THE THEATRES

Southland Times, Issue 24180, 17 July 1940, Page 3

THE THEATRES

REGENT “THE UNDER-PUP” SEASON EXTENDED Gloria Jean, the new girl soprano, rightly styled Deanna Durbin’s successor, is proving to be so popular with Regent Theatre audiences that the season has had to be extended and, will now conclude on Friday night. The Under-Pup” is described as a prize cheer-genn 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 begiri, for her “lowly” station in life and her eccentric, but lovable family incur the ridicule of a group of wealthy girls at the camp. 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.” “GULLIVER’S TRAVELS” APPEAL TO ALL AGES “Gulliver’s Travels” appeals to adults and children alike. Overwhelming proof of this is to be found in the wide range of patronage which has followed the screening of this classic in other centres. Undeniably its appeal is very strong to children and to provide accommodation for as many as possible of the young folk on Saturday next, special matinees have been arranged. In addition to the usual session at 2 p.m. there will be extra screenings—one in the morning at 10.30 and the other in the afternoon at 4.15. Parents are asked to send the children to either one of these extra sessions in the best interests of the children themselves and the theatre management. As most people know, “Gulliver’s Travels” recounts the amazing adventures of an English seaman shipwrecked in “Lilliput,” a land where everything—people, buildings, landscape—is in. miniature scale. Punctuating the story of “Gulliver’s Travels” are eight new songs written especially for the production. | 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 Butter- ! worth, Roscoe Karns and Hedda Hopper | are all in this bright and popular show. I The words of the song form the story of I 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 I has bright carefree atmosphere i throughout while the musical interj ludes are particularly snappy and add I 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 i path. Plans are now on view at H. and IJ. Smith’s department store, Rice’s : Majestic sweet shop and at the Majestic | Theatre. CIVIC For the Civic’s half-price programme screening finally tonight at 7.45 two outstanding action features will be presented. The first attraction, “Little Tough Guy,” stars the famous “DeadEnd” Kids together with Helen Parish, Robert Wilcox and"* Jackie Searle. Warner Oland 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 are 6d and 9d. STATE Tempestuous Lupe Velez and her inimitable style of comedy, combined with the laugh-making proclivities of the rubber-legged Leon Errol will have State audiences in a panic, when “Mexican Spitfire” is screened tonight and tomorrow. The feminine firecracker, Lupe, plays the title role in this picture, which divides its locale between New York and Guadalajara, Mexico. A sequel to the star’s recent comedy, “The Girl From Mexico,” the current R.K.O. Radio film again presents the actress as a Mexican entertainer married to Donald Woods, advertising man. The plot of the story revolves around the efforts of Linda Hayes, as the groom’s jealous former fiancee, to break up the marriage so that she can marry the personable young man. In this cause she has the support of Elizabeth Risdon, the groom’s snobbish aunt. On the other hand Leon Errol, the uncle, is heartily in accord with the marriage, although his blundering efforts to straighten out their marital troubles always boomerang. As a result of oneof their schemes which backfires, Lupe and the uncle find themselves fleeing to Mexico, Errol to avoid arrest for forgery and impersonation, and Lupe to obtain a quick divorce in the heat of jealousy. Many of the film’s most amusing scenes occur in Mexico and lay the foundation for the ensuing hilarious events which take place in New York when the couple return there. Included in the supports is a Walt Disney coloured cartoon, “Tugboat Mickey.” Plans are at Begg’s or the State. THE EMPIRE, RIVERTON “The Young in Heart;’ featuring Janet Gaynor and Douglas Fairbanks, jun assisted by Ronald Young, Paulette Goddard and Billie Burke, will be screened at Riverton tonight. This feature introduces the Carleton Family, high society pirates. It is reported to be one of the most ingratiating comedy romances of the season.