Entertainments

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 103, 2 May 1941, Page 9

Entertainments

REGENT THEATRE—TO-DAY “BRITAIN’S R.A.F.” “March of Time’s” latest issue brings to the screen an exclusive story of the Royal Air Force, showing how the R.A.F. has been built tip within Ihe past year and how it is to-day the iirst line of defence in the Battle of Britain. With actual scenes of battle, the film shows how the swift Spitfires and Hurricanes of the R.A.F. are daily fighting off the massed flaets of attacking Nazi bombers, and how Britain’s own bombers are carrying the air war back to the Nazi “invasion” bases on the French and Belgian Channel costs, and even into the heart of Germany itself. Although Britain has long been “mistress of the seas." The March of Time pbints out. the island kingdom found it necessary also to bo “mistress of the air” to combat Hitler’s larger air force. The film shows how 500,000 men and women are now working in aircraft factories to bring the numerical strength of the R.A.F. up to that of the German Luftwaffe (air force), and how air training schools in Canada aro rapidly providing pilots, mechanics. . gunners and technicians to man these new craft. Convoys to ensure continuous flow of war supplies and foodstuffs vitally needed by England aro maintained jointly by the Royal Navy and the R.A.F.’s Coastal Command, the March of Time points out. The film shows the huge flying boats of the Coastal Command on patrol, the swift pursuit planes of the Fighter Command in action, and the operations of the Bomber Command which is responsible solely for carrying out attacks on enemy objectives. “Britain's R.A.F.” was filmed during the past few months by the March of Time’s own camera staff in England—three men who recorded every aspect of the dramatic story of Britain’s hardfighting Royal Air Fores “Dulcy.” Have you a Dulcy in your neighbourhood You know, the kind of girl who can always be depended upon to say the wrong thing at the right time—or is it the right thing at the wrong time? If you have, you've probably wanted to shut her off—and if you haven't, well, you don’t know what you’ve missed. But just to prove that Dulcys can be useful and ornamental as well, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Ims built an entire story around her, a story called “Dulcy” and starring your favourite comedienne, Ann Sothern. As tl»e scatter-brained young woman who gels all of her friends and her family into a fine state of the jitters, you’ll agree that .Miss Sothern is tops. She out-Maisies her funniest Maisie. She out-Turps Ethel Turp. Every time she bats her eyes she causes a major calamity and when she stages a week-end party in an effort to help a young inventor sell an aeroplane motor, trouble really descends. You don't want to miss the fun. It’s a sure cure for the blues w r ith a laugh in every line. It’s ideal entertainment for the entire family. Just listen to the comedy cast assembled for you in this one picture. Ann Sothern is the star. lan Hunter is her leading man, ihe young inventor who w'hips up an aeroplane engine capable of running on kerosene. Roland Young is the pittery aeroplane magnate who is allergic to onions and dogs and vvho gets both, thanks to Dulcy. MAYFAIR THEATRE—TO-DAY "WAGONS WESTWARD” AND “FUGITIVE AT LARGE" With Chester Morris, Anita Louise, Buck Jones and Ona Munson topping a cast of outstanding players, and with a story filled with swift action and thrilling drama, the Republic picture, "Wagons Westward,” shows at the Mayfair Theatre to-day. Chester Morris plays the dual role of Tom Cook, and his twin brother David, with sureness, fire and deep sincerity, portraying a cruel, sadistic killer on the one hand and a fine, clean-cut Government officer on the other. The actor's transition from the easy-going character of David to the vicious, ruthless character of Tom is played with great conviction and will add many new admirers to his following. Ona Munson appears in one of the dramatic roles of her screen career as a dance hall entertainer who tries to protect her younger sister (Anita Louise) from the wiles of outlaw Tom Cook. What happens when she meets David, disguised a-s his brother Tom, provides the highlight of the picture and places Miss Munson in the top bracket as a fine dramatic actress. The fragile beauty of Anita Louise in a tough, New Mexican dance hall setting Is an interesting contrast. A new type of role for her. Miss Louise adds new laurels to her versatility in the role of Phyllis O'Conover, sweetheart of a man wanted for a. hundred murders. Capable, convincing performances are also given by Buck Joues, as the crooked sheriff who is in league with Tom's outlaws, and by George “Gabby" Hayes, as the uncle who tries to keep Tom straight. Guinn Williams, Douglas Fowley and Charles Stevens help to make “Wagons Westward” a must see picture. Associate Feature. The unusual plot of “Fugitives at Large marks it as a picture worthy of mention. Holt is seen as an engineer, xv llose unfortunate resemblance to a gangster leader embroils him with the aw. sent to a prison farm for 20 years because of Ills “double’s” crime. Holt breaks loose and comes back for revenge. I. he sensational manner in which the iniepid engineer smashes the conspiracy and brings the ringleader to his downfall narrative 1 al3Bor^in ? an d powerful screen

STATE THEATRE—TO-DAY “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 th» most exciting in the string. George Sanders again reenacts (he 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. 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 Schildkraiß 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 Q. Davis and Frank Puglia. Described as a rollicking comedy which blends romance and suspense with last action, "Meet the Wildcat" 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.