AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24525, 6 February 1941, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS

THE CURRENT PROGRAMMES STRAND THEATRE To-night will bring to a close the fine comedy programme at the Strand. Theatre. Two of Hollywood's outstanding comedians, Joe Brown and Martha Raye, are co-starred in “ Champion Chumps,” the featured film. The associate film, " Blondie on a Budget,” is another comedy of the Blondie series, starring Penny Singleton. The box plans are at the theatre and the D. , ‘RANCHO GRANDE” " Rancho Grande,” Gene Autrey’s latest Republic production, • is typical of this need for down-to-earth diversion. " Rancho Grande,” which will be shown at the Strand Theatre to-morrow, is an engaging tale about a ranch foreman who saves Dodge holdings from foreclosure and is told in a spritely manner with lilting songs and gay dialogue. Gene Autry plays the young foreman of the Rancho Grande, who is guardian of the madcap Dodge heirs—Kay Dodge, her brother and boon companion Tom. and their kid sister Patricia. Because of the harum scarum antics of i the Dodges, Gene has a hard time counteracting the treachery of Benson, the family lawyer, who is secretly striving to gain control of the Rancho Grande. Benson is constantly stirring the Dodges into revolt against what they consider Gene’s iron-band tactics. Also on the bill will be the latest Aldrich Family film, starring Jackie Cooper, and entitled “Life With Henry," who plays the same role he had in the first of the series, “ What a Life." Jackie Cooper as Henry, the lovable, addle-brain boy with, a genius for getting into trouble, is at it again. From one escapade to another poor Henry’s footsteps are dogged by misadventure. How he ultimately redeems himself and benefits the entire community provide hilarious entertainment. ST. JAMES THEATRE Excellent entertainment is provided at the St. James Theatre, where the two films are “ Remember the Night, starring Barbara Stanwyck and Fred Mac Murray. and "Nancy Drew, Trouble Shooter, featuring Bonita Granville. The main attraction is a romantic comedy-drama, and the other is a fast-moving comedy Together they form an attractive bill, box plans are at the theatre, the D.I.C. and Jacobs’. “ THE GHOST COMES HOME ” "The Ghost Comes Home,” featuring Frank Morgan in one of the most hilarious roles of his career, is the attraction coming to-morrow to the St. James Theatre, with Morgan as small-town storekeeper tangling with night club high life and the problem of spending a million on his home town amid tribulations galore. The story deals with a timid pet-shop keeper who, after being supposedly dead in a shipwreck, returns home to find nls family gleefully spending his Insurance money, and trials and complications keep up the hilariousness until he exposes the local banker and becomes the town s number one hero. Billie Burke plays the wife and Ann Rutherford the daughter. Stuart Erwin, Glenda Farrell, Allen Jenkins, and Jean Muir head an excellent cast that will be seen in " Dance. Charlie. Dance,” the supporting feature. Two girls who are newcomers to the screen, although they have won considerable renown on the musical comedy stage, make their first appearance In the picture— Collette Lyons and Olive Olson. Both have been Broadway stars, .and great things arc expected of them. , OCTAGON THEATRE Brilliantly directed by Walter Lang, the film version of Maurice Maeterlinck’s classic. " The Blue Bird,” which will conclude its season at the Octagon, Theatre to-night. Is entertainment of a type all too rarely enjoyed. The new technicolour process used in the production of the film, the exquisite charm of the story, and JHe, Impressive performances given by the principal players, all contribute to the picture’s outstanding success Shirley Temple has ah excellent role in the part of a little Tyrolean girl who sets out in search of the bluebird, the symbol of happiness, and she is given strong support by Spring Byington, Nigel Bruce, and Gale Sondergaard. The box plans are at the theatre and at Begg’s. , .'h- “LUCKY PARTNERS Ai> gay Greenwich Village lass and a handsome stranger win fiOOO dollars on a Jointly-owned sweepstake ticket in “ Lucky . Partners," which will have its first local screening at the Octagon Theatre to-morrow. Ginger Rogers, as the impetuous