AMUSEMENTS

Grey River Argus, 19 November 1942, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS

Opera House Finally To-night: “Mr District Attorney in the Carter Case” and Tuxedo Junction.” Next Attraction, commencing to-morrow (Friday) : “Blood and Sand.” “.BLOOD AND SAND.” Brilliantly conceived, masterfully executed, and beautifully paced, “Blood and Sand” commencing at the Opera House to-morrow, Friday, is all spread on a panorama which the technicolour cameras have caught in breath-taking hues. Starring Tyron e Power, who contributes an inspired performance, the film was produced by Darryl F. Zanuck in blazing technicolour. Based on the famous novel by Vicente Biased Ibanez, “Blood and Sand” features Linda Darnell and Rita Hayworth at the head of a starstudded cast.

Depicting the story of a matador who is torn between tne love of beautiful wife (Linda Darnell) and the allure- of a fiery temptress (Rita Hayworth,) “Blood and Sand” is a drama of contrasts. Contrast between the grinding poverty of young Juan Gallardo, the reckless bullfighter before he became the most famous matador of Spain, and th e overflowing wealth he achieved afterwards. The contrast between the devotion and the fidelity of J'uan’s wife, and the callous fickleness of the beautiful siren. All of which makes it one of the most moving and exciting films to come out of Hollywood. It is as if the paintings of' the great masters have come to life. Against a lavish setting of vibrant colours, you see unrolded the passions, the love, and the hatreds of a fearless matador. He conquers a nation. but is in turn conquered by a woman who throws him off when she is attracted by another. Thousands of extras and hundreds of actors were employed to bring this sensational story to the screen. “Blood and Sand” combines all the sweep of a panorama with the sensitivity of a great love story. The outstanding supporting cast includes Nazimova, Anthony Quinn, J. Carrol Naish, John Carradine, Lynn Ban, Laird Cregar and Vicente Gomez.

Regent Theatre Finally To-night: “Men with Wings”. Commencing Friday: “The Clhocolate Soldier,” starring Nelson Eddy and Rise Stevens, a dazzling new Queen of Song. Music lovers, regardless of their tastes, have a treat in store for them at the Regent Theatre, where “The Chocolate Soldier,” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s new musical comedv, starring Nelson Eddy and Rise Stevens, opens on Friday. A brilliant production, musically and dramatically, it serves as an excellent vehicle with which to introduce Miss Stevens, Hollywood’s newest singing star, who comes to the screen from the Metropolitan opera. M.G.M. has drawn from the popular Oscar Strauss numbers from opera and from classics, embellished with new and modern arrangements, to round out a musical repertoire for Nelson Eddy and Miss Stevens that is all-embracing. » The story revolves about a married couple who are the musical comdey toasts of Vienna. The success they enjoy on the stage is, unfortunately not repeated in their marital, life for Miss Stevens, cast as Maria, is a flirtatious wench, and Edd” as Karl, is a husband consumed by jealousy. It is not until Karl hits upon the resource of masquerading as his own rival that he is able to test his wife’s faithfulness, a test which is obviously fraught with hilarious complications. Although the picture is a triumph for both the stars’, there ar e dance productions that are noteworth-- too Especially pleasing is the comic “Seek the Spy” number in which eccentric dancers leave one- gasping. Equallv good is the “Parade of the Soldiers” and the “Town Square” ballet,, which are worth the price of admission, a’one. The supporting cast of “The Chocolate Soldier” includes Nigel Bruce, Florence Bates, Charles Judels, Nydia Westman, Dorothy Gilmore and a host of ballet and eccentric dancers. ' Excellent featurettes include: A Passing Show. “Strong Testament”; “Dairy of a Polish Airman,” Pathe Gazette and Latest Overseas News. An outstanding Walt Disney Technieolour cartoon, “A Gentleman’s Gentleman.”