunny is? worried over her place in the smart social circles in which Larry dwells, .and when the whole carnival troupe arrive boisterously to attend the wedding, she gives up and runs away, going back to her original job. But at this point Larry’s nighly unconventional old aunt .takes a hand, and the result makes for the delightful ending to this very out-of-the-ordinary tune film. Ray Bolger, John Carroll, Edward Everett norton, The Hartmans, Frieda Inescort and Helen Westley head the featured cast. Regent Theatre Finally To-night: “PARACHUTE BATTALION,” starring Robert Preston, Nancy Kelly and Harry Carey. Commencing Friday, “TOPPER RETURNS,” a hilarious funfeast with Great Stars in Top Roles. Comedy, mystery and romance are blended in a swiftly paced story which unfolds in this new Hal Roach production. “Topper Returns,” directed by Roy Del Ruth, carries famous characters created by the late Thorne Smith, with a new glamour ■ghost, further into the realm of hilarious The cast is headed by such stars as Joan Biondell, Roland Young, Carole Lancis, Billie Burke, Dennis O’Keefe, Patsv Kelly, Eddie (Rochester) Anderson and Rafaela Ottiano. Roland Young and Billie Burke are back as Cosmo Topper and his fluttery spouse, the roles they made famous in the two previous Roach hits. “Topper” and “Topper Takes a. Trip.” Cosmo Topper again manifests his embarrassing fascination for ghosts. The lovely, shapely spirit which haunts him is Joan Blondel'l as the unearthly. Gail I Richards. Carole Landis, the lus-

cious blonde, gives an excellent performance as the romantic lead. Opposite her is the debonair and easygoing Dennis O’Keefe, the hero. Eddie Anderson is at his humorous best as a chauffeur .who can't like ghosts. Rafaela Ottiano does an excellent bit of frightening. H. B. Warner is the suave villain. Comedienne Patsy

Kelly contributes a large share of the laughs. The story is of the mysterious death of Gail Richards. Joan turns up to find? her own murderer and to haunt the scene by visiting the Carrington mansion, where ctranee things go on. Joan is a ghost Addicted to practical jokes and champagne.