AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24631, 12 June 1941, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS

CURRENT ATTRACTIONS GRAND THEATRE Jane Withers, whose portrayals of irrepressable have won her starring roles in many films, presents her latest production, “ Girl From Avenue A.” the 20th Century-Fox picture, whictr heads the new programme at the Grand Theatre. “ Girl From Avenue A” is from the novel, " The Brat,” which was written by Maude Fulton. In this production Jane is seen as a girl who has been brought up in the Bowery, one of New York’s " tough spots ” of the early part of this century. When she is taken to the home of a rich playwright, who sees in her some material for his next Work, Jane is full of suspicion, and lets her sponsor know it in rich Bronxian language. She tries to be a lady, however, but reverts to her straight-forward self when she discovers the purpose of her friend’s interest. There are many bright comedy interludes in this film, as well as a few sad ones. In support of Jane, there are Kent Taylor, Katharine Aldridge, Laura Hope Crews and Jessie Ralph. The supporting feature Is based on the more serious theme of the wasted lives of America’s leading 'football players. “ Yesterday’s, Heroes,” as it is called, is an apt title for a film which shows the damage which “ herd worship ” can do to a young man’s career. This picture is wellproduced, showing in retrospect the opposition which forces a promising footballer to jeopardise his career as a doctor. Following hard upon the heels of success, there is despair, until a strong-minded girl drags the hero of the story from the rut into which he has slipped. Jean Rogers and Robert Sterling are the stars. Box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. MAYFAIR THEATRE The screen dramatisation of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s famous novel, “ The House of the Seven Gables,” is the main feature on the programme which opened last night at the Mayfair Theatre. The story tells of a family curse which persisted through the ages, and of a love which no misfortune could end. In the featured roles are Margaret Lindsay, Vincent Price. George Sanders, Nan Grey, and Dick Foran. ■ “ Men Against the Sky,” a drama of aviation, featuring Richard Dix, Kent Taylor, Wendy Barrie, and Edmund Lowe, is the associate feature on the programme. The box plans are at the theatre the D.I.C.

OTHER THEATRES State Theatre. —Lupe Velez* Leon Errol and Cecil Kellaway in the continuation of the adventures of the Mexican girl v Mexican Spitfire Out West.” Empire Theatre. Jeffrey Lynn, Ann Sheridan and Humphrey Bogart in the boarding house drama “It All Came True.” Strand Theatre. Frank McHugh and Jane Wyman in the comedy “Larger Than Life,” and Jean Hersholt and Dorothy Lovette in the latest Dr Christian film, “ The Courageous Dr Christian.” St. James Theatre.—Deanna Durbin and ' Franchot Tone in the musical comedy ” Nice Girl? ” Octagon Theatre. Alice Faye, Betty Qrable and Jack Oakle in the musical comedy-romance “ Tin Pan Alley.”' His Majesty’s Theatre, The exciting adventure film, " Bulldog Drummond In Africa,” and Zane Grey’s Western drama, “ The Mysterious Rider.” Regent Theatre.—Charles Boyer, Bette Davis and Jeffrey Lynn in the romantic drama "All This and Heaven Too.” COMING ATTRACTIONS \ STATE THEATRE Bubbling over with mirth and melody, and with Jack Oakle and Charlotte Greenwood sharing the fun, " Young People,”- new 20th Century-Fox hit coming to-morrow to the State Theatre, has been heralded as the most enjoyable of all Shirley Temple’s 22 pictures. “ Young People ” is Shirley's first musical picture in two years. There are five songs, cleverly blended with the plot, in “ Young People.” The unusual story deals with troupers Jack,- Charlotte, and Shirley, who decide to retire from the stage in. a small New England town. Sharing the romantic. lead in “ Young People ” are beautiful Arleen ' Whelan and rugged George Montgomery. ■ Kathleen Howard is also featured. '

