ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 24027, 18 January 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

KEGENT THEATRE “THE GRACIE ALLEN MURDER CASE” mystery and mirth The combination of Gracie Allens talents, a story by the late S. S. Van Dine, and excellent work by a large group of featured players, equals one ot the best mystery comedies to reach the screen in many a year. It is Paramount s picturization of S. S. Van Dines The Gracie Allen Murder Case, now at the Regent Theatre, with Gracie, Warren William, Ellen Drew, Kent Taylor and Judith Barrett in the featured roles. Events leading to the picture s initial murder get under way when Gracie attends a picnic given by her uncle for his perfume company. Her uncle introduces Gracie to a nice young man in the person of Kent Taylor. Taylor is in love with Ellen Drew, who is also employed by the company, but she has been a little coy about accepting his advances. Meanwhile, Jerome Cowan, operator of a night club, has been called by Benny the “Buzzard” from the vicinity of the picnic. He asks Cowan to pick him up there. Cowan does, but Judith Barrett, who is in love with the “Buzzard, overhears the conversation, and follows in her car. When Cowan’s car passes over a bridge beneath which Gracie and Kent are picnicking, a cigarette falls into Gracie’s lap and burns a hole in her dress. Kent notices that the cigarette has a peculiar odour. That night, when Gracie and Kent are dining at Cowan’s night club, Gracie finds the “Buzzard” dead in Cowan’s office. Gracie pins the guilt on Kent inadvertently, and Ellen calls Philo Vance—Warren William—in to solve the case. It is his hardest assignment—for Gracie almost obstructs justice with her hilarious deductions.

STATE THEATRE “COASTGUARD” FINALLY Columbia’s “Coastguard,” screening finally today at 2.0 and 8.0 at the State, reveals for the first time on the screen the widespread activities of the Coast Guard, showing all its duties from surfrescues to iceberg patrols and flood relief work. Randolph Scott, Frances Dee, Ralph Bellamy and Walter Connolly are featured in the spectacular film. Supports include a 2-reel Andy Clyde comedy.

TOMORROW AT 2.0

“SECOND FIDDLE”

Latest picture to gather great music, story and stars in the style made famous by “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” is Irving Berlin’s “Second Fiddle,” which tomorrow is scheduled to begin an Invercargill season at the State Theatre. The production stars ice-skating Sonja Henie and Tyrone Power, features Rudy Vallee and Edna May Oliver, and introduces a new screen personality in the person of lovely Mary Healy. Six new songs from the facile pen of Irving Berlin highlight the production, and a feature that is expected to make the film memorable is the introduction of the attractive new dance “Back to Back.” In this film, blonde Sonja appears for the first time with a skating partner, young Stewart Rebum, and presents spectacular tropical dances—the rhumba and the tango —on ice. The film presents an interesting dramatic tale of Hollywood’s search to find a girl for the leading role in a picturization of a famous novel. As a Minnesota school teacher Sonja is given a test. She passes with honours, and when Tyrone Power, as the studio publicity man, flies out to collect her the fun begins when Hollywood racks its brains for more and more “built-ups” for the new sensation. Darryl F. Zanuck again proves himself a master in the production of films of this type. His director, too, is no novice in this field, for Stanley Lanfield directed “Thin Ice,” “Wake Up and Live,” and “Sing, Baby, Sing.’ Box plans are at Begg’s or State Theatre, telephone 645. MAJESTIC THEATRE “HARD TO GET” “Hard to Get,” the Warner Brothers comedy will conclude at the Majestic Theatre today. This is a bright production with a -sparkling comedy from start to finish. Charles Winninger Dick Powell and Olivia de Havilland are starred, with Allen Jenkins Isabel Jeans, Bonita Granville and Melville Cooper in support. “I stand Accused, the supporting picture, is a crime drama with Robert Cummings, Helen Mack and Lyle Talbot featured.

“UNION PACIFIC” TOMORROW

CECIL B. DE MILLE’S PRODUCTION

Cecil B. de Mille’s “Union Pacific’ will open at the Majestic Theatre tomorrow. It is a stirring story of America’s railroad dream of a coast-to-coast line which became a reality. It depicts the hardships, privations, thrills and romance of the reckless pioneers whose destiny was as great as the nation they fought to build. You will thrill with the characters through the roaring reckless days when these pioneers conquered the horizons of a continent with the iron rails of progress, in spite of hostile Indians, white _ men’s espionage, moving sands, precipitous mountains and unprecedented privations. The leading roles are played by Joel McCrea, Barbara Stanwyck, Akim Tamiroff, Robert Preston and Brian Donlevy. This Paramount Picture is exceptionally long—it takes two hours and fourteen minutes to show the feature alone and as the interval will be at 8.5 p.m. patrons are advised to be early and are also advised to make the earliest possible reservations. Plans are now open at H. & J. Smith’s Box Office, Rice’s Majestic confectionery or Majestic Theatre. Telephone 738. CIVIC THEATRE 6d AND 9d FINALLY TWO GRAND FEATURES When Guy Kibbee discovers he has innocently been heading a crooked stock-selling outfit, he turns it into a legitimate concern and the crooks are fleeced, in RKO Radio’s gay screen comedy, “Don’t Tell the Wife,” the first attraction on the Civic’s half-price programme screening finally tonight at 7.45. In featured roles, with Kibbee are the popular comedienne, Una Merkel, and that droll comic, Lynne Overman, who furnish the romantic interest. Overman, a reformed stock swindler, returns to the racket when one of his pals decides to sell stock in a gold mine. Believing it to be honest, Miss Merkel finances the project for her husband, but Guy Kibbee, who has been duped into joining the crooks as front man, gets the gang into complications and provides exciting comedy. The principals in the film are supported by a strong cast, among whom are Thurston Hall, Guinn Wil-

liams, Harry Jans, Frank M. Thomas, Hattie McDaniels, William Demarest and George Irving. “Westbound Limited,” the second attraction, which stars Lyle Talbot, Polly Rowles and Henry Hunter, is an action-packed story of fiery drama and death at express speed. Civic prices finally tonight are 6d and 9d.

ST. JAMES THEATRE, GORE

Shirley Temple’s greatest screen triumph, “The Little Princess,” is the attraction at the St. James Theatre, Gore. Others in the cast are Richard Greene, Anita Louise, lan Hunter, Cesar Romero, Arthur Treacher and Mary Nash. There is also a good selection of shorts and news.

REGENT THEATRE, GORE

“King of the Underworld,” Warner Bros, latest melodrama, starring Humphrey Bogart and Kay Francis, is the attraction at the Regent Theatre, Gore, tonight. The supporting picture is “Next Time I Marry,” a gay comedy starring Lucille Ball and James Ellison.