AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25101, 17 December 1942, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES GRAND THEATRE Joan Bennett, who has become even more alluring as a dark-haired “ glamour girl,” is cast in a light comedy role as the heroine of Hal Roach’s new screen romance, ” The Housekeeper s Daughter, which opened at the Grand Theatre yesterday. She is starred with Adolph MenJou in the new production, and the supporting cast includes a galaxy of Hollywood’s best known celebrities. Miss Bennett appears as a modern, sophisticated person who causes collective fluttering* in the hearts of five men, and Menjou portrays a newspaperman who has a system based on comic antics and hilarious pursuits. He becomes involved in a romance with Peggy Wood, and thus forgets to solve the great murder mystery in the film. The other feature on the programme is ” Over the Moon,” a comedy-romance of refreshing originality. The picture stars Merle Oberon, and a strong supporting cast is headed by Rex Harrison and Louis Borrell. Box plans are at Begg’s and the theatre. MAYFAIR THEATRE " Female Correspondent,” a breath-tak-ing film with a background of exciting events of people whose lives are far removed from the daily round of work-at-nine-and-bus-home-at-five, is the main feature at the Mayfair Theatre this week. Fresh from his triumphs in " The Little Foxes ” and " When Ladies Meet,” comes Herbert Marshall to lend that typical English manner to a picture that is something out of the ordinary in the way of entertainment. The cast includes such wellknown names as Virginia Bruce, the girl who gave the film its title, and Ralph Morgan. The picture in support is “ Seven Sinners,” starring Broderick Crawford and John Wayne.

OTHER THEATRES Octagon Theatre.—Joan Bennett and George Brent in the screen version of the famous stage hit, “ Twin Beds.” Regent Theatre.—lrene Dunne in the comedy, “ Lady in a Jam,” with Patria Knowles also starred. State Theatre. —An action - packed romance of the west, “ The Westerner,” starring Gary Cooper. Empire Theatre. Edgar Allan Poe’* masterpiece. “ The Mystery of Marie Roget,” starring Maria Montez and Patrie Knowles. Strand Theatre.—The adventure film, ” Klondike Fury,” starring Lucille Fairbanks and Ralph Morgan, and the musical comedy, “ Private Buckaroo.” St. James Theatre.—The dramatic romance, “ Lady for a Night,” with Joan Blondell and John Wayne, and the comedian Stanley Lupino in "Lucky to Me.”

COMING ATTRACTIONS * REGENT THEATRE Changing from his usual heavy roles, Spencer Tracy undertakes something a little lighter in “ Woman of the Year,” the new film which will commence at the Regent Theatre to-morrow. He Is still the solid, dependable, and slightly obstinate Tracy, but as Sam Craig, a newspaper man who marries America’s outstanding woman, his flair for comedy is nicely developed. The outstanding woman' is played by Katherine Hepburn, whose artistry suffers not the slightest blemish over the full 10,000 feet of the picture. As Sam Craig’s wife, she cannot forget her position as an international news commentator. It is around this theme that the story is built. One of the best sequences in the film Is where husband and wife arrange separate parties in one room on their wedding night. STATE THEATRE An excellent English comedy is offered as the main feature on the new programme commencing to-morrow at the State Theatre. Uproarious farce is the keynote of “ Windbag the Sailor,” in which the star is that old favourite of stage, film, and radio, Will Hay. The story of Hay, as captain of a ship, on which the crew mutinies and casts him and his two companions ashore on a desert island, provides a good opportunity for the type of comedy in which the star excels. With a cheerfully unscrupulous Irishman and a canny Scottish business man starred in the second feature, “ Said O’Reilly to McNab.” there is never a dull moment throughout. Will Mahoney, as the Irishman, and Will Fyffe, as the Scotsman. are together in a plot which offers full scope to both, each acting as an admirable foil to the other. EMPIRE THEATRE “ Pierre of the Plains,” a thrilling outdoor adventure story of the Great NorthWest, will commence a season in Dunedin at the Empire Theatre to-morrow. The leading roles are played by John Carroll and Ruth Hussey. Carroll depicts Pierre, a most engaging type of outlaw, a rascal with a smile on his lips and a price on his head, and he Is one man that the Mounted Police could not get. In the film he sings a breezy love song entitled “ Saskatchewan.” The romantic interest is supplied by Ruth Hussey, and a large supporting cast includes Bruce Cabot, Reginald Owen, Phil Brown, Henry Travers, and Evelyn Ankers. At both sessions to-morrow and at the matinee on Saturday a further episode of the new serial, “ King of the Texas Rangers, will be shown. Sammy Baugh, famed Texas football player, is in the title role. He plays the part of Tom King, who joined the Rangers to avenge the death of his father, who was killed by saboteurs. STRAND THEATRE James Ellison and his sweetheart and aide, Virginia Gilmore, have many baffling questions to answer in the course of "Mr District Attorney in the Carter Case,” the main feature on the new programme which will commence at the Strand Theatre to-morrow. Among these questions are: Who killed Elliott Cartel, blackmailing publisher or society scion? Who killed Otto Stucker to save the reputation of a glamorous actress? Who killed Joyce Belmont, the toast of Broadway? Franklyn Pangborn, Lynne Carver, Paul Harvey, and Douglass Fowley are prominent in the large supporting cast. The second picture is “ Girls’ Town,” a typical Hollywood Cinderella tale, which shows the price girls must pay if they wish to become Hollywood celebrities. Edith Fellows and June Storey head the cast. OCTAGON THEATRE “A Bedtime Story,” which will open in Dunedin to-morrow, will have its premiere screening in New Zealand at the Octagon Theatre. Four great stars frolic through the many humorous situations in a picture which is described as the comedy riot of the year. They are Fredric March, Loretta Young, Robert Benchley, and Helen Westley. Supporting the leading players are Eve Arden and Allyn Joslyn, who contribute admirably to this excellent production, released through Columbia Pictures. "A Bedtime Story ” is not, as the title suggests, a fairy tale, but a really good comedy-romance. ST. JAMES THEATRE Three popular stars—Dorothy Lamour. William Holden, and Eddie Bracken—head the cast in the tuneful and hilarious comedy. “ The Fleet’s In,” which will be released at the St. James Theatre tomorrow. The stars, assisted by a host of top-line performers, make a combination of talent that heralds plenty of romance, laughs, and melody. Featured in this excellent comedy are such well-known performers as Betty Hutton, Betty Jane Rhodes. Leif Erlkson, and Jimmy Dorsey and his orchestra. Dorothy Lamour appears as the star entertainer in a cabaret nopular with sailors. “ The Fleet’s In ” introduces nine new songs, Including “ Tangerine,” “ I Remember You,” “ When You Hear the Time Signal,” “Arthur Murrv Taught Me Dancing in a Hurry,” “ If You Build a Better Mousetrap,” “ Not Mine,” and the theme song, “The Fleet’s In.”