AT THE THEATRES

Southland Times, Issue 23553, 6 July 1938, Page 8

AT THE THEATRES

COMING ATTRACTIONS “Wells Fargo,” which begins a season at the Regent Theatre on Saturday, is . one of the most brilliant romances: ever screened. Based on the opening j of “America’s Lifeline of Empire, the trail which linked the Far West to the ■ East in early gold days, over which I adventurers, soldiers, settlers, heroes | and scoundrels passed for more than 2o ; years, “Wells Fargo” is a cavalcade of greatness. The story is built around the express business as founded by Wells and Fargo shortly after gold was discovered in California. Its hero is handsome Joel McCrea, trail-breaker and man of vision. Its heroine is charming Frances Dee, who marries the adventurer and then, unable to understand him as his work carries him farther and farther away from her, finally leaves him. It is a bold and beautiful romance which follows a family’s life and fortunes in stirring times. The cast is brilliant. Bob Burns plays the role of a scout, and proves himself a great artist. Others in the cast are Llovd Nolan, Henry O Neill, Mary Nash, Ralph Morgan and John Mack Brown. Directed by Frank Lloyd. A Paramount picture. Called into action on New York’s Great White Way, Charlie Chan invades the night clubs to seek a killer in the newest of his screen adventures, “Charlie Chan On Broadway,” opening at the State Theatre on Friday. Warner Oland is featured in his familiar characterization of the Chinese detective, and prominent roles in the cast are played by Keye Luke, as Chan s “number one son,” J- Edward Bromberg, Joan Marsh, Louise Henry, Joan Woodbury, Donald Woods, Douglas Fowley and Harold Huber. The blundering curiosity of Chan’s “number one son” is the opening wedge of Chan’s entrance into a mystery concerning a night-club singer’s secret diary, supposed to contain sensational information. Before the diary is brought to light, however, the singer is killed in Broadway’s gayest night spot, a murder soon followed by a second, that serves to baffle the police even more. In the attempt to imitate the wily sleuthing of his father, Lee Chan manages to place himself in a highly suspicious position, from which he has to. be ignominiously extricated by the Oriental detective. Directed by Eugene Forde. A 20th Century Fox picture. Years ago one of the greatest hits of the silent screen was a film version of Jack London’s famous novel, “The Mutiny of the Elsinore.” Now the picture has been refilmed as a talkie, and according to reports is even more thrilling with dialogue. It will .be shown at the Majestic Theatre, beginning on Friday. Acknowledged by admirers of Jack London to be his most exciting and popular story, “The Mutiny of the Elsinore” tells of life aboard a windjammer, of the hardships and dangers that the sailors on these romantic vessels have to face. Lyn Harding appears in the role of the blustering and bullying first mate, who, through his cruelty and his viciousness, drives the crew to murder and mutiny. Paul Lukas is seen in the role of an author, sailing aboard the vessel so that he can get ideas for a new sea story. Kathleen Kelly plays opposite him, and is the only woman in the cast, appearing in the role of the skipper’s daughter. Others in the film are Clifford Evans, who will be remembered for his work in “Ourselves Alone,” and again in “The Tenth Man.” He is seen this time as a gangster turned seaman, in order to escape the law. Pat Noonan, the well-known Irish actor, has an important role, while Ben Soutten is seen as the third mate, and Michael Martin Harvey as a little Welsh “sea lawyer.” Directed by Roy Lockwood. An Argyle picture. * “Walking Down Broadway,” which comes to the Civic Theatre on Friday, unravels the threads woven by Fate in the lives of six show-girls. Claire Trevor is the girl who never lost her head until she knew she was losing the man she loved; Phyllis Brooks is the lass who could resist anything except temptation; Leah Ray liked excitement, but knew too many racketeers for her own good; Dixie Dunbar had an elderly admirer; Lynn Bari dared dream of her name in lights, no matter what the cost; and Jayne Regan was the only one who was smart enough to cling to her illusions. Into the heart-catching story of their lives come the men who make and break their careers—Michael Whalen, Tom Beck, Douglas Fowley, Walter Woolf King and Jed Prouty. The absorbing screen play by Robert Chapin and Karen De Wolf opens on a New Year’s Eve celebration as a successful show closes its run. The show-girls make a pledge to meet again a year later, and how the rendezvous is kept is revealed in thrilling fashion. Directed by' Norman Foster. A 20th Century-Fox Picture. Now showing at the State Theatre, “Love Under Fire” is a fast-moving comedy-drama enacted against a background of warfare in Spain. Loretta Young and Don Ameche have the leading roles, and are supported by an outstanding cast which includes Borrah Minevitch and his gang, Frances Drake, Walter Catlett, John Carradine, Sig Rumann and Harold Huber. The story deals with a frightened girl—Loretta Young—who flies madly about Europe,

’ seeking to evade capture and im- ’ prisonment for a crime she mistakenly ; believes she has committed. A Scot- \ land Yard detetcive —Don Ameche — ' pursues her as a criminal, until he : discovers certain facts which clear up 1 matters. Meanwhile detective and girl ’ find themselves in still greater trouble. : Loretta Young is arrested on a charge ■ of jewel thieving after a bombardment. 1 Pursuit, capture and escape follow in 5 rapid succession as the detective and : his “prisoner” make a dash for safety. 1 Comedy and drama are evenly balf anced in this exciting picture. ; Directed by George Marshall. A , 20th Century-Fox picture. ’ * * * * i Newspaper headlines, which led to 1 the exposure and curbing of gangster 1 activities, have again provided the < theme for a daring motion picture, now i showing at the Majestic Theatre. It is “The Women Men Marry,” featuring George Murphy and Josephine Hut- , chinson, and it brings to light the inner ; workings of a mystic cult through - which trusting persons were robbed of i millions of dollars. Michael Fessier, - himself an ace reporter for many years, i has produced the picture from a newsi paper man’s viewpoint. He stated that , it had been his purpose to show ac- ’ curately and in detail the ingenuity, r integrity and activities of the modern i newspaper in protecting society from , swindlers and other criminals. Much

- of the action takes place in a newsz paper office which was authentically - reproduced from city rooms in which - Fessier has worked. Claire Dodd, Sidj ney Blackmer and Cliff Edwards heac ■> the supporting cast with John Wray 1 Peggy Ryan, Helen Jerome Eddy anc . Toby Wing in featured roles. 2 Directed by Errol Taggart. A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture. 1 ♦ * * ; The smashing of a large-scale alier smuggling racket, said to be responsible for the illegal entry into the United States of 120,000 aliens yearly ‘ provides the theme for “Daughter oJ Shanghai,” now showing at the Regent Theatre. Anna May Wong plays the role of a wealthy Chinese girl whe undertakes to smash the racket aftei „ her father is murdered for refusing tc “ work with it. A romantic element is introduced when Kim Lee (Philif ~ Ahn), a Government agent, joins the ’ girl in her dangerous adventure Thrilling episodes include a flight fron q an island in the hold of a smuggling j vessel, an aeroplane journey during . which an attempt is made to get rid oj .’ Anna May Wong and Ahn, and i 2 climax which brings the smuggler: t within reach of the law. Charle: Bickford has an important role as the , leader of the gang, and there is a stronj supporting cast. n Directed by Robert Florey. /! h Paramount picture.