Entertainments

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 99, 28 April 1941, Page 7

Entertainments

REGENT THEATRE—TO-DAY “A LITTLE BIT OF 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" j shows to-day at the Regent Theatre* i Producer Joe Pasternak, who introduced Gloria in the previous film, also is pro- ; ducer of ‘‘A Little Bit of Heaven," in , which the 12-year-old star has a role siml- j , lar to her "Under-Pup" titl? part. Six i , other players from the casts of the earlier i ; success are present in the feature, in- , eluding C. Aubrey Smith, as Gloria's ■ i "Grandpa"; Nan Grey, as her older sis- | j ter; Butch and Buddy, Billy Gilbert and ; Frank Jenks. In addition the cast in- i eludes Robert Stack, Hugh Herbert as , Gloria's "Pop,” Stuart Erwin, Eugene i Pallette, Nana Bryant, Tommy Bond and i others. The story of the new picture, i another hit from the producer of eight i straight Deanna Durbin successes as well ; as "The Under-Pup,” presents Gloria as ( an East Side girl who becomss a radio : singing star. Her rise to fame causes 1 family troubles solved only after Gloria . "loses" her voice and temporarily relin- ■ qulshes her career. Eight famous ex- 1 stars i f the screen are also cast as ; Gloria's "ancles." The list Includes i Charles Ray, Maurice Costello, Monte* Blue, Kenneth Harlan, Noah Baery, Pat | O’Malley, William Desmond and Fred j i Amongst the featurettes is "War and ' Order," latest release by the British Min- I istry 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 of the police owe it to themselves to

METEOR THEATRE—TO-DAY ‘‘RIVER’S END” "River’s End," the greatest story from the action-jammed pen of James Oliver Burwood, rides across the Meteor Theatre screen to-day. America's best-loved storyteller relates an unforgettable tale of the North-west Mounted in Warner Bros.’ new outdoor thriller. Starring Dennis Morgan and George Tobias, the film takes movie-goers back to River's End, the Dodge City of the North, where Sergeant Conn is ton solved the strangest case in the history of the Mounted. The story begins in River's End where John Keith is accused of murdering a business associate. River's End was known to the "Mountiea” as the place where murderers sought refuge from the law—where civilisation ended and adventure began. Convicted of the crime lie makes a desperate attempt to escape and fleas to the northern woods. Sergeant Conniston is sent by his superiors to bring in Keith—dead or alive. Dennis Morgan plays the dual role of John Keith and Sergeant Conniston. while his French-Canadian assistant is portrayed by that grand character actor, George Tobias, lie is teamed with Steffi Duna and they are a riot as two newlyweds who start their honeymoon in a canoe. Elizabeth Earl is seen as S?rgeant Conniston’s .sister who is forced to choose between the man she loves and her own brother. Other players in the excellent. cast include Victor Jory and James Stephenson. Adapted from the James Oliver Curwood novel, "River's End" was scripted by Barry Trivera and Bertram Millhauser. Ray Enright dirseted the action film, which Is sure to attract every thrill fan in town when it shows at the Meteor Theatre to-day. There is an outstanding supporting programme.

STATE THEATRE—TO-DAY “BRIGHAM YOUNG” Darryl F. Zanuck’s production of "Brigam Young,” by Louis Bromlield, is one f the most stirring films ever to come rom Hollywood. Tyrone Power is stared. Linda Darnell and Dean Jagger, as Srigh&m Young, head a brilliant feaured cast. Magnificent in scope and pectacularly filmed, the picture tells the pic story of the Mormons and their ourageous 1800-mile trek from Nauvoo, 11., t > Great Salt Lake in 184 G. When trigham Young realises the Mormons mst escape from the intolerence and ersecution that has besought them at lauvoo, one of the greatest mass migraions in history begins; 20,000 people go n the march across endless miles of rackless wasteland, until their search for rsedom ends at what is now Salt Lake 'ity. Undaunted by the frontier wilderess, they manage to bring crops out of barren and salt-filled land. Then comes thrilling climax as unconquerable ordes of crickets swarm in to ravage heir crop—but are devoured by millions f seagulls that sweep in 500 miles from he sea. Cast as the chief Mormon scout, 'yrone Power has never been better, iovaly Linda Darnell excells in the role f the •‘outsider.’' Handsome, rugged )ean ./agger, from the New York stage, urns in a sensational performance in the ifficult role of Brigham Young. Other eatured players who give excellent perormances are Brian Donlevy, Jane Harwell, John Carradine, Mary Astor, Vinent Price, .Jean Rogers and Ann Todd. Exciting, vivid and enthralling throughut, “Brigham Young” is recommended ntsrtalnment. MAYFAIR TH EAT REi—-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 “Flying Doctor,” whose plane 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 he takes everything In life. This is one star whe trusts to his own athletic powers and has not the faintest use for “doubles.” Associate Feature. Buck Jones makes a welcome return tc the screen in 'Headin’ East,” a new action-packed feature for this populai