ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23651, 28 October 1938, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE “SLAVE SHIP” A spectacular drama that storms in epic sweep over half the world, “Slave Ship,” which opens tonight at the Civic Theatre, stands head and shoulders above the general level of film fare to take its rightful rank as the mightiest of all sea sagas. This Twentieth Cen-tury-Fox film, which co-stars Warner Baxter end Wallace Beery, pictures the adventures of the last slaver as, with mutiny reddening the decks, it sails on its last desperate voyage. To Warner Baxter falls one of the most colourful roles of his career, as a romantic scourge of two oceans, defying the navies of all the world and fighting at last for love in the greatest adventure of all. Opposite him is Wallace Beery, in a role that dwarfs all of the famed actor’s previous sea roles. As the .villainous mate of the last slave, Beery makes the big-fisted, bull-headed seaman a figure of continuous interest, genial and treacherous to his dying breath. A stirring recreation of the adventurous slave trade, “Slave Ship” was directed by Tay Garnett. Elizabeth Allan, George Sanders, Jane Darwell and Joseph Schildkraut are among those featured in the film. Although the newspapers themselves have proved it time and again, Tyrone Power, Loretta Young and Don Ameche are the thrilling threesome who step out in modem streamline style to demonstrate that “Love Is News,” in the Twentieth Century-Fox gay romance of that title, which will also be shown. SPECIAL MATINEE Special arrangements have been made for Shirley Temple’s latest picture, “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.” to be screened at both the Civic and State Theatres . on Saturday afternoon. A large attendance at both theatres is assured and the children will be delighted to see that their favourite little star’s newest film is easily her best Each of the first 200 children at the theatres will receive a free gift of a beautiful coloured portrait of Shirley as a souvenir and the doors will open at 1 o’clock.

MAJESTIC THEATRE

“BULLDOG DRUMMOND’S PERIL” “COLLEGE SWING” MUSICAL One of the most entertaining variety programmes which has been offered by the Majestic Theatre will begin a three-day season today, Friday. Colonel (Sapper) McNeile’s “The Third Round” has been brought to the screen as “Bulldog Drummond’s Peril” and is complete with the same popular cast that has been featured in the famous Bulldog Drummond series—John Barrymore as Colonel Standish of Scotland Yard, John Howard as Bulldog Drummond, Louise Campbell as his fiancee, Reginald Denny as Algie and E. E. Clive as Peters, Drummond’s butler, while Porter Hall has also been added to the cast. A dangerous discovery is made by an eminent London scientist, in that he has perfected the manufacture of a synthetic diamond. Executives of the various diamond trusts endeavour, first by fair means and, failing this, by foul, to induce the sale of the scientist’s formula. Drummond and his friends are brought into the case along with Scotland Yard and, after breathless adventures and hairraising escapes, succeed in exposing the plot against the scientist, which provides the theme for the most thrilling of the exciting Bulldog Drummond series to date.

George -Burns and Gracie Allen, supported by Edward Everett Horton, Bob Hope, Betty Grable, Jackie Coogan and Martha Raye, make up the star-stud-ded cast of “College Swing,” the fast moving comedy musical which is the supporting feature at the Majestic to_day. Both of these pictures come from the Paramount Studio. In addition the latest Cinesound News will be presented. It would be wise for intending patrons to make the earliest reservations possible, as a programme of this magnitude is bound to tax the theatre’s capacity to the utmost. For booking, H. & J. Smith’s Department Store box office, or Rice’s Majestic Theatre confectionery. Telephone 738. LUCKY DIP MATINEE TOMORROW In pursuance of its policy for catering for the tastes of the children on Saturday afternoons, the Majestic Theatre will run a lucky dip for all those attending tomorrow’s special matinee. Four big barrels of prizes have been procured and as each child goes in it will dip its hand into the barrel and extract for itself one of the prizes. A striking array of featurettes will support Colonel (Sappqr) McNeile’s “Bulldog Drummond’s Peril,” including Cinesound New': topical, “Stranger Than Fiction” (novelty) “On Ice” (Harry Langdon comedy), “Betty Boop and Grampy” (Betty Boop) “Trail End” (Oswald Rabbit) “A Dream Walking” (Popeye Cartoon), Ch. 7 “Flash Gordon’s Trip to Mars” (serial). It will be wise for parents to send their children early as on the two previous Saturdays it has been reluctantly found necessary to disappoint children because of the theatre being full.

