ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23681, 2 December 1938, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE “THE PLAINSMAN” Gary Cooper, the screen’s most debonair and most favoured soldier of fortune, is once again in his favourite role in “The Plainsman," which begins at the Civic Theatre tonight. In this film he portrays an actual historic soldier of fortune, the famous “Wild Bill” Hickok, who was an official on the Western plains in the seventies. With him is Jean Arthur—another who made a hit in “Mr Deeds Goei to Town”—as “Calamity Jane,” famous frontier woman, who loved the silent, hardfighting peace officer but could not have him. The picture does not gain its appeal through the flaming of guns and the battles and massacres of warfare (although these have their proper place in the film), but rather through the skilful portrayal of the lives of the main characters, “Buffalo Bill,” “Wild Bill” Hickok, and “Calamity Jane,” the shiftless, but lovable, woman of the West. The unscrupulous methods of arms manufacturers, who dispose of modern repeating rifles to the Indians, and so stir up a mighty rebellion against the invasion of the white man, are what the two scouts, Hickok and “Buffalo Bill” Cody, are aiming to suppress, but the arms are smuggled through, and the West becomes aflame with massacre and war. Hickok is deputed to catch the man who is responsible for the sale of the arms to the Indians, but it is a long and tiresome hunt before he can at last bring his quarry to earth. Meantime Hickok falls in love with “Calamity Jane,” although his pride will not let him admit it. All the scenes are convincingly executed, and the Indian warfare sequences are remarkable for their reality. An excellent supporting programme includes Poneye the Sailor in bis latest cartoon riot. MATINEE TOMORROW ' A special programme has been arranged for a “Western” matinee tomorrow afternoon. “The Plainsman” will be the featured attraction and also to be shown are Popeye and Mickey Mouse (in colour) cartoons as well as a two-reel comedy and musical shorts.

MAJESTIC THEATRE

“THE GREAT GAMBINI”

TWO PARAMOUNT FEATURES

A splendidly varied Paramount double-feature programme has been arranged for screening at the Majestic Theatre commencing today, Friday. Whether patrons like tender, heartwarming romance or spine-tingling thrills' and chills- “The Great Gambini,” the feature picture, should send them home pleased and thrilled “The Great Gambini” features Akim Tamiroff in the title role and it is primarily a thrill-packed mystery. Tamiroff is the star attraction of an exclusive night club, where as a clairvoyant, he reads sealed messages sent him by the audience. When Tamiroff (the Great Gambini) prophesies that Marian Marsh will not marry her fiance the next day, it is at first merely considered a bad joke, but when the fiance is found

murdered the next day, the case takes on a more serious turn. Everyone in the film is under suspicion—Tamirolf, Miss Marsh, the disappointed stutor, John Trent, her father, Reginald Denny, and her stepmother, Genevieve Tobin. Tamiroff calmly takes delight in pointing out clues to a pair °* stupid detectives, Edward Brophy ana William Demarest. The picture reacnes its climax with one of the most novel twists ever brought to the screen, in which the murderer is revealed and the romance between Miss Marsh and Trent is brought to a happy end. The other Paramount picture, Zane Grey’s “Forlorn River,” is an outdoor Western romance with Larry Buster Crabbe, June Martel, John Patterson, Syd Saylor and Harvery Stephens in the leading roles. Some Oi the finest action pictures of wild horses in their native haunts ever caugnt by the camera form some of the nigh spots of the show. These scenes which are many are calculated to satisfy the most rabid horse lover and to more than satisfy the casual filmgoer, who is after novelty, action and robust story; The story deals with the depredations of a band of desperadoes determined to outwit a buyer from the army remount service and steal the horses consigned to the Government. How they do this and how they are frustrated by Crabbe and his pal, Saylor, is the basis of this thrilling story. Considerable comedy is supplied by Chester Conklin, who will be remembered as Charlie Chaplin s partner in many of the latter’s pictures, while romance is supplied by beautiful June Martel and John Patterson. Latest Cinesound news will also be screened and intending patrons are advised to reserve without delay at H. and J. Smith’s departmentpl store box office, Rice’s Majestic confectionery or Majestic Theatre (telephone 738).

