AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24721, 25 September 1941, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES GRAND THEATRE One of the greatest stories on record has been made into one of the most brilliant motion pictures ever produced, and it is showing at the Grand Theatre at. present under the title. “ Stanley and Livingstone.” This gripping adventure drama lives on the screen under the talented characterisations of Spencer Tracy, Walter Fit ift j, Richard Greene, Nancy Kelly, and' Sir Cedric Hardwicke. The performance of Tracy in particular is a: remarkable one, and his Henry M. Stanley could not be bettered. The story is full of dramatic, touching incidents. The first takes place, startlingly, in Wyoming, where Stanley, as the reporter for the New York Herald, drives up to the headquarters of the United States Army with an escort of supposedly hostile Indians, with whom the army is about to wage war. Equally striking is the manner in which Stanley is sent to Africa, to search for the lost Livingstone when an English expedition fails to locate him. but merely supposes his death. The trials and tribulations encountered by Stanley on his amazing trek into the interior; his encounter with Livingstone, and his short association with him; the return to England after Livingstone’s refusal to accompany him: and the final scornful attitude adopted by the British Geographical Society, then its ultimate discomfitureall these make the ingredients of a truly magnificent screeri document, brilliantly portrayed. Jane Withers and Joe Brown, jun.. are associated in' a bright comedy-drama entitled " YoUth Will Be Served.” which supports. The tale of two juvenile wanderers and their ultimate landing in happy circumstances in a boys’ and a girls’ camp which they help to save from a hardhearted land-grabber, this story lends light relief ■ to-the main film. Box plans for the season are at Begg’s and the theatre. OCTAGON THEATRE •’ Lady Hamilton," which is to start its ■ccond week at the Octagon Theatre tomorrow, has Laurence Olivier and Vmei Leigh in the starring roles. The story oi “Lady Hamilton” opens in Naples, whither the gorgeous Emma (Vivien Leigh) has been sent on a visit. When she discovers the real purpose of the visit, she capitalises on it by becoming the channel of communication between the Queen of Naples and the British Minister, as well as the means of doing great service to Nelson (Laurence Olivier). - To capture the era of opulence in, which these vivid characters moved, Alexander Korda, the director, and his art directorbrother, Vincent Korda, mapped out one of the most lavish production schedules on record to-day. Among the outstanding sets created for the picture is included the magnificent British Embassy at Naples, which covered an entire sound stage at the studio, with terraced marble gateway, enormous paved courtyard with covered loggias containing priceless statues brought from an Eastern museum. MAYFAIR THEATRE Comedy, romance and mystery combine to make the Mayfair Theatre’s new programme an attractive and varied one. Heading the bill is “Sherlock Holmes,” a thrilling detective mystery featuring Basil Rathbone as the famous detective and Nigel Bruce as his faithful assistant, Dr Watson Ida Lupino,' Alan Marshall, E. E. Clive and George Zucco have supporting roles. The associate film is “Brother Rat and a Baby," a clever comedy starring Wayne Morris and Priscilla Lane. Box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. OTHER THEATRES Regent Theatre. —The sensational drama “ Contraband,” starring Conrad Veidt. State Theatre. —The adventure melodrama, ’■ The Lady Vanishes,” and ” Swanee River,” with Don Ameche and Andrea Leeds. Empire Theatre. —The fast-moving picture, " Road to ’Frisco,’’ with George Raft, Ann Sheridan, and Humphrey Bogart. Strand Theatre.—Lupe Velez and Leon Errol in “ Six Lessons from Madame La Zonga,’ and “ Gunsmoke Trail,” .featuring Jack Randall. St. James Theatre.—The screen adaptation of Joseph Conrad’s-story “Victory,” With -Fredric, March..and -Betty -Field, "and June Lang and Dick Foran in “Inside Information.” His -Majesty's Theatre.—George Formby In “I See Ice,” and “South, of. the Border.” with Gene Autry.. COMING ATTRACTIONS H£\ THEATRE The.-^Russian'vfilm “The Circus” will open at'His Majesty’s Theatre to-morrow, with a cast' whose names are household words’ in Russia, but so far are practically* unknown in , this .country. “The Circus ” belongs to the period when the Russian producers, having led the world in producing realist films of astonishing vigour and revolutionary technique, settled down to show that they, too. could handle ■ the spectacular, glittering material that had always seemed to be Holjyjwopd’s special prerogative. They wanted to show, too, that spectacle need not conricte an entire absence of social theme or human significance. The supports ihdude a ” March of Time,” " Newsfronts of .the War,” “ Pathe News.” and " News .-by : Wire.”

