AMUSEMENTS STATE THEATRE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21509, 23 November 1939, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS STATE THEATRE

“CRACKERJACK” Tom Walls is seen in the character of a modern Robin Hood in “Crackerjack,” which is showing at the State for the last time to-day. A feature of the supporting film, “Danger Island,” starring Peter Lorre as Mr Moto, is the jungle swamp sequences, in which Warren Hymer and Lorre are seen making their way through a Porto Rican swamp Infested with alligators, lizards and other reptiles. “The Saint in London” The audacious methods used by a modern Robin Hood to capture a gang of notorious criminals, while seeking to unravel the threads of a ghastly murder of which he is suspected, forms the dual theme of the thrilling action drama, “The Saint in London.” Third in a series of exhilarating productions based upon the internationally famous books by Leslie Charteris, the film presents George Sanders in the role of one who has dedicated his life to suppressing crime in all corners of the world. The odd emblem ■which he employs as a signature wins for him the name of “The Saint.” At the outset of his inquiries, he encounters a young and beautiful girl, who, dazzled by his previous records, seeks to aid him in his latest and most dangerous exploit. Their highly exciting adventures together in gathering evidence against criminals perpetrating a currency fraud and the adroit methods used by “The Saint” to unravel the mysterious murder, lead to a suspenseful climax. Sanders, who was recently seen in “The Saint Comes Back,” and Sally Gray, lovely blonde British star in the top feminine role, are supported by a prominent cast including David Burns, Gordon McLeod, Henry Oscar and Athene Seyler. John Paddy Carstairs directed the production by William Sistrom.

REGENT THEATRE “GRACIE ALLEN MURDER CASE” The insane detective work of Gracie Allen, the shrewd, suave deductions of Philo Vance, the efforts of a girl to free the man she loves from prison when he is accused of murder, and the clever plotting of a girl who loved the murdered man serve to motivate the comedy mystery, “The Gracie Allen Murder Case,” now showing at the Regent Theatre. Gracie Allen, Warren William, Ellen Drew, Kent Taylor and Judith Barrett have the featured roles in this lever Van Dine story of a young man who is accused of murder by Gracie Allen and freed by Philo Vance —Warren William. “Only Angels Have Wings” Thrills thundering from the snowcapped Andes. Adventurers gathered up from the seven seas! Women cast up from the forgotten past! Romance throbbing through the tropical nights! A cast assembled from Hollywood’s greatest ... to bring you 1939’s greatest screen adventure! A mighty drama flung against an awesome backdrop, “Only Angels Have Wings” opens on Saturday at the Regent Theatre to tell a flaming story of romance and adventure in a tropical South American port. Howard Hawks produced and directed the film, which co-stars Cary Grant and Jean Arthur. Supporting players include Richard Barthelmess, Rita Rayworth, Thomas Mitchell and Sig Ruman. MAJESTIC THEATRE “CALLING DR. KILDARE” Second in the “Dr. Kildare” series, featuring Lew Ayres and Lionel Barrymore, “Calling Dr. Kildare," which is nearing the end of a succesful season at the Majestic, carries on the adventures of the young physician with a bent for amateur detective work, who is sponsored and coached by his mentor, the veteran Dr. Gillespie. “Out West with the Hardys” Mickey Rooney, who enjoys a unique position among Hollywood's juvenile players as the result of his phenomenal success in the "Hardy Family” series, makes his fifth triumphant appearance as the incorrigible Andy Hardy in the hilarious comedy, “Out West with the Hardys,” screening tomorrow. Mickey Rooney gives a sincere interpretation of the boy, and introduces a new touch of pathos omitted from others of the series. Judge Hardy, as portrayed by Lewis Stone, shoulders new burdens with the aid of Fay Holden, as Mrs Hardy. Others in the cast are Ann Rutherford as Andy's “steady” girl friend, Polly Benedict, Sara Hayden as Aunt Milly, Don Castle as the boy friend of Marian (Cecilia Parker), the judge's daughter, and Anthony Allan. There is not a single dull moment in “Out West with the Hardys,” from the time when Andy has his weekly quarrel with his best girl Polly, Until the judge, tired and weary, packs his little group back to their hometown of Carvel after a hectic vacation on a Western ranch. New comedy has been added with the casting of 11-year-old Virginia Weidler in the role of Jake, chief heckler of the irrepressible Andy. No matter what ne may do in the way of emulating cowboys’ feats, Jake always goes one better, until at last the disconsolate “Daredevil Andy, the terror of the range,” as he calls himself, is forced to admit that his diminutive competitor can out-ride, out-rope and outshoot him. Although the family is visiting the ranch ostensibly for a

vacation, the judge’s real reason for the visit is an invitation from a former sweetheart of his. She has read that Judge Hardy is an expert on problems concerning water rights, and she invites him to bring his family for a holiday on the ranch, and at the same time assist her in a battle she is waging for the right to water cattle at a near-by river. Although the judge settles various other disputes and, as usual, is called upon to disentangle the complicated affairs of his family, he is unable to settle the water rights dispute until his wife comes to his aid in an unexpected fashion. THEATRE ROYAL DOUBLE PROGRAMME Six well-known comedians have been assembled by Paramount for the screen treatment of the Ring LardnerGeorge S. Kaufman stage success, “Blonde Trouble," which is screening at the Theatre Royal. They are Eleanore Whitney and Johnny Downs, who are rapidly forging ahead as a comedy romantic team, Lynne Overman, Benny Baker, William Demarest and El Brendel. “Saturday Evening Post” stories written by Frederick Irving Anderson have been the basis of “The Return of Sophie Lang.” Gertrude Michael, who has the leading role, was starred for the first time in the earlier film.