girl, is pleasantly wished " good luck ” by an artist, played by Ronald Colman. She persuades the genial fellow to join her on a sweepstakes ticket. H* makes one stipulation—that, if they win, she must accompany him on a platonic honeymoon trip before she marries her .staid fiance and settles down to .tranquil domesticity. Tills situation, with hilarious adventures and romantic complications, stamps “Lucky Partners ” as one of the season’s best comedies. The couple win, and they embark for Niagara Falls, posing as brother and sister From their delightful experiences arises a tender ' romance in the picturesque lovers paradise. , The arrival of the jealous fiance and a courtroom trial disclosing the artist’s past lead to a hilarious climax. Spring Bylngton, Jack Carson, and many other noted" players have important roles GRAND THEATRE . TWO EXCITING FEATURES " Crime Doesn’t Pay ” might be used as the slogan for this week’s double-fea-ture programme at the Grand Theatre, where the two films being shown are ” Glamour for Sale " and " So You Won t Talk." Both of them deal with crime and its retribution, but In a vastly different manner. “ Glamour for Sale ’ is an exposure of a new type of American racket, and the second one. a Joe E. Brown comedy, tells of the misadventures which befall a timid book critic because of his resemblance to a “ killer.” Together they form a" complementary entertainment which should Give satisfaction. Escort bureaux form the background of ” Glamour for Sale." In which Roger Pryor and Anita Louise are starred. It deals with a profitable sideline for unscrupulous men and the opportunities given them for ' blackmail and robbery. How a young police operator wins the friendship of a girl employed in one of these bureaux and, with her help, brings to book a gang of racketeers makes an -’xclting and interesting story. It Is feminine Influence which gets Joe E. Brown into a lot of trouble In ” So You Won't Talk.” A quiet book critic who hides hlmseli as far as possible behind horn-rimmed spectacles and a heavy beard, he is inspired by a girl’s friendship to strike out. and attempt to write himself The first step in his regeneration is the removal of the hirsute growth, but this exposes him as the double of a '‘killer” who" has lust been released from gaol. The gangster’s own men confuse his identity, and the result Is a long series of complications. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. REGENT THEATRE * A gripping film, with a novel theme is being shown at the Regent Theatre under the title, " Strange Cargo.” Co-starred are Clark Gable and Joan Crawford in a thoroughly absorbing story tracing the escape of nine convicts from a South American penal colony, and (heir fight through the jungle, to freedom. Their regeneration throng) the Influence of a stranger forms a surprise part of the film There is an exceptionally strong supporting. cast." Box plans are at the theatre and D.I.C "THE WAY OF ALL FLESH** Heralded as a most unusual and absorbing screen drama, the Paramount picture. “ The Way of-AH Flesh,” featuring Akim Tarriiroff. Gladys George, William Henry, and Muriel Angelus, will open at the Regent Theatre to-morrow The story visualises the downfall of a happy husband and father, a bank cashier In a small town, who is duped by a band of criminals and the allure of an adventuress, and thereby loses a fortune In securities which has been entrusted to him for delivery to a client in New York. The role of the cashier is said to be one of the most exacting ever undertaken by Akim Tamlroff. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE Comedy, music and drama are combined in the programme now being shown at His Majesty’s Theatre. The main attraction, “ Mad About Music,”- is probably Deanna Durbin’s most successful film. She gives a beautiful rendition of Gounod’s “Ave Marla ” to the accompaniment of the Viennese Boys’ Choir. Her " popular" songs include " I Love to Whistle ” and " Chapel Bells.” She is ably supported by Herbert Marshall and Arthur Treacher. Perhaps the most sensational discovery in American entertainment in the past few years has been Edgar Bergan, the ventriloquist, with his " wisecracking ’’ doll, Charlie McCarthy. They are featured in • " Letter of Introduction,” which has a dramatic story to counter-balance the fun-

