THE THEATRES REGENT

Southland Times, Issue 24357, 11 February 1941, Page 6

THE THEATRES REGENT

“STRANGE CARGO” Clark Gable has a role almost ideally suited to his straightforward and virile type of acting in “Strange Cargo, showing finally today at the Regent Theatre, in which he is once again costarred with Joan Crawford. The supporting players are well chosen, including, as they do, lan Hunter and Peter Lorre. The scene, at the opening of the film, is an island penal colony, in which Gable is confined for his misdeeds. He is a likeable scoundrel, with a hankering for liberty, and when he sees a cabaret girl on the wharf while he is helping to load a ship he swears to break out. He breaks out, is recaptured, and breaks out again, this time with the girl as a fellow-escapee. Another bunch of thugs, including desperate murderers, endures, like the man and the girl, the horrors of the swampland before breaking through to the coast, where both parties board a small boat for the mainland. More disasters befall them until finally the remnants of the party win through. The box plans are at H. and J. Smith’s, Rice s Regent shop and the theatre. “THE EARL OF CHICAGO” Provided with a story with almost unlimited possibilities, either for dramatic or humorous presentation, the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios have made “Earl of Chicago,” which is coming tomorrow to the Regent Theatre, an outstanding contribution to the cinema art. “Earl of Chicago” is, briefly, the story of an illiterate Chicago gangster, tough in all respects except that he has a terror of firearms, suddenly becoming the bewildered heir to an English earldom worth several million pounds. Tlie idea of readymade wealth appeals to “Silky” Kilmont, but, to his chagrin, he finds that the money is tied up by long-standing law. Robert Montgomery, as “Silky,” gives a performance beyond criticism. As in “Night Must Fall,” he ceases to be a handsome movie star. He is Silky Kilmont, lover of symmetry, a strange combination of despicable guttersnipe and aesthetic. With the American distaste for tradition his first reaction to England is that he must get out of it. There are good sides to Silky, however, and it is his butler, a man who understands him, who teaches him the basic meaning of tradition and “gentleman.” Ultimately this “underworld rat” learns the meaning of dignity and courage. STATE THEATRE “ALL AT SEA” Sandy Powell is starred in the comedy riot, “All At Sea,” which is showing finally today at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the State Theatre. On this occasion Powell appears as a chemist's assistant who unexpectedly finds himself in the navy, and his endeavours to fit himself in with navy life produce ludicrous results. “FOREVER ENGLAND” “BROWN ON RESOLUTION”

“Courage from hearts and not from numbers grows.” Dryden’s fine line echoes the theme of “Forever England,” the stirring British saga of desperate, single-handed devotion to a principle, which begins tomorrow at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the State Theatre, under the alternative title of “Brown cn Resolution.” The natural child of Elizabeth Brown and Lieutenant Somerville, R.N.—who are fated never to meet again—Albert Brown is dedicated by his proud mother to service in the Navy; and thenceforward the picture is the story of the young sailor’s life and the drama of his simple heroism—his unhesitating answer to what he believed to be a call to duty. Almost the sole survivor from H.M.S. Rutland, sunk by the enemy cruiser Zeithen, Albert is a prisoner on the latter when she puts into Resolution Island for repairs. Albert contrives to escape with a life-belt, rifle and ammunition, and, swimming ashore, snipes the repair gangs as they go overside to replace the plates. Desperately the cruiser lands a search party, which fails in its objective. Bombardment is next resorted to—and the gun-fire brings a British warship to the scene. Vainly the enemy tries to escape; Albert Brown had delayed the ship too long for that. His work was done. He had given his life in its performance, and when his belongings were brought to the British commander the latter discovered that the lad was his own son. Miss Betty Balfour gives a carefully graded study of character development from girlhood to maturity. Excellent supports will complete the programme. Box plans are at Begg’s or the State.

MAJESTIC ZANE GREY’S “LIGHT OF WESTERN STARS” When the producer Harry Sherman turns his hand to making a Zane Grey western, moviegoers who like this type of screen fare can expect an unusual twist. And that is just what they get in “Tlie Light of Western Stars,” which will open today at the Majestic Theatre, with Victor Jory, Jo Ann Sayers, Russell “Lucky” Hayden, Morris Ankrum, Noah Beery, jun., J. »Farrell MacDonald and Ruth Rogers heading the cast. As the narrative Unfolds, gun fights, thrilling chases—all the ingredients of topnotch western screenfare are woven into the picture. Victor Jory, as the lead, Miss Sayers, as the Eastern girl, Noah Beery, jun., and Russell Hayden provide colourful and credible characterizations. Lesley Selander directed for Paramount, with an eye to fine photography and backgrounds. The associate feature on today’s programme. “Women Without Names,” has Ellen Drew, Robert Paige, Louise Beavers and John Miljan featured. It is an exciting prison thriller. Plans are now on view at H. I and J. Smith’s department store box I office, Rice’s Majestic Theatre confectionery shop or at the theatre. The official pictures of the battle for and the fall of Bardia will be shown for the last time at the Majestic Theatre today. This Cinesound News shows the Anzac infantry going up under their own barrage—the Royal Air Force bombing and the Royal Navy bombarding the town. It also shows the British Army in possession of Italy’s Libyan stronghold and the thousands of persons and mechanical spoils of war. It is a most inspiring and encouraging picture. CIVIC

America’s most widely publicized penitentiary, that “Big Rock” situated in the chill waters of San Francisco Bay, is brought to the motion picture screen in “Alcatraz Island,” the first attraction on the Civic’s 6d and 9d programme tonight at 7.45, starring Ann Sheridan, John Litel, Mary Maguire and Dick Purcell. Fascinating is this story of men who live outside the law, and of the men whose duty it is to apprehend and convict them. Every moment is loaded with thrills as this

drama moves swiftly to an unexpected and exciting climax. But “Alcatraz Island” is more than a story of crime versus law and order. It also carries a splendid human story of love—both romantic and parental—and of exciting adventure on the mainland. John Litel is featured as a racketeer who is, despite his business, rather likeable. Income tax evasion catches up with Litel just as it did with Al Capone and other real-life racketeers. Gordon Oliver, a Government attorney, procures his conviction. The warm response with which the movie-going public welcomed Wayne Morris and Priscilla Lane as a new screen romantic team, has resulted in another co-starring picture for the two charming youngsters—“ Men Are Such Fools,” the second feature on the Civic’s 6d and 9d programme. Like “Love, Honour and Behave,” in which Wayne Morris and Priscilla Lane made their debut as a romantic team, “Men Are Such Fools” is also a tale of young love, its heartaches and misunderstandings and its glorious reconciliations. Supporting players are Humphrey Bogart, Hugh Herbert and Mona Barrie. Civic prices tonight are 6d and 9d,