ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 126, 30 April 1941, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

State Theatre. —A dramatic and touching story of events in an auto camn on the Arizona desert is fold in “One Crowded Night,” new RKO Radio offering. Sixteen persons occupy the ramp during the course of the story—the elderly couple who run it, their two daughters, a mechanic and a waitress, a pedlar of patent medicine, a pair of crooks, an escaped convict seeking to clear his name, a truck driver, a navy deserter in the custody of two policemen, and the deserter’s young wife, who is about to have a baby. The lives of these oddly-assorted characters arc linked by tho accidents of Fate, and it is around this linking that the various story threads are woven to make a dramatic and absorbing pattern. Three rthnances and vignettes of jealousy, revenge*, mother-love anu rcgoncraion arc blended together in this entertaining picture, which strikes a really new note in the season's screen symphony. Mayfair Theatre. —Tlailcd as one of-Who truly great motion pictures of all time, Darryl F. Zanuck's production of “ ' 1 *? Rains Came,” the sensationally successful novel hy T.ouis Bromficld, shows to-day at. the Mayfair Theatre, with Myrna Loy. Tyrone Power and George Brent sharing stellar honours. This powerful story of human emotions at the breaking point and human lives at the climax, while the untamed forces of nature ravaged the earth, has been faithfully retold in this 20th Cen-tury-Fox film, in which all of Bromfiold’s colourful characters arc brought to life. Mvrna Toy is seen as the amorous Lady Ksket.h. Tyrone Power lias his most romantic role as Major Bahia Safti. and George Brent plays the world-wearv Tom Ransomo. Brenda Joyce, star-maker Zanuck’s newest discovery, interprets the role of young l'crn Simon. Regent Theatre. Patterned along the same lines as “The Under-Pup.” a pattern which proved a hit and established Gloria, •lean as a star, Universal's “A Little Bit of Heaven” shows fo-dav at the Regent Theatre. Producer Joe Pasternak. who introduced Gloria in the previous film, also is producer of “A Little Bit of Heaven.” in which the 12-year-old star has a role similar to her “Under-Pup” title part. Six other players from the casts of the earlier success are present, in the feature, including C. Aubrey Smith, as Glorias “Grandpa”: Nan Grey." as her older sister; Butch and Buddy, Billy Gilbert and Frank Jenks. In addition the cast includes Robert Stack, Hugh Herbert as Gloria s “Pop,” Stuart Krwin. Eugene Pal'.ette, Nana Bryant. Tommy Bond and _ others. Amongst, the featurettes is “\\ ar and Order,” latest rclea.se by the British Min istry f>[ 'lnformation. Gripping and enthusiastic scones during A.R.P.. E.P.S. and police demonstrations in F.ngland. Meteor Theatre. —Depicting the gay experiences of two young Americans who try to mix romance and detective work in the glamorous atmosphere of Mexico City, Universal’s zestful mystery drama “Meet the Mildcat,” is the current attraction at tho Meteor Theatre. Ralph Bellamy and Margaret Lindsay share the love interest in the swiftly paced story which turns a dramatic spotlight upon the schemes and operations of international art thieves who steal pricoles art treasures from famed museums. Joseph Schildkraut is featured as the mysterious leader cf tho underworld organisation and Allen Jenkins has the comedy lead as the befuddled taxi driver who turns detective with near disastrous consequences to all concerned. Other favourites in the cast include Jerome C'owan. Robert 0. Davis and Frank Puglia. The associate feature is “Swing It, Professor," starring Pinky Tomlin. High jinks in the musical land of swing made this a happy picture which will be enjoyed by everyone.