AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24505, 14 January 1941, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

THE CURRENT PROGRAMMES EMPIRE THEATRE There Is plenty of excitement and timely entertainment In this week’s bill at the Empire Theatre. Of most Importance is " World in Flames," Paramount’s newsreel survey of international events leading up to the war and Including some of the early exploits in Poland, Norway, and France. It is an impressive record and one which is well worth seeing. The featured film is " Mystery Sea Haider,” starring Henry Wilcoxon Onslow Stevens, and Carole Landis. it tells of the. clever ruse of a Nazi agent who seizes an American freighter and uses her as a base ship to supply submarines operating over vital trade routes. How the Nazis’ dupes turn the tables on their captors makes an exciting story. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C “IP I HAD MV WAV” Gloria Jean, that attractive little girl who made such a success in the ’’ UnderPup,” comes to the screen again in “ If 1 Had My Way,” which will be shown at the Empire Theatre on Friday Gloria, who has a fine voice, is in the company of Bing Crosby, Charles Wlnninger, and El Brendel. They will introduce several new songs. STRAND THEATRE Some of the best-remembered action stories of the screen have come from the studios of Warner Bros., whose latest offering of this type, " King of the Lumberjacks,” heads an attractive doublefeature programme at the Strand Theatre this week. The tall timbers of California’s forest lands have provided the setting for many pictures before to-day, but none have exceeded " King of the Lumberjacks” for sheer excitement and first-class character portrayal. John Payne and Gloria Dixon provide the romantic Interest. The other picture is <■ Girl Loves Boy.” with Eric Linden, Cecilia Parker. Buster Phelps and Patsy O’Connor. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C ST. JAMES THEATRE '■Baby Sandy,’ that engaging infant who masqueraded as a boy In her initial film, is seen in her real colours in ‘‘Sandy is a Lady,” which heads the bill now screening at the St. James Theatre. This Is a riotous comedy, with a brilliant cast. Including Mlscha Auer, Eugene Pallette. a Gilbert. Edgar Kennedy and Fritz The story tells of the adventures of a little girl who wanders away from | her guardians In the metropolis of New York. Another of the famous Hopalong Cassidy series, “Three Men from Texas,” supports. It has all the thrilling action of its predecessors. William Boyd Is the star. Box plans are at the theatre, the D.X.C., and Jacobs’s. « THREE CHEERS FOR THE IRISH ” Set against the background of New York, Warner Brothers’ " Three Cheers for the Irish.” which will come to the St. James Theatre on Friday, Is a rollicking comedy on the affairs of an Irish family and the doings of all their many friends and relations. Retired by order of the police commissioner after 25 years on the force, “ Casey ” (Thomas Mitchell) runs for alderman. Anguished by his .daughter’s love for the rookie, whom he hates because of his dislike fur the Scottish, and by his discovery that another daughter had accepted campaign funds from a gambler, “ Casey ” retraces his steps in the campaign, confessing his acceptance of money from “ the Interests,” and asks that voters support his opponent. Astounded, the voters elect him and his joy becomes even greater when he finds himself to be the grandfather of twins. The supporting picture is “.Penrod’s Double Trouble.” OCTAGON THEATRE

