ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23715, 13 January 1939, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE “ALEXANDER’S RAGTIME BAND” “I’ll never forget the night I first heard that song!” The words were wisps of thought in a roomful of conversation. It was Sunday in Hollywood—and the radio offered a programme of Irving Berlin hits. Darryl F. Zanuck caught the words from across the room. Every song stirs a memory —the melody whispers across the years and again opens the old album of recollections. It might have been the first time a girl went to a party. It might have been the song the fellows sang around a summer campfire, the song the men sang marching to war, the song mother loved best to play, dad’s one-and-only solo, songs which never die. It has been said of Darryl F. Zanuck that he looks for his motion picture stories on the front pages of the daily newspapers, the things that are most immediate in the public mind. More important, he says, are the things closest to the heart. And among the 609 songs that Irving Berlin has written, Zanuck knew he could find the melodic milestones within everyone’s recollection. “What’s your favourite song, Irving?” was the first question the producer placed before, the famous song writer. “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” was the prompt reply, “I’ll never forget the first time Emma Carus sang it.” Thus, the vast research facilities of the 20th Century-Fox studios went into action, tracing the history of the most astonishing years in history. Irving Berlin was interviewed, libraries were searched, newspaper files, pictures, biographies, almanacs and histories. Slowly there emerged a screen play by Kathryn Scola and Lamar Trotti from an adaptation by Richard Sherman. Romance it must be, great with the power to stir the hearts of all who ever have loved, rich in the memories of three decades enriched by Irving Berlin’s melodies. There rose a poignant love story of an obscure young musician whose ragtime brought fame —the girl he loved and lost—and won again. Only Henry King, master of impressive pictures, could direct such a story. Only Tyrone Power could portray the inspired youth who lived and loved his music. Only Alice Faye could play the role of Stella Kirby.' Only Don Ameche could put the sincerity and depth in the role of the friend. It opens today at the State Theatre at 2.0, 8.0 and 10.30 p.m. Across the years it marches—l9ll: “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” “Ragtime Violin,” “Everybody’s Doin’ It Now.” 1912: “When The Midnight Choo-Choo Leaves For Alabam’,” “When I Lost You,” “In My Harem.” 1913: “That International Rag.” 1914: “This Is The Life.” 1917: “For Your Country And My Country.” 1918: “In The Y.M.C.A.,” “Oh, How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning,” “We’re On Our Way To France.” 1919: “A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody.” 1921: “Say It With Music.” 1922: “Some Sunny Day,” “Pack Up Your Sins And Go To The Devil.” 1924: “What’ll I Do?” “Lazy,” “All Alone.” 1925: “Remember.” 1927: “Blue Skies. ’ 1928: “Marie.” 1933: “Heat Wave,” “Easter Parade.” 1935: “Cheek To Cheek.” And now, 1938: “Now It Can Be Told” and “My Walking Stick.’ Little more, could be said other than that the box plans are at Begg’s or State Theatre, telephone 645. CIVIC THEATRE

SHIRLEY TEMPLE “YOUNG AND INNOCENT” The double programme at the Civic Theatre comprises a thriller and a Shirley Temple picture. In the thriller, “Young and Innocent,” Christine Clay, a famous film star, is strangled on a lonely stretch of seashore, with a belt from a raincoat. Her body is found by Robert Tisdall, who is seen running for help and is arrested on the evidence of two witnesses. He can prove his innocence, however, if he can only find his own raincoat which was stolen from him before the crime. At the police station he collapses and is revived by Erica Burgoyne, daughter of the jhief constable of the county. Tisdall later escapes and is found by Erica who, unwillingly, hides him in an old mill. Later she returns with food for him, but in the midst of the meal the police arrive and they have to make an escape. Erica, now convinced of his innocence, agrees to help Tisdall and calls at her aunt’s house to provide an alibi should her father inquire about her absence. The visit, however, has the reverse effect and the search is intensified. Erica and Robert discover that Old Will, an itinerant china mender, has just become the proud possessor of a new raincoat and trace him to Nobby’s lodging house, 30 miles away. Erica takes Old Will into a dance hall, hoping that he will be able to identify the man who gave him the coat. The drummer of the band collapses and Erica goes to his aid. As she wipes the make-up from his face Old Bill recognizes him as “the bloke wot blinked” and the drummer, who is dying, confesses to the crime. Erica’s belief in Robert’s innocence is justified. You would never know the old farm now—it is a streamlined radio centre, with Shirley Temple on a happiness hook-up in the title role of “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm,” her best-of-all musical. The'first star of the screen is supported by her starriest cast, sunnier songs, swingiest dances and a hey-hey load of laughter in this new 20th Cen-tury-Fox musical-comedy hit. MAJESTIC THEATRE “CITY STREETS” CRIME CLUB MYSTERY Edith Fellows and Leo Carrillo, costars of “Little Miss Roughneck,” are gloriously reunited in “City Streets,” Columbia comedy-drama which opens today at the Majestic Theatre. The film, a heart-warming moving drama of the sidewalks of New York, is heartily recommended for its human, wholesome entertainment, its fine cast and splendid narrative. Carrillo scores as usual with his amusing dialect, portraying an Italian grocer. Edith Fellows is a distinct surprise. Formerly seen as a spoiled brat, she now plays a sympathetic role, a crippled waif who is adopted by the goodnatured Italian. In a straight dramatic part she proves as effective and talented as she was when singing, dancing or clowning. The story centres on the great sacrifice Carrillo makes to enable Edith to walk and play with other youngsters. All the love, sympathy and human impulses of himself and neighbourhood friends prove useless when pitted against the law, but the tide turns in a series of tense, fastmoving situations. The sixth of the Crime Club series, “Danger on the Air,” which stars Nan Grey, Donald Woods and Sheets Gallagher will be the supporting picture at the Majestic tomorrow. “Danger on the Air” is built round the mysterious death of a powerful radio sponsor. T t is made to look at first, as though death was an accident but Donald Woods, a clever radio. engineer, proves that he was murdered by poisoning. bv the most ingenious method of

