AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24327, 18 June 1940, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS

THE CURRENT PROGRAMMES STATE THEATRE “ Golden Boy," a Columbia melodrama with a decidedly sporting flavour, is the current feature at the State Theatre. It is a powerful story told in straight sequence of the prize ring, neither glorifying nor condemning the fight business. The featured players are Barbara Stanwyck and Adolphe Menjou, both of whom give sparkling accounts of themselves, but the story puts the principal emphasis on William Holden, a newcomer, whose handling of the title roll is something to talk about. Based of the play by Clifford Odets, the storv takes an Italian boxer from his first fight to the rank of title contender. A girl, a manager, the boy’s father (who wants him to be a violinist) and a gangster influence him this way and that, always logically and interestingly. The place is New York and the time the present. “ Golden Boy ” is a picture well worth seeing. The box plans are at the theatre and Beggs’s. , , “ ROSE OF WASHINGTON SQUARE ” Tyrone Power, Alice Faye and A 1 Jolson are at the head of a strong cast in “ The Rose of Washington Square, which will be the next attraction at the State Theatre. EMPIRE THEATRE | " Espionage Agent,” the new Warner Bros, picture starring Joel McCrea and Brenda Marshall, now at the St. James Theatre, is a powerful and sensational drama of the unknown guardians of America’s peace during history’s most dangerous days. It recalls the terribly destructive campaign of sabotage waged in America even before the United States went into the World War of 1914-18. In the. picture, the machinations of a ring of German spies are defeated, but it is not through the efforts of governmental forces but only by the clever and courageous extra-legal activities of a young American diplomat and the girl who, he learns after he has married her, has been a tool of that spy ring. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “DESTRY RIDES AGAIN’ One of the most imposing casts of the season, headed by Marlene Dietrich and James Stewart, will be seen in Universal’s “ Destry Rides Again,” to be opened on Friday at the Empire Theatre. Miss Dietrich in the role of a belle of the old west, and Stewart in the title role, appear with a host of important players, including Charles Winninger, Mischa Auer, Brian Donlevy, Irene Hervey, Una Merkel, Allen Jenkins, Warren Hymer, and many others. For her newest role. Miss Dietrich portrays a frontier entertainer, a character who contrasts sharply with her recent screen appearances. She sings, dances, fights, and makes love in typical western fashion, and she rolls her own cigarettes. ST. JAMES THEATRE The story of a music professor whose great work emerges from the hands of the publisher as “ swing " music is amusingly told in “ Naughty. But Nice,” which heads the current programme at the St. James Theatre. This astonishing fact leads the professor into all sorts of trouble before he finally marries the girl Who was at the bottom of all the bother. Dick Powell, Ann Sheridan, Helen Broderick, and Zasu Pitts head the cast. The supporting film is “The Defence Rests,” a drama of the courtroom in which a father has to defend his daughter on a criminal charge. Edward Ellis and Anita Louise are starred. The box plans are at the theatre, the D.1.C.. and Jacobs’. STRAND THEATRE Gene Autry, the popular singing cowboy, has the leading role in “In Old Monterey,” which is now being shown at the Strand Theatre. This is a fast-mov-ing story in the true Western tradition, and deals -with the reactions of a group of ranchers who are Informed that the Government has condemned their property as ranching, country When , miliilaftr:officers 'Strive oh the scene to evict ■the ranchers their welcome is more vigorous than cordial. f. The second film is “Calling Philo Vance,” in which James Stephensori appears as the famous, detective. This episode in the adventures of Philo Vance deals with international espionage, and is replete with mystery, tension, and excitement. The box plans are at the theatre and the, D.I.C. OCTAGON THEATRE The dramatic naval action in which the British cruisers, Exeter. Ajax, and Achilles put to flight the German pocket battleship Graf Spee in,the battle of the River Plate, is vividly recounted in the Gau-mont-British production “For Freedom,” which is now being screened-at the Octagon Theatre. Not only has the film a striking entertainment value, but it has an undoubted propaganda power. Made with the co-operation of the Admiralty, it has the officers and men of the British ships re-enacting the parts taken by them In the historic fight against the Graf Spee, and It cannot but inspire similar enthusiasm in the hearts of all lovers of the heroic throughout the Empire. The production also deals with the rescue of British seamen from the infamous Altmark In Josing Fiord, and here again the men who were imprisoned in the Nazi " hell ship ” replay their parts on the screen. The Scottish comedian, Will Fyffe, has the leading role and gives a brilliant performance as the owner of a newsreel firm endeavouring to keep up with and record Hitler’s warlike movements. There is a strong supporting programme, and the box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s.

