ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23987, 30 November 1939, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE “HOTEL IMPERIAL” “Hotel Imperial,’ the story of a magnificent love between two people engaged in espionage, introduces one of tile most dazzling women ever to appear on the screen —blonde Isa Miranda, who co-stars with Ray Milland in the picture. Miranda, who has long been a reigning favourite throughout Europe, makes her bow in an intensely dramatic role, as an international beauty who goes to the “Hotel Imperial” to avenge her sister’s betrayal and finds love just as the world is about to go smash. Milland,

in his most important role since the technicolour “Men With Wings,” is seen as a romantic young officer and Miranda’s sweetheart in a tempestuous love affair. Playing prominent supporting roles are Reginald Owen, as a blustering and eccentric Russian general; Gene Lockhart, as a genial hotel keeper; and J. Carrol Naish, playing an arch-spy and traitor. Robert Florey, the talented young 'Frenchman, directed for Paramount. The Don Cossack Male Chorus —one of the world’s best-liked vocal groups—makes its first screen appearance since "Maytime” in “Hotel Im-; perial.” The chorus was originally formed of Russian Cossacks who had become interned in Turkey during the Russian Revolution. Originally a church choir, the Cossacks began “singing for supper” when the French Government moved thousands of them to Belgrave, liiey soon became the foreign colony’s most sought-after entertainers. They add much to the “atmosphere” of "Hotel Imperial.” The supporting programme, as usual at the Regent, is a light and varied one, containing much of interest to all. “VALLEY OF THE GIANTS” PETER B. KYNE STORY Beginning with a special midnight matinee at 10.30 on Friday next the

Regent will present “Valley of the Giants” for a strictly limited season. Wayne Morris and Claire Trevor head the cast of the Warner Bros, technicolour picture. Based upon the famous Peter B. Kyne novel of the same name, the picture tells a story typical of the valiant fight waged some 30 odd years ago to prevent the Utter despoliation of California’s noted redwood forests by ruthlessly selfish lumber interests. Graft and corruption, legal trickery and plenty of outright physical violence were employed by tiie would-be despoilers to gain their ends, and all of this is strikingly depicted in the tense and exciting course of the new Warner colour picture. Most of the action of the picture takes place outdoors, and all of these outdoor scenes were filmed in the heart of the redwood country, with the result that the picture is not only an exciting piece of drama but also one of the most beautiful and one of the most impressive productions ever filmed. For people who have never seen these forests of giant trees, the film probably will also be a rare educational treat. STATE”THEATRE “CLIMBING HIGH” Come and laugh finally today at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. at "Climbing High,” which stars Jessie Matthews, Michael Redgrave, Alastair Sim, Noel Madison and Margaret Vyner in a merry melange of mirth. “CAPTAIN FURY” Dramatizing the roaring adventure and rich romance of the pioneering days in Australia in the early 19th century, Hal Roach’s “Captain Fury,” ' costarring Brian Aherne, Victor McLaglen and June Lang, will have its premiere showing at the State Theatre at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. tomorrow. Rounding out the hand-picked cast of stars who portray the heroes and heroines of those dauntless days are such wellknown Hollywood players as John Carradine, George Zucco, Paul Lukas and Virginia Field. Briefly, the story concerns the high, wide and handsome adventures of Captain Fury, a political prisoner from Ireland, who arrives in Australia to discover the perfidious and greedy practices of land barons who are trying to oust the settlers and colonists so that they can establish vast feudal estates and rule them like mediaeval tyrants. Fury is set to work, shearing sheep, on the compound of Arnold Trist, a cold-blooded villain who has been terrorizing the entire settlement, a few hundred miles outside of, Sydney. How Fury outwits this man and brings civilized law and order to the community provides a thrilling climax to the story which is filled with many hairraising, blood-and-thunder episodes. Special supports include the newest “March of Time” entitled “Background for War: The Mediterranean.” Box plans are at Begg’s or State Theatre, telephone 645. MAJESTIC THEATRE “STREETS OF NEW YORK” Jackie Cooper and Martin “Boys’ Town” Spellman are the stars of Republic’s “Streets of New York,” which will conclude at the Majestic Theatre

today. The associate feature “She Married a Cop” has Jean Parker and Phil Regan featured. HOPALONG CASSIDY 1 TOMORROW Clarence E. Mulford’s latest western drama “The Frontiersman” featuring William Boyd as Hopalong Cassidy with Windy Hayes and Lucky Jenkins in support will open a three-day session at the Majestic Theatre tomorrow, Friday. The story concerns the adventures of these three trail blazers of the west who bring law and order to the far flung frontiers of a growing Empire The associate feature “Tom Sawyer, Detective,” depicts the new adventures of Mark Twain’s lovable mischief makers, Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. The whole world knows and loves these kids and the entire family will enjoy this picture for the warm tenderness and lusty humour that only Mark Twain could inspire. The character parts are played by Donald O’Connor as Huckleberry Finn and Billy Cook as Tom Sawyer with Raymond Hatton, Porter Hall and Janet Waldo in support. Latest Cinesound News will introduce the programme. Plans are now on view at H. and J. Smith’s Departmental Store box office, Rice’s Majestic shop or Majestic Theatre. Telephone 738. ST. JAMES THEATRE, GORE “You Can’t Cheat an Honest Man,” starring Edgar Bergen and the inimitable Charlie McCarthy, is the attraction at the St. James Theatre, Gore, tonight. Also in the cast are Mortimer Snerd, Constance Moore and Mary Forbes. REGENT THEATRE, GORE Fay Bainter and Ida Lupino are the stars in “The Lady and the Mob,” which opens at the Regent Theatre, Gore, tonight. The supporting feature is “Star Reporter,” starring Warren Hull and Marsha Hunt.