AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24607, 15 May 1941, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS

THE CURRENT PROGRAMMES EMPIRE THEATRE All the real-life drama of the men who operate the convoy system in the Battle of the Atlantic is in tablet form in the exciting British film “Convoy,” which is the popular attraction at the Empire Theatre. The personality of the men of the Royal Navy, Great Britain’s shield in the past and at present, is well portrayed by such actors as Clive Brook, John Clements, and Charles Williams. There is actually little story in the film, which benefits accordingly, and no attempt to “glamourise ” the Navy’s work has been made. The action is centred on the convoying of 20 merchant ships from the Polish coast to the safety of Britain’s minefields. Box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. STRAND THEATRE Two exciting films, a thrilling drama of the “ Mounties,” and a picture dealing with American football, form the entertaining programme now showing at the Strand Theatre. Dennis Morgan and Elizabeth Earl have the leading roles in “ River’s End,” which is the main attraction. “ Over the Goal,” the associate feature, stars William Hooper and June Travis. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “ THE DEVIL’S PIPELINE ” Richard Arlen and Andy Devine observe their tenth screen co-appearance in Universal’s new action drama, " The Devil’s Pipeline.” which comes to the Strand Theatre to-morrow. Throttling intrigue on a tropical Island is the task confronting the two stars in the new film. Jeanne Kelly Is seen opposite Arlen in a romantic role, and other supporting parts are enacted by John Eldredge, James Flavin, Francis McDonald and Mala. Mona Barrie, raven-haired screen siren, introduces the original song “ Wasn’t It You? ’ during her performance as a night club glamour girl in Universal’s “ Love, Honour and Oh-Baby!” romantic comedy, which is the second attraction, with Wallace Ford. Donald Woods, Kathryn Adams and Warren Hymer. ST. JAMES THEATRE “ The Texas Rangers Ride Again.” which is the main attraction on the current programme at the St. James Theatre, provides theatre-goers with bright comedy and absorbing drama. John Howard and Ellen Drew are costarred in this exciting Western film, while Akim Tamiroff and May Robson provide the comedy. Dorothy Lamour and Ray Milland head the cast in “Jungle Princess,” the associate feature. The box plans are at the theatre the D.1.C.. and Jacobs’. •‘ANDY HARDY MEETS DEBUTANTE ” The adventures of Andy Hardy form the theme of ‘‘Andy Hardy Meets Debutante,” the main feature on to-morrow’s programme at the St. James Theatre, This lime his romantic troubles commence when he falls in love with a New York debutante (Diana Lewis), whose picture he sees in a magazine. When Judge Hardy is called to New York to defend the biggest case of his career, Mickey, who has been boasting of his romance with the debutante (whom he has never seen), goes with him Here. Rooney finds himself in the • awkward position of having to make good his boast, and it is not until Judy Garland, an admiring girl friend, introduces him to the debutante that his embarrassment is ended. Fay Holden, Sara Haden, Ann Rutherford, Cecilia Parker, and Diana Lewis lend able support. Lee Tracy has the title role in “ The 1 Spellbinder,” the second feature. The popular star is ideally suited to the part, that of a glib and resourceful criminal attorney with a nation-wide reputation for getting his crooked clients out of trouble by courtroom trickery. The only person who doesn’t know of his somewhat shady standing is his motherless daughter, who attends an exclusive chool. OCTAGON THEATRE Another of America’s “ Robin Hoodlike” outlaws, a romantic rogue, is brought to life in “The Mark of Zorro,” which is being shown at the Octagon Theatre. A gay cavalier of early California, Zorro was an adventurer whose sword was feared by the most powerful, Of Spanish blood, his reputation extended beyond his ability as a swordsman, for he was also a great lover. The stars of this romantic adventure story are Tyrone Power. Basil Rathbone, and Linda Darnell. Box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. •MARYLAND” When most men are beginning to hit their stride at 35, John Payne, who is in his early twenties, will be able to retire! Payne, featured in Darryl F. Zanuck’s technicolor production of ” Maryland." which comes to-morrow to the Octagon Theatre, will inherit a fortune when he reaches that age. He is determined, however not to borrow against the inheritance so that he will not be lured from his career as a screen star. Since Twentieth Century-Fox signed him recently, giving him two successive lead roles, first in •’ Star Dust ” opposite Linda Darnell, and currently in " Maryland ” opposite Brenda Joyce, Payne has kept his nose to the grindstone and has worked hard on his movie career. The famous Maryland Hunt Cup race, with flaming silks flashing against blue sky and green turf, as stout-hearted thoroughbreds compete. forms a breath-taking climax to this film. Other prominent players featured in “ Maryland ” with Payne are Walter Brennan. Fay Bainter, Charlie Ruggles, Hattie McDaniel and Marjorie Weaver. Henry King directed from an original screen play by Ethel Hill and Jack Andrews. Gene Markey was the associate producer. GRAND THEATRE ACTION AND TENSE DRAMA Action and tense drama are keynotes of the programme which commenced a season at the Grand Theatre yesterday. “ Stranger on the Third Floor,” the 1 main attraction is a thrilling film of the terror created by an escaped mad*man and “ Wildcat Bus,’” is an exciting exposure of an American gangster racket. Peter Lorre and John McGuire give excellent performances in “ Stranger on the Third Floor.” McGuire has the role of a young reporter who becomes famous when he catches a murderer red handed and thus gets the biggest “ scoop ” of his career. He did not see the murder actually committed, and when the supposed murderer is sentenced to death, he realises that the sentence was made entirely on circumstantial evidence and that he might have been instrumental in having a man innocently executed. His mind is in a turmoil and when he finds another man murdered in the same manner as the first, he becomes sure that the convicted man was innocent. By this time the police become suspicious of the reporter and he is arrested How his faithful girl friend finds a clue and tracks down the silent, sinister but mad killer, and what happens when she finally meets him face to face, makes a dramatic climax. Margaret Tallichet, the girl friend, and Charles Waldron have the featured roles. “Wildcat Bus' is full of action, with a perfect blend of romance and comedy. It tells the story of how a gang of racketeers endeavour to wreck a big trans-con-tinental bus line by sabotage and intrigue. and how the gangsters are smashed by a millionaire playboy, forced to go to work. Charles Lang. Fay Wray, and Paul Guilfoyle share the leading roles. The box plans are at the theatre and Beggs. REGENT THEATRE Basil Rathbone returns to the sinister type of portrayal upon which he built his reputation as an actor in “A Date With Destiny,” the current attraction at the Regent Theatre. In this film he is seen as a doctor whose mind has been soured by a woman’s infidelity. Preying on society women with supposed mental diseases, he builds up a fortune by marrying them for their money and then murdering them. Box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.

