ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 24106, 20 April 1940, Page 19

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE

“THE WOMEN”

INTRIGUING PLAY FILMED Dramatically turning the spotlight on women, their lives and what they do with them, “The Women,” starring Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford and Rosalind Russell, and based on the smash Broadway stage play, is sure to have a popular rup at the Regent Theatre. The story, dedicated to the amusement of men and women alike, shows the fair sex in all of its moods and with all of its foibles. It finds her in swank beauty salons, in exclusive gown shops, in the privacy of boudoir and bath. It thrusts at her inclination to gossip, and lauds her ingenuity. Norma Shearer, appearing in the first modern society role she has done since “Riptide,” is seen as Mary Haines, whose faith in her husband and love is given a terrific blow via the word-to-mouth campaign staged by Rosalind Russell as Sylvia Fowler, arch gossip. Joan Crawford portrays the “heavy,” Crystal Allen, the initial characterization of this type in which she has appeared during her entire screen career. The remainder of the 135 women in the cast were drafted from top names of both stage and screen and include Mary Boland, Paulette Goddard, Phyllis Povah, Joan Fontaine, Virginia Weidler, Lucile Watson, Florence Nash, Muriel Hutchinson, Esther Dale, Ann Morriss, Ruth Hussey, Dennie Moore, Mary Cecil, Mary Beth Hughes, Virginia Grey, Marjorie Main, Cora Witherspoon and Hedda Hopper. In the story of “The Women,” Norma Shearer, happily married for eight years, finds it impossible to continue life with her husband after she discovers from idle beauty shop gossip that he has become enamored of a perfume salesgirl, portrayed by Joan Crawford. Goaded on by Miss Russell as the gossiper, she finally goes to Reno to seek a divorce and the custody of her daughter, little Mary. Following the divorce, husband Stephen marries the “other woman,” ; and broken-hearted Miss Shearer returns to New York. During the next year she discovers that all is not well in her husband’s home and that his new wife is carrying on an affair with j a cowboy radio crooner. Realizing that > she should have fought in the first place, she decides to stage a late campaign to win him back again. Cleverly she tricks Joan Crawford into an admission of her infidelity, and the fastmoving comedy-drama concludes on a happy note.

STATE THEATRE “SHERLOCK HOLMES” BASIL RATHBONE Generations of men, women and children throughout the world have grown to identify the name of Sherlock Holmes with the very apotheosis of detective adventure. Holmes’s scientific methods, amazing powers of deduction, his courage, eccentricities and fine humour have inspired the creation of countless other fictional sleuths, but he has remained peerless in the popular imagination. So it is only natural for the screen to turn to Sir Arthur Conon Doyle’s works for material. “The Hound of the Baskervilles,” in which Basil Rathbone appeared as the perfect personification of Holmes, with Nigel Bruce as his ever-present foil, Dr Watson. So well was this film received that Darryl F. Zanuck now has produced another Holmes story—“ The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes,” which is screening at the State Theatre at 2.0 and 8.0 daily, with Rathbone and Bruce again in the leading roles, and Ida Lupino and Alan Marshal also featured. The picture pits the foremost detective against a criminal genius worthy of his talents —the notorious Moriarty. Moriarty, Holmes’s constant enemy, is also Doyle’s creation, and as a lawless master-mind ranks almost with Holmes in cleverness and ingenuity. The role in the film is portrayed by George Zucco, included in the cast with Terry Kilburn, Henry Stephenson and E. E. Clive. The screen play unfolds the solution of a series of murders plotted with diabolical cunning and the incredible super-crime of the century—the theft of the 15,000,-000-dollar British crown jewels from the Tower of London. In addition a powerful love story runs through “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes,” plus many laughs by Holmes, Watson and other characters.

Supports include a two-reel comedy, Terrytoon cartoon, and a special newsreel item, “Hitler Escapes From the Munich Bombing.” Box plans are at Begg’s or State, telephone 645.

CIVIC THEATRE “STELLA DALLAS” “CRIME OVER LONDON” A feature film produced by Samuel Goldwyn always assures outstanding entertainment for theatre patrons. But now this brilliant producer is presenting one of the supreme achievements of his genius. “Stella Dallas,” which screens at the Civic Theatre at 2.0 and 7.45 today, reaches the very foundation of human emotions. A powerful gripping revelation of a woman’s struggle to rise above her natural position in life, the gradual breaking down of her efforts and her eventual rise to supreme nobility. “Stella Dallas” was one of the silent screen’s great successes and was also produced by Goldwyn in 1925 with Belle Bennett in the leading role. His 1937 version duplicates the records of his silent version with Barbara Stanwyck in the leading role. The new version has been endowed with a superb cast, and under King Vidor’s direction, it emerges a tender, gently pathetic and touching film. Barbara Stanwyck gives a performance that has been hailed as one of the finest of the year and one that has placed her in a new height of film fame. “Stella Dallas” carries a terrific appeal to the emotions in its simple and powerful story. It depicts the love

life of Stella, a beautiful and pleasurestarved mill girl, who after a brief romance marries Stephen Dallas, outside her social sphere. London menaced by American gangsters is the intriguing and exciting theme of “Crime Over London,” the Civic’s second feature today. Containing an exceptionally strong cast headed by such stars as Margot Grahame, Joseph Cawthorn, Paul Cavanaugh, Rene Ray and Basil Sydney, this picture, is the sort of fast-moving drama which has audiences gripping their , seats. It has all the pace and exhilarating action of the very best Hollywood gangster film. This is the first picture of its type to emanate from a British studio, and is packed with action and thrills. Civic prices today are 1/- and 1/6 and children 6d at matinee. Box plans are at Begg’s, Matheson’s (next Civic) or Civic, telephone 1744.

MAJESTIC THEATRE “WINGS OF THE NAVY” SPECTACULAR AIR ARMADA Warner Brothers’ “Wings of the Navy,” an action-packed drama of America’s air force will be the feature on today’s programme at the JVTajestic. “Wings of the Navy” shows the might and power in aeroplanes which is now available to the Allies and the prosecution of the war against Nazi aggression. For the first time every branch of the fighting air arm is brought to the talking screen. Massed flights of fighters, colossal squadrons of bombers, terrific flotillas of cannon-carrying fly-ing-boats sweep through the skies like masses of locusts. George Brent is starred as a flying instructor, John Payne is cast as his young brother, who is very “cocky” and without the slightest semblance of fear. They are both in love with Olivia De Havilland, who plays the most charming and attractive role to date. The pre-interval section of the programme has been carefully chosen, the latest Pathe Pictorial and Cinesound News will be shown, also “Zero Girl,” a beautifully produced review on ice and “Porky in Egypt” are also among the supports. Plans are now on view at H. and J. Smith’s Department Store, Rice’s Majestic sweet shop and at the Majestic Theatre (telephone 738). Those babies, who through lack of time, could not be photographed on Thursday afternoon are advised to be at H, and J. Smith’s Tea Rooms this morning at 9 a.m. for photographing.