ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23888, 5 August 1939, Page 21

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE “MYSTERY OF MR WONG” The management of the Majestic Theatre sincerely advises the regular Saturday patrons to make sure of reserving their seats as a great number of reserves has come to hand from Dunedin from intending visitors for the football match. A speciallyselected double-feature programme has been arranged for this auspicious occasion. The Monogram Oriental detective thriller, “The Mystery of Mr Wong,” continues the further exploits of the famous Chinese detective, Mr Wong, with Boris Karloff again playing the stellar role. “The Mystery of Mr Wong’ even surpasses the introductory picture, “Mr Wong, Detective,” in suspense and chilling action. The story of a fatal jewel and of the three people who met violent deaths because of a curse attached to it is sombrely played against an eerie Oriental background. , One, Brandon Edwards, dies on the’. very night that he brings the famous “Eye of the Daughter of the Moon” jewel to America, and his household, smouldering in bitter hatred and greed, for the precious stone, hide two others who are murdered on the same night Mr Wong, the convivial Chinese sleuth, who happens to be a house guest at the time, unearths some startling clues and unmasks the real killer, who is supposed to be protected by the curse on the fatal star sapphire. Boris Karloff gives another excellent performance as the Oxford-educated Chinese detective. Grant Withers, as Police Captain Street, provides an excellent foil for Boris Karloff, while Craig Reynolds and Dorothy Tree, in the romantic roles, are excellently cast. Here is an excellent picture for all lovers of mystery and will appeal particularly to the many hundreds of Charlie Chan fans. The associate feature, “Accidents Will Happen,” deals with the fake injury racket and exposes a system which has cheated insurance companies out of huge sums. Heading the cast are Ronald Reagan, Gloria Blondell, younger sister of the famous Joan, and Dick Purcell. There is plenty cf excitement in “Accidents Will Happen,” and an extremely clever story is presented. Also on this programme is Chapter 6 of the famous radio serial, “The Lone Ranger,” entitled “Red Man’s Courage,’ while the current weekly issue of the Cinesound News will also be presented. Box plans are now on view at H. and J. Smith’s departmental store box office, Rice’s Majestic confectionery or Majestic Theatre (telephone 738).

REGENT THEATRE

“SWEETHEARTS” JEANETTE MACDONALD AND NELSON EDDY The brilliant musical production “Sweethearts,” with Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald in the leading roles, is at present being screened at the Regent Theatre. The voices of the two principal players are heard in the latest melodies by Victor Herbert, with Eddy and Miss MacDonald seen as the leading players in a Broadway musical show entitled “Sweethearts,” written by Mischa Auer and Herman Bing. They are happily married, except for the fact that they are overworked. They are busy /appearing on the stage, giving performances for charity, recording and broadcasting. At last they decide to leave the company and go to Hollywood. When their bombastic and ineffectual manager, played by Frank Morgan, hears of this he makes an incoherent appeal to their better natures, asking them to reconsider their decision. When this fails he plots with Mischa Auer to keep them back. Mischa Auer, by a trick, is successful at first, but later his scheme has unforeseen repercussions, making the situation worse than ever. The beautiful technicolour. is a feature of this film. The supporting programme is an excellent one. The box plans are at H. and J. Smith’s, Rice’s Regent shop and the theatre, and are filling rapidly. STATE THEATRE “THE SAINT STRIKES BACK” FOUR SESSIONS TODAY One of the truly amazing characters in the annals of detective fiction is brought to the screen in RKO Radio’s

“The Saint Strikes Back,” featuring George Sanders and Wendy Barrie in the top roles. This thrilling mystery drama will be the attraction at the State at four sessions todays, 2.0, 5.0, 8.0 and 10.30 pjn. Based on the widelyread best sellers by Leslie Charteris, master crime writer, whose famous character of “The Saint” has interested millions, the current offering is the second of a series of films depicting the amazing exploits of the debonair killer who wars on crime barons. Sanders is cast in the title role of “The Saint,” a lone wolf avenger whose career—sometimes o:. the side of the law, sometimes against it—baffles the greatest criminologists of the day. When he becomes interested in a beautiful girl whose father has been victimized by a mysterious underworld kingpin, “The Saint” decides to avenge the wrong. Toward this end he volunteers to aid the police track down the criminal providing he has carte blanche to use his own methods. His unique mission takes him through a series of dangerous experiences. He fights murder with murder, turns housebreaker to obtain incriminating evidence, violates all man-made laws to achieve his objective. His unusual moves eventually provoke the police as well as antagonize his enemies, and when the girl he is trying to befriend becomes distrustful of his motives, “The Saint” finds his task most difficult. Ultimately the modern Robin Hood ensnares all the members of the organized ring, kills the leader, permits a friendly police inspector to assume the credit and cleans the name of the girl’s dead father, bringing the story to a most suspenseful finish. Appearing in support of Sanders and Miss Barrie are Jonathan Hale, as the police inspector; Neil Hamilton, as a shady attorney, and Barry Fitzgerald as a comedy thug. Supports include Walt Disney’s latest colour cartoon, “Merbabies.” Plans are at Begg’s or State, telephone 645. THE EMPIRE, RIVERTON “When Thief Meets Thief” featuring Douglas Fairbanks, jun. and Valerie Hobson will be presented at Riverton tonight. Seen in the colourful role of a daring cat burglar, the younger Fairbanks performs many exciting ath-

letic feats. He climbs drain-pipes and jumps from balconies, all with the carefree dare-devilness of youth. Is there honour among thieves?. Here is a thrilling answer that will make you quiver with excitement. The cast in this British drama includes Alan Hale, Barbara Everest, Jack Melford and Edward Rigby. See the thrilling exploits of a cat burglar in love with a ruthless stealer of hearts. REGENT THEATRE, GORE The feature attraction at the Regent Theatre, Gore, tonight is “Frontiersmen,” another of the popular Hopalong Cassidy pictures, starring William Boyd. The associate feature is “Tom Sawyer, Detective.” ST. JAMES, GORE “Suez,” starring Tyrone Power, Loretta Young and Annabella, is the feature attracton at the St. James Theatre, Gore, tonight. The film depicts the building of the Suez Canal and is produced by Darryl F. Zanuck, who produced “Alexander’s Ragtime Band.” There is also a good selection of shorts and newsreels.