REGENT THEATRE

“EVERYBODY SING” METRO’S NEW MUSICAL Such stage and screen headliners as Allan Jones, Judy Garland, Fanny Brice, Reginald Owen, Billie Burke, Reginald Gardiner and Lynne Carver join hands to contribute a wealth of musical and acting talent to “Everybody Sing,” one of the most original and infectious musicals yet, to reach the talking screen, and opening at the Regent Theatre today. There have been countless musicals before, but “Everybody Sing” has the distinction and originality of being the screen’s first “swing’ musical, and under the deft direction of Edwin L. Marin, it literally swings across the screen with a lilting, ingratiating and happy-go-lucky quality which establishes a warm intimacy with audiences which some of the more elaborate musicals have been unable to achieve. Of course, in a comedy like this, it is not so much the plot that matters as it is the performances, and in this respect “Everybody Sing” is superlatively equipped with a wide variety of talent. Allan Jones as the musical chef has a made-to-order role and lends his superb voice to such songs as the “Quartette from Rigoletto,” “On With the Show,” “Cosi Cosa,” and “The One I Love.” The remarkable youngster, Judy Garland, playing the “swingstruck” daughter of the family, sings “Swing, Mr Mendelssohn,” “Down on Melody Fann,” “Sweet Chariot” and “1 Wanna Swing.” Then there is the inimitable Fanny Brice as the maid, with a number all her own entitled, “Quainty, Dainty Me.” Only Fanny Brice could sing this and it is one of the highlights of a musical mirthfeast. Reginald Owen and Billie Burke are irresistible as the theatrical husband and wife, while other outstanding performances are contributed by Reginald Gardiner and Lynne Carver. The picture has been given excellent production value with attractive settings and dancing ensembles, but it is the refreshing intimacy which makes “Everybody Sing” stand out as entertainment of a different and delightful order. It is supported by Metrotone News, Australian News, the glorious travelogue in technicolour. “Beautiful Budapest,” and another of the popular Crime Does Not Pay series, “A Criminal is Born.”

STATE THEATRE

FRED ASTAIRE MUSICAL “A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS” Fred Astaire makes merry in a costarring role with George Burns and Gracie Allen in R.K.O. Radio’s romantic musical, “A Damsel in Distress,” a P. G. Wodehouse story, spiced with captivating tunes by the late George Gershwin. Supporting Astaire and the two radio comics in this State Theatre attraction is a brilliant cast including lovely Joan Fontaine, in the title role, and such distinguished players as Reginald Gardiner, Constance Collier, Montagu Love and Harry Watson. Astaire portrays a shy American musical comedy favourite, who becomes involved in a hectic romance with a sheltered, titled English girl, Lady Alyce, played by Miss Fontaine. The servants at the castle where Lady Alyce lives inaugurate a sweepstake based on who will win Lady Alyce’s hand. The girl is being coerced into a marriage with an English fop by an imperious old aunt. Through an ingenious set of circumstances, Astaire is made to believe that Lady Alyce is in love with him, and he quits his show in London and rents a cottage near the girl’s ancestral castle. The entire castle and countryside enter into the romance, and many hilarious complications result. Burns and Allen remaining true to the characters they portray on the radio, do their share to sabotage Fred’s romance. Allen nlays Astaire’s Press agent, and Gracie is George’s dumb but effervescent secretary. Ray Noble, noted English orchestra leader, has the role of Astaire’s rival for the hand of Lady Alyce. The six George Gershwin songs include “Things Are Looking Up,” “I Can’t Be Bothered Now,” and “Nice Work if You Can Get it.” State featurettes, a show in themselves, include the most provacative issue of the famous “March of Time,” “Arms and The League,” which traces the movements of the League of Nations up to the present day. The second special support is Walt Disney’s Silly Symphony cartoon, “The Old Mill,” the coloured featurette that took London by storm and was the forerunner of “Snow White and The Sever. Dwarfs.” Patrons are specially reminded that, as from today, the State evening sessions during the summer months will begin at 8 o’clock instead of 7.45. Box plans are at Begg’s or State (telephone 645). LATER STARTING TIME So that people may have more leisure before attending the theatre the management of the State Theatre has decided to advance the starting time'of the evening sessions by a quarter of an hour in the summer months. The programmes at the State Theatre will, therefore, being at eight o’clock sharp instead of 7.45 p.m., as in the past. This new arrangement takes effect as from today. So that patrons may have no transport difficulties, the evening performance at the State Theatre will conclude about 10.15 p.m. whenever possible.

THEATRE ROYAL, WINTON

“The Broken Melody,” words of beauty that will be remembered forever as heralding the dawn of a proud national achievement; this is Australia’s

first modern musical romance. Australia’s best-seller novel now becomes the great Australian screen romance; the love story that held thousands enthralled on printed pages now comes in throbbing real life chapters on the screen. Every moment you thrilled to in the book; every character, you loved and hated, gloriously picturized and enriched, by enchanting melodies by Alfred Hill.