Entertainments

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 145, 22 June 1939, Page 9

Entertainments

REGENT THEATRE—TO-DAY “BOYS TOWN” “Boys Town,” starring Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney, is based upon the Boys Town established 25 years ago by Father Edward J. Flanagan just 12 miles outside of Omaha. Spencer Tracy tops his previous performances with a characterisation as the idealistic priest who stakes his all on the theory that “there is no such thing as a bad boy”; Mickey Kooney “gives everything” as the tough, non-conforming little brother of a gangster, turned over to the custody of Tracy. One unforgettable scene after another follows in rapid succession as the entirely human and heart-warming story unfolds. Heading the supporting cast is Henry Hull, who essays one of his outstanding screen roles to date as friend and financial adviser to Tracy and his boys. Little Bobs Watson, in the characterisation of Pee Wee, will capture you completely, both as an actor and as a very personable young man. Also showing is an array of short subjects to please tho most fastidious. These include "Mexico," a Paramount colour cruise; “An Hour Por Lunch," a Robert Henchley comody; "Tiny Troubles," au Our Gang comedy; as well as tho latest British and overseas news items by air mail. In all, we can definitely say this is a show not to bo missed, and we strongly urge intending patrons to make their reservaTions immediately at Collinson and Cunninghame’s. “Four's a Crowd” —Friday, 10.30 p.m. “Four’s a Crowd,” svviitly-paced com-edy-romance, has a cast topped by Errol Flynn, Olivia de Haviliand, Kosalind Russell and Patrio Knowles. Walter Connolly, Hugh Herbert, Melville Cooper and Franklin Pangborn are also featured. The.quartette to whom the title refers is made up of Errol Flynn, as a former newspaper editor who lias become a highpowered public relations counsellor; Olivia ue ilavillanil, as a spoiled heiress to many millions; Rosalind Russell, as a clever and witty, as well as good-looking, newspaper reporter; and Patric Knowles, rich playboy engaged to wed Olivia, who inherits the paper on wnich Rosalind works. The crowding to which the members of the quartette subject each other begins when Put decides to end his newspaper’s existence because it is losing money, but is roundly denounced by the outspoken Rosulind, who ends her tirade witn tbe advice that all the owner need do to turn ills paper into a money-maker is to hire a live-wire newspaperman like Errol as managing editor. Pat takes the advice, Errol returns to the newspaper business, and, looking for a sensational issue to arouse interest, launches a series of attacks on Olivia’s grandtather, played by Walter Connolly, who is an irascible ana unscrupulous millionaire business brigand with two hobbies—miniature railroad trains and a pack of 18 Great Danes which he is wont to set on unwelcome visitors to his estate. Errol meets Olivia and gives her tho romantic rush, although he is also courting Rosalind. He is so successful with Olivia that she breaks her engagement to Pat, and the latter turns to Rosalind for solace. He &ets it—and an elopement. This merry nuX-up proves tho truth of the title, but the final scene in the office of a bewildered justice of the peace Clears up the matter. METEOR THEATRE—TO-DAY “AMBUSH” An exciting and unusually well acted gangster story, “Ambush,” the new picture now showing at the Meteor Theatre, gives interesting sidelights on the astuteness of the American police rounding up a gang of bank robbers. Gladys Swarthout and Lloyd Nolan have the principal roles. The opening scenes in “Ambush” show the robbery of a Californian bank by bandits who pump smoke through a rear window and in the resulting confusion rob the bank of 98,000 dollars. Four people are killed, but the robbers escape, leaving behind them the truck in which they had the smoke screen apparatus. A thrilling man hunt follows in an endeavour to enmesh the robbers in the police net. How the master criminal is finally outwitted and delivered over to the law makes an Intensely exciting climax.

STATE THEATRE—TO-MORROW “SUBMARINE PATROL” Twentieth Century-Fox’s “Submarine Patrol” opens to-morrow at the State Theatre. Hero is an amazing drama of the strangest, most ill-assorted crew that ever manned a fighting ship—the civilian odds and ends aboard one of the navy’s flimsy cockleshells of the “Splinter Navy.” The film is amazing both for the tale it tells and the fact that it has never been told before. The awe-inspiring glory that attends tho big super-aread-ntmghts and the fast, sleek destroyers and cruisers has all but obscured that branch of the service that saw some of the most perilous and exciting action of the war. Then men who joined the “Splinter Fleet” were not fighters by any means. They were land-loving softies—butchers, bakers and candlestick makers who were looking for a soft berth ana found time to conduct their businesses on the side as their ships lay moored in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. How they were plunged headlong into the thick of it, crossing seas raging with wind and wave and shot and shell, and wei‘e taught by danger to stand and deliver—to become heroes—is the thrilling, dramatic theme of “Submarine Patrol.” The film opens with a gay note, the lackadaisical, undisciplined men providing some of the rarest comedy the screen can boast. Richard Greene, as rich young Perry Townsend 111, signs up for the fleet and meets on the way beautiful Nancy Kelly, a most promising newcomer for whom a brilliant future is predicted. Their brave romance is as powerful as the dramatic theme of the film. Then there are the boys—Slim Summerville, Warren Hymer, Douglas Fowley, J. Farrell MacDonald and Maxie Rosenbloom. The interesting associate programme includes one of the latest of the “March of Time” aeries entitled “The Refugee To-day and Tomorrow.” It courageously reveals the dreadful plight of thousands of persecuted victims fleeing before the wrath of the dictators; also a special feature, “Vyvyan Danner’s Winter Fashion Forecast,” in teehnicolour, showing America’s most beautiful models displaying winter’s uevvest styles. KOBY THEATRE—TO-DAY “NIGHT OF MYSTERY” A new Philo Vance blood-chilling murder story, Paramount’s “Night of Mystery,” as exciting as all the other S. a. Van Dine screen attractions, which is now showing at the Kosy Theatre, successfully introduces a new Philo Vance and Sergeant Heath in the persons of Grant Richards and Roscoe Karns. Thrown into the midst of a series of murders that threatens to extinguish a whole family forced to live in u mysterious mansion, Vance unearths clue after clue that leads up a blind alley, lie finds pitted against his coldly scientific methods of crime detection a maniacal strength that eludes each trap. Richards, as the suavely polished Philo Vance, adds something to the role that gave William Powell a push up the ladder of fame in the older Van Dine mystery films. As a leaner, more agile Heath, than that portrayed by Eugene Pallette, Roscoe Karns presents a completely different characterisation of a favourite movie character. Ruth Coleman, Harvey Stephens, Purnell Pratt and Elizabeth Patterson give excellent performances. ‘‘Turn Off the Moon” Music and laughter are equal ingredients mixed in liberal proportion in “Turn Off the Moon,” Paramount’s newest musical comedy hit which is now showing at the Kosy Theatre. Charlie Ruggles heads the cast ol movie and radio stars assembled for this latest “must” on your movie list. He is aided by Eleanore Whitney, Johnny Downs, Kenny Baker, Phil Harris and his orchestra, Ben Blue, Marjorie Gateson and the Fanchonettes. The latest Paramount musical mirthquake marks the debut of Fanehon, famous for her Fanclion and Marco stage units, as a full Hedged motion picture producer. Under her expert supervision, dance director Leßoy Prinz lias created a new trpsichor&an craze, “Jamming,” that Hollywood expects to be as popular as the famous Charleston. “Turn Off the Moon” is an original screen play by Marguerite Roberts, Harlan Ware and Paul Gerald Smith. In a light vein the story kids astrology as a royal aid to romance and an additional headache to Charlie Ruggles’ frustrated sweetheart.