AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24605, 13 May 1941, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS

THE CURRENT PROGRAMMES REGENT THEATRE Basil Rathbone. who is hailed as one of the most polished actors in Hollywood, lives up to his reputation In “A Date With Destiny," which is being shown at the Regent Theatre this week. Rathbone is seen as a young doctor who goes to New York after the death of his first wife, and practises as a psychiatrist. He soon builds up a fine practice, including a number of wealthy and beautiful women clients, but instead of becoming an honoured and respected member of the profession, his warped mind drives him to commit murder. When it is too late he falls genuinely in love with one of bis patients, and through the efforts of one of her faithful admirers, Is finally exposed. Ellen Drew and Martin Kosleck give fine support to Rathbone. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “NEW MOON” Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy will be heard together again soon—this time in the well-loved music of “ New Moon,” a delightful talking picture version of which is to be screened at the Regent Theatre on Friday. Adapted from the world-famous operetta by Sigmund Romberg, “ New Moon ” is the sixth starring picture for these two most popular artists. The action is placed In New Orleans some two centuries ago, when ladies wore big hooped skirts and powdered wigs, and the male of the species was, if anything, more colourful than the female. It was the period, too, when pirates, armed to the teeth with cutlasses, culvirons, and so forth, plied the Caribbean Sea. And Of them all the most dashing, debonair, and daring was Charles, exiled Due de Vidicr, just as the loveliest of the ladies was Marianne, Mile, de Beaumanolr. So it was quite inevitable that they should meet, fall in love beneath a lazy Louisiana moon, should part, and finally meet again, this time never to part. STATE THEATRE Associated with George Sanders in the " Saint in Palm Springs,” which is at the State Theatre, are Wendy Barrie. Paul Gullfoyle, Linda Hayes and Robert Hale. This latest adventure of th£ 11 Saint," otherwise Simon Templar, deals with the endeavours of a gang of criminals to obtain possession of a number of extremely valuable stamps. The Saint is first of all arrested by the police, but released to deliver the stamps safely to their owner, a beautiful girl. Box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. “ PLAY GIRL ” A beautiful young girl is induced against her wishes to assist a reckless adventuress fleece rich play boys of their money in " Play Girl,” the next attraction at the State Theatre, in which Kay Francis is starred as the adventuress. James Ellison has the masculine lead, while lovely Mildred Coles portrays the penniless working girl who agrees to combine her youth with the experience of a clever lady of leisure for the purpose of swindling indiscreet bachelors of their millions. EMPIRE THEATRE The quiet, grim efficiency of the “ silent service ” is brilliantly reflected in the British production, “ Convoy," the current attraction at the Empire Theatre. The production is the strong point of this film, in which the mistake of providing more than a slight story has not been made. Realism fs the keynote—from the authen-tic-sounding bridge orders to the weird " woop, woop ” of destroyers’ sirens. This film tells of the shepherding of 20 merchantmen across the North Sea. The Üboat threat is ever present and an added danger is that a German pocket battleship is in the vicinity. A gallant delaying action of a cruiser against the might of the Deutschland forms a thrilling climax. Clive Brook and John Clements are the leading players. Box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. STRAND THEATRE “ River’s End,” which is the main attraction on the Strand Theatre’s entertaining programme, is a thrilling story of the Canadian North West Mounted Police. Dennis Morgan is starred in the role of a sergeant of the " Mounties.” Elizabeth Earl has the leading feminine role, and George Tobias heads the supporting cast. An exciting sporting film, " Over the Goal,” completes the progx-amme. William Hopper is seen as a husky young footballer, and with June Travis he provides the romantic interest. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C, “THE DEVIL’S PIPELINE” She was born in Texas, yet she claims the title Lady Fitzgerald, of Ihe Irish nobility. Such an unusual young lady is Jeanne Kelly, who has the romantic lead opposite Richard Arlen in Universal’s “ The Devil’s Pipeline,” adventure drama co-starring Arlen and Andy Devine. The film is the next feature at the Strand Theatre. Miss Kelly was born in Houston, Texas, great-granddaughter of a scion of a titled family in Ireland. While still a baby, the actress was taken to Costa Rica, where she remained until she was nine years old. Speaking Spanish, French and German, she did not begin to learn English until she returned to the United States for schooling. ST. JAMES THEATRE A thrilling and novel type of Western film, “ The Texas Rangers Ride Again,” heads the programme at the St. James