AMUSEMENTS REGENT THEATRE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21595, 5 March 1940, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS REGENT THEATRE

“BOY SLAVES” “Boy Slaves” and "Blondie Meets The Boss,” the dual feature programme that has been so popular with Regent patrons, will conclude its season to-day. “Blackwell’s Island” “Blackwell’s Island,” starring John Garfield, which opens to-morrow, is based on the clean-up of New York’s city gaol back in 1934, when Welfare Island, formerly known as Blackwell’s Island, housed all the short-term prisoners sentenced from the great metropolis. The screen production shows how racketeers sent up to Blackwell’s virtually ruled the grim hulk of a prison; how they had their own servants, their own special food, their own entertainment inside the penitentiary walls. It shows how a young reporter—played by Garfield — got himself sentenced to the Island so he could gather first-hand information and expose the “worst prison in the world.” And it re-enacts the spectacular raid that put an end to the evil conditions. In addition to the actors named, other important roles are taken by victor Jory, Morgan Conway, Granville Bates, Anthony Averill, Peggy Shannon and Charley Foy. MAJESTIC THEATRE “BRIDAL SUITE” Yodelling, a new and happy note of joyous abandon and carefree laughter, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's latest comedy hit, “Bridal Suite,” with Annabella and Robert Young, is the current attraction at the Majestic. Not only does it bring Robert Young to the screen in a role superbly fitted to his natural talents; and briskly on the heels of his recent personal triumph in “Honolulu,” it unites him in an uproarious comedy-romance with a true international artist in the person of Annabella. In this hilarious romance you will meet the daffy McGills—Neil McGill (Robert Young) who twice forgot his wedding date; Pa McGill (Gene Lockhart) who stormed that Neil should go to work; and Mamma McGill (Billie Burke) who twitters and sopranoes her belief that Neil's trouble is amnesia and manages to place him in the hands of Doctor Grauer, the Swiss psychiatrist, portrayed by Walter Connolly. “Good-bye Mr Chips” Robert Donat, due to appear on the Majestic Theatre screen on Thursday next, as the star of "Good-bye, Mr Chips,” was born on March 18, in Withington, a suburb of Manchester, England. He made his initial appearance on the stage in the role of Lucius in "Julius Caesar” in Sir Frank Benson’s company with which he toured England for four years. It was with this company that Donat made his London debut as Rugby in "The Merry Wives of Windsor.” He then played juvenile leads with the Liverpool Repertory Company and a year later became a leading man at the Cambridge Festival Theatre where he also produced two plays. Few actors had greater schooling in the theatre than Donat who appeared in a great variety of roles. The actor’s film career began in 1932. Alexander Korda gave him a role in Leontine Sagan’s film of Oxford student life, “Men of Tomorrow,” with Merle Oberon and Donat immediately became a favourite with English film audiences. He then appeared in "That Night in London” and "Crash,” and subsequently won both European and American plaudits for his brilliant work in “The Private Life of Henry VIII” and “The Count of Monte Cristo.” After playing in "Mary Read” with Flora Robson on the London stage he was signed by Gaumont-British to star with Madeleine Carroll in “The Thirty Nine Steps.” "The Ghost Goes West" was his next film, followed by his debut into actor-management with the play "Red Night.” In 1937 he starred with Marlene Dietrich in “Knight Without Armour,” and in 1938 he signed a longterm contract with Metro-Golywyn-Mayer, his first picture for that company being the highly successful "The Citadel,” hailed by critics as the best film of the past year. A new star in Greer Garson appears with Donat.

STATE THEATRE “STANLEY AND LIVINGSTONE" One of the most absorbing biographies to be arranged for film presentation, “Stanley and Livingstone," depicting the career of the noted explorer and journalist, Henry Morton Stanley, is drawing large houses to the State Theatre. Technical scenic effects and all African work in the picture were procured under the guidance of Mrs Martin Johnson, and authenticity and detail are among the most arresting features. The dramatic effect is perhaps greater than the historic accuracy of the film. The growing inspiration Stanley derives from the contemplation of Livingstone’s lifework is convincing enough to pass uncritical inspection. The characterisation of Stanley by Spencer Tracy is compelling. Sir Cedric Hardwicke appears as David Livingstone. “The Real Glory” “The Real Glory” is reported to be the best action picture produced since “The Lives of a Bengal Lancer.” Gary Cooper and Andrea Leeds provide the romantic interest in this stirring story of the Philippines. The picture, which opens on Friday, unfolds a thrilling and exciting tale of adventure and romance with a series of most exciting scenes filled with swift action and tense suspense. Gary Cooper plays the type of heroic outdoor role which has made him the prime favourite with motion picture lovers, portraying a doctor who has joined the constabulary in the Philippine Islands. The story was transferred to the screen from the novel by Charles L. Clifford, and dramatises the bold era of adventure and turmoil which reigned in the Philippines after the American army was evacuated and the Islands were overrun by religious native terrorists. Andrea Leeds is the heroine. David Niven plays an important and amusing role as Cooper’s rival for the heroine. Reginald Owen, Broderick Crawford, and Kay Johnson are also in the cast.