“NEW MOON" ■' New Moon,” which opens at the Regent Theatre to-morrow, takes its place along with the best of the films to co-star Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. Packed with action, it moves vividly from the romantic New Orleans of 1780 to a tropical island where a strange group of personages, cast on land from a shipwrecked boat, set up a republic. In the supporting cast Mary Boland oilers another of her amusing portrayals, with other outstanding performances given by George Zucco, H. B. Warner, Grant Mitchell. Stanley Fields, Richard Purcell. John Miljan and Ivan Simpson. The picture is particularly rich in the Sigmund Romberg musical score, the stars singing such favourites as ** Lover, Come Back To Me,” “One Kiss,” “ Wanting You,” “ Softly As in a Morning Sunrise.” “ Rondolet,' " Marianne,” “ Paree,” “ Stout Hearted Men ” and Shoe Shine Song.” Rober‘ Z Leonard, at both the directorial and production helm, has done a distinguished job in making " New Moon ” one of the most enjoyable musical romances to hit the screen in some time. It is a picture which can be safely recommended to the entire family as a decided entertainment treat. STATE THEATRE Leslie Charteris’s famous “ Robin Hood ” character of fiction, “ The Saint,” is seen again on the screen in “The Saint in Palm Springs,” which is now showing at the State Theatre. George Sanders makes a complete success of his role as “The Saint,” and Wendy Barrie again has the feminine lead. The picture deals with the efforts of a gang of international criminals to obtain three stamps valued at 65,000 dollars each, which Sanders is delivering to Miss Barrie. The box plans are at the theatre and Beggs’s. “PLAY GIRL” Kay Francis is that Independent■ spirit who shattered the accepted rules for kinema success, set up her own and climbed to stardom in spite of it. Since her film debut in 1931. she has flouted the Hollywood procedure of courting the members of the inner circles and never followed the custom of being seen with the right people at the right places. “ I’m out here to work, not to play office politics,” she told protesting friends, and that was the rule she followed and still does. Proof of the efficiency of Miss Francis’ methods is that she still is numbered among the 10 top women favourites of the screen and that her independence is viewed with pride by the movie colony and copied in many instances by other stars. Also, without fanfare, she has stepped from young girl roles to those oi mothers and mature women and crowned them with the same success. In ’’ Play Girl,” which is commencing its season at the State Theatre to-morrow. Miss Francis plays a woman of 40. who wears stunning clothes and is still glamorous. Kay Francis’ independence is further demonstrated by the fact that , she never has changed the colour of her raven hair, she never has been the object of bizarre publicity, and she has kept her private life as separated from her film career as night is from day.

MAYFAIR THEATRE CLASSIC SCHOOL STORY A story which has enthralled countless readers for a century, “Tom Brown’s Schooldays,” has been made into a film which started a season at the Mayfair Theatre yesterday. Dr Thomas Arnold, headmaster of Rugby School from 1824 to 1841, was the man who revolutionised education by insisting that a school’s first duty was to build good character. “Tom Brown’s Schooldays ’’ tells the dramatic story of his beliefs, his struggles, and his final triumph through the eyes of Tom Brown, a young: Rugby scholar, and his fellows. The adventures, exploits, and troubles of the youngsters, their battles with schoolyard bullies, and their awakening of the meaning of Dr Arnold’s rigid but benevolent rule over them all make a stirring film. There is an abundance of exciting action in the supporting picture, “ Rovin’ Tumbleweeds” a Gene Autry western adventure. Box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.