ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23438, 19 February 1938, Page 21

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE GRAND COMEDY TODAY A girl who runs away from her own wedding and a playwright who runs away from all women, discover, aftei many excruciatingly funny conflicts, that they cannot escape love, in the thoroughly enjoyable Universal romantic comedy, “The Man I Marry, which opens at the Majestic Theatre today. Doris Nolan, a brilliant new screen personality, is the capable star and her leading man is Michael Whalen. The humour of the picture rises from the situations and from the quick, flashing dialogue. The laughs start when Doris Nolan, as the prospective bride, goes A.W.O.L. just before her marriage The girl and the playwright are marooned in the house for 24 hours during a tremendous thunderstorm. They are chaperoned by a pair of pleasantly, politely inebriated casual visitors, who add much to the fun. After many hilarious battles between the central figures, the author’s play scores a hit. The formerly, irksome yoke of feminine domination becomes a gladsome bond of nuptial bliss. Doris Nolan’s performance marks her as an actress of rare talent, as well as vibrant beauty. Michael Whalen delivers splendidly. The laughs are increased by the excellent comedy of “Chic” Sale, Skeets Gallagher and Cliff Edwards. Nigel Bruce, as the producer, and Marjorie Gateson, his wife, contribute smooth performances. Gerald Oliver Smith is the rejected, dejected bridegroom. The most thrilling chapter in the screen exploits of America’s intrepid G-Men is unfolded in the associate feature Columbia’s “Trapped by GMen.” Jack Holt, the screen’s favourite he-man adventurer, stars as the service’s ace agent, with Wynne Gibson opposite him in the role of the first Gwoman to “get her man.” It’s a grand new slant on the G-Man type of film and adds immeasurably to the exciting romantic appeal underlying the films dynamic action. Both stars contribute outstanding performances in roles tailor-made for their superb talents. “Trapped By G-Men” is an exciting experience in the theatre which no lover of red-blooded action will want to miss. A special children’s matinee will be held at 2 p.m. including Oswald the Rabbit—comedy, Colour Cartoon, Sports Thrill and “The Wild West Days serial featuring Johnny Mac Brown. Plans are on view at H. and J. Smith’s and Rice’s Theatre Shop (telephone 738). REGENT THEATRE “STELLA DALLAS” OUTSTANDING ACTING Judging by the reactions of yesterday’s audiences at the Regent, “Stella Dallas” will prove to be an outstandingly popular attraction during the remaining three days of the season. At least five people in the major roles of the cast distinguish themselves with really outstanding performances. The first of these is Barabara Stanwyck in the title role. Her acting amazes one by its sheer versatility over a number of years, but it is certain that she has never had a more congenial role than that of Stella. She is at all times the central figure, and as the plot evolves about her aspirations, her struggle to reach high society, her love for her daughter and her final great sacrifice, the audience is carried with the actress to an appreciation of what is truly great in drama. The final scene, showing her walking through the rain and semi-darkness of a winter street after witnessing the marriage of her daughter, conveys as seldom before the sense of triumph after sacrifice. In the opposite role, that of Stephen Dallas, university graduate and pillar of society who runs away to a small mill-town after the girl he loves marries someone else, John Boles scores a triumph of restrained and convincing acting. Barbara O'Neil is an appealing and understanding Helen—the woman whom Stella sees as the very antithesis of herself, but who after all has much in common. As Ed Munn, the drunken, jovial tipster who is Stella’s greatest friend, while at the same time being the innocent cause of her suffering, Alan Hale shows himself as a fine character actor. His, face is becoming as familiar to audiences as those of many starred players. It is to Anne Shirley, as Stella’s sweet and charming daughter, that a special word of praise is due. She has a very sympathetic role, which she carries off in a manner which marks her as one of the coming star performers of the screen. The picture is one which can be recommended to all audiences. Though essentially a woman’s film, it has aspects which will endear it to both sexes, and it also carries with it that intangible quality which marks it as a work of art of no mean order. The strong supporting programme includes a Walt Disney Mickey Mouse cartoon in colour entitled “Mickey’s Amateurs,” and a special attraction, “Thunder Over the Orient.” The latter is a complete and authentic survey of the events leading up to the war between China and Japan. This is a graphic and realistic picturizatiort of recent enactments in the Far East. Box plans are at H. and J. Smith’s, Rice’s Regent Shop and the Theatre (telephone 1938). STATE THEATRE “ROSE OF TRALEE” BINKIE STUART’S SUCCESS “Rose of Tralee,” which is now showing at the State Theatre, is a drama of unusual quality. Most of the appeal is vested in Binkie Stuart, diminutive child star, who carries almost the entire burden of the story. In the juvenile field she will certainly rate as a discovery, for she shows acting capabilities of a surprising order. In addition, she sings with remarkable self-posses-sion, and winds up with a small dance. The story deals with the tribulations of a young mother and her infant daughter, separated from the father, who has become a successful singer in America. Turned out by her landlady, the mother and daughter are befriended by an Irish cafe proprietor. The father comes home to seek his family, but an unscrupulous agent sidetracks all inquiries until chance, and success, reunite the three. Little Binkie Stuart—-curly-haired, precocious, and confident —puts over her dialogue without hesitation, and even sings “Come Back to Erin” and “Daddy Wouldn’t Buy Me a Bow-wow,” the latter after having “conducted” an orchestra. “Undoubtedly a large section of the tender-hearted British public will respond to her with enthusiasm,” states an English critic. “They will also respond to the Irish songs, “Come Back to Erin,” “Did Your Mother Come From Ireland?” “Mountains of Moume,” “Rose of Tralee,”

