AMUSEMENTS

Grey River Argus, 23 September 1944, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS

Opera House Now Showing: “Stardust on the Sage” and “The Spider Woman”. A' new high in thrills, excitement and songs is in this, the greatest of all range adventures, “Stardust on the Sage”, starring Gene Autry, and featuring Smiley Bnrnette and Edith Fellows, now showing at the Opera House. . , . This latest Autry musical, western presents Gene as chief buyer for a national packing concern who scents trouble when he learns that his ranch owning friends are investing all their spare money in a hydraulic mining venture instead of in cattle. The mining venture is being promoted by young Jeff Drew, local agent of the packing company, and his two attractive sisters, Nancy and Judy, lend support through the radio station they own and operate. Gene quickly learns that young Drew is up to his neck in the venture, with his sisters being automatically implicated. Jeff has been using the cattlemen’s ' funds to keep the mine running, relying on the undeniable fundamental soundness of the mine to keep him out of trouble. However, he has failed to reckon on the dishonesty. of the foreman, who wants to gain sole rights to the mine. In traditional style Gene saves the day for the Drew family and the ranchers. Song hits include: “Deep in the Heart of Texas”; “You are My Sunshine”; “Home on the Range”; “Goodnight Sweetheart” and many others.

For the first time in his intricate history of mystery unravelling, Sherlock Holmes faces a diabolically clever feminine opponent, Adrea Spedding, in Universal's “Spider Woman,” now showing at the Opera House.

Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce are co-starred in the respective roles of Holmes and Dr. Watson, while Gale Sondergaard appears as Adrea Spedding. An absorbing dramatic plot constitutes the basis for the story, a chilling mystery involving a series of seemingly inexplicable “pyjama” suicides. Each victim is found dead under the same circumstances which indicate self-destruction; but Holmes, with unerring instinct, detects the feminine touch. Employing clever disguise, he contrives to meet the perpetra'or of the crimes, and, aided by the faithful Watson, sets an ingenious trap to solve the ghastly murders.

Regent Theatre Now Showing: “Flesh and Fantasy.”

Three separate but inter-related tales have been cleverly merged in “Flesh and Fantasy,” now showing at the Regent.

Many noted stars appear in vivid oles as the multiple plot unfolds, ■“resented as episodes, the stories are inked by an ingenius plot structure, and the unified result is completely fascinating. The first episode, dealing with the psychological transformation of an unattractive woman into a glorious creature, has Betty Field and Robert Cummings in the leading roles. Through supernatural, yet logical means, the action blends into the second episode, in which Edward G. Robinson, as the potential murderer, is unwittingly doomed by a clairvoyant. Merged into this situation is the absorbing performance of Charles Boyer, as the circus tightwire artist, involved with a refugee crook, portrayed by Barbara Stanwyck. A spectacular climax unique in every cinema respect, brings the film to its startling conclusion.