ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 24004, 20 December 1939, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE “FOUR DAUGHTERS” SEASON HAS BEEN EXTENUEI) Healthy and delightful fun, shot with a degree of sadness, is found in ‘Tour Daughters,” the outstanding production at the Regent Theatre, the season for which has been extended to include Thursday next. The four daughters of a musical family, played *by Priscilla, Lola and Rosemary Lane and Gale Page, worship their father and one another. Vows are made that marriage will never break the ties that bind them, but such things as love are unpredictable. There are suitors, but none who creates such a stir as handsome young Jeffrey Lynn, who sweeps the

youngest daughter off her feet; but he has also tapped the heart of another daughter; indeed, each of the other three. And the youngest one, feeling that one of her sisters would be made unhappy if her marriage went through, makes the sacrifice. As is natural in a picture that is essentially a document of typical family.life, the clear interpretation of varying characters is necessary to create an authentic impression. The cast includes two players, Claude Rains and May Robson, who have proved their acting ability in many outstanding films, but the most striking performance comes from a newcomer to the screen, John Garfield. There are excellent supporting films.

STATE THEATRE

JANE WITHERS’S LATEST Law and disorder come to the West with Jane Withers and Leo Carrillo in “The Arizona Wildcat,” 20th CenturyFox’s uproarious comedy which screens today at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the State Theatre. Everything one could ask for in the line of action has found its way into “The Arizona Wildcat”; a fasterpaced film has not been seen in a long time. There isn’t a moment’s let-down from beginning to end and every time you blink your eyes something happens. Gold missing from the mine! The stage coach stuck up! A whole town shot up! The sheriff in cahoots with the crooks! There’s enough fun and excitment here to make a dozen pictures. Jane is seen as the adopted daughter of Leo Carrillo, who had been a famous outlaw in Mexico many years before. When a gang of crooks, headed secretly by the sheriff himself, steals a shipment of gold and kills three men in doing it, Jane decides that it" is high time she and Carrillo do something about it. They do, and it is the most entertaining film in months. Jane Withers is excellent and. Leo Carrillo gives one of his finest performances in “The Arizona Wildcat.” A fine supporting cast is headed by Pauline Moore, William. Henry, Henry Wilcoxon and Douglas Fowley. ■ - - ‘ • The associate feature is “The Edge of the World,” a gripping drama in which the action takes place in the Shetland Islands. .The film abounds in scenes of great natural beauty, and the wild, rugged coasts of the Shetlands have been utilized as a fitting background for a dramatic story, in which the inhabitants play no little part in the telling. Niall McGinnis and Belle Chrystall, who have the leading roles, both give convincing portrayals. Box plans are at Begg’s or State, telephone 645.

CIVIC THEATRE

“THE BLACK LEGION” A few months ago, American newspaper readers were horrified at published accounts of so-called “Black Legion” activities in Michigan. The story broke when a young mechanic was taken out by a group of masked men and cruelly flogged, then shot, because of an allegation that he had beaten his wife. After his death, it was proved that the unfortunate victim was a kindly man whose wife denied vehemently he was ever anything but gentle and considerate. According to a later confession made by a captured legionnaire, he had taken part in the ruthless killing of another victim because he was a negro. The dramatic details of this story from real life form the basis of the film, “Black Legion,” the first attraction on the Civic’s half-price programme tonight. The cast is headed by Humphrey Bogart. Others are Dick Foran, Erin O’Brien-Moore, Ann Sheridan. “Her

and Warren Hull. Civic prices tonight are 6d and 9d.

MAJESTIC THEATRE

“THE PATIENT IN ROOM 18” The Warner Brothers’ hospital mystery drama “The Patient in Room 18” is the principal feature on today’s programme at the Majestic Theatre. The stars of this picture are Patrick Knowles and Ann Sheridan, while Eric Stanley and Rosella Towne are prominently cast. The story concerns the theft of £20,000 of radium from a Metropolitan hospital and two murders committed by the thief in making the burglaries. Patrie Knowles is cast as a detective and Ann Sheridan as a sister in the hospital. The culprit of the thefts and the murders is eventually trapped by Knowles. The associate feature "Garden of the Moon,” Warner Brothers’ latest smash hit musical stars Pat O’Brien, Margaret Lindsay and the sensational new sing-ing-dancing performer, John Payne, Melville Cooper, Johnny Davis, Mabel Todd and the famous movie critic, Jimmie Fidler, while Joe Venuti and his famous swing band play the musical accompaniments for five new swing hits. A fascinating comedy story is interwoven in this brilliant musical, which is packed with romance, laughter and fun. Plans are now on view at H. & J. Smith’s Departmental Store box office, Rice’s Majestic confectionery or Majestic Theatre. Telephone 738. ,