Entertainments

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 44, 20 February 1941, Page 9

Entertainments

REGENT THEATRE—TO-DAY “NIGHT TRAIN TO MUNICH”Deftly blending- romance, laughter and excitement, “Night Train to Munich” is now showing at the Regent Theatre. Margaret Lockwood and Rex Harrison starred together in the romantic leads, score handsomelv in this Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer re leas 3. Tin; lady, Margaret Lockwood, is in distress right at the start when her father, a brilliant inventor, is hounded by foreign agents for a secret formula. And when Margaret meets handsome and suave Rex Harrison, a gentleman of many identities, tlie suspenseful drama sweeps into a series of thrilling scenes. With emphasis on excitement "Night Train to Munich” is laden with ' thrilling action, combined with some grand fun at the right moments. Margaret Lockwood, beautiful and capable as ever, comes through with a first rate performance Rox Harrison is thoroughly engaging and convincing all the way. It. would be unfair to spoil your fun by revealing all the gripping developments of the plot, but suffice it. to say that the climax is aßout as thrilling as any ever filmed. The picture will keep you gasping in between chuckles, and you'll be baffled, too, as the enthralling story unwinds. Accui’ate, vigorous and briskly paced throughout, "Night Train to Munich” is recommended for a grand evening's entertainment. A strong supporting cast is headed by Paul Hernreid. Maurice Osrer was in charge of production for “Night Train to Munich,” which was produced by Edward Black and directed by Carol Reed. Gordon Wellesley’s original story was the basis for a moving screen play by Sydney Gilliat and Frank Launder. The picture is a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer release and was made by G. B. Studios. London. METEOR THEATRE—TO-DAY "TORRID ZONE” To-day's showing at the Meteor Theatre brings together James Cagney and Pat O’Brien, stars of '‘The Fighting 69th,” and Ann Sheridan, sensation of “It All Came True,” in “Torrid Zone,” Warner Bros.’ new comedy romance, crammed with actions, thrills and excitement. As the title indicates, “Torrid Zone” has a tropical setting, down in the banana country, where the big fruit companies own and manage vast plantations. O'Brien and Cagney are cast as rough and ready plantation bosses, while Miss Sheridan portrays a torch singer from the U.S.A., who comes to the tropics because she figures redheads will be more of a novelty there. Her adeptness at dealing cards is also an asset. When O'Brien attempts to have her shipped back to the States, Cagney, who is constantly feuding with him, helps her to stay, and from then on finds himself saddled with her. Although ho pretends not to like it, he is not proof against the Sheridan charm. Another contender for Cagney's favour is blonde Helen Vinson, who plays the discontented wife of another of the plantation bosses, a role portrayed by Jerome Cowan. Plentifully peppered with action, the plot of "Torrid Zone” revolves about O'Brien’s efforts to keep Cagney in the tropics, Cagney’s efforts to get rid of Miss Sheridan, and her efforts to land Cagney. Besides those already mentioned, the cast includes Andy Devine, George Tobias, George Reeves, Victor Kilian. John Ridgely, Grady Sutton and many more capable supporting players. William Keighley directed. MAYFAIR THEATRE—TO-DAY “BEAU GESTE” Gary Cooper, ably seconded by Ray Milland and Robert Preston, and supported by a cast of noted players, has the most auventure filled role of his career in Paramount's lusty, roaring new fiimisation of “Beau Geste.” When the picture shows to-night at the Mayfair Tnealre, Cooper will be seen in the title role, as the eldest of a trio of gallant brothers, who, because eacii does npt wish the others thought guilty of stealing a fabulously vaiuuuie sapphire from their guardian, join the t rench Foreign Legion, soldiers ail, loyal as only brothers can be, they endure the hardships of the legion wiiu a smile, bearing the brutal treatin.mil of a mad sergeant wno is determined to wrest the gem from them, projecting the secret of who stole the jewel with their lives, their honour, their lighting hearts, .uiltand and Preston are seen as tne younger "Geste” brothers, "John” and "Diguy,” respectively. ±huan Donlevy, Susan Hayward, Carroi Naisli, Donald O Connor ana James Stephenson are among the supporting cast. The picture was produced ana uirected by William A. Wellman, wno will be remembered for liie thrill-lllled “Men Witn Wings.”

