ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 209, 2 August 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAYFAIR THEATRE. “THE LIGHT OF WESTERN STARS.” Brimming with colourful characterisations, with . action of the six-gun variety,- and with romance under the arched blue vault of western skies, “The Light of Western Stars,” latest; of thy great Zanc Grey’s .-.tones, is now showing at tho Mayfair Theatre. Produced for Paramount, under die guidance of Harry Sherman, directed by Lesley Selander, makers of many a /.anc Grey film, tho picture shows the mark of tin’s pair of experts. Under their bauds, Victor Jory becomes an lioncst-to-goodness bad man with redeeming qualities beneath a .hard exterior, Jo Ann Sayers made a lovely heroine, an aristocratic Eastern girl who sots out to reform Jory after being forced to marry him at the point of a gun, and. Russell “Lucky” Hayden was just as good as he ever has been in the “Cassidy” series. Others, ineluding Morris Ankrum, Noah Beerv, juiir., J. Farrell MacDonald and lluth Rogers, show why they have become favourites of Western fans. These fine performances are grafted upon a story which starts with the marriage already mentioned, and goes into high gear as the heroine attempts to reform the hero, who becomes embroiled m gun battles and chases galore. On the score of action and romance, this one will please lovers of outdoor films.

Also screening on the same programme: Judith Barrett in Paramount’s “Women Without Names,” tho sensation-packed drama..of the Joyce King gangland’s greatest menace: and then another action packed drama of “Tho Green Hornet.”

STATE THEATRE. “FIE MARRIED lIIS WIFE.” “He Married Ilis Wife” shows at the State 'ihoalro to-day. Joel McCrou and Nancy Kelly are the stars in this gay. bit and they receive marvellous support from a cast including such winners as Roland Young, Mary Boland and Cesar Romero. Darryl F. Zanuck was in charge of production and tho film bears Ins expert mark. It bears also tbo deft touch of Director lioy Del, Ruth who handles this comedy in just the wa.y it should have been dono. The screen play by Playwright Sam Heilman, veteran Scenarists Darrell Ware and Lynn Starling, and Author John O’Hara, is packed with perfect situations and repartee gems that make tho dialogue constantly sparkle. Their story opens with Joel and Nancy together in celebration of the first anniversary of thoir divorce. Although they were, and .still aie, very much in love, .Joel’s passion for horses and horse racing broke up the match and now he is paying heavy alimony. lie has just bought another plug which has delayed his la lest payment, so Nancy has him thrown into gaol forthwith. Joel sees the only wry out of the situation is to have Nancy marry again and .with ihe advice of his lawyer, Roland Young, sets the stage for a romance between her and Lyle Talbot, a very/ colourless and unromnntic young man despite his two recent years in Persia. Joel arranges for perfect weather, moonlight, plenty of solitude and romantic music for Nancy and Talbot at Mary Boland’s week-end party, where he hopes to get | Talbot, to pop the question.