Entertainments

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 97, 24 April 1941, Page 9

Entertainments

REGENT THEATRE—TO-DAY “A LITTLE BIT OP HEAVEN” Patterned along- the same lines as ‘‘The Under-Pup,” a pattern which proved a hit and established Gloria Jean as a star, Universal’s “A Little Bit of Heaven” shows to-day 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 Gloria’s "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 Erwin, Eugene Pallette, Nana Bryant. Tommy Bond and others. The story of the new picture, another hit from the producer of eight straight Deanna Durbin successes as well as "The Under-Pup,” presents Gloria as an East .Side girl who becomes a radio singing star. Her rise to fame causes family troubles solved only after Gloria "loses” her voice and temporarily relinquishes her career. Eight famous exstars i f the screen are also cast as Gloria's “uncles.” The list includes Charles Ray, .Maurice Costello, Monte Blue, Kenneth Harlan, Noah Beery, Tat O'Malley, William Desmond and Fred Kelsey. Amongst the featurettes is "War and Order,” latest release by the British Ministry of Information. Gripping and enthusiastic scenes during A.R.P., E.P.S. and police demonstrations in England. No member of the E.P.S. or Home Guard should miss this film. In fact all members or the police owe it to themselves to METEOR THEATRE—TO-DAY "MAISIE WAS A LADY” The most impressive cast to date for a "Maisie” picture is to be found in "Maisle Was a Lady,” latest in the popular series, which shows to-day at the Meteor Theatre with Ann Sothern in the title role, and Lew Ayres, Maureen O’Sullivan and C. Aubrey Smith heading the list of supporting players. Miss Sothern brings her customary zest and sparkle to the l-ole of the wise-cracking stranded showgirl, who this time losas her job as the "Headless Woman" in a carnival sideshow due to the antics of inebriate playboy Ayres, for whom the role is an interesting departure from his "Dr. Kildare" roles. The dramatic qualities of the story are contributed largely by Miss O'Sullivan as Abby Rawlston, the sister, whose tangled life Malsie attempts to unravel after Abby has discovered that her fiance. Link Phillips, played by Edward Ashlay, is interested solely in her millions. C. Aubrey Smith as the perfect butler. Walpole, shocked by Maisie but still admiring her; Joan Perry as Diana. Web ley, the girl who Phillips jilted, and Paul Cavanagh as "Cap” Rawlston, clubman father of Bob and Abby, who has abandoned his children to their own devices, all give life to a convincing and well balanced plot compounded of laughs and melodrama. There are excellent supporting items in addition to the main feature.

STATE THEATRE—SATURDAY “BRIGHAM YOUNG’* Darryl P. Zanuclt’s production of “Brigham Young,’’ by Louis Broinfleld, is one: of the most stirring films ever to come ( from Hollywood. Tyrone Power is starred. Linda Darnell and Dean dagger, as Brigham Young, head a brilliant fea-i tured cast. Magnificent In scope and spectacularly filmed, the picture tells the | epic story of the Mormons and their I courageous 1800-mile trek from Nauvoo, 111., t * Great Salt Lake in 1846. When j Brigham Young realises the Mormons j must escape from the intolerence and , persecution that has besought them at i Nauvoo, one of the greatest mass migra- j tions in history begins; 20,000 people go 1 r n the march across endless miles of trackless wasteland, until their search for j freedom ends at what is now Salt Lake City. Undaunted by the frontier wilderness, they manage to bring crops out of • a barren and salt-filled land. Then comes : a thrilling climax as unconquerable hordes of crickets swarm in to ravage' their crop—but are devoured by millions . of seagulls that sweep in 500 miles from • the sea. Cast as the chief Mormon scout, j Tyrone Power has never been better. 1 Lovely Linda Darnell excells in the role of the “outsider.’’ Handsome, rugged j Dean .Tagger, from the New York stage, j turns in a sensational performance in the difficult role of Brigham Young. Other featured players who give excellent performances are Brian Donlevy, Jane Darwell, John Chrradine, Mary Astor, Vincent Price, Jean Rogers and Ann Todd. Exciting, vivid and enthralling throughout, “Brigham Young’’ is recommended entertainment. MAYFAIR THEATRE—TO-DAY “TUNDRA” They don’t make ’em any gamer than Del Cambre, star of "Tundra,” the big spectacular film of the Alaskan wilderness, now showing at the Mayfair Theatre. As the “Plying Doctor,” whose planQ is wrecked on an iceberg, and its lone occupant left to hike through unknown thrills, menaced by countless perils from wild beasts, starvation and the fury of the elements, Del Cambre was constantly taking chances on life and limb that must have put paralysing fear into the hearts of nine out of ten actors. Not the least of these was the danger of swimming in icy waters. Time and again he swam in streams, the frozen touch of which seemed calculated to benumb the strongest \ men with cramps, which would have meant not merely agonising pain, but sure death, for the situations were such that not a single member of the company could have reached him in time to stage a rescue. In one of the picture’s most thrilling scenes Del Cambre was the centre of attack by a number of wild dogs In a deserted village. He had some real fighting to do and no mistake, fighting of such strenuous character that he was severely bitten, you could almost say mangled, before the battle was ended. As a result, the star had to lie up a few days before resuming work in his role. But he took it all with a laugh, as lie takes everything In life. This is one star who trusts to his own athletic powers and has not the faintest use for “doubles.” Assooiate Feature. Buck Jones makes a welcome return to the screen in “Headin’ East,” a new action-packed feature for this popular