THE THEATRES

Southland Times, Issue 24448, 30 May 1941, Page 8

THE THEATRES

REGENT

“THIRD FINGER, LEFT HAND” NEW MYRNA LOY COMEDY Mirthful moments embellish “Third Finger, Left Hand,” the hilarious story of a marriage mix-up, in which Myrna Loy deviates from her “perfect wife characterization to manufacture no end of trouble for Melvyn Douglas, in nis funniest role since “Ninotchka.’ picture, opening its run today at the Regent Theatre, deals with the troubles arising when Miss Loy, for business reasons, invents a fictitious husband. Douglas, landscape painter and one of her suitors, learns of it, and arrives at her home to impersonate the imaginary spouse to the dismay of Miss Loy, who cannot expose her deception. She takes it out by getting him into every scrape she can think of and embarrasses him by scandalizing his hometown folks with assumed vulgarity after their Niagara Falls marriage. She had to marry him in order to obtain a legal divorce. Her attorney, Lee Bowman, conspires to get her divorced so that he can marry her himself. The three head west on the same train, Melvyn for his Ohio home, and Myrna and Lee for Reno, but all ends happily when Myrna and Melvyn find out they were really in love with each other all along. These farcical situations in Lionel Houser’s story give opportunity for a succession of mirthful episodes. Miss Loy plays her role to the hilt, alternated with bits of impersonation such as the accent and gum-snap-ping. She also wears some lovely costumes. Douglas, the man who made Garbo laugh, plays his role with gay abandon. Donald Meek, as an eccentric | art dealer, is as funny as in his “Bee Man” characterizations in the Nick Cartel' series, and Felix Bressart, the elongated commissar of “Ninotchka,” provides other side-splitting moments. Bonita Granville, in her first sub-deb role as Miss Loy’s active young sister, is a piquant figure. Raymond Walburn as the father, Halliwell Hobbes,_ Ann Morriss and others are exceptionally well cast. Robert Z. Leonard invests the absurdities with a deft whimsical touch.

STATE The thrills and spills of America’s most spectacular steeplechase are blended into the heart story of two young people in love, tom by a fierce family pride, in Darryl F. Zanuck’s technicolour production of “Maryland,” new 20th Century-Fox picture, which begins today at 2.0 and 8.0 at the State Theatre. The historic Maryland Hunt Cup race provides a stirring climax to the intensely human drama which captures the romance and beauty of a proud State in all its traditional glory. One of the finest combinations of acting talent ever assembled for one picture take the leading roles in this film. To Henry King, director of some of the screen’s greatest hits, went the important task of megaphoning “Maryland.” Under his watchful eye went the talents of three leading members of the cast who have won “Oscars.” Walter Brennan is lovable as a fire-eating old horse trainer, Fay Bainter has a role that should bring her new honours, while Brenda Joyce and John Payne, two new and promising stars, share romantic honours. Charlie Ruggles and Marjorie Weaver are two other bright personalities in the cast. Hattie McDaniel, the Academy Award winner of “Gone With The Wind”, is •'xcellent as a “Mammy.” Outstanding supports will complete the programme. Box plans are at Begg’s or the State Theatre. MAJESTIC “QUEEN OF THE YUKON” Jack London’s “Queen of the Yukon,” which opens at the Majestic Theatre today, has as its locale the Yukon River in Alaska. Aboard her river gambling boat, which transports the prospectors to their claims, Sadie Martin reigns as “Queen” of all the miners. Although the miners gamble on her boat, she sees that they do not lose more than they can afford, and gives them advice about their problems. Sadie and Ace, her helper, have plied their business in the north for many years, and Sadie thought of giving up this life she loved, until she gets a letter from her daughter, Helen, who had been away at school in the United States, saying she was coming for a visit. Afraid that Helen would disapprove of her life, Sadie determines to sell her boat to Thorne, head of a development corporation, who has been wanting to buy the boat for some time. This move proves futile when Helen finds out about Sadie’s past, and thoroughly admires her mother. In the meantime, the miners have been prevented from travelling on the “Queen” by Thorne, who wishes to close the inland passage. Then they find that by legal trickery he is trying to get their claims away from them. They come to Sadie and Ace for help. After thrilling battles, with wits, and even fists, Sadie and Ace get Thorne to confess, and the miners are happy again. Guaranteed to send thrills running up and down any spine, is Monogram’s “The Ape,” the associate feature at the Majestic Theatre today, starring the king of horror, Boris Karloff. In this exciting film, adapted from the sensational horror play of the same name, Karloff provides limitless thrills in his duel role of monster ape and half-mad doctor. While trying to find a real cure for infantile paralysis Dr Adrian discovers an amazing secret. The serum he has been developing might work if it contained liquid from the spinal column of a human being. Unable to procure the fluid in any other way, Adrian takes advantage of the fact that a circus has come to town, with a large ape which escapes its trainer. Adrian kills the animal, dons its skin and uses this disguise to find victims from which to get his serum fluid, which he plans to inject in his only patient, the beautiful Frances, who has been paralytic for several years.

Chapter 7 of the popular G-men serial, “Junior G-men,” together with the current issue fo Cinesound News will complete the programme. Plans are now on view at H. and J. Smith’s, Rice’s Majestic sweetshop and at the Majestic Theatre.

CIVIC Acclaimed as one of the most ingenious murder mysteries ever prepared for the screen, Columbia’s “Ellery Queen, Master Detective,” is the Civic’s first feature tonight at 7.45. Ralph Bellamy is seen in the title role of the detective who, while attempting to get material for a book he is writing, becomes involved himself in a murder case which also causes an innocent young woman to become the chief suspect. The young woman in this case is the charming Margaret Lindsay who also succeeds in presenting complications to the romantic side of Bellamy’s life. Charles Grapewin deserves credit for his excellent portrayal in the role of the police inspector, while other members of the supporting cast include Michael Whalen, Katherine De Mille and James Burke.

The associate feature, “Blondie Plays Cupid,” is another of the Bumstead family series with the usual cast of

Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake, Baby Dumpling and Daisy. The family goes to the country for a quiet Fourth of July holiday. In the true Bumstead manner they become involved in many hilarious situations, and finally in the elopement of two young people. Following Blondie’s attempts to create happiness for the couple, Baby Dumpling intervenes with a stick of dynamite and finds the oil that the girl’s father has been looking for all his life, Waving the way clear for her to marry her choice. Popular Civic prices are 1/- and 1/6 and children half-price. Box plans are at Begg’s or the Civic.

ROYAL, WINTON A lusty outdoor drama of the pioneer west, “Song of the Plains,” which is to be screened at Winton tonight and tomorrow night, presents Nelson Eddy in his most virile characterization to date, surrounding him with a cast of veterans who, in spite of their formidable reputations, are hard put to it to match the sterling work of the singing star. In his singing, his acting and his fist-fight with Victor McLaglen, Eddy sets a new high standard for himself, the role of the young Harvard law graduate of the 1860’s who must resort to trickery to win a battle against unscrupulous railroad interests being not only made to measure for his talents but offering him a scope hitherto untouched. Picturesque in setting, stirring in its patriotic motive, authentic in detail and thrilling in song, “Song of the Plains” offers other memorable portraits by Lionel Barrymore as the pioneer farmer who is Eddy’s father, by Virginia Bruce as Eddy's childhood sweetheart, by Edward Arnold as the thoroughly melodramatic villain.