ENTERTAINMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 27 January 1939, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT ATTRACTIONS STATE: NOW SHOWING “BLOCKADE” WITH MADELEINE CARROLL The entire world has its eyes focussed in the present situation in Spain. What will b<? the effect after the fall of Barcelona? The present strife of Spain is stirringly told with dramatic effect in •Blockade” which is at present screening at the State. Banned by both Hit>er and Mussolini the film is not just an nsight of the civil war but a document »n the futility r of war and becomes one 'f the most stirring and thrilling pieces nf entertainment the screen has pro- j ’uced, starring Madeleine Carroll and i Henry Fonda with Leo Carrillo in an mportant role. This is the romance r a man and a girl drawn into he conflict almost against their willovers who were at the same time biter enemies. “Blockade,” though it 'inploys the war only as a background 'iid favours neither side in the conlict. furnishes a highly interesting and •emarkably accurate picture of Spain’s 'ivil strife. Produced on a lavish cale, its many elaborate settings are utstanding examples of Hollywood’s mcanny skill in achieving realism in 'ocale and atmosphere. This unusual oicture was directed by Wililam Diet>rle, whose recent “Life of Emile Zola” was adjudged by vote of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences the greatest motion picture of 1937. In addition to Leo Carrillo, the cast supoorting Miss Carroll and Fonda in

“Blockade” includes John Halliday. Reginald Denny, Vladimir Sokoloff and Robert Warwick. Excellent featurettes consist of two fine travelogues, a Pathe the weekly Fox Aussie News. Plans which are filling fast are open at Beggs.

“THE TEXANS” NOW AT THE MAJESTIC—A NOTABLE FILM.

A picture with a great amount of movement, incident and a rapid succession of events that keeps the attention from wandering is “The Texans.” which is now in season at the Majestic. Extraordinary care has been lavished upon detail and made very spectacular with natural forces largely contributing, such as fires and storms, while fights with the Indians hit up the thrills and suspense. It goes back to the Civil War period in America, after the war when law and order is struggling to lift its head above the chaos and to re-orga-nise life upon sane grounds. May Robson and grand-daugl ♦ er, Joan Bennett, are the owners of large estates and huge herds of cattle, which the new government has cast eenvious eyes upon with intent to grab and tax. Randolph Scott advises them to get out of the taxing area and to take their cattle to Kansas and sell them there. This they attempt to do, and are pursued by government cavalry with Robert Barral leading up hill and down dale, thrAigh every kind of hardship and obstacle that nature knows how to present. “The Texans” is a notable film about cowboys and Indians. On account of its historical background it is as interesting to sober as well as to frivolous theatre-goers. Another varied and interesting array of renowned Majestic shorts includes two Air Mail news services, a Popeye Cartoon, a Pictorial novelty and another of the extremely popular Colour Classics entitled “Hold It.” With the additional visitors in tow’n for the Trotting Meeting it behoves intending patrons to make early reservation.

REGENT TO-NIGHT AT 7.45: “WHEN G-MEN STEP IN” AND “MIDNIGHT INTRUDER.” “When G-Men Step In” exposes for the first time the ruthless tactics of the forgery ring. The picture thrillingly turns the spotlight on the courageous “G-Men,” particularly a racket-break-ing detail of the government secret service. Intelligent performances by Don Terry, Jacqueline Wells, Robert Paige and other featured members of the cast contribute to make this a thoroughly entertaining picture. The story centres around David Garth (Don Terry), a handsome, shrewd recketeer, who operates a forgery plant which prints fake lottery tickets. His brother, Bruce (Robert Paige), whom David has sent through law school, idealistically turns to the G-Men branch of the government service. Things begin to happen fast when Bruce traces his brother’s business. It is a case of one

brother outwitting the other, until Bruce gets too hot on the trail. When Bruce finally confronts his gangster brother with the evidence against him, blood proves thicker than water. He hesitates to arrest him. David likewise doesn’t want to see his brother fall down on the job. The denouement is indeed dramatic. The associate feature "Midnight Intruder” featuring Louis Hayward, Barbara Read and Eric Linden, contains all the elements of good entertainment. There are hilarious situations, tense moments, a gorgeous night club set, all skilfully woven | into this production. Chapter 4 of the : thrilling serial “Tim Tyler’s Luck” ; concludes a line week-end programme. ' Reservations may be made at R. Thomas’s or the theatre. PICTURES AT RICHMOND II , Screening at Richmond Town Hall to- 1 . morrow next will be a picture sure , to please all patrons at both afternoon and evening performances. “Grandad Rudd” released by British Empire Films features Bert Bailey and Fred McI Donald.