Entertainments

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 5, 7 January 1941, Page 7

Entertainments

REGENT THEATRE—TO-MORROW “SAN FRANCISCO” O. Henry once remarked there were only three cities worth writinK about—New York, New Orleans and San I rancisco. Comes now another authority on interesting: cities, a world-traveller, who declares there are only six cities worth writing about —New Orleans, San Francisco, London, Cairo, Shanghai and Washington, DC He is W. S. Van Dyke, film dnectoV who has led motion picture companies to all corners of the earth and who has visited and lived in most of the inter Sing cities of the world. His hi-Pic-ture, “San Francisco, which screens x or two days only, Wednesday and Thursday, IT the Regent Theatre with Clark Gable Jeanette MacDonald and Spencer Tracy starred. “San Francisco ranks among the most colourful cities,” he said, because of Us exciting past. It was born on the mud flats in the days of the gold rush. It is to-day the only real cosmopolitan city in the west. The city s fine food is traditional the world over, >et it Is not the fine food alone that makes it famous. It is the birthplace of leading artists and literary figures. San Francisco has given to the world such geniuses as David Belasco. the theatrical producer David Warfield, one of the greatest actors; Jim Corbett, Jack London, Bret Hartc, Katherine and Frank Norris, i'i oa Sterling. Homer Davenport, the great cartoonist —and even Rube Goldberg. With its Barbary Coast, Its Vigilantes, its gold rush days and the tragic disasters that have struck the city, San Francisco has given Inspiration for some of the finest literary works and motion picture plots. That is why Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer chose San Francisco as the setting for the musical drama ‘San Francisco,’ co-star-ring Clark Gable, Jeanette MacDonald and Spencer Tracy. The city's ability to rise out of the ruins a bigger and better San Francisco, following the disaster that levelled it in 1906, was the inspiration for the story and screen play by Robert Hopkins and Anita Loos. They saw in the hectic Barbary Coast period prior to and through the earthquake and fire an admirable dramatic theme for a motion picture.” MAYFAIR THEATRE—TO-DAY “THE DRUM” In many ways “The Drum,” which is to be screened at the Mayfair Theatre tonight, is said to be the most notable British film yet produced, and a triumph for two men and a boy—the producer and director, Alexander and Zoltan Korda, and Sabu, the little Indian boy who plays the role of an Indian prince. Sabu’s rise to fame is remarkable. A little over two years ago the boy was picked up out of a Jungle in India to play the leading role in “Elephant Bov,” a story adapted from Kipling’s “Toomai of the Elephants.” He instantly captured the hearts of millions of picture lovers. Afterwards he was taken to England, where ho was placed under contract to London Films and groomed for the more important role in A. E. W. Mason's story “The Drum." In that film he gives a performance that can only he described as sensational, and establishes him as one of the most natural and charming personalities ever seen in films. The story is an original one of contemporary colonial life on the NorthWest frontier in India, and deals with insurgent tribes, the dethroning of a boy prince, the attempted massacre of tho inmates of the British Residency and the sacred and mysterious drutn of India, which legend says beats out strange messages by itself, but whose riddle Sabu unravels. Throughout the thrilling story oi Intrigue and battle runs the thread of the little Indian prince’s friendship for a Scottish drummer boy who teaches him a “Signature Tune” of his own. Zoltan Korda and his camera crews went through incredible hardships in the burning sun north of the famous Khyber to photograph in technicolour the settings for the picture. They penetrated territory where no motion picture camera had ever been before. These scenes in the film will show tribal life and scenery new to the iilmgoer. Valuable assistance was extended to them by his Highness the Mehtar of Chitral during the making of the picture. Important roles are also played by Raymond Massey, Valerie Hobson, Roger. Livesey, Martin Walker and Desmond Tester. Over 3000 tribesmen were used as extras in the film, which is being released by United Artists.

