ENTERTAINMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 19 June 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT ATTRACTIONS

REGENT TO-NIGHT: EDMUND LOWE IN “MAD HOLIDAY” AND “GENERALSPANKY” A movie within a movie—the murder of an international jeweller on a coast wise steamship between Los Angeles and San Francisco—a second murder in a Chinese theatre in San Francisco’s Chinatown—these are the ramifications of one of the most unusual mystery dramas to reach the screen, “Mad Holiday,” which commences to-night at the Regent Theatre with Edmund Lowe and Elissa Landi in the principal roles. The “movie within a movie” angle centres upon Edmund Lowe appearing as a Hollywood star, who sick at being typed in mystery parts, walks off the set and takes the fateful coastwise steamer voyage. Miss Landi, playing the author of the picture out of which he has ' walked.” also embarks on the steamer, determined to bring the actor back at any cost even to devising a make-believe murder V.’hen the hoaxed murder turns out unexpectedly to be a real pne the complications begin. The occurrences both abroad and in the weird Chinese theatre are full of suspense and interest but the picture achieves more of a distinction in not taking itself too seriously but rather in making light of mystery plots in general. To this effect the appearance in the supporting cast of Zasu Pitts and Ted Healy, an uproarious comedy team if there ever was one. was a master stroke of casting. The associate attraction “General Spanky” stars Spanky McFarland with Phillips Holmes. Ralph Morgan. Irving Pichel and Rosina Lawrence in featured roles of an exceptionally fine cast. Its story laid in Civil War days, combines drama laughs, and blends romance in an entertainment that will prove diverting to youngsters and adults alike. Many of the scenes were filmed on an old Mississippi steamboat and the production abounds in a variety of other picturesque scenic backgrounds.

MAJESTIC: “YES MY DARLING DAUGHTER,” PRISCILLA LANE, JEFFREY LANE, ROLAND YOUNG AND MAY ROBSON

In “Yes, My Darling Daughter.” now screening at the Majestic, the audience is treated to a cleverly conceived plot treated to a cleverly conceived plot ably interpreted by a strong cast, with Roland Young, Priscilla Lane, Jeffrey Lynn, Fay Mainter, and May Robson filling the leading roles. From start to finish interest never wanes, and a series of highly amusing situations —at times very exciting—keeps the audience in gay suspense. The film is excellently produced, plot, characterisations, and atmosphere of the original stage success on which it is based having been well preserved. The new picture, which was produced by Warner Bros., was adapted by Casey Robinson from Mark Reed’s very successful stage play of the same name, and it more than justifies the pleasurable anticipation which was aroused when the Warner studios bought the rights to the play. As in the case of every good screen adaptation of a stage success, the motion picture version of “Yes, My Darling Daughter” demonstrates that a good show can be 1 even better when made into a film. Particularly is this true about a comedy of this type in which so much that is very amusing could only be reported on the stage, but is shown in amusing detail on the screen. After the girl and her young man agree to run away together, her whole family, not to mention some of the family friends, take a hand in the situation, and there are complications galore, not the least amusing of which is the young man’s shocked indignation when no one in her family but her father seems to be properly shocked at what he thinks they should regard as a shocking situation. He is even shocked by his girl friend, but with the aid of her wise old grandmother, the girl eventually gains her objective, which seems to have been lawful wedlock all along. An attractive supporting programme has as its chief feature a timely travelogue, filmed in colour, about Hong Kong, a colony which has its share of the cabled news in these times. “Have You Got Any Castles?” is the title of a colour cartoon, and other items are “Blue Earron and Orch "(a musical), “All’s Fair at the Fair” (a colour classic), and the Air Mail News.

STATE: IRENE DARE IN “EVERYTHING ON ICE,” GEORGE O’BRIEN IN “MARSHAL OF MESA CITY” Revealed as an enjoyable screen comedy romance, ornamented by elaborate ice ballet numbers “Everything On Ice” has little Irene Dare in the leading role. This charming six-year-old miss is an ice skater of remarkable grace and skill. Her prowess is demonstrated when she leads several beautifully staged ice ballets, which comprise the floor-show of a fashionable Palm Beach cafe. Such flawless execution by a child of her age is almost beyond belief, but she glides through the most intricate manoeuvres without falter. Erie C. Kenton has directed this rollicking screenplay with a light deft touch, and has kept the plot moving at a fast pace. The result is a veritable comedy gem. Producer Sol Lesser made the picture for RKO Radio distribution. George O’Brien’s outdoor drama “The Marshal of Mesa City,” is one of the most exciting of all the O’Brien films. Laid in the frontier days ol early Arizona, the picture offers the western star one of his most actionpacked and dramatic roles to date. The story introduces O’Brien as an ex-mar-shal. On his way to his ranch, in the south-eastern part of the state, to lead a quiet life after years of service in bringing law and order to frontier communities, O’Brien comes to Mesa City, a progressive little town struggling to free itself from the despotic rule of its outlaw sheriff. Pressed into service as marshal when ihe town’s marshal is killed. O’Brien is torn between duty to his fellow man and his personal desire to retire, but agrees to rid Mesa City of its outlawry. Suspense, gun fights, hand-to-hand battles, comedy, tragedy and a tender romance are interwoven before the popular outdoor star accomplishes his purpose. O’Brien’s performance i& smooth and even, and Virginia as the romantic interest, shows great promise. Good support is given by Leon Ames. Henry Brandon, Lloyd Ingraham. Harry Cording, Slim Whitaker. Mary Gordon and others of the cast.