THE THEATRES

Southland Times, Issue 24179, 16 July 1940, Page 3

THE THEATRES

REGENT

“THE UNDERPUP” BRILLIANT NEW STAR A brilliant new motion picture star possessing a remarkable singing voice and a personality at once warm and refreshing is still at the Regent Theatre in New Universal’s “The Under-Pup. She is Gloria Jean, an llyear-old whose coloratura voice and natural appeal dominate a picture replete with romantic comedy and musical “surprises. Presented by Producer Joe Pasternak, the man who co-introduced Deanna Durbin, Gloria will undoubtedly be compared to -her stellar predecessor. Gloria’s voice development is comparable in many respects to Deanna’s, but she has a personality all her own. In romantic assignments, Robert Cummings repeats his hit of “Three Smart Girls Grow Up,” while Nan Grey, again opposite him, is equally effective. Gloria’s attempts to make friends with the “Penguins,” her winning over of a bitter old-maid camp sponsor, and the amusing part she plays in the lives of other adults provide the theme of the story. Logically and lyrically woven into the story are six musical numbers, with Gloria scoring a genuine triumph in her rendition of five songs, from the favourite “Annie Laurie” to Mozart’s “Shepherd’s Lullaby.” “The UnderPup” is described as a prize cheergerm of luminous comedy romance, and melody—altogether delightful entertainment. Honours are divided between a cast of adults and as talented an array of youngsters as has ever been assembled on the screen. The grown-ups are Beulah Bondi, Margaret Lindsay, C. Aubrey Smith, Billy Gilbert, Raymond Walburn, Paul Cavanagh, Frank Jenks, Ernest Truex and Samuel S. Hinds. These are also clever juveniles in the cast, but it is Gloria who carries the most important character. She plays the part of “Pip-Emma” with the ease that belies the fact that it is her first picture. She is cast as a poor girl from the East Side of New York who wins a trip,, to an exclusive girls’ summer camp."- There her troubles begin, for her “lowly” station in life and her eccentric, but lovable family incur the ridicule of a group of wealthy girls at the camp. There is another of the Regent’s good supporting programmes. Box plans are at H. and J. Smith’s, Rice’s Regent shop and the theatre. "majestic “Thanks for the Memory,” 1939’s popular song hit is now 1940’s brightest comedy with music. Bob Hope, Shirley Ross, Otto Kruger, Charles Butterworth, Roscoe Karns and Hedda Hopper are all in this bright and popular show. The words of the song form the story of the picture. The life of the newly-wed Merricks played by Bob Hope and Shirley Ross consists of one leap into hot water after another. The picture has bright carefree atmosphere throughout while the musical interludes are particularly snappy and add to the general gaiety of the picture. The associate feature, “Back Door to Heaven,” has Wallace Ford, Patricia Ellis, Stewart Urwin and Aline MacMahon featured. Wallace Ford is cast as a small town boy who asks just one chance of life but never gets it. Patricia Ellis is his girl who loves him and tries to get him that chance. Aline MacMahon is the school teacher who attempts to guide him in the right path. Plans are now on view at H. and J. Smith’s department store, Rice’s Majestic sweet shop and at the Majestic Theatre. STATE The destruction of the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee and the boarding of the prison vessel Altmark in a Norwegian fiord are among the many thrilling scenes which are presented in “For Freedom,” which screens finally at 2.0 and 8.0 today at the State Theatre. Brought to this country by air mail, the picture strikes a very topical note when it reveals some of the methods employed by parachute troops and members of the “fifth column.” Will Fyffe, one of England’s leading character actors, has the main role in the story woven about the earlier events of the war. Associate films include the “March of Time,” “Uncle Sam—The Farmer.” Lupe Velez, vivacious screen star who hails from below the Rio Grande, portrays one of her famous firecracker roles in RKO Radio’s “Mexican Spitfire,” which begins at the State at 2.0 and 8.0 tomorrow. The popular Latin actress is seen as a madcap Mexican song-and-dance girl newly married to a staid New York advertising man. Plans are at Begg’s or State.

CIVIC

For the Civic’s half-price programme tonight at 7.45 two outstanding action features will be presented. The first attraction, “Little Tough Guy,” stars the famous “Dead-End” Kills together with Helen Parish, Robert Wilcox and Jackie Searle. Warner Gland is featured in “Charlie Chan At Monte Carlo,” which is the most exciting of the famous detective series. Included in the cast are Keye Luke, Virginia Field, Sidney Blackmer, Harold Huber and Robert Kent. Civic prices tonight and tomorrow only are 6d and 9d.