ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23942, 7 October 1939, Page 17

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE “MY SON IS A CRIMINAL” Tense and exciting is “My Son Is a Criminal” which is something Uniquely different in the Way of gangster pictures. Alan Baxter, Jacqueline Wells, Gordon Oliver and Willard Robertson are among the featured players. “My Soh Is a Criminal” is the story of a retired police officer and Of his gangster son. Alan Baxter is seen as the “Criminal,” the smooth vicious gang chieftain whose knowledge of the police department workings enables him to lead his men in perfect safety. Final sequences are played iff a garage during a hold-up. Father meets, son, still unaware of the boy’s criminal career. The realization StuflS him and the boy s plea for a chance to escape creates an emotional moment breathlessly intense. The associate picture is ‘‘Whispering Enemies,” featuring Jack Holt, Dolores Costello, AddiSOn Richards and Joseph Crahah. The effects of a deliberate campaign of innuendo and Veiled slander, which cause the failure of the head Of a manufacturing Concern (played by Holt) and the manner in which the maligned person takes matters into his own hands and turns the tables On his enemies, make for gripping entertainment. Box plans are at Begg’s or the Civic Theatre, telephone 1744.

STATE THEATRE “WIFE, HUSBAND AND FRIEND” DELICIOUS, SPARKLING COMEDY The gaiety is delirious, the wit sparkling and the comedy excellent when lovely Lofeita Young arid air Warner Baxter play the love game with a new set of rilles ih ‘Wife, Husband and Friend,” the 20th Cen-tury-Fox hit which opens at 2.0 and 8.0 today at the State Theatre. These two delightful stars, with a host of favourite players, cavort through several reels of catch-as-catch-can romance and wind it up with the funniest, climax ever filmed. The picture’s opening finds Loretta and Warner blissfully happy in their marriage. Loretta has loads of money, a grand husband and a lovely home. But, just like a woman, she wants one thing more. She Wants to sing! And, to make matters worse, she does. Encouraged by Cesar Romero, het music teacher, and a group Of well-meaning friends, Loretta makes her debut on the concert stage in spite of Warner’s protests. The debut is successful, thanks to her husband’s seatselling efforts, and she plans a Crosscountry tour. As if this would not cause dissension enough, Binnie Barnes steps into the picture in the role of a beautiful and famous opera singer and discovers, that Warner Baxter has, among other things, a magnificent baritone voice. So he goes on tour! Now, With Loretta going one Way and Warner going the other, you would never think they would get together. Loretta Young and Warner Baxter are ideal in the starring roles and movie fans might give a vote Of thanks to Darryl F. Zanuck for casting them together again. Every member of the cast, which also includes George Barbier, J. Edward Bromberg, Eugene Pallette and Helen Westley, does splendid work and Gregory Ratoff, is to be Congratulated on his grand job of directing. Special supports include the latest “March of Time,” an Andy Clyde comedy, Terrytoon cartoon, and latest British and Australian newsreels. Box plans are at Begg’s or the State Theatre, telephone 645.