STATE TH EATRE—TO-DAY “KIT CARSON” Based on the real-life story of one of the boldest and most dashing adventurers in American history, Edward Small’s latest production, “Kit Carson,” with Jon Hall playing the title role, shows today at the State Theatre. The cast in “Kit Carson” features, in addition to Hail, Lynn Bari, Dana Andrews. Ward Bond, Harold Huber and Clayton Moore. Spotlighting the adventure-filled episodes .of Carson's life when he joined John C. Fremont of the United States army to .survey and map the shortest overland route to California, Small’s film of “Kit Carson” abounds in spectacular scenes involving bitter fighting with the Indians, dangerous treks in wagon trains, plots, and counter-plots engineered by sly and cunning Mexican schemers. Most of the sweeping outdoor scenes for “Kit Carson” were photographed on location at Kayenta, Arizona, next door to the Navajo reservation, and hundreds of the Navajos participated in filming. Small was delighted that he won the co-operation of the Navajos. Otherwise he would have been unable to transfer to film the great scenic beauties and amazing topography of Monument Valley. This vastly picturesque section was chosen for the major location site because of its natural magnificence and complete isolation. METEOR THEATRE—TO-DAY “GAUCHO SERENADE” Gene Autry’s first tune title picture, “South of the Border,” was a tremendous success and played in hundreds of theatres throughout the country. The second, “Rancho Grande,” duplicated this success. Now, to the Meteor Theatre today comes his latest and biggest screen success, “Gaucho Serenade.” No Gene Autry picture could be complete without Smiley Burnette who has appeared in all the Gene Autry westerns. Smiley is an expert musician, and in “Gaucho Serenade” sings the “Wooing of Kitty Mac*uty, a comic song which he himself composed. June Storey is the third chief component of this entertaining film. Ihe story weaves round little Michael Willoughby, an English boy in school abroad, who receives a message from his adored father in America, to join him at once. Michael believes his father to be the owner of a vast property known as the Rancho “San Quentin," a name which his father lias concocted to keep from his son the knowledge that he is in prison, the innocent victim of a false embezzlement charge. The message has actually come from the real culprits. Martin and Blake, who plan to kidnap the youngster, to «f e hJs safet -y as a threat against Willoughby, senr., who is about to give testimony which will clear himself and convict them. Michael arrives at the and mee ts Gene Autry and Frog Millhouse in mistake for tho two crooks. on things begin to happen. There is a first-class supporting programme.

KOSY THEATRE—TO-DAY "ARTISTS AND MODELS” The air waves have been combed and the entertainment world turned upside down for talent and the answer is “Artists and Models,” Paramount’s tuneful, girlfull, mirthful comedy now at the Kosy Theatre! Jack Benny, Andre Kosteianetz and Connie Boswell—to start with! Then there’s lovely Ida Lupino, Richard Alien, glamorous Gail Patrick, Ben Blue •--and many others, together with hundreds of beautiful models brought from America’s most famous studios and ate-' iiers! You simply must not miss “Artists and Models if you want to see one of the most gorgeously produced comedies of the current season! “Night Work.” The further—and funnier!—adventure* of that merry screen mfenage, the “Fitches” (remember them in “Boy Trouble”?) are recounted in the new Paramount comedy, “Night Work,” which is screening at the Kosy Theatre as the associate picture to “Artists and Models.” With that grand team, Mary Boland and Charlie Ruggles, cast again as the average man-and-wife, the story tells how they attempt to adopt “Butch” legally, the boy to whom they gave a home in “Boy Trouble.” “Butch,” played again by Donald O’Connor, wants to stay with Miss Boland and Charlie, but a problem arises cn the scene in the person of

“Butch’s’ testy, steeplejack grandfather. He has to be convinced that Charlie is a lit father—and it takes plenty of convincing, what with Charlie constantly being put on the spot by the tough staff and the tenants of the apartment house which he is managing. Joyce Mathews again plays the romance-bent daughter of the family, and also present in supporting roles are William Farwley, Billy Lee and John Hartley. George Archainbaud directed.