STATE THEATRE—TO-MORROW “THE RAMPARTS WE WATCH” The March of Time’s first full-length feature, "The Ramparts We Watch,” presented by the editors of Life and Time, is the most important, picture of the generation. Mixed emotions sweep over the patrons when the stirring, words: “May they hold the ramparts until kingdom come!” brings the dramatic motion picture to a breath-taking finish. To those old enough to remember the period with which it deals, the film brings an intense j nostalgia. Few reviewers will compare I "The Ramparts We Watch” with a HollyI wood motion picture, for Hollywood has ( never produced a film which can be used iin comparison. It. could not be done in , fairness to the industry from which we get our pictures of make-believe. “Ramparts” is not a picture of make-believe, but an honefd, undissembling picture of the trials and tribulations of a small community prior to, during and after the last World War. It is a picturisation of the events leading up to the current Avar and a warning of the perils which might be ahead. The technique as well as the theme is daring. As the 73 principal players with important speaking roles and the 1400 extras file across the screen in a dramatic unrolling of memorable events, they are making their motion picture debuts. Not one has a famous face in the HollyAvood sense of the word. They are just plain folks, a\ r erage citizens reliving a true story before the cameras to help bring audiences a clear conception of their position in the world to-day. Producer Louis de Rochemont, the motiAating force behind the March of Time since its conception five years ago. refused to use professional screen players and be limited to certain tvpes. Instead lie used a whole nation as his casting directory. Carefully, for their performances are excellent, he picked a scientist, lecturer, model, houseAvife. college student, sales executive, teacher, army captain. radio writer, postman, and retired banker for his principals. This was a stroke of genius on tie Rochement’s part for he did not want studied actors. He wanted his cast to appear as if -a cameraman had caught some natural action pictures of them. The editors of Life nd Time and the staff of March of Time have produced a picture which is one of the greatest contributions the moviegoers could have received in these troubled KOSY THEATRE—TO-DAY “INSPECTOR HORNLEIGH” An amazing new sleuth, who collects rare stamps and clever murderers with equal calm, is introduced to screen audiences in “Inspector Hornleigh.” the 20th Century production. “Inspector Hornielgh,” a familiar and popular radio character throughout Europe, j-s portrayed on the screen by Gorodon Harker. while Sim supplies the comedy relief as Sergeant Bingham, his buiigling aide. The mystery, which is so completely baffling that even Inspector Hornleigh himself does not suspect the actual crlminal until a second before he “collars” him, starts out with a simple little plan to rifle the budget bog of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Then the porter of a little wayside inn is murdered, and before it is ended, two more men are killed and an empire almost topples. Among those involved in the mystery are the Chancellor's secretary and his beautiful fiancee, who owns the inn which employed the murdered porter and where the Chancellor took tea on the fateful afternoon. Out of a mystifying mass of suspects, Inspector Hornleigh is required to discover the murderer. Hoav he does it makes for what has been hailed as one of ihe most refreshing, suspense-filled and entertaining Aims to come to the screen this season. Hugh Williams. Steve Geray, Wally Patch, Edward Underdown and Miki Hood head the supporting cast. Bryan Wallace is credited with the screen play which brings the character created by Hans Wolfgang Priwin to the screen. Robert T. Kane, managing director of the producing company, entrusted Eugene Forde with the megaphone-wielding assignment. The film is released by 20th Century-Fox. “Safety In Numbers.” The advent of any Joins Family picture is a signal for considerable rejoicing hereabouts. And from nil advance reports it would seem that "Safety in Numbers,” their latest for 20lli Century-Fox, will more than do its share in living up to the industry’s current slogan. “Motion Pictures Are Your Best Entertainment.” The story gets off to a breezy start with Mrs. Jones—voted "The World’s Best Mother” in a radio contest—going on the air with a weekly broadcast, advising her listeners about domestic problems. The programme is a huge success, but meanwhile the Joneses get tangled up in some pretty serious domestic problems of their own—what with Jack planning to elope and Dad plunging his own and the AvhoJe town's savings into a mineral water investment scheme which turns out to be a phony. How Mrs. Jones, with the ivhole family rallying to her side, manages to save the situation from complete disaster otters an exciting climactic proof that there is,, indeed, "Safety in Numbers.” Jed Prouty, Shirley Deane. Spring Byington, Russell Gleason, Ken Howell, George Ernest, June Carlson, Florence Roberts and Billy Mahan have their usual family assignments, while Marvin Stephens, iva otowart and Henry Kolker complete the cast. The screen play is by Joseph Hoffman, Karen De Wolf and Robert Chapin from the original story by Dorothy Maundy and Zena George, based on the characters created by .Katherine Kavanaugh. Malcolm St. Clair directed.