ENTERTAINMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 16 May 1941, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT ATTRACTIONS MAJESTIC: “FORTY THOUSAND HORSEMEN” AND “MARCH OF TIME” (ON FOUEIKN NEWSFRONTS) The showing of such a film as I “Forty Thousand Horsemen” at the present time, when the New Zealand | and Australian troops are upholding the j Empire's cause in the Middle East j is singularly appropriate, in that it immortalises the deeds of the Australian Light Horse in the Eastern theatre of the last war, and brings to the screen in realistic fashion the great battle for Beersheba in the desert of Palestine. It recalls a stirring cavalry charge which has now gone down into history, and has become one of the epics of the glorious deeds of the Anzacs. The charge, which has been enacted with the co-operation of the Australian military authorities is a magnificent piece of screencraft, and nothing that has ever been produced by the Hollywood studios can excel it for sheer dramatic realism, and outstanding photography. The Battle of Gaza is another feature that helps to make the picture the first-class entertainment that it. is, and the atmosphere of both the desert and the battle sequences is recaptured in a manner that is amazingly effective. There is a thin thread of romance running through the film. So adroitly has it been woven into the main pattern of the picture that it never becomes obtrusive . The case, of necessity, is a tremendous one. but the three principals. Grant Taylor, “Chips” Rafferty and Pat Twohill. give thoroughly workmanlike renderings of their parts, while Betty Bryant gives a portrayal of an attractive heroine. MARCH OF TIME “On Foreign Newsfronts” is the story with pictures, collected by the World’s greatest newspapers, of World War No. 2, with dramatic scenes inside and out of Europe, censored and uncensorea and produced for a world market by the famous “March of Time’ series. I 1 tells the true story of how Foreign Correspondents secure and report -mportant news and is a film which will prove of interest to everyone. STATE: “FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT,” THRILL SPECTACLE, STARRING JOEL McCRAE, LARAINE DAY, HERBERT MARSHALL AND GEORGE SANDERS Breath-taking excitement, romance and drama, mystery and intrigue are unfolded in the thrill-packed story of Walter Wanger’s “foreign Correspondent,” which was directed by Alfred Hitchcock with a prominent cast, and is to commence screening on Friday at the State Theatre. Mr Wanger decided to make “Foreign Correspondent in recognition of the intrepid group of American newspapermen who are serving as the nation’s eyes and ears during the European debacle, risking their lives daily. In its principal roles are Joel McCrea, Laraine Day, Herbert Marshall, George Sanders, Robert Benchley, Albert Basserman, Edmund Gwenn, Harry Davenport, and Eduardo Ciannelli. Following the completion of his sensational hit “Rebecca, Alfred Hitchcock, known throughout the world as the master of screen thrillers, went to work on the script of “Foreign Correspondent,” and with Joan Harrison and Charles Bennett wrote the original screenplay. James Hilton and Robert Benchley contributed dialogue to the final script. Most elaborate and extensive settings are provided as backgrounds. The construction, in the opinion of producer Wanger, was essential to bring this action filled, swiftly moving story to the public with absolute fidelity. The largest setting is a recreation of a square block of the heart of Amsterdam with its stores, buildings, streets, lighting system, tram lines and all the other details. One of the most aramatic episodes of the picture occurs here. In all, 72 settings are included, among them several London street, a reproduction of the Dutch countryside covering a large sound stage and a transatlantic clipper ship 120 feet by 84 feets, so exact in its construction that with a few minor changes and the addition of motors it could be made to fly. REGENT TO-NIGHT: DOUBLE FEATURE PROGRAMME, “DARK STREETS OF CAIRO” AND “SING, DANCE, PRETTY HOT” Spine tingling suspense, romance and laughter are offered in the melodrama, "Dark Streets of Cairo.” Unfolding against the background of modern day Egypt, the story revolves around the adventures of a group of Americans who are menaced by the underworld thieves after the excavation of a collection of priceless jewels from an ancient tomb. Sigrid Gurie gives one of her best performances as the heiress whose Cairo holiday is interrupted when she is kidnapped by native cuthroats. Eyrd’s portrayal of the dashing young archealogist who tracks down the jewel thieves and rescues Miss Gurie is a thoroughly first class performance. “Sing, Dance, Pretty Hot” is delightfully produced and its light-hearted gaiety and infectious enthusiasm carry us away momentarily from a world sorely distraught, and takes us into a happy atmosphere of laughter and song. Ruth Terry and Johnny Downs establish themselves permanently as a romantic pair. Barbara Allan vies with Billy Gilbert for honours in the laughmaking department. Elizabeth Risdon is the hard-bitten figurehead of the Marlowe family. Lester Matthews makes villainy a fine art. Little Mary Lee is also prominently cast, and her singing, with the juvenile orchestra, is an added treat. RIWAKA PERMANENT PICTURES: SPENCER TRACY IN “BOYS TOWN” Opening to-morrow at the Riwaka Theatre is “Boys’ Town” with Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney. In this production Tracy won the Academy Award. A special short is “Behind the Guns.” RICHMOND PICTURES Screening at Richmond Theatre on Saturday afternoon and evening is “Espionage Agent” starring Joel McCrea and Brenda Marshall. The story involves McCrea as a young man in the diplomatic service and Miss Marshall as a homeless orphan who has become the tool of a German spy ring.