AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21179, 28 October 1938, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS

REGENT THEATRE "LEAVE IT TO ME” What is described as one of the funniest pictures which has yet come to New Zealand is the new Sandy Powell comedy "Leave it to Me”, which comes to the Regent to-day. The Yorkshire comedian’s first picture “Can You Hear Me Mother”, which was shown in Timaru some months ago, was a disappointment, having been poorly produced, but his second picture, "It’s a Grand Old World”, was infinitely better from every point of view and in his new picture Sandy is cast in a part which gives him much more scope for his own droll type of comedy which has made him a world favourite on record, radio and screen. As special Constable Powell, Sandy does everything that a good policeman should not do, and - his term of duty in the Limehouse district of London among the roughs and toughs of this famous spot, brings Sandy many experiences which will keep audiences in a continual state of laughter. MAJESTIC THEATRE “THE GREAT ZIEGFELD” “The Great Ziegfeld," featuring William Powell and Myrna Loy, a spectacular production dealing with the life of Florenz Ziegfeld, the master showman, provides splendid entertainment at the Majestic Theatre, where it is showing finally to-day. Produced on a lavish scale, the picture is cne* elaborate scene after another of dazzling settings, gorgeous costumes and hundreds of decorative girls. There are brilliant musical and dancing numbers, with ballets and fashion shows and magical stage effects. William Powell plays the title role with suavity and ease, and Luise Rainer gives a touching and sympathetic portrayal of Anna Held. “That Certain Woman” Never has Bette Davis had a role that demanded such sincerity of interpretation as that which she fills in “That Certain Woman”, which opens at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow. It is a role that could be ruined by the slightest error of judgment, for the story reaches such an intense pitch of human drama that over-acting in any of the roles would turn it into bathos In Henry Fonda and lan Hunter, the story has two male characters of diametrically opposite type, and the contrast between them, very finely brought out in one of the most dramatic scenes in the film, counterbalances the feminine element which is the principal study. The story is that of a girl married at the age of sixteen to a gangster, and soon afterwards widowed by gangster guns. Defying the sinister influences "that so early in life surrounded her, she becomes secretary to a prominent barrister. However she strives, fate and the notoriety of her first marriage thwart her, while she still clings to the code of honour' she has learned. STATE THEATRE “BLOCKADE" The most dramatic situation of the present day—the Spanish civil warforms the background of the tempestuous love story which is told in “Blockade," Walter Wanger’s thrilling romantic drama which stars Madeleine Carroll and Henry Fonda at the State Theatre to-day. This is the romance of a man and a girl drawn into the conflict almost against their will — lovers who were at the same time bitter enemies. "Blockade,” thought it employs the war only as a background and favours neither side in the conflict, furnishes a highly interesting and remarkably accurate picture of Spain’s civil strife. Produced on a lavish scale, its many elaborate settings are outstanding examples of Hollywood’s uncanny skill in achieving realism in locale and atmosphere. Aeroplane raids, fierce battles in rural areas, the flight of refugees—all are shown in a manner that clearly brings to the audience an understanding of a condition .hat has disrupted the life of an entire nation. Without being propaganda in any sense, the picture nevertheless demonstrates the complete futility of war as a means of solving the problems of the world. This unusual picture was directed by William Dieterle, whose recent “Life of Emile Zola” was adjudged by vote of the Motion Picture Academy of Aras and Sciences the greatest motion picture of 1937. In addition "to Leo Qarrillo, the cast suppi rting Miss Carroll and Fonr.a in “Blockade” includes John Halliday, Reg ; > aid Denny, Vladimir Sckoloff and Robert Warwick.

THEATRE ROYAL "RED RIVER VALLEY" Gene Autry, singing cowboy sensation, and the most popular star on the screen to-day in America and England, is the leading player in “Red River Valley ” Action Pictures stirring drama of the West, which will open at the Theatre Royal to-night. The story deals with the long fight of the Arizona and California ranchers to harness the Colorado River by the Boulder Dam project, and of the treachery of strong financial interests in endeavouring to make the dam a failure. Filmed against the background of the mighty dam during construction and after completion, the picture abounds in fast actionand tense excitement whilst introducing several new song hits and the ever popular “Red River Valley.” Supporting Gene are Smiley Burnetts, Frances Grant and Jack Kennedy. “The Main Event” exposes the racketeer invasion of the sporting world. With a milliondollar gate, a sports promoter suddenly learns his main attraction, the defending title-holder is in the hands of gunmen. Frenzied efforts to pay the ransom money demanded fail, and Paige, as a city police officer, starts sleuthing. When his lady friend is kidnapped, the action starts in earnest.