CURRENT PROGRAMMES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25302, 12 August 1943, Page 6

CURRENT PROGRAMMES

GRAND THEATRE “ Cinderella Swings It,” sixth and latest of the popular RKO Radio series, which was shown at the Grand Theatre yesterday, is the first musical film in the series. In addition, the famed Clarence Buffington . Kelland character, “ Scattergood Baines,” drops most of his well-known homespun philosophy to devote his energy towards the important task of organising the civilian war activities in his little community, Guy Kibbee again dons his familiar guise of the ” Sage of Coldriver ” who this time aids a youthful impresario in the successful staging of a local revue to raise patriotic funds. Interwoven with this theme is a charming story involving the attempts of Coldriver’s singing protege to gain recognition on the Broadway stage. Youthful Gloria Warren shows her versatility in both classical and swing numbers. Dick Hogan has the role of the rural impresario who is the object of Gloria’s affections, and Helen Parrish appears as an adolescent version of the “ other woman.” Also in the cast are Butch and Buddy, Leonid Kinskey, Willie Best, and Lee ” Lasses ” White. Sparkling with fun, the supporting picture, “ The Great Glidersleeve," affords plenty of opportunity for Harold Peary to make the most of his bombastic character.

MAYFAIR THEATRE

In “ Lady for a Night," which was shown at the Mayfair Theatre yesterday, Joan Blondell and John Wayne present a dramatic story of the old Southern States when pride of birth was still the greatest handicap of the hard-bitten aristocracy of cotton planters. Joan is the life and soul of a gambling and pleasure resort patronised by the husbands and scorned by their wives, and when, after taking up the lOU’s of the son of a particularly snobbish cotton planter, she marries into that exclusive family to save its shiftless existence, a comedy with its tragic side evolves. John Wayne, her former partner in the show business, is the one who picks up the pieces. It is healthy melodrama, with the sting of truth. The other feature is “ The Gay Falcon,” starring George Sanders and Wendy Barrie.

OTHER THEATRES

Regent Theatre.—Spencer Tracy, Hedy Lamarr, and John Garfield in the romantic comedy, “ Tortilla Flat.” State Theatre.—“ The Falcon's Brother,” a mystery-thriller, starring George Sanders and Jane Randolph. Empire Theatre.—A comedy feature, “ Honeymoon for Three," starring Ann Sheridan and George Brent. Strand Theatre.—“ Rubber Racketeers,’ a melodrama, with Ricardo Cortez and Rochelle Hudson, and a Ritz Brothers comedy, ” Hi’ Ya Chum.” St. James Theatre.—Thrilling action drama, “ Remember Pearl Harbour,” with Donald M. Barry, Fay McKenzie, and Alan Curtis. . Octagon Theatre.—The comedy romance “They All Kissed the Bride,” starring Joan Crawford and Melvyn Douglas.