EMPIRE THEATRE Although the Andrews sisters, Patty, Maxene, and LaVerne, won International fame as a swing song trio, their first Hollywood assignment called for them to master a new dance. Making their film debut as co-stars with the Rltz brothers in “Argentine Nights,” Universal musical farce at the Empire Theatre to-morrow, the girls display unusual terpsichorean skill. The picture blends comedy, music, and gay romantic scenes, and shows what happens when the Ritz brothers take a band of pretty girl entertainers into the pampas country of-South America. Constance Moore and George Reeves carry the love interest in the'screen play, and beauties in the supporting cast include Peggy Moran, Anne Nagel, Kathryn Adams, and Julie Duncan. STRAND THEATRE In “ San - Francisco Docks.” which will be opened at the Strand Theatre to-mor-row. Burgess Meredith, versatile stage and screen favourite, is seen as the youth unjustly convicted of murder, and Irene Hervey shares romantic honours in the story as his sweetheart. Robert Armstrong portrays a fiery priest who turns detective to save an innocent man from execution. The associate feature is “ Nancy Drew, Reporter,” with Bonita Granville and John Litel in the principal roles. ST. JAMES THEATRE Jackie Cooper, Bonita Granville, Gene Reynolds head the cast in “ Gallant Sons,” which is the main feature of the new bill coming to the St. James Theatre to-mor-row. - A group of high ‘ school students turn amateur detectives to trace a murder so'that the father of one of their group may -be cleared of the crime. They unearth a clue the law overlooked, trail it down, reconstruct the crime, and trick the criminal to. a high school show, where he is trapped into revealing himself by seeing the murder re-enacted. The second film will be “ Gallant Spns,” a comedy starring Wayne Morris and Priscilla Lane. OCTAGON THEATRE The tensely dramatic and touching efforts .of a jo vial, grape grower to win a correspondence bride is the theme of ’■ They . Knew What They Wanted,” the i new attraction at the Octagon Theatre ■ to-morrow, which stars Carole Lomba and Charles Laughton. Laughton is re-ported-to-have one of the most powerful roles', of his brilliant career as a boisterous, unlettered;' but lovable vineyai-dist who wants to marry, now that he feels he is successful-..end can offer a good wife everything she desires. Miss Lombard is a lonely waterfront waitress with whom he corresponds and offers marriage and a-life-of-ease, on his California grape ranch, Garson Kanin directed this production by Erich Pommer for RKO'Radio, based on the late Sidney Howard’s Pulitzer Prize play. William Gargan, Harry Carey, Frank Fay, Joe Bernard, Janet Fox, ‘and L6e Tung F 66 are seen in the important supporting roles.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE Franchot Tone and Ann Sothern are the leading players In the new feature, “ Fast and Furious,” a great comedy, coming to His Majesty's Theatre to-morrow. A further adventure of the Hardy family, will be the second film. "Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever”- needs little explanation as to the main topic of the film, and Mickey Rooney plays the love-sick youth to perfection. REGENT THEATRE Joan Blondell and Dick Powell, man and wife in real life, play man and wife together on the screen in Paramount’s “ I Want a Divorce." a bright comedy-drama of marital differences which opets at the Regent Theatre to-morrow. The story by; Adela Rogers St. John deals -with; the' affairs of six adults, some related and alt acquainted, who find that matrimony is not as easy as they thought. It begins with the divorce of one couple, consequences of which are' unhappiness and suicide for the wife, remarriage for the htisbancf. Later on a second couple take their troubles to the court, which gives tbe-husband- his freedom. But the story is more concerned with another Joan Blondell and Dick Powell. In bright and breezy fashion all the joys of life and domesticity are brought to the screen in witty fashion, and also difficulties which arise from Incompatibility of temperament. The two principals are ideally cast, and the supporting players, headed by Gloria Dickson, Frank Fay, Jessie Ralph, and COnrad Nagel, fit into -their respective roles perfectly.