AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23896, 25 August 1939, Page 15

AMUSEMENTS

NEW PROGRAMMES TO-DAY GRAND THEATRE Yvonne, Annette, Marie, Cecile and Emilie Dionne share the honours in the current Grand Theatre attraction. “Five of a Kind” Probably they are the most famous children in the world to-day, but they are untouched by sophistication, camera-consciousness not troubling them in the least. They are seen behaving in the most natural Planner, playing with toys and pets just like any other children of the same age. They dance a minuet and appear in Tyrolean costumes. Dr Dafoe’s work in bringing them up In a normal and hygienic manner ' f is praised in the story, The producers show in unfavourable light the exploitation and cheap publicity to which the quintuplets have been subjected since birth. Caesar Romero and Claire Trevor are cast as two rival "radio reporters” who try to beat each other for “scoops.” Jean Hersholt, Henry Wilcoxon and Slim Summerville are also prominently cast. The associate picture, “Meet the Girl.” stars June Latig and Lynn Bari. “ Meet the Girls” is the first of a new film series concerning the escapades of some young women known as the Big Town Girls. Of interest to women is the presentation of some of Hollywood’s latest fashion ideas. In this film the girls become involved in a jewel robbery while travelling on a ship at the owner's expense. Ruth Donnelly, Erik Rhodes and Gene Lockhart are also seen. Box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. STATE THEATRE Grade Fields is featured in another comedy role in “Keep Smiling,” which is being screened at the State Theatre, Gracie Fields. Roger Lfvesey, Mary Maguire and Peter Coke have the leading roles in this riotous film. It is a somewhat free and easy story, handled in a free and easy manner, telling of the adventures of a performing troupe up and down the country, with a spot of villainy and a confected vein of romance thrown in for good measure Gracie, during the course of the film, js heard in a sextette or so of songs—some grave, others gay, and one religious. She puts every ounce of her personality into passages which would probably be meaningless without her. She has never been better served musically than in “Keep Smiling,” and she gives a magnificent performance. , The bo* plans are al the theatre and Begg’s. REGENT THEATRE Keen theatregoers have had many opportunities of appreciating the acting of Spencer Tracy dnd Mickey Rooney in films in which they have starred separately, but together in “ Boys’ Town,” commencing at the Regent Theatre to-morrow, they are said to have produced their crowning masterpiece. Spencer Tracy won the Academy Award of 1938 with his portrayal of Father Flanagan, an idealistic priest who founded a home for boys with few chances in life. His task was made more difficult than usual by the fact that Father Flanagan is still alive, but Tracy, with his sincere, quiet manner is said to do a magnificent piece of work in living the screen character with all the noble qualities of the man The story tells of the growth of the home to a small community, and of tne troubles that mark the advent of one particularly fiery youngster, whitey Marsh (plaved by Mickey Rooney), whose disruntive influence precipitates a crisis in the life of the small community. Drama, comedy and pathos are Intermingled in the picture. The climax is reached in the subjugation of Whitey’s unruly characteristics by the forceful personality of the priest and the obligations imposed by the communal lire of Boys’ Town. STRAND THEATRE “The Chaser,” which will be commenced at the Strand Theatre to-day, is the story of an ambulance-chaser who found both profit and amusement in annoying the hired minions of a big corporation. Whenever the story promises to become serious, a sudden .shirt in the plot results in another highly laughable situation Dennis O Keefe, one-time deputy marshal of Brimstone and the leading laugh-getter in Hold That Kiss.” is said to prove for tne third time that he deserves the rapidlygrowing following which is making him one of the most-talked-of newcomers to the screen Another newcomer, Ann Morriss. Is seen in the leading feminine role in an adroit and well-rounded performance which promises well for her future The cast includes Lewis Stone, accomplice of O’Keefe, as a one-time brilliant physician who helps the lawyer in his depredations against the corporation, Nat Pendleton who. as “ Floppy, fake-accident artist, contributes generously to the comedy. Henry ONeill, Ruth Gillette and John Qualen. “Wives Under Suspicion” Is the second film. The fierce emotions that are released when jealousy enters the soul is the theme of this powerful drama, starring Gail Patrick and Warren William. Directed by James Whale, “Wives Under Suspicion.” presents William in the role of the district attorney who has become dehumanised as he devotes his entire mind and attention to securing convictions at any price. Box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. EMPIRE THEATRE Hilarious adventures of a gang of East Side alley kids as invited guests at a fashionable Long Island eastate are revealed when Universal s gay farce, Little Tough Guys “In Society, starts its local season at the Empire Theatre to-day with Mischa Auer, Mary Boland. Edward Everett Horton and Helen Parrish in the leading roles. Not only does the rollicking film present three of the screen’s foremost comedy stars in a smartly tailored story, but it introduces Universal’s famous group pf boy actors, The Little Tough Guys, into the dazzling realm of high society Filmed from an original screen-play by Edward Eliscu and Mortimer Offner. the story tells what happens when a dizzy socialite mother Mary Boland. “ adopts ” a lot of alley kids as companions to help her Indolent son, Jackie Searl. discover the joyous possibilities of youth. Mischa Auer appears as an eccentric" psychiatrist and Edward Everett Horton depicts the watchful English butler who is horrified by the antics and behaviour of “the little gentlemen from the settlement house. Helen Parrish, who scored in Little Tough Guy.” is seen this time as Searl s sweetheart. Efforts of the alley kids, led by Frankie Thomas, to get Searl to abandon his idea of spending his life in bed sets the tempo for a dpt of fast comedy sequences in the film. The picture was directed by Erie Kenton and produced by Max Golden. Box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C ST. JAMES THEATRE Judy Garland was 12 years old when, after a family conference, it was decided that she should attempt a motion picture career. The first studio she tried to “ crash ” was Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. and she was signed to a contract. She made her most important bid for attention in “ Broadway Melody of 1938,” when her ” Dear Mr Gable” song really put her over. Since then she has been featured in “ Everybody Sing,” “ Pigskin Parade, “ Thoroughbreds Don’t Cry, Love Finds Andy Hardy ” and “ Listen, parling,” which will be commenced at the St James Theatre to-day Her next role will be as the celebrated Dorothy in the “Wizard of Oz.” Kay Sutton, co-featured with Ralph Byrd in “ SOS —Tidal Wave,” a Republic picture which will be the second attraction, made her screen debut as a mannequin in “Roberta.” and successfully wore clothes in several other pictures Finally, however, she got her big chance as the feminine lead in “ Saint in New York,” and has since had important feature roles in several movies. In “SOS—Tidal Wave,” Miss Sutton is cast as the wife of a television re-

