AMUSEMENTS

Grey River Argus, 23 June 1944, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

Opera House

Now Showing: “Harrigan’s Kid” and "Corregidor.”

A new juvenile star js introduced in M.G.M.’s dramatic and moving tale of the turf, “Harrigan’s Kid,” showing at the Opera House. He is Bobby Readick, sensation of the Broadway stage, who plays the title role in this original screen story. The story deals with the career of a young jockey, played by Readick. He is taught the tricks of rding by a former star jockey, played by William Gargan. But Gargan is not only teaching the cocky youngster to ride. He teaches him all the ways and means of throwing races so that he and his unscrupulous partner, J. Carrol Naish, will reap the profits of crooked bookmaking. But the “grand old man of the turf,” Frank Craven, meets the youngster and sees through his tough exterior. He. buys his contract and takes the youngster under his wing, teaching him the ideals of fair plav and good sportsmanship, until finally the jockey rides a good, clean race to win the first place in the turf classic. Readick handles the difficult role with sympathy and understanding. Wilfiam Gargan is first-rate as the “fallen” jockey who finally redeems himself in a stirring climax.

A great love story of the war that will no doubt take its place beside Ihe immortal “Mrs Minniver,” as a beaut’ful poignant drama of human sacrifice and heroism in the face of disaster. This powerfully emotional drama is “Corregidor.” now showing at the Onera House. It is in fact the story of the sacrifice of two American officers in love with the same woman —two friends who stand readv to give their lives <-o that she m ! ght be saved for the other. Elissa Land!, that glamorous star, gives a superb performance of the woman married to one surgeon and in love w’.th another. Otto Kruger is the husband. Donald Woods is the old sweetheart whom she aga’n meets at Corregidor—and they realise that their love has flamed anew. So Hoes ihe husband, who philosophically offers to step aside that thev m : ght be hnnnv together. But both wife and friend refuse. And so. during the last bitter days of hopeless fighting on “The Rock , thev pursue their humanitar’an workall be’ng surgeons., till in the final hours Kruger is killed in field dressm-’- stat’on. and the other man watches as the bomber evacuates th“ woman he loves to Australia .and safety, as he remains behind. Regent Theatre Now Showing: “Presenting Lily Mars,” starring Judy Garland ana Van Heflin. Liltmg melodies mmgle witn comedy and a haunting love storv in Met.ro-Goldwyn-Maver’s snecial 2i>rn annivor~arv production. ‘Presenting Lilv Mar r --.” starring Judy Gariano ana Van Heflm, now showing at the Recent Theatre, This is a romance of the moaem theatre and tells what J iapp^I } s when a vovng s’ntmr sets out to attain stardom. Judy is fhe young singer. She tr.es to “crash wa” to th“ attpntmn of a famotw producer. Van Heflin, manages to make his Prima Donna, Martha EgXrth msanelv iealous. and amffi comical complications and a touchinTlove story the. embryo star achieves success musically and iomantically. Pfchard Carlson is well cast as a harassed young plavwright, Fav Painter ana Spring Byington are effective as mothers of the two nr nciples. Bob Crosby and Its band add mus’cal moments of iovful entertainment. Catchy musical numbers h'ehliuht the notion, and ini elude “Tom Tom Hie Fiber’s Son. liho evnt'e “Kulebail'a” and Ihe old .favou'-’de “Every Little Moment." a/so “'T’hroe O’Cffick in ihe Morning” land “When I Look at You.”