AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24326, 17 June 1940, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

THE CURRENT PROGRAMMES REGENT THEATRE , The appeal of the family film of the more serious rather than the comic type which is so often seen, is successfully exploited in “ Daughters Courageous,” which is the current attraction at the Regent Theatre. Featuring Priscilla, Rosmary, and Lola Lane—three sisters—and Gale Page, the combination which gave such an interest to " Four Daughters,” this production is not a sequel to the earlier film, but belongs to the same type. They have excellent support from Claude Rains, always a convincingly forceful actor, John Garfield, a young recruit who has made a very good impression, and Fay Bainter. The story concerns the romances of the daughters, and also of the mother, who has long since divorced her fascinating but wastrel husband. She ts about to be married to a sober small-town businessman when her husband returns and installs himself at the home as if nothing had happened. His attraction makes itself felt by his daughters, and the manner In which this unusual situation is worked out makes an entertainment which never loses its grip on the interest of the audience. The whole atmosphere of the story is convincingly natural. There Is a good supporting programme, including a cartoon and the latest newsreels. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. STATE THEATRE In preparation and production for more than 18 months, Columbia’s “ Golden Boy ” has been acclaimed wherever It has been shown, and is now attracting considerable attention at the State Theatre. With Barbara Stanwyck. Adolphe Menjou, and William Holden starred, the sensational screen version of Clifford Odets’s stirring stage success is one of the greatest emotional pictures ever sent out from Hollywood. “ Golden Boy ’’ is the stirring drama of a youth with ,the sensitive soul of a great musician and the mauling fists of a champion prize-fighter. Tired of working towards artistic triumphs in some nebulous future, the boy abandons his art to win for himself quick success as a fighter. The film dramatic.adv depicts the tremendous conflict which rages when the youth attempts to force both himself and his family to believe that his decision is the right one. There Is a short but entertaining supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. EMPIRE THEATRE 'Espionage Agent,” which is a popular attraction at the Empire Theatre, might be called a sequel to the powerful “ Confessions of a Nazi Spy.” But where the latter was all documentary, the new product is so only in part, and, in addition, has a love story. “ Espionage Agent ”is likely to prove more popular with theatregoers as pure entertainment, than the “ Nazi, Spy.” The opening stages of the film comprise an indictment of alien spy activity in the United States, and the lack of laws to cope with it. The story increases in tempo as it goes along and develops into a melodrama in which the hero and heroine break up an espionage ring operating in Geneva. Heading the cast are Joel McCrea and not so well known, but equally capable, Brenda Marshall. McCrea has given scarcely one poor performance since he first broke into “ big time ” movies, and he is right up to his best standard in " Espionage Agent ” as an American attache at a North African city. He marries an attractive girl (Miss Marshall) and seems well on his way to being appointed to a European diplomatic post, when it is revealed that his wife was formerly connected with espionage work. The story tells of the efforts of the young couple to break up the ring with which the girl was formerly connected. After the opening scenes, the action moves at a brisk and increasingly rapid clip, working up to a powerful climax, when the hero gets the evidence needed to convict the gang. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. ST. JAMES THEATRE . i ■ Sprinkled with song hits which add spirit and gaiety to the action of the play, “ Naughty But Nice,” the current attraction at the St. James Theatre, goes with an infectious swing from the moment Dick Powell, in the role of a smalltown music professor with ambition but with a handicap of three spinster aunts, breaks into New? York artistic circles. The professor’s timidity among the great folk of Broadway, and the appearance of Zasu Pitts among the coddling trio of aunts, ensures a series of scenes and situations full value for fun. Slapsie Maxie Rosenbloom, as a butler, hits up the comedy, while the singing is attractively .managed by Ann Sheridan, Gale Page and Dick Powell. It is a melodious and highly entertaining session. In support is “ The Defence Rests." starring Edward Ellis and Anita Louise. Box plans are at the theatre, the D.1.C., and Jacobs’. STRAND THEATRE The popular cowboy singer Gene Autry, heads the cast in “ In Old Monterey,” one of the pictures on the new programme at the Strand Theatre. The film tells a good story, and tells it well. There is a group of ranchers who receive with surprise notice of the Government’s condemnation of their range as ranching country, and the reception they give the military officers who are sent to evacuate them is more spirited than hearty. The other film is ” Calling Philo Vance,” which is the latest .of a very popular series In this new picture, the character is presented by James Stephenson, whose portrayal is fully as good as. if not better, than the efforts of the others. The plot is of ah up-to-date variety, and is for that reason of exceptional interest. It concerns the intrigue and adventure associated with international espionage. The action is fast, the mystery is baffling, and the denouement is surprising. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. * OCTAGON THEATRE An eloquet reply to any “ Fifth Column ” propaganda, the dramatic British production “For Freedom,” showing at the Octagon Theatre, is a film that no one can afford to miss. Made with the co-operation of the Admiralty, the picture stars Will Fyffe, popular English actor, while officers and men of H.M.S. Ajax, Exeter, and Achilles re-enact

the parts actually taken by them in the historic action against the Graf Spee. So great was the estimate of the propaganda value of the production through its historic accuracy that speed in exhibition throughout the countries of the world was the order of the day. Thus London audiences are thrilling now to this action-packed story at the same time and in the same way as other audiences throughout the world. The Battle of the River Plate becomes more than a name once you have seen the guns actually belch forth; the terrible sufferings of those who fell prey to the German raider cannot be fully appreciated until the scene is brought before your eyes. The picture was made partly with a view to its effect in neutral countries as truthful propaganda correcting foreign lies. It serves its purpose equally in New Zealand. There is also a well-varied programme of entertaining short features. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. GRAND THEATRE Margo, who gave such fine performances in “ Wimerset ” and “ Lost Horizon,” has the leading role in “ Mother by Proxy,” which heads the current programme at the Grand Theatre. In “ Mother by Proxy ” a carnival dancer with an instinct for higher ideals finds an abandoned child in a church, and with it eludes the police, who are searching for her and her disreputable husband. Hereafter the dancer’s problem is whether she will leave the child in her boarding house, or accept the responsibility of its upbringing. Mother instinct wins in the end, but is occasionally submerged by circumstances which make hard the lot of the foster parent. Romance, In the person of a tall dark man from the wide open spaces, takes a hand in her case. The longdelayed deserts of a blackmailing husband deepen the rainbow of Maria’s horizon, and Christmas bells ring ’in the happy finale. The second picture is " The Lone Wolf Strikes Back,” in which Warren William, as the elusive and romantic criminal who is ardently sought by the Continental police, gives another vigorous and entertaining performance. The -box plans are at the theatre and at Begg’s. MAYFAIR THEATRE “ Union Pacific,” Cecil B. de Mille’s epic of the transcontinental railway system, is now being shown at the Mayfair Theatre. Cast on a characteristically lavish scale, " Union Pacific ” ranks among the director’s masterpieces for its striking realism and for the effectiveness of a score of portrayals. Joel McCrea and Barbara Stanwyck are the stars, and with them are associated Brian Donlevy, Robert Preston, Akim Tamiroff, and other popular players. The story reveals the sabotaging activities of New York financiers against the brave scheme to build a railway across the United States. “ Flight to Fame,” which is also being shown. Is an aviation feature presenting Charles Farrell. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. GOLF 1 OTAGO CLUB * The first round of the annual handicap knock-out competition for the Haggitt Cup was played at Balmacewen on Saturday. The following were the results:—J. H. McDougall beat J. P. Cartwright. 