ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 94, 19 March 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE. “TIIE MIND OF MR REEDER.” When you combine one of the most lovable characters over created by that master of character drawing, Edgar Wallace, with tho artistry of one of the loved figures on the stage and screen to-day, Will F.vlfc, you have something to conjure with. In “Tho Mind cf Mr Reeder” (G-B-D), which is due at the Statu Theatre to-day, you have this combination, and the reside is one of tho most enjoyable films one could wish to sec. Whether Mr Reeder —as Will Fyffe interprets him —is sipping hot milk and dreaming of his chicken farm in his study, or whether ho is relentlessly tracking down the gang of criminals that have, harassed Scotland Yard for some lime, at all times he is a human, lovable figure that will, wc feel, soon become as well known and well-liked as other famous screen detectives. “The Mind of Mr Reeder,” as follocvers of Edgar "Wallace arc no doubt well aware, deals with the manner in which a gang of counterfeiters are tracked down by the old gentleman who carries an umbrella from tho special branch of Scotland Yard. “FRONTIER MARSHAL.”

The wickedest, wildest town in that dangerous West of old, Tombstone, Arizona, where the rnan fastest on tho drawlived the longest is the setting of “Frontier Marshal,” which opens at the Stale Theatre to-day. Randolph Scott and Nancy Kelly head the great cast of this thrilling 20th Century-Fox production, which also prominently features Cesar Romero, Uinnic Barnes and John Carradinc. Scott has his most colourful role to dale as Wyatt Karp, tho gun-fighting marshal who brought in the law at the end of a six-gun and stayed alive because no one over beat him to the draw. The lovely Nancy Kelly is cast as the beautiful, brave, unflinching girl who followed D.oc. Holliday, the man she loved, to this God-forsaken borderland town to save him.

REGENT THEATRE. ‘MR SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON’ Six of the biggest stages in Columbia's widespread Hollywood studios were monopolised . by Frank Capra lor life-size reproductions of the United States Senate Chambers, tho Senate building and other structures in the national capital during production of “Mr Smifh Goes to Washington,” Frank Capra's latest production which screens ar, the Regent Theatre. One entire stage was filled with an authentic copy of tho Senate Chamber itself, which Columbia boasts is tho first full-scale replica of the historical hall ever constructed. It mirrors the original to the last inch, the last detail of moulding. Hollywood directors are noted for their meticulous attention to detail in important productions, hut the Senate Chamber was a truly amazing replica. All the furniture was made to order. Even inkwells aud documents were duplicates. The same care was apparent in the filming of scones in the Senate, and the climax of the “.Mr Smith Goes In Washington,” a brave “stone-wall” by young Senator Smith (played by James Stewart) gives a fascinating glimpse of Senate procedure. Iho principal parts in “Mr Smith Goes to Washington” are taken by Janies Stewart and Jean Arthur, Edward Arnold, Claude Rains, Eugene Balletic, Thomas Mitchell and Guy Kibbeo. Capra, as is well-known, makes just one picture a year for Columbia. “Mr Smith Goes to Washington” is his offering for 1940.