oorter whose big ambition is to rid his home town of a corrupt political ring Besides Byrd and herself, the cast is replete with such veterans of the screen as George Barbier, Frank Jenks, Dorothy Lee.’ Marc Lawrence and Mickey Kuhn. Tohn Auer directed “SOS—Tidal Wave” for Republic with Armand Schaefer capably handling the reins as associate producer Box plans are at the theatre. Jacobs’s, and tt>e D.I.C MAYFAIR THEATRE “ Owd Bob,” which is Peing shown at the Mayfair Theatre ip conjunction with “Cowboy From Brooklyn.” features Will Fyfe. " Owd Bob ’’ is a story of the Scottish Highlands, the title role being played by an old grey sheep dog which is owned by a crotchety old shepherd. “ Cowboy From Brooklyn ” stars the singer Dick Powell, who is supported by Pat O’Brian. Priscilla Lane and Dick Foran. The story concerns the mistake of a theatrical producer who “ discovers” a “cowboy” crooner in Powell at a dude ranch Complications ensue when Powell has to ride a horse, an animal which frightens him. The box plans are at the theatre the D.I.C, ' “THE BOY FROM BABNAEDO’S ’ Another attractive double bill is booked for the Mayfai' - Theatre tomorrow, The juvenile principals of the memorable “ Captains Courageous. Freddie Bartholomew and Mickey Rooney, are together again in “Boy From Barnardo’s.” the main attraction Both boys have progressed along the road to fame and fortune since their first association especially young Rooney, and both are corresDondingtv more convincing in this than the earlier film. Master Bartholomew Is cast as a conceited young rascal, who is used by a gang to oose as a young nobleman and thereby aid them m their nefarious pursuits. When he is charged with implication in a jewel robbery he refuses to betray his associates. The judge takes pity on him. and instead of sentencing him to a reformatory. sends him to a Barnardo home for training as a cadet for the mercantile marine. His snobbishness and conceit soon make him unpopular at the institution. How he eventually gets some sense knocked into his young head makes the theme of an entertaining plot. Supporting will be the bright “ The Life of the Party.”