MAJESTIC THEATRE “THE MYSTERY OF THE WHITE ROOM” “The Mystery of the White Room” starring Bruce Cabot, Helen Mack and Constance Worth is now showing at the Majestic. This picture concerns the activities of a killer within the sacred walls of the operating theatre of a metropolitan hospital. The associate picture “Blondes for Danger” is a comedy-mystery starring the popular cockney comedian Gordon Harker. Th 6 latest Cinesound News and the final chapter of the “Lone Ranger” complete the programme. Box plans are on view at H. and J. Smith’s Departmental Store, Rice’s Majestic Sweet Shop and the Majestic Theatre (telephone 738). FILM OF “THE LONE RANGER” The final chapter of the popular Western Radio serial “The Lone Ranger,” and the first chapter of “Buck Rogers in the 20th Century” featuring Larry Buster Crabbe will be shown at the matinee today. A. photograph of 500 patrons at the matinee today. Larry Crabbe will be given to the first REGENT THEATRE “THE CITADEL” DONAT—ROSALIND RUSSELL Described as the most impressive screen adaptation of a popular novel in years, “The Citadel,” based On Dr A. J. Cronin’s best-seller, will begin a six-day engagement at the Regent Theatre today. Produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer at its British studios in Denham, England, on an American scale more pretentious than is customary abroad, the picture co-stars Robert Donat, distinguished young Englishman, and, Rosalind Russell of Hollywood, with a cast of more than 100 players. King Vidor, who directed such notable films of the past as “The Big Parade,” was selected by M-G-M to bring the Cronin story to the Screen. Victor Sayville, distinguished veteran of the British films industry, was the producer. Appearing in principal featured roles with the stars are Ralph Richardson and Rex Harrison, wellknown English actors, and in an exceptionally large group of supporting players are Emlyn Williams. Penelope Dudley-Ward, Francis Sullivan, Mary Clare, Cecil Parker and Nora Swinburne. “The Citadel” is a story of life in the Welsh colliery district as encountered by an obscure young physician. Much of it was drawn from experience as Dr Cronin devoted some of

his early years to medical practice in the mines. The doctor meets a school teacher, portrayed in the picture by Miss Russell, with whom he falls in love. Their struggle against poverty and his heroic labours in the pits provide a dramatic background for the action. In a mine disaster the surgeon amputates the arm of a workman when it is trapped beneath fallen timbers, saving his life and winning the respect of his fellows. Later, when his career has advanced to a society practice in London, the young medical man forgets the ethics of his calling and descends to flattery and worthless pills for fat fees from shallow patients. He errs in a critical operation and is shocked back into his senses. With the encouragement of his wife and the cooperation of a group of fellow physicians, equally earnest, he organizes a worthwhile clinic for the poor, abandoning all hope for wealth and fame to further the progress of a noble profession. Box plans foi tonight are at H. and J. Smith’s, Rice’s Regent Shop and the theatre. “TORCH OF ST. DUNSTAN’S” The great work that is performed by the New Zealand Institute for the Blind in the educating and training of and

caring for the blind of this Dominion is probably not fully realized. Residents of Southland should not lose the opportunity of seeing the short film that is now made available to be screened in all the theatres throughout Southland during the next six weeks. The film, which will be screened in conjunction with programmes in the various towns, is the short story centred round the training of a blind man at St. Dunstan’s Home for the Blind, England. Mr J. E. Broadfoot, secretary and director of the New Zealand Institute for the Blind and Mr Packman, workshops manager, New Zealand Institute for the Blind, will appear and speak briefly. Peter Morelatos, commonly known as “Blind Peter” will also appear in a short display of basket work and other goods produced by the blind. Peter is well known to all followers of wrestling. He attends all matches held in Auckland with Mr Gordon Hutter, sports announcer for IYA. Residents of Nightcaps and district will have the privilege of seeing this most interesting film in the Nightcaps Theatre on Saturday evening next, October 7. The film “The Torch of St. Dustan’s” will be screened just before the interval and at the conclusion of the programme a retiring collection will be taken up in aid of funds of the New Zealand Institute for the Blind.

The screening has been made possible through the courtesy and generosity of • the Nightcaps Town Board. DANCING DISPLAY MR ALEX. SUTHERLAND’S PUPILS The annual display of Highland and classic dancing to be presented by the pupils of Mr Alex Sutherland and Miss Madge Flaus at the Civ’c Theatre next Wednesday evening promises to be one of the finest entertainments of the kind ever presented to an Invercargill audience. In addition to a well-arranged programme of. Highland and national dancing ensembles, beautiful operatic ballets and American tap dancing, Mr John Pringle, the pleasing baritone, has been specially engaged. Mr Sutherland claims that he has never before been so favourably placed in the talent available. The public is already showing its recognition of the worth of the entertainment and judging by the booking a record house appears assured. Intending patrons are requested to reserve their seats to avoid disappointment. The box plans are at Beggs and the prices are moderate. The curtain will rise punctually at 8 o’clock on a varied programme over 30 items.