ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23931, 25 September 1939, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE “SILVER ON THE SAGE” Clarence E. Mulford’s “Silver on the Sage” which features the popular western saddle mates, Hopalong Cassidy, Windy Hayes and Lucky Jenkins, will conclude at the Majestic today. “FLIRTING WITH FATE” “BIG CITY” TOMORROW Hollywood’s large-mouthed comedian, Joe E. Brown, is the starred player in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s “Flirting With Fate,” which opens a three-day’s season at the Majestic tomorrow. “Flirting With Fate” is a story of hilarious adventures of Joe Brown and his troupe of vaudeville entertainers, when they find themselves stranded in the capital of a South American republic. Brown, believing his life insurance will save the destitute troupe, attempts to commit suicide. Spencer Tracy and Luise Rainer are the stars of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s “Big City,” which will also be presented tomorrow at the Majestic. Both these artists have won academy award recognition for individual acting, and in “Big City” their roles give plenty of opportunities for then - talents. “Big .City” is a cunning story of a single slice of life in a great metropolis, and the adventures of a taxi driver and his wife in their struggle to survive. Plans are on view at Rice’s Majestic sweet shop, H. and J. Smith’s Departmental Store and at the Majestic Theatre (telephone 738). STATE THEATRE “SUBMARINE PATROL” WITH THE “SPLINTER FLEET” While newspaper headlines are screaming submarine disasters the State Theatre brings to the screen at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. daily the never-before-told story of the Navy’s famous splinter fleet in “Submarine Patrol.” Here is an amazing drama of the strangest, most ill-assorted crew that ever manned a fighting ship—the civilian odds and ends aboard one of the Navy’s flimsy cockleshells of the “splinter fleet.” The film is amazing both for the tale it tells and the fact that it has never been told before. The awe-inspiring glory that attends the big super-dreadnoughts and the fast, sleek destroyers and cruisers has all but obscured that branch of the service that saw some of the most perilous and exciting action of the war. The men who joined the “splinter fleet” were not fighters by any means. They were land-loving softies — butchers, bakers and candlestickmakers who were looking for a soft berth and found time to conduct their businesses on the side as their ships lay moored in the navy yard. How they were plunged headlong into the thick of it, crossing seas raging with wind and wave and shot and shell, and were taught by danger to stand and deliver —to become heroes —is the thrilling dramatic theme of “Submarine Patrol.” The genius of John Ford, award-win-ning director who made “The Informer” and “The Hurricane,” was never more apparent. The film opens with a gay note, the lackadaisical, undisciplined men providing some of the rarest comedy the screen can boast. Richard Greene, as rich young Perry Townsend, 111, signs up for the fleet and meets, on the way, beautiful Nancy Kelly, a most promising newcomer for whom a most brilliant future is predicted. Their brave romance is as powerful as the dramatic theme of the film. Speciallyselected featurettes complete the programme. Box plans are at Begg’s or State, telephone 645. REGENT THEATRE “STOLEN LIFE” ELISABETH BERGNER BRILLIANT A film that ranks high in the list of this year’s screen successes is now showing at the Regent Theatre. It is “Stolen Life,” a simple story, but one that is given great heights of dramatic intensity by the magnificent acting of Elisabeth Bergner. There are few who, having seen Elisabeth Bergner act. forget her. Those who see her performance in “Stolen Life” will have plenty to remember her by. Elisabeth Bergner’s name has for a long time been among the truly great in the acting world, and her latest picture maintains the high traditions she has set in the past. Miss Bergner plays a dual role. The story required the portrayal of twin sisters, and Miss Bergner plays both parts. The sisters are vastly different in their psychological make-up, however, and just how great Miss Bergner’s performance is can be judged by her brilliant playing of each of the two divergent types. One sister is light-hearted, gay and abandoned, and not a little selfish. In spite of this, Miss Bergner’s portrayal makes her extremely likeable. The other is more serious, restrained and sensitive and has a deeper emotional consciousness. This part suits Miss Bergner to perfection and in playing it her acting rises to great heights. Michael Redgrave, a young English actor coming into prominence, has the leading male role. His performance is typically English in its restraint and contains none of the blatant emotionalism inseparable from many other actors. A special scheen arrangement of Richard Wagner’s famous overture “Tannhauser” is presented by the Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra as the I supporting feature. The performance I is unforgettable and Saturday’s audiI ence was quick to show its appreciation. Newsreels complete the programme. CIVIC THEATRE TWO ACTION SPECIALS “THE SEA SPOILERS” Alaska, seal poaching, the adventures of the United States Coast Guard. These are the principal elements that comprise something “different” in screen stories, for Uniyersal’s “The Sea Spoilers,” which is the first of the two features on the Civic’s 6d programme tonight. Besides these refreshing elements of story theme and backgrounds, “The Sea Spoilers” offers John Wayne in his first starring role under the Universal banner. The breaking up of a relentless ring of seal poachers, on the world famous seal rookeries of Pribiloff Islands, is the central theme of the story. While John Wayne, as commander of a Coast Guard cutter, is chasing the poachers, his sweetheart, played by Nan Grey, of “Three Smart Girl” fame, is kidnapped and held hostage by the gang. John Wayne faces tests of courage and wins promotion through his thrilling exploits. The final struggle to capture the stronghold of the poachers is set to the exciting tempo of a pitched battle. Besides Miss Grey as his leading lady, there is a supporting cast which includes Fuzzy Knight, William Bakewell and Russell Hicks.

“Midnight Court,” a melodrama whose characters are introduced to the audience at one of those new type of police tribunals, will be the second attraction with the popular Ann Dvorak in the starring role. It is typical of those

timely, out-of-the-headlines pictures which Warner Bros, turn out so well. John Litel, an excellent actor who recently left Broadway for Hollywood, has the featured male role. Ann plays the part of a court stenographer who is horrified when one of the vagabonds in the line-up turns out to be the brilliant lawyer who was once her husband. Litel’s regeneration with Ann’s aid, his exposure and the breaking up of a gang of motor-car thieves that has been terrorizing the city, is the theme. Frank McDonald directed “Midnight Court.” The support includes Carlyle Moore, jun., Gordon Elliott, Gordon Hart, William Davidson.