AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24296, 13 May 1940, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES OCTAGON THEATRE Brilliantly photographed in the most realistic technicolor, “ The Four Feathers,” the film version of A. E. W. Mason’s exciting story of Kitchener’s, successful campaign in the Sudan, is attracting large audiences to the Octagon Theatre. It is the story of a man who, haunted by the fear that he will prove a coward and let his regiment down, resigns his commission when orders come through of its departure for the Sudan. Three fellowofficers send him white feathers, and he acquires a fourth when his fiancee shows her sorrow at his action. Goaded on by these emblems of cowardice, he goes secretly to the Sudan, and, disguised as a dumb native, he performs brilliant, espionage work for the British, during which he rescues one of the officers who had sent him a feather, and also incites the prisoners of the Dervishes to revolt during the Battle of Omdurman and take the enemy's arsenal. He returns to England a hero after he has returned all the white feathers. The hero is played by John Clements, who gives a thoroughly satisfying portrayal. Ralph Richardson’s portrait of a soldier is brilliant, and C. Aubrev Smith. June Duprez. Donald Gray and Clive Baxter are excellent in their roles. The supporting programme, which is necessarily short, includes an interesting newsreel and a travelogue, “Jerusalem.” The box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. GRAND THEATRE “Everything on Ice,” the principal attraction at the Grand Theatre, has Irene Dare in the leading role. This charming six-year-old actress 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. As an actress, too, the surprising Irene shows skill, giving hint that she may soon rank high among juvenile players. The excellent supporting cast is headed by the reliable Roscoe Karns. Seen as a scheming bachelor always short of funds, be is full of grandiose ideas which usually involve the family of his sister, Mary Hart,’ mother of the prodigal child. The conflict between duty to his feiiowman and gratification of a personal desire, presents a difficult problem to George O’Brien in his latest outdoor drama, “ The Marshal of Mesa City,” the supporting film. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. “ CALL OF THE ROCKIES ” Once again film-goers will thrill to the singing and music of the Sons of the Pioneers, five real cowboys who sing and play an assortment of musical instruments under the able direction of Bob Nolan, former Arizona buckeroo. This unique musical quintet will appear with Charles Starrett and Iris Meredith in Columbia s latest Western thriller, “Call of the Rockies,” which comes to the Grand Theatre next Wednesday. REGENT THEATRE Continuing its successful cxl nded season at the Regent Theatre, ” The Wizard of Oz ” is a film no one should miss. An outstanding cast portray the characters of America’s greatest fairy tale. There is Frank Morgan as “ the Wiz,” Judy Garland as little Dorothy, the amazing Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion, Jack Haley as the Tin Woodman, and Ray Bolger as the Strawman. There are also Charles Grapewin and Margaret Hamilton. There is far too much in this Victor Fleming production to be told in a few words, but briefly the story that has charmed thousands’ in its 40 years of existence deals With a little Kansas girl who is blown in a whirlwind to that place about which she has been dreaming—” somewhere over the rainbow.” She sets off to see the Wizard, and on the way finds three compainons—the Scarecrow, who wants a brain, the Tin Woodman, who wants a heart, and the Cowardly Lion, who wants courage. The songs are delightful. There is “The Wizard” song, Judy’s beautiful “ Over the Rainbow,” the Cowardly Lion s <• if I Were King of the Forest ” (possibly the highlight of the show) and “If I Only had a Brain.” The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. STATE THEATRE Shirley Temple, riding her own pony, ’’ Roanle,” scores yet one more success in “ Susannah of the Mounties,” the new film at the State Theatre. In “Susannah of the Mounties,” the English actress Margaret Lockwood, plays opposite Randolph Scott in the role of the visitor to the outpost at which Scott is a mountie, and to which he brings Shirley Temple, the sole survivor of an Indian massacre. The famous police are trying to protect the construction of the great new railway from interference by the Indians. The heroic exploits of the mounties in protecting the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railroad on its push to the west from the outraged redmen Is an exciting adventure romance and a highly unusual vehicle for its star, Shirley Temple. A charming highlight of the story Is Shirley’s friendship with a young Indian brave, played by Martin Gqod Rider, 13-year-old Blackfeet. The large cast Includes J. Farrell MacDonald, Maurice Moscovich, Moroni Olsen, Victor Jory and Lester Matthews. