Entertainments

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 115, 16 May 1941, Page 9

Entertainments

REGENT THEATRE—TO-DAY ‘'CONTRABAND” In the tradition of the *rreat stapre and film success “The Luck of the Navy,” which played long: seasons in the war of 1914-18, is the M-G-M British film “Contraband,” a rattling good thriller, full of the tang of the sea. Swiftly the action changes from contraband detection methods by the Royal Navy in the English Channel to pulse-quickening encounters with a nest of Nazi spies, concealed in the night haunts of wartime London, following the outbreak of war in 1939. Stark realism is the keynote of the film in consequence of the assistance given the British National-American producers by the Royal Navy. The actual methods employed In blockade running, as the Navy keeps its vigil in The Channel, are faithfully and thrilling!y portrayed. As the story unfolds In the fashionable section of London, scenes in the completely biacked-out. streets, hazardous with a torrent of traffic, add a note of authenticity. Tall, handsome Conrad Veldt, as Captain Andersen, skipper of a Danish liner, plays convincingly the part, of an adventurous seafarer following a beautiful British girl spy into the coils of underground Nazidom. As the spy Valerie Hobson is fascinatingly piquant, investing the part with the courage and resource for which secret service agents are notably famous. MAYFAIR THEATRE—TO-DAY “DOOMED CARAVAN** Followers of the popular “Hopalong” Cassidy scries of action pictures will be glad to know that, their hero, William Boyd, who sustained a fractured leg while making one of the previous pictures, is back. He returns to the screen in “Doomed Caravan,” a tale of wagon freighting days on the plains, which shows to-day at the Mayfair Theatre, and, according to Hollywood advice, he is as fit as ever and ready to give out with the vim and vigour which lias characterised liis former appearances. Boyd was hurt when his famous horse. "Topper,” shied at a rattler on location in Kernville, California, and pinned him against a tree. He was in the hospital for some memths and then had to go back because the broken bone did not set right. His physicians claim the leg did not set properly because Boyd became impatient with life in the hospital and left before ne should have. “Military Academy.” Dealing with the difficult period when youth merges into manhood. Columbia's “.Military Academy.” the associate teafeature at the Mayfair Theatre, presents a most amazing story that wili appeal to parents and youngsters alike. The film tells a dramatic tale or the ambitions, dreams and conflicts of lads on the threshold of life. Tommy Kelly, young star of Tom Sawyer,” gives a praiseworthy performance, while excellent support is added by Bobby Jordon. Jackie Sear I and David Holt. Also screening is chapter 9 of the thrilling serial “Junior G-Men.”

STATE THEATRE—TO-DAY “PLAY GIRL** Bristling with spicy situations and smart dialogue, and cleverly blending emotional drama with sophisticated comedy, “Play Girl” stars Kay Francis in a role tailor-made to her versatile talents. In sharp contrast to her characterisations in “Little Men” and Deanna Durbin's “It’s a Date,” Kay Francis’ role in “Play Girl” presents her as a glamorous fortune hunter who has lived by her wits. Thanks to her cleverly planned breach of promise suits she had done right well for herself until, on her last two campaigns, she draws blanks. Although she does not look a day older than 30 (she is really 40), she feels she is getting passe. Struck with the brilliant idea of carrying on her man-baiting campaign by proxy, she takes a beautiful but penniless young girl of 19, teaches her all the tricks she knows for fleecing wealthy play boys, and together they form a unique partnership, cashing in on the girl's youth end beauty and her own experience. From New York to Chicago they cut a mighty swathe through the bankrolls of unsuspecting but susceptible males, while the young girl carries a secret love in her heart for a happy-go-lucky cowboy who changed a tyre for them on a highway months previously. When she encounters him at a radio broadcast the flame is rekindled and the young couple embark on a whirlwind romance. The older fortune-hunter is angry at first, but when she learns the young man’s father Is a rich cattleman worth millions, she encourages the two youngsters until she feels the time is right for the killing. The bitter revolt of the young .decoy whose love is genuine,, her hasty flight when the boy proposes, and efforts of the older adventuress to snag him on the rebound, and the woman's final sacrifice when her sentiment gets the best of her, build the drama to the powerful, gripping climax. METEOR THEATRE—TO-DAY “RANGERS OF FORTUNE” In the story of three gallant sons of the Plains with a leaning to larceny, “Rangers of Fortune," which shows to-night at the Meteor Theatre, Paramount has delivered an action epic that is a humdinger for adventure, romance and lusty laughs. Director Sam Woods, turning away from the leisurely pace of “Good-bye. Mr. Chips” and “Our Town," has produced a picture that is distinguished for its slashing action and the power of its climax. A cast, notable for the presence of Fred Mac Murray and Patricia Morison in the romantic leads, acts the picture with all the ingenuity and skill at its command. The picture describes how three desert marauders, fugitive from a Mexican firing squad, happen in on a private feud between a heroic newspaper publisher and a land pirate in a small Texas town. They pitch in with the under-dog, and by fair and foul means, manage to make his paper a success and unearth the scoundrels who are attempting to drive the legitimate settlers off the range. Associate Feature. Several of the screen’s more promising young players are given a chance to carry a picture on their own in Paramount’s “Dancing on a Dime,” and the result is one of the most entertaining musicals seen for many a long day. The cast is headed by Robert Paige, a comparative newcomer who is rapidly making an impression; Grace McDonald, a recruit from the Broadway stage; Eddie Quillan, a fine dramatic actor returning to song and dance; Frank Jenks, a comedian with hitherto unknown dancing capabilities; Peter Hayes, a comedian who astounds in the film with his impeivsona tions; and Virginia Dale, a lovely blonde who is rapidly gaining ground. “Dancing on a Dime” tells the story of a group of ambitious youngsters, unable to pav their rent, who move into and live in the old Garrick Theatre in New York, eventually producing a successful show.