THE THEATRES REGENT

Southland Times, Issue 24332, 13 January 1941, Page 7

THE THEATRES REGENT

, “ROAD TO SINGAPORE” ’ SENSATIONAL NEWSREEL ALSO ON PROGRAMME Acclaimed as one of the happiest pictures ever to come out of Hollywood i is Paramount’;; “The Road to u-inga- . pore,” which opened a season on ; Saturday at the Regent. It is a bright and breezy story of two gay I sailors who find adventure, romance, and loads of fun in tropical waters. Featured in a grand cast are Bing ' Crosby and Bob Hope, who emerge as one of the finest comedy, teams the [ screen has known. Individually they . arc excellent; together they are hilari- . ous. A word of praise, too, must go . to the script writers who no doubt were responsible for much of the, sparkling patter and dialogue which is an outi standing feature of the film. The lady ; of the piece is Dorothy Lamoui who ; is already well and favourably known , for her portrayals of beautiful tropical maidens. Bing Crosby appears as a millionaire ship owner’s son, with the ; heart of a beachcomber, who runs out on his prospective wedding to a society ; girl, to wander the world with his sea- ; going pal, Bob Hope. They are just settling down for a lazy, , workless existence in a tropical paradise known ; as Kaigoon when they meet Dorothy Lamour, a lovely dancing girl- From then on the picture moves quickly and hilariously to its laughable, climax. Featured in “The Road to Singapore’ are five new song numbers, all of which are destined to become “hits. ’ They include “Too Romantic,” sung by Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour; “The Moon and the Willow Tree,” sung by Dorothy Lamour; “Sweet Potato Piper,'’ sung by the three stars; “Captain Custard,” a comedy episode with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope; and "Kaigoon, a chorus song. The newsreel on this programme promises to be one of tlie most sensational yet presented. It includes close-up shots of the naval engagement at Oran, when units of the French Fleet were engaged by the British Navy. The shots include scenes leading up to the action, the bombardment, blowing up of battleships and the cruiser Strasbourg escaping. Nothing like this has ever been shown before. Other items of great interest include a panorama of London, the Japanese attack on the Burma road after its reopening, the Italians attacking Greece, and many other scenes of note. The supporting programme also includes a sportlight, Popeye cartoon and musical film. Box plans arc at H. and J. Smith’s, Rice's Regent shop and the theatre. CIVIC “THE LITTLE PRINCESS’ Frances Hodgson Burnett, the most popular authoress of her time, wrote "Little Lord Fauntleroy" which, as a book, as a stage play, and as a picture became world famous. Then Mrs Burnett wrote “the Little Princess,’' which rivalled, and in some places outrivalled, “Little Lord Fauntleroy." After seeing the film based on "The Little Princess," which is the Civic’s first attraction for the last time

Hlbb ctLLI cldJUll IUL lilt- Hldl uillk. tonight at 7.45., one could imagine that Mrs Burnett might have visioned an abnormally gifted girl such as Shirley Temple for the character of Sarah Crewe, the daughter of a soldier, supposedly killed in the Boer | War, who is left to battle for her existI encc as a drudge in the young women’s seminary which she had entered in her i father's lifetime as the star pupil. Sarah I faces her troubles and shoulders her burden sustained by an inward conviction that her- father is not dead. The atmosphere of the play is British, and everymember of the cast is a player of the highest grade, Richard Greene, Anita Louise, lan Hunter, Cesar Romero, Arthur Treacher, Mary Nash, Sybil Jason, Miles Mander. Cast as the gay, beautiful young wife is Loretta Young, and cast as her debonair and ardent husband is Warner Baxter in the sparkling film, “Wife, Husband and Friend," which is the Civic’s second bright feature finally tonight. Till Loretta Young's friend and music teacher, Cesar Romero, convinces her she can and should sing. the bliss of young married couples reigns. But when she sings her husband is dismayed. Then he finds a friend in need in a beautiful opera singer, played by Binnie Barnes. Popular Civic prices are 1/- and 1/6 and children half-price. Box plans are at Begg’s or the Civic. STATE BRIGHT MUSICAL COMEDY All the charm and tuneful spatkle of the original musical comedy has been retained in RKO Radio’s screen version ; of “Irene,’’ which is screening at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. daily at the State Theatre. Anna Neagle, the English actress whom j most picture-goers know for her tin- j restrained dramatic performances in i "Nurse Edith Cavell” and "Victoria the Great,” completely surprises the audi- | ence with a scintillating and delightful portrayal of the happy-go-lucky Irish heroine. A former musical comedy star before she came to the screen, Miss Neagle is perfectly at home in the role and her transition to such a carefree characterization is a proof of her unusual versatility. Ray Milland also is brilliantly effective as the wealthy young man who annoys Miss Neagle as she soars from her sales-girl job to become the toast of the city. He also is the one who marries her at the end, after her disillusionment and her engagement to his rival, Alan Marshal, who likewise does an excellent job in his part. Roland Young adds many laughs as the hard-working manager of a fashionable gown shop, and Billie Burke as Marshal’s fluttery mother and I May Robson as Miss Neagle’s spitfire grandmother also contribute heavily to the film’s excellence. Arthur Treacher in another of his inimitable butler characterizations, Marsha Hunt, Doris Nolan, Isabel Jewell, Ethel Griffies and Stuart Robertson have the other important roles and handle them well. The songs that helped to make the original stage presentation famous; I “Alice Blue Gown,” “Irene,” “Castle of Dreams” and “There’s Something in The Air” have been retained in the picture and are skilfully introduced. Among the supports is “Gun Play,” an item of outstanding interest to all gun club members. Box plans for "Irene” season are at Begg's or State Theatre. MAJESTIC ' Universal’s “The Mummy’s Hand,’’ 1 which must be regarded as the supreme 1 thriller in screen history, will conclude - a three days’ season at the Majestic ■ Theatre today. The story concerns a > band of archaeologists who unearth a 3000-year-old mummy who comes to ; life with devastating results. The prin- : cipal players in the cast are Cecil Kel- , laway, Dick Foran, Peggy Moran and '

Wallace Ford. The associate feature, "Chasing Trouble,” is a fast moving comedy mystery featuring Frankie Darro and Marjorie Reynolds. The British Ministry of Information short, "Behind the Guns,” showing Englands civilian army at work, is also on this programme, while the latest Cinesound News showing Christmas with the Anzacs in the land of the first Christmas will also be screened. Double portions of mystery, action and comedy are contained in Universal’s “Honeymoon Deferred,” which will open tomorrow at the Majestic Theatre. Edmund Lowe and Margaret Lindsay are in the starring roles. Elisabeth Risdon does outstanding work as the foster-mother of a family of rich children. The children themselves, ably

, portrayed by Anne Gwynne, Jerry < Marlowe and Julie Stevens, make imj portant contributions in carrying the ; plot. Cliff Clark as the police detec- , five competes with Lowe and Miss > Lindsay. And Joyce Compton will bring s joy to the hearts of all overworked I secretaries. '■ The associate feature on tomorrow’s ’ programme, “Cornin’ Round the Mountin’,” as the title indicates, is a Hill i Billy film. The favourite comedy philosopher, Bob Burns, is co-starred i with Una Merkle in the leading roles, ’ while Jerry Colonna, Don Wilson and ■ Pat Barrett are prominently cast. ■ Plans are now on view at H. and J. : Smith’s department store, Rice’s Majesi tic sweet shop and at the Majestic r Theatre.