‘Lillian Russell.” at present belm shown at the Oct'agon Theatre, provide excellent screen entertainment. Lilliai Russell was acclaimed the most beauti ful woman of her era in America. Aftei falling as an opera singer, she turned he attentions to the stage, and in a shor time her beauty and charm captlvatec every heart and won her outstanding fame. Alice Faye once more proves he: ability and gives a delightful perform ance in the title role. Don Ameche hai the role of Lillian's composer husbanc who eventually worked himself to death Edward Arnold is at his best as " Diamon Jim ” Brady, who once offered hei 2,000,000 dollars to. marry him. Henrj Fonda is seen as another who falls hopelessly in love with her, and who finallj becomes her second husband. The bos plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. “FOUR SONS” Marked by powerful simplicity, the 20tt Century-Fox drama, “ Four Sons,” will be the next film to be shown at the Octagon Theatre. In this realistic and powerful picture, which previewers have labelled a “ great and timely picture the American public must see,” Producer Darryl F. Zanuck drafted the talents oi many outstanding players. Including: Don Ameche, Eugenie Leontovich, Mary Beth Hughes, Alan Curtis, George Ernest, Robert Lowery, and others equally famous. Archie Mayo directed the powerful “ Four Sons ” from an original screen play by John Howard Lawson which was suggested by a story by I. A. R. Wylie. Zanuck was assisted in the production of the film by Harry Joe Brown, who was associate Producer. GRAND THEATRE , Jane Withers neads the cast in the entertaining comedy ” High School,” which is now being shown at the Grand Theatre. Jane Withers is seen as a properly pampered young person who finds that when she Is sent from her father’s ranch to school she is not nearly so important as she has been accustomed to think she is. The result Is a passing unhappiness, but she soon establishes her popularity with her fellows when she rescues the football hero from a gang of crooks. The second film is “ Brown on Resolution,” a gripping story of the British Navy, in which two spectacular naval engagements and the heroism of one young sailor, who single-handed keeps a whole ship’s company at bay until help arrives, combine to make impressive entertainment. Tire box plans are at the theatre and at Begg’s. “CROSS COUNTRY ROMANCE” Hilarious, romantic comedy is the keynote of “ Cross Country Romance.” which will be opened at the Grand Theatre to-morrow, with Gene Raymond and Wendy Barrie in the starring roles The story is of a modern miss (Wendy Barrie) who runs out on her bridegroom on their wedding day and hides in the trailer of a young medico (Gene Raymond) on his way to San Francisco from New York to catch a boat to take him to China for medical research. The girl falls in love with him, and the film deals with her efforts to snare him into marrying her and to prevent him catching the boat which would separate them. When a frontier gambler schemes to cripple a rival stage line operated by a young woman, George O’Brien, in the role of a two-fisted Government agent, steps in and the fireworks start. That briefly summarises the exciting plot of R.K.O Radio’s " Stage to Chino,” the thrilling drama of the Old West in which Virginia Vale plays opposite the popular outdoor star. REGENT THEATRE One of the most successful films of recent years was ” Four Daughters.” ” Four Wives,” the attraction now at the Regent Theatre, is the sequel, and is proving just as popular. What made the firgt film so popular was its homely interest and its even balance of drama, comedy, and romance. The present film, with an identical cast, has the same qualities. Two of the daughters are married, and both have children The youngest one, who was the only one married in the previous film, but whose husband died, provides the film’s drama. Her husband reappears In vision form, but she eventually finds happiness by a second marriage. The other daughter, the romantic of the family, helps and encourages her widowed sister, and is in the end happily married. The girls are played by Priscilla, Rosemary, and Lola Lane and Gale Page, with Jeffrey Lynn, Claude Rains, and Frank McHugh sharing tile main male roles. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “YOUNG TOM EDISON” Mickey Rooney gives his most worthwhile piece of acting to date in “ Young Tom Edison,” the fascinating biographical drama depicting the early life of the famous American inventor—Thomas Edison, which will be presented at the Regent Theatre on Friday The boyishness of the character, combined with the latent genius in his character, are brilliantly brought out and the human quality of the film is exceedingly good. There are, of course, thrills, mostly concerned with the boy’s inventive genius: he amplifies light so that his mother can be operated on safely, and saves a train from crashing over a bridge which has been blown up by

using an *ngine whistle to send a message In morse. Voung Tom Is expelled from school for his somewhat disastrous inquisitiveness, but the end of the picture shows the start of his recognition as a youth with ideas and genius. Virginia Weidler is delightful as Tannie, his sister, and Fay Bainter and George Bancroft score as their parents.

STATE THEATRE

"A Bill of Divorcement.” which heads the new programme at the State Theatre, is most unusual screen entertainment. Penned as a stage play by Clemence Dane, it has scored sensational successes over the footlights, and is no less a triumph as a screen document. Its principal ingredient is tense drama, and the plot itself is a tragic one. It tells of the reaction to the knowledge gained by a young girl that her father’s family is steeped with hereditary insanity, her father himself having been committed to an asylum for 20 years. With a brilliant cast, including Maureen O’Hara, Fay Bainter. Herbert Marshall, Adolphe Menjou, Dame May Whitty, and C. Aubrey Smith, the film is a particularly notable one. Box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s •‘THE RAMPARTS WE WATCH” Careful reporting of life during the years of the first World War in “ The Ramparts We Watch.” which will be the next attraction at the State Theatre, impressively shows the similarity between the problems of preparedness facing countries 20 years ago and those which face them now. To complete this picture, the editors have incorporated scenes from ’’ Baptism of Fire,” the confiscated Nazi propaganda film used to “ soften ” leaders of European countries about to be invaded by them Use of the Nazi’s own terror film to dramatically demonstrate what a highly-mechanised and carefully-trained army can do when it faces an unprepared foe, clearly shows to Americans and others the need for preparedness in order that their country may never be victim of such aggression, HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE It is difficult to attempt a dispassionate review of “ Magnificent Obsession.” which will be the main attraction at His Majesty’s Theatre to-day. Irene Dunne and Robert Taylor have the starring roles. Rarely has the screen snown a more touching motion picture than this, filled as it is with heart-quickening drama and delightful comedy—a skilful blending of light and shade, revealing the story of the compelling power of a great love. The charming Miss Dunne plays the greatest role of her career. During a part of the picture she is blind, and her experiences will make even the blase ponder. Taylor is revealed as a dramatic actor of exceptional ability. Scenes between these two are presented with stirring dramatic qualities. The supporting programme will Include a " March of Time,” “ Japan, Master of the Orient.” The box plans are at the theatre, Jacobs’s, and the D.I.C. MAYFAIR THEATRE ” Jamaica Inn, - ’ featuring Charles Laughton, is the current attraction at the Mayfair Theatre. Laughton gives a masterly performance as the exquisite Sir Humphrey Pengallon, the genius behind a gang of smugglers on the Cornish coast Excellent support is given by Emlyn Williams, Marie Ney, Maureen O’Hara and Robert Newton. The second picture is ” The Covered Trailer,” another Higgins Family story. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. |