using cyanogen gas. The case makes a tremendous sensation and the radio station performers desert the building in fear that more of the gas will be released Then suddenly Woods bobs up with a solution of the killing. His only clues are a pin, a straw and a deflated toy advertising balloon. It would be unfair to lovers of detective mystery films to reveal the name of the slayer, in this column, for that would detract from the thrills, chills and surprises which always go with a Crime Club mystery. The current weekly issue of Cinesound News will also be presented. Plans are now on view at H. and J. Smith’s departmental store box office, Rice’s Majestic theatre confectionery or the Majestic Theatre, telephone 738.

REGENT THEATRE “THAT CERTAIN AGE” FINALLY “That Certain Age,”' Deanna Durbin’s latest starring picture, which has been playing to capacity business at all sessions at the Regent Theatre since last Friday, will conclude the sevenday season today. Two sessions will be screened, 2 p.m. qnd 7.45 p.m. Patrons should take this ' last opportunity of seeing the screen’s most charming star in this, her latest triumph. “THE TEXANS” MIDNIGHT MATINEE TONIGHT ■ i Paramount’s “The Texans” will commence its Invercargill season at' the Regent Theatre, at a special nocturnal showing at 10.30 p.m. tonight. This will afford country visitors the opportunity of seeing the greatest of all pioneering epic productions. The filming of the colonization of a new country is always of particular historical interest to people of the 20th century who live in the comforts of the now settled lands, through the fortitude, courage and tenacity of their pioneering forefathers. Hollywood producers have been responsible for a wonderful historical service by producing from time to time pictures relating to the colonization of various parts of the New World. Back in 1915 D. W. Griffiths made motion picture history when he brought to the screen his famous “A Birth of a Nation.” In 1932 R.K.O. Radio Pictures produced “Cimarron” which dealt with the opening of the oil fields of SouthWest California. In 1937 Paramount presented “The Plainsman” and in 1938 “Wells Fargo.” And now Paramount present their most ambitious, pioneering project “The Texans,” with a specially selected cast worthy of this mighty story. Joan Bennett, Randolph Scott and May Robson are the starred players. These artists need r.o introduction, they have all proved their metal. The story opens at the post-war period of the North versus South conflict and traces the fortunes of a typical Texas family of quality. It shows the personal tragedy of such a family during thi- reconstructional period: how artistocratic people were reduced to poverty but being made of the right metal could rise again; it shows how private lands were invaded and even private property confiscated by corrupt officials. A stirring climax show these people colonizing further west. Opening up a new land so that their progeny could enjoy and partake s>f the peace and comforts, which are so evident in those parts today. A fitting array of attractive featurettes have been specially selected to support “The Texans” and intending patrons are urgently advised to take the first available opportunity to Reserve at H. and J. Smith’s departmental store box office, Rice’s Regent Theatre confectionery (telephone 1938) for this outstanding attraction.

EMPIRE PICTURES, RIVERTON “Four Men and a Prayer,” featuring Loretta Young and Richard Greene to be screened at Riverton tonight and Saturday is a startling drama of fourmen and a gallant girl who had the courage to fight the brooding secret menace that covers the modern world with a cloud of evil. Unseen, it massacres innocents with machine-guns, there is adventure as amazing .as the pledge that unites them in this most startling story Cosmopolitan ever printed.

THEATRE ROYAL, WINTON

Cecil B. DeMille has used the broad panorama of the war of 1812 as the background for his Paramount film, “The Buccaneer,” which opens at Winton tonight. Fredric March is cast as the famous pirate chief, Jean Lafitte, whose love for a belle of old New Orleans, Margot Grahame, and her country, the struggling young United States, makes her join with General Andrew Jackson in the defence of New Orleans against the British attack.