“Down On Finnigan’s Farm,” brilliantly rendered by Fred Conyngham and Danny Malone. Kathleen O’Regan and Fred Conyngham are the romantic leads. There is an excellent supporting programme. THE CIVIC LAST SHOWING TONIGHT “THE LAST TRAIN FROM MADRID” Exciting adventure in war-stricken Spain forms the theme of the new picture which has caused so much interest in the northern cities. There is no picture to compare with it unless it be the sensational “Shanghai Express.” Actual shots of Madrid under fire and fighting around the adjacent countryside are included in “The Last Train From Madrid,” the first drama based on the Spanish strife, which opens tonight at the Civic Theatre. Paramount Pictures, producers of the*'film, rushed several cameramen to Spain from its European office to join the contending armies and take actual fighting scenes. The cast of “The Last Train From Madrid” is headed by Dorothy Lamour, Gilbert Roland and Anthony Quinn, and includes Lew Ayres, Karen Morley, Lionel Atwill, Helen Mack, Robert Cummings and Olympe Bradna. Ten people have 10 very good reasons why they should escape from Madrid on the last train to leave the stricken city. Wound up in the tangled predicament is a street waif, an American newspaper man, a deserter and a woman who is a member of the Death Battalion and others. How these fought for the one chance in htousands of getting away from war-torn Spain makes most thrilling adventure and a very good movie. The atmosphere is considerably enhanced by war scenes actually taken on the spot. Patrons are especially asked to book at Beggs. REGENT THEATRE, GORE One of the most enjoyable films of recent years is “Wings of the Morning,” which opens at the St. James Theatre, Gore, tonight. Brought to the screen in all the life-like beauty of natural technicolour, “Wings of the Morning,” is a thrilling romance of a lovely fugitive fleeing from strifetorn Spain. Annabella, a new and alluring sensation of the screen, is starred with Henry Fonda and Leslie Banks in the film, which presents the worldfamous tenor, John McCormack. A

thrilling mixture of drama, spectacle and surprise, the 20th Century-Fox release achieves remarkable effects through its natural, perfected technicolour. The spectacular Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, home of English Kings; the most sensational Derby ever rim, with jockey Steve Donoghue riding his most thrilling race; John McCormack, beloved Irish tenor, singing the songs of Ireland that have made him famous—these are a few of the moments that make “Wings of the Morning” a film at once beautiful and breathtaking. As different and alluring as her unusual name, the lovely Annabella appears first in a prologue, showing her as Marie, a gypsy princess. REGENT THEATRE, GORE “The Amazing Quest of Ernest Bliss,” the screen adaptation of which was ■written by John L. Balderston, brilliant scenarist of “The Lives of a Bengal Lancer,” “Berkeley Square,” and “The Bride of Frankenstien,” which begins at the Regent Theatre, Gore, tonight, is a notable piece of screencraft, polished direction, beautiful staging and brilliant stellar portrayal, combined with an eventful narrative to ensure excellent entertainment. Cary Grant takes the part of Mr Bliss, and the role of Frances is excellently portrayed by Mary Brian. The supporting feature is “Laughing at Life,” starring Victor McLaglen. The impressive supporting cast includes William Boyd, Regis Toomey and Noah Beery. THE EMPIRE, RIVERTON “The Sea Spoilers” featuring John Wayne and Nan Grey will be screened at Riverton tonight. John Wayne is a new hero, young, handsome, six feet five inches tall, the hero you have been dreaming of in a gripping love and action drama of the coastguard in smug-gler-invested Alaskan waters. It is a whirlwind action drama of the high seas, and the men who guard the coast. On the same programme the only authentic motion picture of the Tommy Farr-Joe Louis world champion fight will be screened. See the “Brown Bomber” narrowly escape defeat at the hands of the Welsh miner.