ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23652, 29 October 1938, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE “BULLDOG DRUMMOND’S PERIL” Colonel (Sapper) McNeile’s story “The Third Round” from which “Bulldog Drummond’s Peril” was adapted loses none of its thrills and intense excitement in the film which began a season at the Majestic Theatre yesterday. The film has the same popular cast as previous Bulldog Drummond films and once again all the roles are played brilliantly. John Howard, John Barrymore, Louise Campbell, Reginald Denny, E. E. Clive and Porter Hall have the principal roles. Drummond is on vacation in, Switzerland, where he is to be married to Louise Campbell whom he has promised that he will abandon the life of a detective. Included among the many wedding presents they have received is a diamond which was made by the father-in-law of Drummond’s inseparable friend Algie. Staying at the same hotel as Drummond is a London jewel specialist who is not renowned for his honesty. The jewel is stolen, a murder is committed and the London specialist leaves for London. Drummond cannot resist the temptation of following the thief and much to the annoyance of his fiancee he leaves for London with Algie and his butler Peters. From here the story develops quickly and some exciting scenes ensue in which Drummond and his two friends are seen in some excellent acting. In an exciting climax, Drummond aided by Colonel Neilson of Scotland Yard, tracks down the criminals and prevents their campaign of intrigue and murder from spreading. The associate feature is “College Swing,” an amusing musical comedy starring George Burns, Gracie Allen, Edward Everett Horton, Bob Hope, Betty Grable, Jackie Coogan and Martha Raye. Gracie Allen has tried for nine years to gain a diploma at the college, but each time fails. The founder of the college has stated in his will that the minute she is successful in the examination she is to be given possession of the college. With the aid of her tutor, who has a copy of the questions before the examination, she passes. She then runs things to suit her own tastes, which include the teaching of swing dancing and a good time for all instead of practical education. Gracie caps this by marrying the richest man in the country, Edward Everett Horton. The picture is a very entertaining one and includes seven new song numbers. A. Cinesound Review is also on the programme.

LUCKY DIP MATINEE TODAY In pursuance of its policy of catering for the tastes of the children on Saturday afternoons, the Majestic Theatre will run a lucky dip for all those attending today’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 (Sapper) McNeile’s “Bulldog Drummond’s Peril,” including Cinesound News 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), Chapter 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 FEATURED “REBECCA OF SUNNYBROOK FARM” . Although the producers of “Rebecca of Surmybrook Farm,” which began a season, at the State Theatre yesterday, have taken a great many liberties with the original story, and in fact have evolved so many scenes which could not possibly have occurred in the Wiggin narrative that scarcely anything remains of the original except the title, they have created an excellent background for the child star, Shirley Temple. Little Miss Temple has long since passed the stage when she was remarkable only as a child prodigy who carried out instructions in an entertaining and childish fashion, for in hei recent pictures she has shown; definite ability as an actress. In “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm” she again I reveals real histrionic qualifications i which, combined with her piquant and engaging personality, make her the star of the production in the true sense of the word. The new story of “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm” starts in a radio broadcasting studio where tests are being taken of hundreds of children in an endeavour to find a Little Miss America who will be the star attraction of a sponsored programme. Into the scene comes Rebecca Winstead and her bombastic stepfather, Harry Kipper. After the other children Rebecca sounds to the director of the studio, Tony Kent, like the answer to his most heartfelt prayer, but as the result of his dimwitted assistant’s blunder the child and her stepfather are allowed to leave the studio under the impression that she has failed in the test. Kipper decides that as the child can no longer be of use to him she would be less of a burden if she were handed over to her aunt, and Rebecca is promptly taken to Sunnybrook farm, where grim-faced Miss Miranda Wilkins lives. The engaging child immediately makes friends with her formidable aunt, and also meets a grown-up cousin, Gwen Warren, and subsequently, as the result :of a strange set of circumstances, also makes the acquaintance of Tony Kent who, despairing of ever finding the little girl who sang so attractively in his radio audition, has retired to the country for a rest and is living in the next door farm. Kent is unaware of Rebecca’s identity until he hears her singing a lively ditty, and immediately communicates with his employers and tells them that all is well. Aunt Miranda, however, has a deep-rooted prejudice against children being allowed to perform in public, and sets her face firmly against Rebecca’s broadcast, and it is only after a long distance hook-up with the studio is arranged, and Aunt Miranda is outwitted by Rebecca and Gwen, that the broadcast becomes an accomplished fact. When Aunt Miranda hears Rebecca’s numbers she is completely won over and gives her consent to regular broadcasts, but in the meantime Harry Kipper, who has also heard the broadcast, decides that Rebecca will be a fruitful contributor to his own pocket. As he is the child’s legal guardian Aunt Miranda and Gwen are forced to give her up, and she is given a contract with another broadcasting studio. Rebecca, however, is not at all in favour of her new state, and in an amusing scene completely fools the station director, is released from her contract, and at the same time from any further claim by the worthy Harry Kipper. Throughout the production Shirley Temple sings a large number of songs in delightful fashion, and as a climax gives a delightful exhibition of tap dancing with the skilful negro dancer, Bill Robinson.

Randolph Scott, as Tony Kent, and Gloria Stuart, as Gwen Warren, supply the romantic interest. There is also an excellent programme of supporting pictures, including comedies, cartoons and newsreels.