GRAND THEATRE ■" Mother by Proxy,” featuring Margo, who was responsible for fine dramatic characterisations in " Winterset ” and “ Lost Horizon,” heads the current programme at the Grand Theatre, In her latest production Margo appears as a carnival dancer who finds an abandoned child in a church, and with the foundling eludes the police who are searching for her and her disreputable husband. The presence of the child becomes a problem, but the dancer’s maternal instinct wins, and when the husband is disposed of and romance enters her life, a happy finale is reached, , The second picture is “ The Lone Wolf Strikes Back,” in which Warren William gives another virile performance as the elusive criminal who is sought so earnestly by the law. The box plans are at the theatre and at Begg’s. “BULLET CODE” In his newest R.K.O. Radio vehicle, " Bullet Code,” which will be opened at the Grand Theatre to-morrow, George O’Brien presents a stirring glimpse of the cattle rustling days along the Mexican border during the ’eighties. The noted outdoor star portrays the role of a young rancher who. believing he accidentally killed one of his own cowboys in a rustler raid, seeks to atone for the crime. He finds the boy’s father, a border cattleman, being harassed by a mysterious assailant who is trying to drive the old man off his own property, and he takes a hand in the affair, A romance with the old cattleman’s daughter, a thrilling series of adventures In solving the mystery, and the clearing up of the death of the cowboy all feature the exciting developments of the plot, which is easily one of the best of O’Brien’s recent stories. Kent Taylor, noted young actor, and Linda Hayes, brilliant newcomer, comprise, the new romantic team R.K.O. Radio introduces in “ Sued for Libel,” newspaper murder mystery drama, which is in support. Taylor recently scored as the oldest son in “ Three Sons ” and as the copilot in “ Five Came Back.”, Miss Hayes recently had important roles in ” The Spellbinder ” and ” The Girl from Mexico.” The story of “ Sued for Libel ” revolves around the efforts of a news broadcaster to solve a triple murder mystery with the aid of a rival reporter. REGENT THEATRE Beauty, serenity, and dramatic undercurrent form the salient features of “ Daughters Courageous,” which is at present being shown at the Regent Theatre. Priscilla, Rosemary, and Lola Lane, and Gale Page are the four daughters of the Masters, and play with characteristic vim and vivacity, their beloved mother is about to marry again, having divorced a husband who left her 20 years ago to keep a lengthy “ rendezvous with the universe.” The unexpected return of this charming nomad naturally hinders the wedding preparations, especially as he resumes his old place at the head of the table as if his long absence had been but a few hours. The drama of the film develops when the husband wistfully attempts to regain the affection he so shamelessly neglected. Fay Bainter again offers the essence of poised femininltv and charm as the mother, and Claude Rains makes the wandering husband a fascinating figure with an impish humour. As the ill-mannered Gabriel Lopez, John Garfield Is a strange, forceful personality, and Donald Crisp, Dick Foran, and Frank McHugh are also prominent. There is a good supporting programme. The s box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “THE STAR MAKER” People who remember the songs written by Gus Edwards will rejoice to know that virtually all of the great showmans best songs will be heard—along with four new hits—in the new Bing Crosby film, "The Star Maker,” which Paramount will present on Friday at the Regent Theatre. Among the numbers which are sung by Bing Crosby. Linda Ware, a sensational 14-year-old singing discovery, and by groups of talented children, are “In My Merry Oldsmoblle,” “ Sunbonnet Sue." “ Look Out for Jimmy Valentine," "If I Were a Millionaire,’ "School Days.” "X Can’t Tell Why I Love You. but I Do,” “Tammany,” “By the Light of the Silvery Moon,” and ” X Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now.” The story of “The Star Maker,” which was suggested by Gus Edwards’s career, tells how Crosby, as a penniless song writer and dancer, makes his way to the top in the entertainment world by making stars out of talented children. MAYFAIR THEATRE Cast on an epic scale, “ Union Pacific,” now being shown at the Mayfair Theatre, tells an exciting story of the development of the great open spaces of the Western States of America and the part played by the construction of the first transcontinental railway system. It features Joel McCrea, Barbara Stanwyck. Brian Donlevy and Akim Tamiroff. It is a worthy treatment of a big subject. The second film “ Flight to Fame,” stars Charles Farrell in an aviation story. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.