Entertainments

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 102, 1 May 1941, Page 9

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” 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 a 3 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 cf the screen are also cast as Gloria’s "uncles.” The list includes Charles Ray,. Maurice Costello, Monte Blue. Kenneth Harlan, Noah Beery, Pat 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 of the police owe it to themselves to see :t. METEOR THEATRE—TO-DAY "MEET THE WILDCAT” Depicting the gay experiences of two young Americans who try to mix romance and detective work in the glamorous atmosphere of Mexico City, Universal’s zestful mystery drama “Meet the Wildcat,” is the current attraction at the Meteor Theatre. Ralph Bellamy and Margaret Lindsay share the love interest in the swiftly paced story which turns a dramatic spotlight upon the schemes and operations of international art thieves who steal priceless art treasures from famed museums. Joseph Schildkreut is featured as the mysterious leader of the underworld organisation and Allen Jenkins has the comedy lead as the befuddled taxi driver who turns detective with near disastrous consequences to all concerned. Other favourites- in the cast include Jerome Cowan, Robert O. Davis and Frank Puglia. Described as a rollicking comedy which blends romance and suspense with fast action, “Meet the Wild cat” is an original screen play by Alex Gottlieb. Arthur Lubin was director on the picture and Joseph G. Sanford served as associate producer. Stanley Cortez handled the photography. The associate feature is “Swing - It, Professor,” starring Pinky Tomlin. High jinks in the musical land of swing made this a happy picture which will be enjoyed by everyone.

STATE THEATRE—TO-MORRGW “THE SAINT IN PALM SPRINGS” “The Saint” series steadily "grows more entertaining, and the current, offering in the popular group, “The Saint in Palm Springs," proves one of the most exciting in the string. George Sanders again reenacts Uie audacious, debonair gunman who is the scourge of the police yet the arch-enemy of criminals, and his familiarity with the character aids him in his usual top-notch portrayal. The story deal’s wth the Saint’s efforts to deliver three foreign stamps, worth a fortune, to a young lady working as a tennis teacher at a California-desert resort. The stamps, which represent her sole inheritance from her deceased father, have been smuggled out of a foreign country. The Saint encounters many harrowing adventures at the hands of three gangsters who are trying to intercept his delivery of the stamps, and from the sinister schemes of a beautiful foreign agent to recover the valuable property for her Government. Blonde Wendy Barrie is ideally cast as the Palm Springs girl whose unusual legacy causes all the excitement, and she proves herself an admirable foil for the virile Sanders. Linda Hayes as the alluring secret agent also contributes a sterling performance and adds romantic conflict to the suspenseful story. Jonathan Hale, once more seen as Inspector Fernack of the New York police; Paul Guilfoyle as a reformed pickpocket and Ferris Taylor, Harry Shannon and Eddie Dunn complete the fine cast. MAYFAIR THEATRE—TO-DAY “THE RAINS CAME” Hailed as one of the truly great motion pictures of all time, Darryl F. Zanuck’.s production of "The Rains Came,” the sensationally successful novel bv Louis Bromfleld, snows to-day at the Mayfair Theatre, with Myrna Loy, Tyrone Power and George Brent sharing stellar honou-rs. This powerful story of human emotions at the breaking point and human lives at the climax, while the untamed forces of nature ravaged the earth, has been faithfully retold in this 20th Century-Fox film, in which all of Bromfleld’s colourful characters are brought to life. Myrna Loy is seen as the amorous Lady Esketh, Tyrone Power has kis most romantic role as Major Rama Safti, and George Brent plays the world-weary Tom Ransome. Brenda Joyce, star-maker Zanuck’s newest discovery, interprets the role of young Fern Simon, while others featured in the great cast are Nigel Bruce, Maria Ouspenskaya, Joseph Sohildkraut. Jane Darwell, Marjorie Rambeau, Henry Travers and H. B. Warner. Clarence Brown directed the production, which reproduces with breath-taking realism the earthquake, flood, fire and plague highlighting the novel. Philip Dunne and Julien Josephson wrote the screen play and Harry Joe Brown was associate producer.