making of McCarthy. A strong supporting cast Is headed by Adolphe Menjou and George Murphy. The box plans are at the theatre, the D.I.C. and Jacobs’. "GOOD-BYE, MR CHIPS” Robert Donat, who gave the screen one of its finest performances as the Idealistic doctor.of “The Citadel.” once again reveals his consummate artistry and acting skill In “ Good-bye, Mr Chips,” filmlsation of the celebrated James Hilton novel, which will commence a return season at His Majesty’s Theatre to-morrow. The story of “ Mr Chips ’’ is the story of the education of youth the world over. Donat plays the kindly schoolmaster who' comes to’ a large English school as a young man and passes his entire life there. He becomes the ideal of the boys in his care, and when these boys grow up they Send their sons back to Mr Chips.” He meets and falls in love with a young and beautiful girl, and when she ultimately dies the tragedy leaves " Chips ” with a great human understanding and compassion. Supports include “March of Time” (Inside story of the new 25-ton Flying Fortress acquired by the R.A.F.), Crime Doesn't Pay film, a Robert Benchley comedy, and Mendelssohn’s ” Wedding March,” an M.G.M. miniature In colour. EMPIRE THEATRE Dunedin filmgbers will have their last opportunity of seeing the thrilling film ” When tire Daltons Rode,” at the Empire Theatre to-night. It is a gripping tale of the most famous of the Western American outlaws. Randolph Scott and Kay Francis are featured, and the cast includes Brian Donlevy, George Bancroft, Andy Devine and Stuart Erwin. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. ‘ THE GHOST BREAKERS” In creating a mystery story—whether it is to be read, or seen in picture form—the prime essential is to provide clues and yet be able to baffle everyone as to the solution until the actual denouement. Advance reports Indicate that Paramount has achieved this far too infrequent feat in " Tire Ghost Breakers,” to-morrow’s attraction for the Empire Theatre. The stars of " The Cat and the Canary,” Bob Hope and Paulette Goddard, are again the featured players, supported by a cast which features Richard Carlson, Paul Lukas. Anthony Quinn and Willie Best. In the story Paulette inherits an, eerie castle on an Island off Cuba, Mysterious people, seemingly unrelated, warn her not to visit her estate and its house of horror, as death awaits her. Desperate efforts are made to persuade her to sell, but—• aided and abetted by Bob Hope—she spends a nerve-wracking night in’ the castle, peopled with ghosts and riddled with sliding panels and hidden dungeons. STATE THEATRE A delightful comedy-drama is unfolded In “ The Lady in Question,” which is now being shown at the State Theatre. The principal parts are played by Brian Aherne and Rita Hayworth Aherne appears as a middle-aged cych merchant who befriends a young woman and as a result finds himself involved in a senes of unexpected and sometimes somewhat uncomfortable situations, one of which is a murder ’ trial. There is a rich vein of comedy running through the story, and the two principals carry the burden of the plot with ease and success. There is a good supporting programme. The box plans arc at the theatre and at Begg’s. “BAND WAGON” The featured film at the State Theatre to-morrow will be " Band Wagon,” starring the inimitable Arthur Askey, Britain’s newest and most popular vaudeville radio star. Arthur Askey was born in Liverpool. When a small child he used to escort his mother to various pantomimes and from seeing these performances he actually gained a leaning towards the stage. At the Liverpool Institute, young Askey became the centre of all amateur shows He was also the leading light of the church choir of St. Mlchael-ln-the-Hamlet, Liverpool. When the 1914 war clouds hovered over Europe, Askey was only thirteen—not old enough to join the forces and so to “ do his bit ” he went the rounds of the various Liverpool hospitals singing to the wounded soldiers. When reaching the age of necessity of working for his living Askey took the post of clerk In the Liverpool Municipal Council. He never advanced and by the year 1924 he was still just a “'pin-striped clerk.” When performing at a private party, a producer noted his ■ talent and offered him the job of principal comedian at the Olympic Gardens. Rockferyy, at £6 10s a week, and that started him on the road to success.