ENTERTAINMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 14 June 1939, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT ATTRACTIONS STATE: NOW SHOWING “OW'D BOB” —SENSATIONAL SHEEP DOG STORY The picture said to. carry the most surprises of the year, one which has proved to be one of the greatest piece of entertainment screened L “Owd Bob.” In order to stress the appeal ol this attraction, the management advises that while on circuit in the North Island this picture drew capacity houses in every town—Wanganui, New Plymouth. Palmerston North. Mnstcrton. and many others. The picture gives the utmost in theatre entertainment “Owd Hob.” Allred Ollivant’s world-renown-ed story of sheep-dogs and their masters, has been brought to the screen with Will Fyffe in the leading role of Adam McAdnm. In the story old Adam had a son whom he continually beat. For modern screen purposes this was I considered neither entertaining nor romantic. A daughter was substituted

for a son and the role given to Margaret Lockwood, but film goers will be relieved to know that she received no beatings—although she has quite an unhappy time of it—what with fending off the neighbouring creditors, preventing her father from drinking too much whisky and being forbidden the house when her father discovers Err love for David, the handsome young farmer John Loder is cast as David, the young couple making a handsome team for the screen. Eventually, the course of true love runs smooth. Adam McAdam is brought to book and a happy ending is in sight, but the sly old rascal even then has the last laugh. All-important members of the cast are. of course. , Glyn and Storm, the dogs who portray I the famous canine characters of Owd Bob and the villainous Black Wull. Superb performances are given by both animals, performances which almost rival in dramatic intensity those of thenhuman co-artistes. The drama of the sheep-trials has never been surpassed Various dogs arc shown completing the course, then comes the great moment when Black Wull. holder of the cup enters for his trial. He lowers the time ! average considerably-Owd Bob has t ; hard task before him Does lie break ! the record? This and many more enthralling moment go to the making up lot one ol the most exciting and vividly ienacted open-air pictures ever to be ! made. 'THE LADY VANISHES’ ; Box plans are now open for the ; brilliant entertainment that the State has to offer commencing Friday. Michael Redgrave, wonderful new discovery heads the cast of “The Lady Vanishes” which even in the short time that it has been screening has asserted itself as one of the ten best films of the ve«r. Actually it is a mystery but the outstanding dialogue. the humour, the drama, the’suspense has made it a film that will thrill every theatre goer. The : management urges immediate reservation ns bookings arc predicted to bo j very heavy.

j MAJESTIC’: “MANHATTAN MKLO- | DRAMA. EXCITING FILM j Red-blooded drama, which the glamour of night life as kaleidoscopic back- : ground; romance, excitement, and three great stars together for the firs* time are .found in "Manhattan Melodrama,” new Clark Gable-William Poweil-Myrna Loy starring vehicle which opened at the Majestic Theatre to-day. To say that the picture is excellent entertainment is merely stating the truth. Gable at last returns to the type of role the picturegoers have wanted to see him in for some time. He plays a big-shot gambler, lucky ; t cards and lucky at. love, willing to bet a dollar or his life on the turn of a card —a powerful and dramatic figure of the metropolitan demimonde. Pitted against him is William Powell as his life-long friend, now' district attorney and ambitious for ! further political advancement. Between them, loved by both, is Myrna Loy. It is she who tights for Gable’s life when his pal. Powell, is forced to prosecute him for murder. There is not a chill moment from the first

I scenes, in which are dramatically rei enacted the General Slocum horror of ; 1904. an excursion steamer fire in ' which more than EOOO lost their lives. , After that comes a reaction of the ! Harry Thaw-Standforcl White killing 'of 1906. Then the Dempsey-Firpo ; fight of 1923. and then in the present j day for the body of the story. Gable j has never done a finer piece of drama - j tic work than in this new picture, j Powell, too, is up to his usual standard (of excellence, while Miss Loy contri- ; butes much to the entertainment , ; values. j REGENT TO-NIGHT: “OUTCAST” AND “O’RILEY'S LUCK.” A stirring drama of a woman's lust for vengeance and the fury of a mob whipped into frenzy by small-town bigotry brings Warren William. Karen Morley and Lewis Stone to the screen of the Regent Theatre to-night in Paramount’s “Outcast,” the motion picture made from Frank R. Adams’ novel “Happiness Preferred.” “Outcast” is

- the story of a physical! who is hounded 1 r from city to city by Miss Morley who j 1 believes him guilty of murder. She j catches up with him in a small mid- i : western town where he has taken re-1 : fuge. There, through the intercessions ! 1 of Stone, she discovers the physician’s ' l innocence and falls in love with him : but not before she has betrayed him to a mob. The role of physician is one , of the “heaviest” William has ever; played and lie handles if with fine feeling and skill. Miss Morley puts a ! great deal of fire into the difficult role 1 of the girl whose hate turns to love, and Stone turns in .a grand perform-' ance. The cast also includes Jackie! Moran, the child star of "Valiant Is the Word for Carrie;" Christian Rub. Esther Dale. John Wray and others. 1 The association attraction “O’Riley’s : Luck.” with William Frawley, Eleanore ' Whitney, Tom Brown, Larry Crabbe, Benny Baker, Terry Ray and Priscilla Lawson is a breezy and delightful story : of young love, charged with all the glamour and action of a big-time col- ; lege football game.