AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24833, 5 February 1942, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES , GRAND THEATRE DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME The'clear ringing tones of John McCorrnack's well-known tenor voice are a feature of " Song o' My Heart," which commenced a season at the Grand Theatre yesterday. In support of the star is a cast which is admirably fitted to handle the subsidiary roles, and the result is a perfectly balanced picture which conveys a lasting appeals The beauty of McCormack's voice holds the audience almost spellbound, and there are some delightful touches of comedy in the film. Maureen O'Sullivan is a success as the heroine. McCormack is the very picture itself. Not alone does he sing; his acting reaches a standard of which a veteran of the films might well be proud. Alike as the adored centre of a throng, of children, the man whose broken romance has at once gained him the sympathy and the love of the simple village folk, or as the great master of melody thrilling a packed New York opera house, he is master of the situation and never for a moment does his portrayal falter in its convincingness. John McCormack sings "Then You'll Remember Me," " Ireland, Mother Ireland," "The Rose of Tralee," and "Little Boy Blue."

The supporting film, "Accent on Love," is refreshingly different and tells the story of a millionaire who forsakes his money for a. girl whose home is in the poorer district of the town. The featured players include George Montgomery, Ossa Massen and Stanley Clements. The boxplans are at the theatre and at Beggs. MAYFAIR THEATRE The programme now showing at the Mayfair Theatre is headed by a Western film "Arizona." This film not only tells a story of adventure, but it has a th'read of romance woven into it. Jean Arthur and William Holden have the starring roles. The supporting picture, " The Great Swindle, stars Jack Holt as a criminal investigator who brings about the downfall of an arson conspiracy. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. OTHER THEATRES Regent Theatre.—Noel Coward's musical operetta, "Bitter Sweet," with Jeanette MacDonald, Nelson Eddy, and George Sanders. State Theatre.—John Wayne, lan Hunter, Thomas Mitchell, J. M. Kerrigan in Eugene O'Neil's "The Long Voyage Home." . . Empire Theatre.—George Brent, Virginia Bruce, Brenda Marshall, Richard Barthelfness, and William Lundigan, in " The Man Who Talked Too Much," also eDisode 3 " Riders of Death Valley " serial. Strand Theatre.—Richard Arlen and Andy Devine in "A Dangerous Game," and the comedy, "Angels With Broken Wings," featuring Binnie Barnes and Mary Lee. St. James Theatre.—" Citizen Kane," featuring Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten. and Dorothy Comingore. Octagon Theatre.—Zane Grey's "Western Union," starring Robert Young, Virginia Gilmore, Randolph Scott, and Slim Summerville. COMING ATTRACTIONS ST. JAMES THEATRE Bright comedy arid matrimonial complications form the ingredients in the highly entertaining film "Model Wife" fho d c. ce ? by "Wversal and screening at the St. James Theatre for a season, comnw £ g to-morrow. Joan Blondell and p££i owe s-T ape £°- starr ed with Charlie Kuggles and Lee Bowman, and the story concerns the complications which arise in their married life. Diverting situations occur following- the secret marriage of Powell and Miss Blondell, and in their ™£? r f*si! role ! as Publicity agent and model give splendid entertainment. The associate film, "Riders of the Timberline,' is another of the Hopalong Cassidy series, an .adventure, story in w & cl \J, s Wended romance and comedy, with Bill Boyd in the featured role and Andy Clyde supplying the element of humour. The picture is based on Clarence E. Mulfprd's novel of the Northwest. REGENT THEATRE *u" B iT te ? £ weet s the Picturisation of the Noel Coward operetta, which has been' attracting large audiences at the Regent Theatre during the past week, will be screened for an extended season Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy appear for the second time in technicolor in Bitter Sweet." * The story of London and Vienna in the gay nineties, l,J??" e , sents Jeanette MacDonald as Sarah Milhck, a London belle who on the eve of her- wedding elopes to Vienna with her singing teacher, Carl Linden, played by Nelson Eddy, and lives an idyllic life there until a captain of the Imperial cavalry, Baron von Tranisch, begins paying her attention. George Sanders, of " The Saint" series, is seen as von Tranisch, with lan Hunter as his gambling opponent, Lord Shayne, who befriends the two principals. Others in the cast are Edward Ashley, Felix Bressart, Curt Bois, Fay Holden and Diana Lewis. The stars sing 11 of the original Noel Coward songs. W. S. Van Dyke 11, who directed Miss MacDonald and' Eddy in " Naughty Marietta," " Rose Marie" and " Sweethearts," also guided " Bitter Sweet." EMPIRE THEATRE

A film of topical interest depicting the real-life drama of the Burma Road, the vital supply route to China, will be the principal attraction at the Empire. Theatre, which will commence the screening of its new programme to-morrow afternoon. In " Burma Convoy," Charles Bickford, Keye Luke, and Cecil Kellaway have roles which afford plenty of scope for their dramatic capabilities, and as the drivers of vehicles in the convoys on what could well be described as death's highway, they give realistic and sound performances. •' Burma Convoy" has all the action and thrills screen patrons could desire, and in view of the present situa-, tion in the Pacific theatre of war, in which China, dependent on supplies of munitions through Burma, is playing a prominent part, the picture emphasises the dangers faced by those who maintain the convoy services along a highway which has become world famous. Episode four of " Riders of Death Valley" will also be screened.

STRAND THEATRE Described as a musical adventure romance, " Ridin' on a Rainbow " is the new attraction at the Strand Theatre, opening a season to-morrow. The film carries plenty of action and all the excitement one may expect with Gene Autry in the leading role. Associated with him are Smiley Burnette and Mary Lee. The comedy, " Cracked Nuts," is the second feature on the programme. It deals with the actions of a robot which walks, talks and carries on a romance in delightfully entertaining manner. Tlwr cast includes Stuart Erwin, Una Merkel, Mischa Auer, William Frawley and "Ivan, the Robot. OCTAGON THEATRE Exciting adventures befall Walter Pidgeon in the sensational film Man Hunt," the main attraction on the new programme commencing at the Octagon Theatre to-morrow. Based on the novel "Rogue Male," by Geoffrey Household, "Man Hunt" is tensely dramatic in Its conception, and provides a swift-moving panorama of recent history, offering Pidgeon and Joan Bennett, who have the featured roles, the best characterisations of their careers. As Captain Alan Thorndike, world-renowned hunter and sharpshooter, Walter Pidgeon is subjected to barbaric tortures by a cruel foe when he fails in the task set him. As a result, he becomes the quarry and leads his pursuers in a thrill-nacked chase across the Continent, interwoven with a poignant romance, a chase that culminates in_ a sensational climax. The cast includes George Sanders, John Carradine, and Roddy McDowall.