3 and 1; G. B. P. Wilson beat E. G. Boddy, 6 and 5; L. G. Myers beat A. Gill, 5 and 4; A C. Macdonald beat R. Allan, at the twenty-second hole; W. G. Wight beat G. H. Seddon, at the twenty-second hole; E. A. Reed beat W. C. Romeril, 3 and 2; J, M. Fraser beat W. S. Stewart, 5 and 4; D. B. G. Paterson beat J. C. W. Davies, 2 and 1; L. A. Kaye beat H. Halliday, 3 and 1; T. B. Ferguson beat W. A. Mitson, 1 up; J. A. McCausland beat A. Lucas, 1 up; A H Boyd beat S. F. Lambert, 1 up; J. N. Sams beat G. C. Moir, 5 and 4; A. R. Woods beat C. W. Glover, 5 and 4; J. T. McCorkindale beat S. J. Macdonald, 5 and 4; J. A. Scouler beat R. F. Barr, 2 and 1; J. N. Lemon beat S. G. Cook, 6 and 5; J. R. Callender beat A. E. Lodge, 8 and 7; R. W. S. Botting beat J. L. Grimaldi, 2 and 1; E. A. Lucas beat R. W. Dick, 4 and 3; F. O. Hartley beat F. -J. Morrison, at the twenty-first hole. In the final of the four-ball knock-out competition. T. W. Wight and J. N. Lemon beat J. G. Dick and E. G. Boddy, 1 up. v KING’S CUP The annual competition for the King’s Cup was played on the St. Clair links in fine weather over the week-end; 80 competitors representative of all the local clubs took part. The cuo was won by J. P. Sams, of the Otago Club, with rounds of 78—6—72 and 81—6—75, 147. W. D. McKenzie 83—9—74 and 84—9 —75, 149, and W. G. Aitken 86—9—77 and 81—9—72, 149, tied for second place. The trophy by the best gross score was won by C. B. Wight, with rounds of 76 and 79, an aggregate of 155. The best net score in the morning round was returned by E. A. Bolwell, 85— 13 —72, followed by A. G. Bayliss 88—14— 74 and H. E. Skinner, 91—17—74. R. M. McKay, with 91—18—73, won the afternoon round, and A. J. Aitken, with 82 —8 —74, filled second place. No competitor could take more than one trophy. ST. CLAIR CLUB The following are the results of the matches decided in the third and fourth round of the single knockout for the St. Clair Club’s Paterson Cup:—S. H. McKechnie defeated A. G. Bayliss 2 and 1, F. H. Elsom defeated R. T. Simpson 6 and 5, W, W. Strang defeated A. Lawrence 3 and 2, N. W. Allen defeated F. Duthie 5 and 4, C. B, Wight defeated H. A. Gamble 2 and I. W. W, Clayton defeated D. C. Bennie 1 up, H. S. Ross defeated E. F. Mosley 1 up. F. W. Dixon defeated A. Jones 4 and 3. H. J. Rackley 29—6—35, won the A Grade section of the single stableford bogey competition, and L. M. Satterthwaite, 22—10 —32 filled second place. The B Grade section was won by A. M. Jones 22—16—38, three competitors with 33 points tying for second place. The best cards returned were as follows:—A Grade: H. J. Rackley 296 —35, L. M. Satterthwaite 22—10—32, D. C. Bennie 30—1—31, W. W. Clavton 29—2—31 J. E. Macassey 23—8—31, E. A. Bolwell 21—10—31, H. L. Boock IS—--10—29, F, Sherriff 21—8—29, F. Clark 19— 10— W. W. Strang 20—8—28. B Grade: A. M. Jones 22—16—38, G. F. Bolwell 22 11— D. H. Blackie 21—12—33, T. W. Grlmsdale 18—15—33, C. Penman 15—15 30, W. Wrather 19—11—30. S. A. Pringle 15—14—29. BELLEKNOWES CLUB The following are the results of the matches played at Belleknowes in the second round of the knock-out competition for the A. McMillan Cup:—B. B. Rogers (rec. 2) beat W. K. Wilkinson, 2 and 1; F. G. Haigh beat G. Coxon (rec. 4), 5 and 4; R. Mclver beat R. Bruce-Smith (rec. 2). 1 up; W, Anderson beat G. Dunn (rec. 6), 3 and 2; L. R. Sceats beat W. Hall Masters (rec. 5), 3 and 2; A. C. Rowe bbat R. R. Martin (rec. 4), 5 and 4; A. L. Mac Gibbon won by default from D. Gilroy: .F. Hinton beat I. C. Randle (rec. 3), 2 up; H. G. Carr (rec. 3) beat H. A. Coxon, 2 up; G. Bell beat J. D. Fletcher (rec. 8), 3 and 2; R. M. Wilkinson beat L* Griffiths (rec. 8), 2 and 1; J. Stanley won by default from J. B. Hope; R. H, Henderson (rec. 10) beat E. J. Simpson, 1 up; R. N. Hood beat E. J, Olsen (rec. 2). 3 and 1; W. A. Race beat J. Campbell (rec. 1), 4 and 3; I. A, Mitchell won by default from L. Anderson; T. A. Morland beat C. Lucas (rec. 8), 5 and 4; L. F. Bennet beat O. J. Cooke (rec. 2), 4 and 2; A. S. Taylor wqn by default from N. C. Wallace;' H. V.' Huntley won by default from S. B. Boyd; G. W. Carrington beat E. Berman, 3 and 1; F. B. Clarke beat R. S. Stewart (rec. 3), Tup; J. M. Somerville won by default from D Porteous; D, Mackay beat D. F. Lee (rec. 8). 1 up; J. F. Byers beat G. Gregory (rec. 7), 6 and 4; N; R. Driver beat W. D, Holmes (rec. 11), 1 up; E. H. King beat J. C. Paul (rec. 10), 2 up; E. Berwick beat S. A. Stannard (rec. 1), 3 and 2; A. H. Thomson won by default from A, J. Darling. PORT CHALMERS CLUB The semi-final of the Junior Knock-out Competition of the Port Chalmers Club was played on Saturday, when G. Ellis beat A. D. Strachan 2 and I, and L. Fountain beat A. J. Campbell 1 up. G. Ellis and L. Fountain are left to play off in the final. The other members took part in the monthly medal match and the following were the best cards returned; J, Broad ley 77—14—63, R. Wards 83—20—63. A. Thomson 90—24—66, F. E. Hunt 76—10—66, F. Young 80—14—66, R. F. Cameron 94 24—70, B. McShanc 94-24—70, C. Osborn 87—15—72, J. B Quaile 89—16—73. J. Broadtey won on the count back. WINTER CHAMPIONSHIP H. D. BRINSDEN BEATS P. G. F. SMITH (Special to Daily Times) AUCKLAND. June 15. The Auckland Winter Golf Championship, played at the Akarana Club’s links, was completed to-day, H. D. Brinsden defeating P. G. F Smith, 3 and 2 in the final. Brinsden has now won the event four times, the previous occasions being in 1935, 1936, and 1938.