ENTERTAINMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 15 December 1939, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT ATTRACTIONS STATE: “STAGECOACH,” SPECTACULAR DRAMA AND “MARCH OF TIME,” “BACKGROUND FOR WAR” Across a vast panorama of primitive splendour, several thousand feet above sea level under a burning sun, a solitary stagecoach careens and rocks behind six galloping horses. Every mile brings the coach and its odd assortment of passengers closer to a waiting band of murderous Apaches, led by Geronimo, fiercest of them all. This is the tense and thrilling background of Walter Wanger’s “Stagecoach,” a frontier drama of the 1880's, when Indians still roamed the sage-brush with Claire Trevor and John Wayne in the starring roles. Miss Trevor, appearing as Dallas, a girl of shady reputation who has been driven from Tonto by a selfrighteous group of women, and Wayne, impersonating Ringo Kid, another social outcast, are passengers on this coach. Among the others in the motley group are a gambler of mysterious origin, a sottish doctor, a timid whiskey drummer, a high-born lady about to have a baby, a pompous banker who has absconded with his bank’s funds, and the stagecoach drivers. The journey of the coach begins at Tonto, Arizona, with Lordsburg, in New Mexico, its destination. The Lordsburg set was erected inside a stage in order to obtain unusual lighting effects for the tense scenes having their climax at the end of the fateful stage journey. Another spectacular set was erected for the scene showing, the frantic dash of the stagecoach when Apache war signals are seen in the nearby hills. There is a river crossing ahead, where the stage driver plans to get fresh horses and additional ammunition. The coach winds through a mountain pass and dashes down a canyon to the river—but the relay station is in flames and its attendants have been murdered by Indians. It is shortly after this scene sweeps across the screen that the stagecoach is surrounded by the wild Apaches and the United States cavalry comes to a thrilling rescue. The excellent short features include the latest “March of Time” entitled “Background for War.”

TO-DAY, THE HARDY FAMILY IN “THE HARDYS RIDE HIGH” AT THE MAJESTIC “The Hardys Ride High,” sixth of the famous series dealing with the popular screen family, opens at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow. The new picture is different in every respect from the others, but the beloved Hardys remain the same. Now they inherit 2,000,000 dollars and move to Detroit to claim it. On the plane, their changed status first affects Aunt Milly, played by Sara Haden, and she “falls for” a business man who is a fellow passenger. In Detroit, overcome by sudden wealth, Mickey Rooney, in his role as Andy Hardy, steps out to a cabaret and falls desperately in love with a chorus girl, Virginia Grey. Likewise, swayed by her new position, Marian Hardy (Cecelia Parker) orders lavish gowns and charges them to Judge Hardy. Only the Judge (Lewis Stone) and his wife (Fay Holden) maintain their equilibrium. Back in Carvel, Ann Rutherford, as Polly Benedict, accepts attention from a new young man while she awaits word from Mickey. The family is figuratively hanging over the precipice of new-found wealth, when the Judge discovers evidence to prove that he is not the legal heir. He can destroy the evidence and retain the fortune or produce it and give up everything. There is never a question in his mind. The Hardys are brought back to grim Reality. They return to Carvel, poor as ever but proud of their heritage of honour and none the worse for their interlude in the realms of luxury. Without exception, every member of the cast turns in an excellent performance. George Seitz, director of all six of the Hardy pictures, has again done a superb job of combining human understanding with the foibles of family life familiar to everyone of every age.

REGENT, COMMENCING TO-NIGHT, “STREET OF MISSING MEN” AND “THE HIT PARADE”

Virile drama comes to the screen in Republic’s “Street of Missing Men,” which commences this evening. A red-blooded cast of Hollywood’s favourite stalwarts enacts the story of a gangster released from prison, seeking revenge on the managing editor of the newspaper which was responsible for sending him to gaol. The casting of Charles Bickford, as the hero of this Republic piece, is a wise one. Bickford, to this reviewer, is a capable actor, who justifies the choice. Harry Carey, Tommy Ryan, Guinn Williams, and Ralph Graves, former silent star, are in prominent support roles. Mabel Todd supplies laughs as Dove, the wife of ‘‘Big Boy.” Young Ryan, as the newsboy whose worship regenerates Bickford, is excellent. The lad is a fine trouper despite his tender years, and takes full advantage of his important role. The film has action and excitement galore when Bickford decides to accept the job of circulation manager on a newspaper when a mob seeks to ruin it. The associate feature, “The Hit Parade,” is a merry modern musical comedy romance set to the tempo of to-day. Phil Regan and Francis Langford are the featured players, and others coming from the ranks of Radio aristocracy include George Givot, Pick and Pat, Ed. Thorgessen, Molasses and January, the Tic Toe Girls, Pearce and His Gang, the Gentle Maniacs, Oscar and Elmer, and the Voice of Experience.