ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23922, 14 September 1939, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE “DUKE OF WEST POINT” Capturing the behind-the-scenes romance, gaiety, adventure and excitement of life as it is lived at the United States Military Academy, Edward Small has lavished his talents of showmanship and entertainment on his first major film attraction for the current season, “The Duke qf West Point,’ which screens finally today at 2 and 8 p.m. at the State Theatre. Headed by a cast which iricludes Louis Hayward, Joan Fontaine, Richard Carlson, Tom Brown and Alan Curtis, this romantic drama tells the story of young cadets who enter a different and difficult world when they become Plebes (freshers) at West Point Recording their ups and downs, their personal human dramas, their prides and prejudices, their hopes and _ dreams, the picture is unreeled against authentic backgrounds which were photographed at West Point by. a special camera crew. A fast-moving murder mystery with a lot of humour in it is unfolded in the new 20th Century-Fox release entitled “It Could Happen To You,” which has an excellent cast headed by Stuart . Erwin and Gloria Stuart, and includes also as featured players Raymond Walburn, Douglas Fowley, June Gale and Clarence Kolb. Stuart Erwin, in the role of a young advertising man, drives his car home from a gay party at 4 a.m. A few hours later his wife, played by Miss Stuart, discovers that there is a murdered woman on the floor of the back seat. You’ll be filled with both tenseness and laughter as you watch this mystery unfold. GRACIE FIELDS “KEEP SMILING” A wealth of laughter and music make “Keep Smiling,” the new attraction at the State Theatre tomorrow, one of the most successful films in which the English comedienne Gracie Fields has played. She appears as the leader of a small band of variety artists which objects to only a small proportion of the takings at a benefit concert being devoted to charity, only to find that most of the provincial theatres are then closed to it. A period of despairing retirement is broken at last by the finding of a dog belonging to a famous pianist, and the resulting reward is used in hiring a theatre, where the party hopes to recover its position. The villainous manager who was the cause ■ of their former misfurtune, however, does his best to wreck this performance, but a satisfactory conclusion is reached. All this is very well done, with Miss Fields dominating much of the action with her forceful personality. Gay burlesque, an excellent dialogue and the inimitable rendering of seven new songs by the principal make the film most attractive entertainment, while the scenes on the farm are especially enjoyable. A fine performance is also given by the Australian actress, Mary Maguire, who is here making her first English appearance after her success in Hollywood, while the dog, Mr Skippy, famous as Asta of “The Thin Man,” adds much to the amusement. Roger Livesey and Peter Coke are other members of the supporting cast. Box plans are at Beggs or the State Theatre, telephone 645. MAJESTIC THEATRE “A YANK AT OXFORD” Patrons should not miss this last last opportunity of seeing M.G.M.’s “A Yank at Oxford,” which stars Robert Taylor and features Maureen O’Sullivan, Lionel Barrymore, Vivien Leigh, Edmund Gwen and Griffith Jones. It deals with the adventures of an American small-town Rhodes scholar’s adventures at traditional Oxford University. A particularly strong M.G.M. supporting programme includes Robert Benchely, “A Crime Does Not Pay,” anOur Gang comedy and the latest News Topics.

“THE STORM”

SAGA OF THE SEA TOMORROW Six rugged screen actors have been chosen for the principal parts in “The Storm,” Universal’s powerful drama of marine disaster which opens a threeday season at the Majestic tomorrow. Telling an emotional story of adventurous thrills in the lives of seamen and ocean-going merchant ships, “The Storm” is filmed against the colourful background of giant ships and thundering storms at sea. The narrative possesses thrills, powerful and realistic. Top-flight performances are turned in by the leading members, who are Charles Bickford, Preston Foster, Nan Grey, Barton McLane, Tom Brown, Andy Devine and Frank Jenks. Impressive scenes show a great steel freighter crashing into an iceberg and going down, while Preston Foster sticks to his radio key, sending SOS calls for help. Scenes are also shown of an oil tanker blowing up in mid-ocean. The supporting feature, “Saleslady,” stars Anne Nagel, Weldon Heyburn and Harry Davenport. This is a modern, up-to-the-minute comedy romance replete with plenty of laughs and delightful adventure. Chapter XI of the popular radio serial, “Lone Ranger,” entitled “Silver Bullet,” will also be screened, while this week’s issue of Cinesound News will introduce the programme, and intending patrons may reserve seats at H. and J. Smith’s Departmental Store box office, Rice’s Majestic Theatre confectionery shop, or at the theatre (telephone 738).

REGENT THEATRE “BOYS TOWN” SEASON ENDS TOMORROW If ever there was a picture which lived up to the apt slogan, “a great emotional thrill,” M.-G.-M.’s “Boys Town,” which is enjoying a popular season at the Regent Theatre is it. Keen theatregoers have had many opportunities of appreciating the fine acting of Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney in films in which they starred separately, but here they have produced their crowning masterpiece. Not since Tracy was being acclaimed for his fine work in “Captains Courageous” has he been seen to such advantage. Here, in “Boys Town,” in the part of a priest, rather reminiscent of the role he played in “San Francisco,” yet many times more appealing, he lives the part of Father Flanagan, actual American citizen, who founded the famous institution for homeless boys—Boys Town. Mickey Rooney is seen as Whitey Marsh, who is placed under Father Flanagan’s care, and who fancies himself a “tough” character. The drama reaches its peak in the subjugation of Whitey’s unruly characteristics by the forceful personality of the priest and the obligations imposed by the communal life of Boys Town. Box plans are open at H. and J. Smith’s and Rice’s Regent shop. ST. JAMES THEATRE, GORE “Dramatic School,” the attraction at the St. James Theatre, Gore, tonight is the story of a poor factory girl who is determined to rise to fame on the,

stage. The Stars are Luise Rainer and Paulette Goddard and there is also a good supporting cast. There is also a good selection of shorts and news. REGENT THEATRE, GORE “Blondie,” first of a new projected series of Chic Young’s famous newspaper comic strip, is the feature attraction at the Regent Theatre, Gore, tonight. The stars are Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake. The supporting picture is “Racket Busters,” starring Humphrey Bogart and George Break.