AT THE THEATRES

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

AT THE THEATRES

COMING ATTRACTIONS . Murder and ten thousand books is the novel situation in the mystery picture, “Fast and Loose,” starring Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell and opening on Saturday at the Regent Theatre. The picture, a sequel to “Fast Company” (presented at the Regent Theatre a few months ago) relates the adventures of Joel Sloane, rare book dealer, who becomes involved in a series of murder mysteries which, as an amateur detective, he inherits for solution, Montgomery plays Sloane and Miss Russell portrays Garda, his wife, who shares in the thrills of his work.

As the setting for the mystery, studio artisans constructed the upper and lower floors of a mansion that filled two of the studio’s biggest sound stages. Outstanding among the sets is a great library, the main walls formed by book shelves that reached to the high ceiling. The mansion represents the home of Reginald Owen, wealthy book-lover, from whom Sloane seeks to purchase one of the world’s rarest books, a purchase which indicates the motive for the crimes.

Directed by Edwin L. Marin. A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Picture.

Gracie Fields has never been seen to better advantage than in “Keep Smiling,” which comes to the State Theatre on Friday. The new picture tells the story of a touring vaudeville troupe, led by Gracie Fields, their guide, philosopher and very true friend. She leads them in revolt against a crooked manager, takes them to her grandfather’s farm where their openair rehearsals startle even the cows and eventually land them successfully among seaside carnival shows. A long supporting cast provides uniformly excellent performances and includes Mary Maguire, brought from Hollywood to play the part of Avis, the troupe’s soubrette; Roger Livesey, London stage star, who appears as Gracie’s devoted admirer and husband; Jack Donohue, tap-dancing star, who plays the role of Denis, conceited partner of Avis; the screen’s most lovable dog star, “Skippy” as the dog who causes a lot of happiness and almost as much trouble; Peter Coke, rising young star of the West End stage, who plays romantic lead opposite Mary Maguire, and peppery Edward Rigby, remembered as Robert Taylor’s scout in “A Yank at Oxford,” who appears as Gracie’s grandfather. There is a feast of music in this refreshingly happy film. Gracie Fields sings, as only she can, a wide variety of numbers from, “The Holy City,” sung in a village church, to the riotous comedy number “Mrs Binns’ Twins,” which she presents in a concert party sequence.

Directed by Monty Banks. A 20th Century-Fox Picture.

The idea of any killer’s victim avenging his own murder seems almost impossible without the aid of ghosts, spectres, vampires, or some other apparition; but that bland Oriental detective, Mr Moto, achieves this remarkable feat in his customary matter-of-fact manner in “Mr Moto’s Last Warning,” opening on Friday at the Civic Theatre. In his latest adventure Moto is hot on the trail of a band of conspirators who have formulated a plot to cause an international crisis by planning a major disaster at the Suez Canal. Well aware that Moto is the major stumbling block to the success of their plan, the plotters scheme to “liquidate” him and, apparently, succeed. Moto, however, is not so easily disposed of, and at the propitious moment makes his reappearance. “Mr Moto’s Last Warning” has Peter Lorre in the starring role, with an exceptional cast including Ricardo Cortez, Virginia Field, John Carradine, George Sanders and Joan Carol.

Directed by Norman Foster. A 20th Century-Fox Picture.

The varied and dramatic experience of wireless operators on merchant ships is revealed for the first time in “The Storm,” which begins at the Majestic Theatre on Friday. Graphic action-and realism is provided by an all-star cast, which includes such rugged performers as Charles Bickford, Barton. MacLane, Preston Foster, Andy Devine and Frank Jenks. Romance in the story is carried by Tom Brown as the young brother, and Nan Grey as his sweet-

heart, the pretty nurse. Impressive scenes in the screen play by Daniel Moore, Hugh King and Theodore Reeves show the crashing of a ship into an iceberg, the explosion of an oil tanker as it sails from port, and several rousing hand-to-hand battles between rival ship’s crews when they meet in waterfront cafes. Bickford is shown as a reckless wireless operator who loves the adventure of -his profession but seeks to prevent his brother, Brown, from following the same career. Nan Grey, cast as the ship’s nurse, has her most important■ opportunity since she scored with Deanna Durbin in “Three Smart Girls.”