STATE THEATRE

SHIRLEY TEMPLE TODAY “REBECCA OF SUNNYBROOK FARM” In “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm,” which begins today at 2 p.m. and 7.45 p.m. at the State Theatre, Shirley Temple has a part perfectly adapted to her versatility. Playing the title role in the film, she is cast as a young singer, Rebecca Winstead, who has impressed a radio sponsor, Anthony Kent. Kent (Randolph Scott) features her in his programme, but unfortunately Rebecca is discharged by Smithers, Kent’s interfering assistant. Smithers is given the task of searching for the young singer, who has in the meantime disappeared. Eventually Rebecca is discovered at Sunnybrook Farm, but objections are raised by her aunt to proposals regarding a broadcast. However, Kent arranges a broadcast to take place from the farm, which has been transformed into a studio. Complications ensue when Rebecca’s step-father signs a contract for her with a rival sponsor, but the contract lapses when Rebecca pretends to lose her voice. Finally, Kent adopts the child, and the story is brought to a happy conclusion. Throughout the film tfiere is a pleasing romantic interest between Kent and Rebecca’s cousin (Gloria Stuart). Helen Westley gives an excellent performance as Rebecca’s dour aunt, while with such accomplished comedians as Slim Summerville and Jack Haley the film is not lacking in humour. Bill Robinson, the negro dancer, gives an outstanding display of tap-dancing, appearing in several enjoyable dances with Shirley Temple. Exceptionally good supports include, “Hooray for Hooligan,” a two-reel comedy, “Bugs Bettie and his Orchestra,” a Terry Toon

cartoon, “Filming Modem Youth,” a’ Camera Thrill, and latest overseas and Australasian newsreels. In order that children will not be turned away from the picture as has invariably been the case with past Shirley Temple pictures, arrangements have been made to screen “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm” at both the State and Civic on Saturday afternoon, when beautiful’ coloured photos of Shirley Temple will be given to the first 200 children attending either theatre. Plans are at Begg’s or the State Theatre, telephone 645.

REGENT THEATRE

“A YANK AT OXFORD” The ever-popular Robert Taylor is seen in a role which suits him to perfection in “A Yank at Oxford,” the entertaining comedy-romance which will end a successful extended season at the Regent Theatre today. The story tells of a conceited young American, who having won a scholarship, proceeds to Oxford, where he at once makes himself a thorn in the side of his fellowstudents by the intolerant attitude he takes up towards the traditions of _ the university. His main idea at first is to put his home town “on the map,” but, far from doing this he earns the hearty dislike of the other under-graduates, who immediately take steps to bring his head back to normal proportions. One of the cures is an over-vigorous initiation'into the various brotherhoods of the college and he is finally forced to the conclusion that it is better -when in Rome to do as Rome does. Maureen O’Sullivan plays opposite Taylor and gives a convincing and appealing performance as his sweetheart. The subsidiary parts are handled by a capable cast.

“SUBMARINE D-l” THRILLS IN THE NAVY “Submarine D-l,” a melodrama dealing with the exploits of Uncle Sam’s undersea boats and the gallant lads who man them, will be screened tomorrow at the Regent Theatre. _ The picture is authentic as well as stirring, for it was made with the complete cooperation of the navy. There are scores of battleships, cruisers, destroyers and aeroplanes taking part, and many hundreds of sailors and marines are seen going through their peace-time and war-game duties. Pat O’Brien and George Brent are costarred, and in a part that seems to be quite as important is young Wayne Morris. Then, too, in the cast are such well-known troupers as Frank McHugh, Doris Weston, Regis Toomey, and Henry O’Neill. But after all, it is the “D-l” itself—a new navy submarine which also bears the title of “Dolphin,” that is the hero of the piece. The plot has largely to do with certain devices developed by Pat O’Brien and George Brent—one for sending imprisoned men in a sunken submarine to the surface safely by means of “air lungs,” another for raising the vessel itself. Miss Whston sustains what feminine love interest there is in the story, while Frank McHugh provides his own inimitable brand of humour.