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. EMPIRE THEATRE The effects of slum environment on the inhabitants of great cities is the theme of a striking new film. “Angels With Dirty Faces,” which is now at the Empire Theatre, takes this subject as Its theme, and develops it into a powerful and deeply moving story that carries a strong social message. The story starts out with two boys, Rocky Sullivan (James Cagney) and Jerry Connolly (Pat O’Brien), Who, searching for amusement, which they are unable to find in the crowded slum district that is their home, attempt to steal some fountain pens, They are chased by the police: Jerry, being fleeter of foot, gets away, but Rocky is caught. Sent to reform school, Rocky is bitter about the world in general on his release and immediately treads the road that leads but to crime and its sometimes consequent luxuries and Inevitable uncertainties. During this time Jerry has become a priest. Fifteen years after their boyish escapade, Rocky and Jerry meet again—two dirtyfaced boys grown up—both fighting for life. Rocky for his own, Jerry for the thousands of slum boys in his parish. How Jerrv tries to make Rocky an ally in his attempt to make good citizens of the boys who could very easily “ go wrong.” provides some of the more poignantly dramatic moments. There is an excellent supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. ST. JAMES THEATRE Besides two first class pictures—- “ Honeymoon Deferred ” and “ Man from Montreal ’’—the St. James Theatre is now showing a further batch of the competitors in the £SOO baby contest being conducted by the St. John Ambulance Association. Edmund Lowe, as the private detective whose honeymoon is interrupted by the violent death of his chief inspector, portrays the kind of role that has made him one of the screen’s most popular players. Margaret Lindsay, the bride who helps her husband solve the case, also has a role aptly suited to her in " Honeymoon Deferred.” With Lowe and Miss Lindsay in this picture is a supporting cast of well-known performers, including Elizabeth Risdon. Joyce Compton, Chick Chandler, Anne Gwynne, Jerry Marlowe, Cliff Clark, Lillian Yarbo. Julie Stevens and others. Reckless adventure in the rich fur country of the Canadian northwoods is offered in Universal’s “ Man from Montreal.” Richard Arlen is seen as the young trapper who is unjustly arrested and charged with fur thefts and murder. Andy Devine, his co-star, has the role of a good-natured Mountie who comes to Arlen’s aid. The box plans are at the theatre. D.I.C. and Jacobs’. STRAND THEATRE ’’ Blondie Takes a Vacation,” the leading film at the Strand Theatre, like its predecessors, is based upon the celebrated comic strip characters created by Chic Young. The picture sends the Bumstead family to a summer resort. On the train they meet a genial pyromaniac named Gtliis. payed by Donald Meek, and a tough-crusted business man named Morton, played by Donald Mcßride. Baby Dumpling and Daisy make the trip somewhat of a trial for Morton. As a result, he refuses the family admittance to bis hotel at the lake. Blondie, Dagwood. and the family troop to the only other hotel and learn that it is about to be closed over their heads because Morton is trying to put bis rival out of business. The family eagerly sides with the underdog Full of thrills and surprises, and featuring plenty of pleasant musical interudes. “ Rootin’. Tootin’ Rhvthm ” supports the main feature. The likeable Troubadour Gene Autry and his comedian friend. Smiley Burnett, head the cast. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.

MAYFAIR THEATRE A welcome return season of " Shipyard Sally ” provides the first half of the Mayfair Theatre’s programme. This is without doubt one of the most popular films that the inimitable Gracie Fields has made, and as the audience follows her adventures when she goes to London with her ne’er-do-well father (Sidney Howard) to intercede on behalf of the shipbuilders on the Clyde, its members will soon understand why. Gracie performs every type of vocal acrobatics imaginable and gets into innumerable humorous situations, but the highlight of the film for many will be when she sings the song that has been adopted as one of the first of the war melodies, “ Wish

Me Luck as You Wave Me Good-bye,” which she sings with all the verve that has come to be , expected of her. The second feature is Tell No Tales.” The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.