REGENT THEATRE

“SUBMARINE D-l” THRILLS WITH THE NAVY “Submarine D-l” is the new feature at the Regent Theatre and in it is crammed all the colour and magnificence that Americans generally manage to gather around the various arms of defence. The film gives an illuminating insight into the tremendous development of naval armament since the days of the Great War. The Fleet is deified throughout, with special emphasis on the submarine section, and in achieving this end the producers give a striking demonstration of the advances that have been made of late years in this form of defence or offence. Warner Brothers in “Submarine D-l” have given a demonstration of safety devices in this sphere of naval combat which reduce the risk to an enormous degree. From the very bed of the ocean the whole crew of an underwater craft can, to all intents and purposes, rescue themselves by the proper application of the life-saving devices that science has provided. Largely, the film is an exposition of these advances in submarine warfare, but through the whole production there runs a thin vein of romance, which, like all weaves of Hollywood spinning, ends happily. Added to this there is some genuine comedy, which seems to be all the more engagingly real and acceptable because "it appears to have nothing whatever to do with the subject in hand. Pat O’Brien, that rugged and convincing example of American infantry, artillery, aviation and naval technique, has the leading role, and he carries his part with his customary debonair swagger and nonchalance, not forgetting to add that irresistible touch of the lover who renounces his. devotion for some more suitable swain who may or may not make the object of his affections happier than he could ever hope to do. George Brent appears as a very’ serious naval commander, consumed entirely and utterly by the traditions of the service. Frank McHugh makes fun of everything, not excluding naval traditions, subordinating everything from naval regulations to personal convenience to the possibility of a win in a problematical lottery. Every time this player appears on the screen there is an anticipatory laugh. Wayne Morris has a part that suits him well, and He makes tHe most of it. He develops from the devil-may-care “gob” into the most hide-bound upholder of the great traditions of the United States Navy, and gives point to his conversion by some really effective heroics at the end. The supporting items contain some excellent vaudeville and in addition the latest Air Mail News shows some light on events during the recent crisis in Europe.

CIVIC THEATRE

“SLAVE SHIP” FINALLY TONIGHT An outstanding production from the Twentieth-Century Fox studios, “Slave Ship,” which will be shown finally tonight at the Civic Theatre, re-creates the era of slave trading, when “blackbirders” ran fleets of ships from Africa to America. No trouble or expense has been spared in making this production a faithful glimpse of those dark days. The story goes from one thrill to another, working up to a climax, as a tense situation between the captain of the slave-runner, his first mate, and the crew develops in mid-ocean. The presence of the captain’s wife abroad the ship is a complication which leads to many incidents. Warner Baxter, who plays the role of the captain, gives his usual excellent performance and is a convincing adventurer. Wallace Beery, as the villainous and treacherous mate, is expertly cast. As the captain’s wife, Elizabeth Allan gives an appealing performance, which equals her work in “A Tale of Two Cities.” There is an outstanding supporting cast, including Mickey Rooney, George Sanders, Jane Darwell and Joseph Schildkraut. The associate attraction is “Love is News,” in which Tyrone Power is co-starred with Loretta Young. With Loretta Young in the role of a beautiful heiress heckled and pestered by sensation-seeking newspapers, the pace is set at once when she vows vengeance against Tyrone Power, a reporter who has just tricked her again into the headlines. To give Power a dose of his own medicine, Loretta Young determines to make him a public figure, and not only announces her engagement to him, but also states that she has presented him with 1,000,000 dollars. Beseiged on every hand, Power strives to expose the hoax, but his efforts serve only to increase his notoriety, as well as his unpopularity with his managing editor—a role played with great vigour by Don Ameche. “Love is News,” is one of the best and brightest of comedies in recent years.

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 this 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.

ST. JAMES THEATRE, GORE

First of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s British-made productions, “A Yank at Oxford,” showing today at the St. James, Gore, establishes an exceedingly high mark which future British-pro-duced films may a.ttempt. More than fulfilling this company’s promise to make films in England which should in every way be equal to the best Hollywood standards, this Robert Taylor film presents him in his most thoroughly convincing role to date and offers an authentic picture of Oxford which should stir the memories of any Oxonian the world over. In addition to Taylor, stalwart and able in his first athletic role, “A Yank at Oxford” offers memorable performances by Lionel Barrymore and Maureen O’Sullivan.

REGENT THEATRE, GORE

“Please Teacher,” a riot of musical mirth with London’s irresistible comedy quartette, Bobby Howes, Vera Pearce, Bertha Belmore, and Wylie Watson at the top of their form, is the laughter-laden story of a young man’s invasion of a girls’ school in search of a missing legacy. It begins at the Regent Theatre, Gore, today. The impact of a valiant girl’s love against the inbred tiger-code of sinister waterfronts makes “Nurse From Brooklyn,” Universal’s exciting picture, which also opens at the Regent Theatre today one

of the most unusual dramatic romances ever to hit the screen. Sally Eilers and Larry Blake head a strong cast.

EMPIRE, RIVERTON

“The Mighty Treve,” a thrilling Albert Payson Terhune novel story, will be screened at Riverton tonight. It is a dramatic story told in a simple forceful direct manner. Noah Beery, jun., and Barbara Reed are co-starred. The associate feature, “We’re on the Jury,” features Helen Brodrick and Victor Moore, the two big comedy stars of “Swing Time,” riding high on a tidal wave of hilarity. Anything can happen in a jury room behind the locked doors.