ENTERTAINMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 23 November 1938, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT ATTRACTIONS STATE NOW SHOWING: “THE j PLOUGH AND THE STARS” AND j “C ONDEMNED WOMEN.” FRI- i DAY: "A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS,”! WITH FRED ASTAIRE. “The Plough unci the Stars,” a fie-j titious story of the Irish “Uprising” of L 191(5, which brings Barbara Stanwyck j; and a distinguished cast to the State ; the„*re, has been called "the greatest - ch-ma of the twentieth century.” It is: the opinion of many critics in many countries that Sean O'Casey, .author of "Th? Plough and the Stars.” stands out as one of the great playwrights of the post-world war period. An Irishman born and bred, wh j lived through the terrors which the film depicts, Scan O'Casey has risen high for his ability j j to blet.J the humour and the tragedy ( of Gael and Ireland as no other writer ( can. “The Plough and the Stars” dis-; ] plays this ability as its most brilliant; peak, and the screen version, as direct- ! ? ec: by John Ford, winner of the Aca- j 1 demy award for his work on “The In- j i former,” is said to give film-goers an . ■ entirely new slant on Irish humour, while driving home a moving story of j tragedy-threatened romance in strife-! torn Dublin. The associate feature is a stirring “prison” story “Condemned i Women” starring Sally Filers and Louis Hayward. Combining a P. G. Wodehouse story j with a group of sparkling songs by the late George Gershwin and his brother, Ira, Fred Astaire’s new starring pic- j ture with Burns an.l Allen, for R.K.O. ; Radio, “A Damsel in Distress.” is said j to be one of the year’s funniest and,

most tuneful screen offerings. It opens at the State on Friday next. Joan Fontain has the title role,, and the Burns and Allen duo supply much of the comedy in this gay romance of a British girl and an American dancer. .Astaire reveals a novel group of dance routines, most conspicuous and sensational of which is his Drum Dance, in which he plays a dozen different percus-I sion instruments while doing his steps in the midst of an orchestra stage. An-; other novelty is the Whisk Broom | dance which he performs with Burns and Allen as his partners. Box plans | aie at Beggs. MAJESTIC: NOW SHOWING, NORMA SHEARER IN “SMILIN’ THROUGH.” GALA OPENING, j FRIDAY, DANIELLE DARRIEUX I IN ‘THE RAGE OF PARIS" Presenting the beautiful international star, Danielle Darrieux. in her initial American screen role. Universal's “The Rage of Paris,” a dashing romantic comedy, comes to the Majestic on Friday, after five months of careful preparatory work and two months of active filming. Dougins Fairbanks. Jr., is costarred with the versatile French ac- ! tress who appeared in some of Europe’s most distinguished films, including the prize winning "Mayerling.” before going to Hollywood. Among the featured players, Mischa Auer has the comedy role of a bewildered waiter, Helen Broderick, famous screen and Broadway .stage comedienne, plays the part of a humorous, worldly-wise actress, and Louis Hayward is Fairbanks’ rival. Properly to present Miss Darrieux. I whose beauty and talent have captured | the imagination of millions abroad. I Universal production officials have supported the star with brilliant cast in- ; eluding Charles Coleman. Samuel S. 1 Hinds, Nella Walker and Harry Daven--1 port. Henry Koster. who wrote the i stories of some of Miss Darrieux’s big- ; gest French hits before winning direci torial fame with the two Durbin films, j directed the picture. Buddy De Sylva was the producer. REGENT TO-NIGHT, GUEST NIGHT: “YOUR UNCLE DUDLEY” AND “HUMAN CARGO.” j “Your Uncle Dudley,” featuring Edi ward Everett Horton and Lois Wilson, is a very laughable comedy. Horton plays the part of a man who has a pathetic weakness for silver-loving cups and banquets. Lois Wilson, who has persisted in loving him for many years, doesn’t like the way things are but hopes for a change. It comes when Horton’s parasitic sister demands that he leturn money lent him years before and when friends turn deaf ears to his pleas for a “touch.” Horton does an about face that startles his fellow citizens and creates a number of hilarious comedy situations and brings the picture to a romantic climax. In addition jto Miss Wilson, the cast features John | McGuire, Rosina Lawrence, Alan Dinehart and Marjorie Gateson.

The associate feature “Human Cargo,” has Claire Trevor and Brian Donlevy heading the cast which includes Alan Dinehart, Ralph Morgan, Helen Trop and Rita Cansino. Miss Trevor is seen as the deb who is determined to have her share of excitement. She obtains a job of Dinehart’s newspaper and her first assignment sends her to a night club with Ace Reporter Brian Donlevy. That first story is almost Claire’s last for before the evening ends she is eyewitness to a murder, is in the midst of a thrilling fight, and is mistakenly arrested and forced to spend the night in gaol. Claire is more than game for her new job, however, and to help Donlevy trap the criminals he is trailing, she accompanies him to Vancouver where they obtain passage on a boat that is illegally transporting another group of aliens to America. Before the film ends Miss Trevor goes through a set of experiences thrilling enough for any daredevil or exploror. Patrons are ! reminded that it is guest night and they j should attend early as there are no re-