AMUSEMENTS STATE THEATRE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21957, 8 May 1941, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS STATE THEATRE

"BACHELOR MOTHER” David Niven, who recently scored an outstanding success in “Wuthering Heights," has one of the finest roles of his career in “Bachelor Mother." opposite Ginger Rogers, which screens finally to-day. How the daring cattle thieves of sixty years ago operated is interestingly disclosed in "Bullet Code,” which has its locale along the Mexican border. “No, Na, Nanette” With Anna Neagle as its heroine, “No, No, Nanette” will be screened tomorrow to present the dancing, singing star in another happy, melodious and romantic role. Taken from the stage musical success of the same name, the film features a notable group of supporting players along with a streamlined story and lilting tunes that millions have hummed. Miss Neagle’s part of Nanette is that of a “Miss Fixlt,” the niece of a Boston millionaire who is kept under the thumb of his domineering wife. The millionaire unfortunately has offered to help several mercenary young women with their careers, and when they start coming around to claim the promised assistance, uncle is in a spot. Nanette valiantly tries to help out and to keep it all a secret from her aunt. She enlists the services of a young illustrator and of a young theatrical producer. but in the process both men fall in love with her. The ensuing rivalry for Nanette’s attentions motivates the fast-moving plot and its romance. Miss Neagle is said to have her best role to date in the title part, while Richard Carlson as the painter and Victor Mature as the producer share romantic honours with her. Roland Young and Helen Broderick are cast as the uncle and aunt, and ZaSu Pitts, Tamara, Eve Arden. Billy Gilbert and Stuart Robertson head the supporting roster. REGENT THEATRE “THE BOYS FROM SYRACUSE” Streamlined comedy in an ancient setting is the unique feature of “The Boys From Syracuse,” the screen hit now playing at the Regent Theatre. Enacted by a cast of nine important players, the film is based on the Broadway hit of the same name. Its basic story finds two sets of identical twins mixed up with a set of attractive wives. Greece of long ago is the setting, although all the comedy is as up-to-date as Hollywood’s outstanding writers and “gag men” can make it. Thrilling chariot race scenes and other actionfilled sequences provide highlghts. In leading roles are Allan Jones, Martha Raye, Joe Penner. Rosemary Lane, Irene Hervey, Charles Butterworth, Alan Mowbray, Eric Blore and Samuel S. Hinds. MAJESTIC THEATRE " EDISON, THE MAN ” In "Edison, the Man,” which Is enjoying a successful season at the Majestic, the astounding genius of Spencer Tracy brings Thomas Alva Edison to life before one’s eyes. Rita Johnson is the lovely girl with whom Edison fell in love as Mary Stilwell in the office of Western Union, and married so many years ago to continue for so long as his constant aid and comfort in all circumstances. "Mystery Sea Raider” Fiction has obviously drawn on the known history of sea raiders, submarine warfare, and the recent Altmark incident for the gripping story of “Mystery Sea Raider," opening at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday. Posing as business men, a group of daring German naval officers arrive in America just cm the outbreak of the present war and charter an old tanker which they operate as a raider in the Caribbean Sea. The captain, who has been tricked into thinking his ship has been chartered for legitimate trade, is imprisoned along with an ever-grow-ing body of survivors of merchantmen attacked by the raider. Nemesis at last overtakes her when messages dropped overboard by a girl, who is accidentally one of the ship’s company, brings up a British destroyer. Carol Landis, Henry Wilcoxon, and Onslow Stevens are leading members of a strong cast. It has been alleged that many New Zealanders are not yet really aware there is a war on. There would remain no basis for this statement if everyone could be made to see “World in Flames,” an impressive piece of film journalism which pieces together major international happenings of the last decade and shows their culmination in the second world war. The rise of the Nazi and Fascist parties is shown, war and bloodshed in the East in Spain, and then in Poland, Norway, Belgium and France The picture has been made from news films made at the time of the actual events dealt with. The final scenes of the battle for Britain provide a terrible climax to this striking picture. THEATRE ROYAL “THE AFFAIRS OF ANNABEL” Poking good-humoured fun at Hollywood publicity methods through a series of adventures involving a temperamental screen star and a harebrained press agent, “The Affairs of Annabel” brings Jack Oakie and Lucille Bali in their first co-starring comedy to the Theatre Royal. Using real properties and settings', “The Affairs of Annabel” reveals several glimpses behind the scenes of the film studios. It is the first of a series of “Annabel” comedies based on the comic activities of the film star. The cast includes Ruth Donnelly, Bradley Page, Fritz Feld, Thurston Hall and Elisabeth Risdon. George O’Brien, America’s ace action star, swings into the saddle to battle foul play with gun play in “Lawless Valley.” With enchanting Kay Sutton as his heart-foil, he fights and loves his way through high adventure to avenge a murder and smash the ruthless crooks who rule the range. “Lawless Valley" is the west at its best.