' Directed by Harold Young. A Universal Picture.

Filled with action, laughs and fine characterizations, “A Yank at Oxford,” now screening at the Majestic Theatre, offers Robert Taylor his most convincing role and more than repays Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for the time and effort spent in producing in England pictures equal in calibre to any made in Hollywood. In fact, the authenticity of the background and atmosphere of the picture proves that only in a British setting could it have been so successfully evolved. In presenting Taylor in the title role as the all-star athlete who comes to Oxford to “teach the natives” and himself learns something in return, “A Yank at Oxford” affords the star his greatest opportunity. Lionel Barrymore, as Taylor’s father, and Maureen O’Sullivan, as the English undergraduate whom the hero meets at Oxford, give their accustomed polished performances. Vivien Leigh, as the “other girl,” reveals a flashing, yet subtle personality. Griffith Jones, as the Britisher whose enmity for Taylor provides the motive for much of the plot, is a most personable leading man discovery, stalwart in appearance and sensitive in his performance. Edmund Gwenn, as the Oxford Dean, C. V. France as the tutor and Edward Rigby as Taylor’s “scout,” among the featured players, add immeasurably to the thoroughly-genuine “feel” of the picture throughout.

Directed by Jack Conway. A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Picture.

Expounding the idea that there is such a thing as a Mister Average Man, and that he would be worth a fortune to any promoter who knew how to handle him, “Thanks for Everything,” opens on Friday at the Civic Theatre. With a great cast of comedy experts, the picture merrily proceeds to probe and explore this hapless common denominator of the American male and the process becomes more hilarious as each layer is exposed. Bui when the probers reach Mister Average Man's heart and meddle with his Miss America he collects himself and establishes a new high average in the behaviour of an American m love. Wide-eyed Jack Haley was a happy choice for the role of Mister Average Man. As Haley’s tormentors, Adolphe Menjou and Jack Oakie were never better, while Arleen Whelan pi ovldes the romantic interest. Binnie Barnes, Tony Martin, George Barbier and Warren Hymer are in the supporting cast.

Directed by William A. Setter. 20th Century-Fox Picture.

“The Duke of West Point,” now showing at the State Theatre portrays the romance and adventure of life at the United States military academy.

Headed by a cast which includes Louis Hayward, Joan Fontaine, Richard Carlson, Tom Brown and Alan Curtis, the picture tells the story of young cadets who enter a different and difficult world when they become Plebes (fresh men) at West Point. Recording their ups-and-downs, their personal 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. Feeling that a picture of scope and importance deserved production values of first magnitude, Producer Small hired military and athletic experts to act as advisers throughout filming to insure absolute' authenticity and accuracy in all sequences portraying the varied activities of those who actually are trained to become officers in the United States army. Directed by Alfred E. Green. A United Artists Release.

Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney reunited for the first time since their memorable performances in “Captains Courageous,” are starred in “Boys Town,” now having a season at the Regent Theatre. For the first time in his career Tracy portrays a living man on the screen. Father Edward J. Flanagan is one of the greatest humanitarians of this day, and in the film is revealed his dramatic twenty-one year struggle to found a home for neglected and abandoned boys. More than a year ago the studio became inrerested in Boys Town, the only incorporated village of its kind in the world. This city of little men, governed and operated by youngsters who range in age from six to eighteen, has a populatiqn of 275, of which 200 are boys, and is situated on the main highway west of Omaha, Nebraska. It was from Father Flanagan's files and the records left by his boys, that director Norman Taurog and scenarists John Meehan and Dore Schary found the rich material for the picture. In gripping terms of human drama, it tells the battle waged by Father Flanagan to save boys from lives of crime and his problem with one boy who thought he was too tough for Boys Town. To assure fidelity to the spirit and backgrounds of Boys Tovzh, a motion picture company of 135 spent three weeks at Father Flanagan’s Home, filming authentic scenes for the picture.

Directed by Norman Taurog. A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Picture.