EMPIRE THEATRE “ No Time for Comedy,” which belies its title by being hilarious comedy all the way, brings together a pair of favourite film stars in their first costarring film. James Stewart, that fellow who went to Washington, and Rosalind Russell, that woman from "The Women,”, make the happy star combination in “ No Time for Comedy,” which will commence a season at the Empire Theatre to-morrow. Adapted from the Broadway stage success by S. N. Bchrman, the film is a behind-the-scenes story of theatrical folks. When a motion picture calls for a play within a play, it takes expert handling to make it clear to the audience where the play ends and the picture begins. This double vision was demonstrated in all its complexity when Director William Keighley directed Rosalind Russell and Jimmie Stewart in the comedy. Supporting the two stars are Charlie Ruggles and Genevieve Tobin. ST. JAMES THEATRE An excellent example of the thriller tvpe of detective story is found in “ The House of the Arrow,” featured on the nrw programme coming to the St. James Theatre to-morrow. The story of this film is written by A. E. W. Mason, His particular creation of a French detective, Inspector Hanaud, will please everyone who does not know this personality. "No Place To Go.” the sunportins film, featuring Dennis Morgan, Gloria Dickson and Fred Stone, is based on the successful stage plav " Minick,” which was written by the brilliant team of Edna Ferber and George S. Kaufman. In addition to the players mentioned, others prominent in the cast include Sonny Bupp, Aldrich Ecwker and Charles Halton. REGENT THEATRE A supreme effort in motion picture making, .“ Gone with the Wind,” will begin screening at the Regqnt Theatre tomorrow. Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara, Clark Gable as Rhett Butler, Leslie Howard as Ashley Wilkes, and Olivia de Havilland as Melaine .fill the leading roles. The book by Margaret Mitchell aroused tremendous enthusiasm throughout the world, and no less attention has been attracted by the film, which has the unprecedented record of winning ten academy awards. The perfection of Vivien Leigh in the role of Scarlett O’Hara has been particularly widely acclaimed by critics. Greater perhaps in its scope, in its characterisations, than any other film, “ Gone with the Wind ” runs for three hours and 45 minutes, and is entirely in technicolor, which possesses an extreme vitality. Late trams have been arranged at the conclusion of all evening performances, and Port Chalmers and Mosgiel trains will run at 11.25 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays. STATE THEATRE Breath-taking excitement, romance and drama, mystery and intrigue, are unfolded in the thrill-packed story of Walter Wanger’s “ Foreign Correspondent,” which was directed by Alfred Hitchcock, with a prominent cast, and is to commence screening at the State Theatre to-mor-row. Mr Wanger decided to make “ Foreign Correspondent ” in recognition of the intrepid group of American newspapermen who are serving as the nation’s eyes and ears during the European debacle, risking their lives daily in order to keep their own people informed of the rapidly-shifting panorama of war. The film has in its principal roles Joel McCrea, Laraine Day, Herbert Marshall, George Sanders. Robert Benchley. Albert Basserman. Edmund Gwenn. Harry Davenport, and Eduardo Ciannelli. STRAND THEATRE 'The new and unusual newspaper story, “ Behind the News.” comes to the screen at the Strand Theatre to-morrow. The theme of the film is the triumph of the idealistic principals of true journalism against a corrupt city government, abetted by a corrupt press. Symbol for the torch-bearer of the 10 commandments of journalism is a young graduate of a small-town college, Jeffrey Flavin, who brings his crusading ideas to an indifferent cynical big-city street, whose ace reporter is Stuart Woodrow. Lloyd Nolan has the starring role of Stuart Woodrow. The associate attraction is “ Girl From Havana,” with Dennis O'Keefe. Claire Carleton. and Victor Jory in the leading roles.