AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20784, 20 July 1937, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS

REGENT THEATRE “ FIRE OVER ENGLAND”A dramatic story, faultless acting and Elizabethan England as a background make "Fire Over England," which concludes to-day at the Regent Theatre, a stirring picture. Produced by London Films and directed by Alexander Korda, it continues to uphold the tradition established by English films. The role of the Queen is taken by Flora Robson and that of Philip of Spain by Raymond Massey, other players being Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier and Leslie Banks. The supporting programme includes a view of the preparations in London for the Coronation ceremony, a travelogue and a coloured cartoon.

“ Little Lord Fauntleroy ” When it Was previously screened in Timaru, "Little Lord Fauntleroy” proved an outstanding success, and it is anticipated that the return season will be equally successful. The star is little Freddie Bartholomew, who acquaints us with a completely modernised "Little Lord Fauntleroy.” bereft of the traditional long curls and plush suit, but none the less lovable for that. Frances Hodgson Burnett’s story has captured the heart of everyone who has ever read it. Dolores Costello Barrymore is co-starred with Freddie in the role of the Little Lord’s adored young mother, "Dearest.” The picture tells us, in heart-warming terms the familiar story of the little American lad, who became a Lord and went to England to live in a castle with his grandfather the gruff gout-ridden old Earl of Dorincourt (C. Aubrey Smith). How the child wins his way into the old man’s heart and transforms him into a loving and delightful grandfather is charmingly depicted.

STATE THEATRE " THE OUTCASTS OF POKER FLAT ’’ Bright with action and romance and sacrifice, colourful with Its picturesque setting in a turbulent gold camp of the fifties on the slopes of the California Sierras, RKO Radio's "The Outcasts of Poker Flat,” which opens at the State to-day, offers a wealth of interest to film-goers. Preston Foster is starred and Jean Muir heads the notable supporting cast of this picture version of Bret Harte's famous story. In Its dramatic crises the offering is said to attain unusual heights. The story covers a ten-ycar period in the Mother Lode country during the early boisterous years when adventurers from every corner of the globe flocked to the new Golconda, and every man carried his own law in the form of a cap-and-ball revolver stuffed in his belt or of a derringer up his sleeve. Swift and deadly gun battles, fortunes won and lost on the turn of a card or the spin of a wheel, the baby "mascot” of the camp growing up to become an expert gambler while still in pigtails; the coining of law and order, religion and education to the little community among the pine trees, the jealousies and romances that stemmed from its progress, and the first stirring of public conscience that led to the rule of the Vigilantes, then to the gripping climax of the story—these are all woven into the vivid pattern of the film. Besides the two principals, such favourites as little Virginia Weidler, Margaret Irving, Van Heflin, Frank M. Thomas, Billy Gilbert, Bradley Page and Si Jinks are in the cast of. the picture. Christy Cabanne directed with Robert Sisk as producer.

MAJESTIC THEATRE "SAN FRANCISCO” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer has produced an outstanding picture in "San Francisco,” which is showing at the Majestic. The leading woman, Jeanette MacDonald, repeats the success her acting and singing won her in "Naughty Marietta." Her voice is heard in both operatic and popular selections, and is perfectly produced. Gable proves himself a clever and versatile actor through his portrayal of Blackie Norton, the reckless dance hall proprietor who changes his views and his mode of life when the earthquake descends on the city. Spencer Tracey's study of the priest who acts as guide and counsellor to the errant Norton is a fine one. “Satan Met a Lady” Bette Davis and Warren William come to the Majestic to-morrow in "Satan Met a Lady.” .Others in the cast include Alison Skipworth, Porter Hall, Arthur Treacher, Marie Wilson, Winifred Shaw and Olin Howland. The story is woven about the search by a band of crooks for a legendary ivory trumpet, supposed to contain a fabulous fortune in jewels. Murder follows on murder, as the crooks double cross each other in their battle to cheat each other out of the fortune. Bette Davis again plays the part of a “bad girl,” in this instance, using her lovers to help her in obtaining the jewels, and polishing them off in one way or another when they cease to be of further use to her. Wilt’ liam, also, in an unscrupulous character, a private detective without morals and few principles, but a man with a sense of humour.

THEATRE ROYAL CONCESSION NIGHT PROGRAMME Paramount's plcturisation of ZaneGrey’s outdoor romance “Home on the Range,” comes to the Theatre Royal to-night. Jackie Coogan and Evelyn Brent, both of whom have been away from the screen for a long time, return to Hollywood films again. Jackie Coogan, now a strapping, six foot man, makes his adult debut, and Miss Brent returns, after more than two years, In another of her typical "bad-girl" roles. Randolph Scott, Dean Jagger, Fuzzy Knight and Ann Sheridan are also featured.. ‘"Home on the Range” deals with the efforts of a band of smooth crooks to swindle Randolph Scott and his brother, Jackie Coogan, out of their ranch and racehorses. The new W. C. Fields picture “It’s a Gift;” presents Parampunt’s droll genius of

comedy In a story that fits his peculiar talents better than anything wc have seen to date. The story is a simple one. It concerns a shiftless, henpecked grocer who can neither shave, eat or sleep in peace in his own home. He finally Inherits a sum of money, invests It In a California orange ranch, and packs the family into a dilapidated car for a trans-continental trip to their new home.

GLADYS MONCRIEFF SEASON BOX PLANS OPEN THIS MORNING The box plans will be opened this morning at 9 o’clock at Begg’s for the appearance here of Gladys Moncrief! and J. C. Williamson’s Comic Opera Company in “The Merry Widow,” to be staged on Thursday night next, beginning at 8 o’clock, and “The Maid of the Mountains,” to be produced on Friday evening, beginning at 8.30. it Is some years since Miss Moncrieff last appeared here in a musical play, but she was heard last year “over the air," and she then proved the fact that she is now singing better than at any time during her brilliant stage history. The upper notes in Miss Moncrieff’s range, particularly, have a full warm quality, and in the well-known numbers "In Marsovia," “I Love You So.” “The Cavalier” and the “Merry Widow" waltz she gains Impressive effects naturally and easily, without the slightest suspicion of forcing. But probably the famous soprano’s voice is heard at its very best in the song ■“Villia,” which she invariably has to repeat over' and over again. The Prince Danilo will be Eric Bush and. his splendid stage presence, natural artistry and brilliant dancing is quite a feature of the revival of Lehar's famous opera. iNo better comedian has ever appeared under the J. C. Williamson management than Cecil Kellaway, and playgoers will be glad to know that he has scored his best successes in the whimsical character of Baron Poff in “The Merry Widow,” and as General Malona iin “The Maid of the Mountains.” Don Nicol, who won fame as the waiter in “White Horse Inn” has two humorous roles in Nlsch and Tonio respectively. 'lt was at Teresa in “The Maid of the Mountains” that Gladys Mondi-ieff reached the peak of her fame, and playgoers will be delighted to hear her again sing the exquisite number “Love Will Find a Way."