Theatre this week. With the arid wastes of Texas as the background, the film portrays the adventures encountered by the Rangers when rounding up a dangerous band of cattle-thieves. John Howard and Ellen Drew have the leading roles, while May Robson and Akim Tamiroff are also included in the cast. Dorothy Lamour and Ray Milland are starred in Jungle Princess,” the, associate feature. The box plans are at the theatre, the D.I.C. and Jacobs’s. OCTAGON THEATRE Revolving about the adventures of a masked night-raiding bandit whose sword mark—a jagged " Z "—struck terror into every heart in old California’s most exciting days, whose daring won him the loveliest senorita in the land, “ The Mark of Zorro ” Is being shown at the Octagon Theatre, where it is enjoying a popular season. Experienced and popular players all. Tyrone Power, Linda Darnell and Basil Rathbone add to their laurels with their finished performances. For Tyrone Power this film marks a triumph greater than those ne scored in the memorable “ Jesse James," ’’ In Old Chicago ” and "Alexander’s Ragtime Band.” The brilliant featured cast, headed by Linda Darnell, includes Basil Rathbone, Eugene Pallettc, J. Edward Bromberg, Gale Sondergaard and Montagu Love. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. “ MARYLAND” Spectacular, colourful and thrilling, the fine tradition of a proud State Jn all its glory has been captured for the screen in ’’ Maryland,” Darryl F. Zanuck’s technicolor production for 20th Century-Fox. which is coming to the Octagon Theatre on Friday. With Walter Brennan, that fire-eating, horse-loving old timer of " Kentucky ” In the leading role. ” Maryland ” also features such favourites as Fay Bainter, Brenda Joyce, John Payne, Charlie Ruggles, Hattie McDaniel, and Marjorie Weaver. The romance, sweeping beauty and traditions of the proud South, together with the stirring heartstory of two spirited young people in love, are climaxed by the most spectacular steeplechase in America, the Maryland Hunt Cup Race. Henry King directed the picture from an original screen play by Ethel Hill and Jack Andrews. Gene Markey was associate producer. GRAND THEATRE When four football representatives of rival American universities get together there is usually trouble, in the movies at any rate, but in the film “ Too Many Girls.” heading the. new bill at the Grand Theatre, it takes the beauty of attractive Lucille Ball to make them forget their aspirations to football fame. A college picture, definitely above the usual standard, “ Too Many Girls ” is a laugh from start to finish. Frances Langford and Desi Arnaz carry the burden of the singing and dancing, while the hero of the piece Is enacted by Richard Carlson. A new Western star who carries off his first assignment with aplomb is Tim Holt, son of Jack Holt. The younger Holt has the principal role in the supporting feature. “ Wagon Train,” a first-class adventure story, which has been kept well within the bounds of possibility. Box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. “ WILDCAT BUS ” An exposure of the methods so-called wildcat organisations use In competing with the licensed bus lines of the country forms the basis of " Wildcat Bus,” which comes to the Grand Theatre tomorrow. with Fay Wray, Charles Lang, and Paul Gullfoyle heading the cast. The story deals with the rivalry between wildcatters and an honest bus company, and introduces a romance between a happy-go-lucky playboy who is a wildcat driver and the daughter of a bus line owner. Crammed with exciting action and suspense, the picture throws plenty of light, on a hitherto little-known and startling

racket. In addition to the trio of principals, the cast includes Don Costello, Leona Roberts. Roland Drew. Joseph Sawyer. Paul McGrath, and Frank Shannon. Frank Woodruff directed the production by Cliff Reid, with Lou Lusty writing the screen play.., 11 s , an . Radio release. How the h£e-or-death experiences bf a newspaper man and a taxidriver against whom he is testifying on a murder charge, are suddenly reversed, forms the gripping basis of RKO Radio s “ Stranger on the Third Floor. Peter Lorre heads the cast in this unusual drama that reveals in stirring fashion the dangers of circumstantial evidence. John McGuire and Margaret Tallichet have the romantic leads with Charles Waldron, Elisha Cook, jun„ cast in prominent supporting roles. MAYFAIR THEATRE Sparkling comedy and thrilling drama are combined in "The Ghost Breakers.’ which is the main attraction on the bill now showing at .the Mayfair Theatre. Bob Hope and Paulette Goddard are again teamed together, and provide many humorous interludes. “ Dust Be My Destiny," the associate feature, stars the popular young pair, Priscilla Lane and John Garfield. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “TOM BROWN’S SCHOOLDAYS” A worthy reproduction of one of England’s greatest novels, " Tom Brown’s Schooldays.” which will be the next attraction at the Mayfair Theatre, is regarded as one of the classics of the screen. The associate feature will be Gene Autry, the singing cowboy, and Smiley Burnette in "Rovin’ Tumbleweeds.” Mary Carlisle is the leading lady of the film.