ENTERTAINMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 12 May 1939, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT ATTRACTIONS I STATE, NOW SHOWING: BARBARA STANWYCK WITH HENRY FOXHA IN THE SUCCESSFUL MYSTERY COMEDO, “THE MAD MISS MANTONV One of the most amusing play's to | reach the screen is unfolded when the | mystery coniedy “The Mad Miss Man--1 ton” is shown to-night. Blending mystery, comedy and roI mance. RKO Radio’s "The Mad Miss Manton” stars Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda in a sparkling story that ofTcrs the two favourites some of their finest opportunities. Miss Stanwyck has the role of an irresponsible, thrillseeking society girl whose escapades arouse the ire of a serious-minded young newspaper editor. He attacks her through the columns of his Because of the reputation she and her debutante pals have gained for their pranks, Miss Stanwyck is disbelieved by police when she reports finding a body in a deserted house. Enraged at the attitude of both the police and of Fonda, she decides to solve the mystery by herself, and with the loyal aid of her group of feminine companions, she sets to work. The discovery of a second body, attempts to kill Miss Stanwyck for her curiosity, the growth of a hectic romance and the final exciting moments when the harassed police employ the frightened heroine at the “bait” in a trap for the murderer, makes for plenty of thrills as the story unfolds. The result is a really noteworthy piece of screen entertainment. Miss Stanwyck j is delightful as the wilful heroine, and j Fonda gives a brilliant characterisation j as the newspaperman. Sam Levene j plays the police lieutenant in grand j fashion, and Miss Stanwyck’s “gang’’ j —Frances Mereer, Vicki Lester, Elean- \ or Hanson. Whitney Bourne. Catherine j O’Quinn, Ann Evens and Linda Terry i provide splendid support along with Stanley Ridges. Leona Maricle. James j Burke. Paul Guilfoyle and Penny j Singleton. An excellent supporting programme —one that is incomparable—is listed on the programme and consists* of the; popular Fox Aussie News, Buddy ! Rogers and his orchestra in a fine musical, an interesting horse sports short, and the latest Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse cartoon. In all. the programme offered is one of the most entertaining one could wish for. MAJESTIC THEATRE: CHARLES LAUGHTON IN “St. MARTIN’S LANE.” For three months one of the most intensive searches lor a leading lady ever conducted by a movie studio went on. culminating with the selection of Vivien Leigh to play the part of “Lib- j by” opposite Charles Laughton’s Lon- j don pavement entertainer, or busker,! in “St. Martin’s Lane,” the widely dis- j cussed and acclaimed picture, which i will be the attraction at the Majestic I Theatre to-day. Practically every [ actress of importance in England—and a good many in Hollywood—was considered and tested lor the role, while Erich Pommer. producer, Charles Laughton and Tim Whelan, director, visited every show and cabaret in London and other big cities of Great Britain in their search for the ideal "Libby.” Because the part called for a giri who was not only an accomplished actress but could dance and sing as well, the story got around that Pommer was looking for a second Jessie Matthews, and while Miss Matthews would have in many ways been suited to the part, it was not a second Jessie Matthews thart was wanted so much as an ideal "Libby.” Vivien Leigh had appeared for Pommer in his "Fire Over England," and lie was all the time negotiating for her services when the nation-wide hunt was going on She was under contract to London Films, however, so that it was necessary to wait until Alexander Korda returned from New York to secure permission for Miss Leigh to play the part. In some ways "Libby” parallels Miss Leigh’s own life, for until a year or two back she was an unknown actress. She made on overnight hit in "Mask of Virtue” at the Ambassadors Theatre in London, which is just off St. Martin’s Lane —from which the Majestic Theatre’s outstanding new attraction gets its name—and immedi-

ately found herself one of the most sought after young actresses in the country. “St. Martin’s Lane” is the first of the pictures made by Charles Laughton’s own producing unit to be seen here, and it was especially written for the great actor by Clemcnce Dane. It is the first really serious attempt to put London after dark on the screen, for with Laughton playing the role of the theatre queue entertainer, most of the action place against a background of the glamorous West End. Larry Adler, wizard of the harmonica, makes a brief appearance in "St. Martin s Lane” and renders a number on the mouth organ in his own inimitable manner. Also in the cast are Gus McNaughton, Rex Harrison, Tyrone Guthrie. REGENT: TO-NIGHT “DEVIL’S SADDLE LEGION.” “GOODBYE BROADWAY.” CHAPTER 7 OF THE SERIAL, FLASH GORDON’S “TRIP TO MARS.”

“The Devil’s Saddle Legion”—with the popular Singing Cowboy, Dick Foran, as chief legionnaire—will be presented by Warner Bros, as one of the feature attractions at the Regent Theatre to-night. The Legion consists of

a group of young men living in the oJd Indian Territory in its lawless days, who have been persecuted and wronged by an outlaw band, and who vow to avenge the many crimes of their enemies and to establish law and order in their home region. They succeed, after much hard riding, many hand-to-hand encounters. and considerable pistol-play. Foran. in the midst of all the swift-moving rides and fights, finds time to sing three new ballads written for him by Jerome and Scholl. coauthors of his recent success. "My Little Buckaroo.” The songs are “Hidin’ To My Home In Texas.” God’s Counj try” and "When Moonlight Is Riding • the Range.” Anne Nagel, one of the I loveliest of the younger Warner star- ! lets, is Foran’s leading, lady in this melobrama. which was directed oy Bobby Connolly from a screenplay by Ed. Earl Repp. The associate attracton "Goodbye Broadway.’ is one of j the most hilarious comedies of the.current season. Universal has gone in for down-to-earth humor in this one. and the effect is pure delight. Alice Brady, who won the Motion Picture Academy Award for 1937, and Charles Winninger find pathos as well as the fun in the adventures of the "Merry Molloys," partners in matrimony and vaudeville. As part of one of the grandest casts ever assembled into one picture is a new comer who should go far on the cinematic road to success —handsome

l Tommy Riggs and his invisible Bbtty I Lou. the famous hit of the Rudy Vallee j radio programme. | PICTURES AT RICHMOND Screening at Richmond Saturday af- ! ternoon and evening, "My Man GodI frey” is a gay, modern comedy from i the humorous novel by Eric Hatch, i Charming Carole Lombard is co-starr-ed with William Powell in this story ! of a butler his best to escape j the dizziest debutante in society.