THE THEATRES

Southland Times, Issue 24211, 22 August 1940, Page 4

THE THEATRES

REGENT

“BAD LITTLE ANGEL” FINAL SESSION TODAY The screen’s newest juvenile team, Virginia Weidler and Gene Reynolds, present remarkable performances in “Bad Little Angel,” a poignant drama of childhood showing finally today at the Regent Theatre. Directed by William Thiele, it tells the story of a little orphanage waif whose faith and courage alters the lives of a group of characters in a quaint New Jersey village in the early Nineties. Adapted from a Margaret Turnbull novel, “Bad Little Angel” has the thrill of a rescue from a factory fire, great dramatic moments in the orphanage sequence, and the child’s plea to save the position of her foster father. Hollywood hails the picture as the most gripping child story since “Boys Town.”

“BALALAIKA”

FINE SHOW TOMORROW Nelson Eddy’s magnificent baritone voice which has thrilled millions, has full expression for the first time on the screen in “Balalaika,” M-G-M’s screen version of the famed London musical success, with the star singing a group of songs which range from Russian folk tunes to musical masterpieces familiar the world over. The brilliant new musical, offering a colourfully dramatic story of Old Russia, the Revolution and the exiled Russian nobility in Paris, also importantly introduces Ilona Massey, one of the loveliest of Hollywood’s new singing stars, opposite Eddy. Placed under contract 18 months ago after her beauty and rich soprano voice had created an overnight sensation at the Vienna Opera House, her glamorous blonde personality made an instant hit in a brief test singing role in “Rosalie.” Since then, she has been carefully groomed for stardom, with voice lessons, dramatic instructions and schooling in English, and now emerges a star in her second film. Eddy is seen as Prince Peter Karagin, officer of the Cossack Guard. Miss Massey plays Lydia Marakov, beautiful singer at The Balalaika, popular cafe. Because Lydia detests officers, Peter courts her disguised as a student not knowing that her father is a leader in the revolutionary movement. Separated by the World War and subsequent revolution, the lovers are later reunited as Russian exiles in Paris. A London musical success, where it established a recordbreaking run, “Balalaika” has also been seen on the stage in this country. Box plans for the season, which commences at the Regent Theatre tomorrow, are now open at H. and J. Smith’s, Rice’s Regent shop and the theatre.

MAJESTIC

“HOPALONG CASSIDY’’ IN NEW WESTERN

James Cagney is the star of Republic’s “Great Guy,” a stirring drama of a G-man who sets out on a lone crusade to rid a city of its corrupt political bosses. Mae Clarke and Ed. Brophy are in the supporting roles. The associate feature “Some Like it Hot” is a snappy comedy musical with Bob Hope and Shirley Ross starred and Una Merkel, Rufe Davis and Gene Krupa and his orchestra in support. Clarence E. Mulford’s colourful western character “Hopalong Cassidy” makes a welcome return to the Majestic Theatre tomorrow in his latest outdoor i thriller “Law of the Pampas.” Russell Hayden is again seen as Lucky Jenkins while Steffi Duna, Sydney Toler, Sydney Blackmer and his “King’s Men” i orchestra are in the supporting roles. When Hopalong and his saddle mates I deliver a prize herd of Bar 20 cattle to | the Argentine cattle raiser Jose Valdez | they run into enough trouble to satisfy I a whole army. They find that Valdez’s I daughter and son-in-law have both I been mysteriously murdered and that Valdez and his family are living under ; the fear of a threat. Hopalong and his pals go to work and suspicion settles on old Valdez’s American son-in-law Ralph Merritt, played by Sydney Blackmer. When Merritt and his confederates decide to kill Hopalong and Lucky the fight comes out in the open. A death battle is fought on the pampas and finally after breath-taking thrills and excapades the result is the capture of the henchman in the final show down. The associate feature “Seventeen” stars Jackie Cooper and Betty Field in a happy comedy romance of a boy’s love and the trials and tribulations these youthful love victims endure. Otto Kruger and Betty Moran are also in the cast. Jackie Cooper is seen as a youthful, small town Romeo who falls in love with a flirtatious miss, Betty Field, from the big city, only to find that at 17 he is not really a man. Here is a really good laugh show with Cooper and Miss Field again scoring heavily. Chapter 7 of the “Green Hornet” serial

and the latest Cinesound News will complete the programme. Plans are now on view at H. and J. Smith’s department store, Rice’s Majestic sweet shop and at the Majestic Theatre.

STATE .

Fundamentally a reassertion of democratic ideals, Frank Capra’s latest film, “Mr Smith Goes to Washington,” which screens finally today at 2.0 and 8.0 at the State Theatre, is also a human story of pathos and humour comparable with the same director’s “Mr Deeds Goes to Town” and “Lost Horizon.” James Stewart, Jean Arthur. Claude Rains, Edward Arnold and Beulah Bondi add to the merit of the picture wtih sincere acting in the main parts. A simple but unusually powerful dramatic story is unfolded in “A Window in London,” which opens its local season at the State Theatre at 2.0 and 8.0 tomorrow. The screen play opens with a young bridge engineer, on his way to work in the train, seeing through a window what is apparently a ghastly murder taking place. As soon as his train stops, the young man grabs a policeman and searches round for the house. They find it, but the “murderer” turns out to be an illusionist practising a new stage act with his wife. Following this unusual introduction, the young engineer lends money to the theatrical couple, who are out of work at the time. He becomes involved in their domestic tangles and ,the ensuing complications may be calculated to grip and hold the interest of State patrons to the end. The young English stage star • who made a highly successful screen debut in “The Lady Vanishes,” Michael Redgrave, has the leading role. Veteran Paul Lukas and competent Patricia Roc have the other featured parts. Specially-selected supports will introduce the feature attraction. Box plans are at Begg’s or State.