AMUSEMENTS STATE THEATRE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21969, 22 May 1941, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS STATE THEATRE

"STRANGER ON THE THIRD FLOOR” A genuinely “different” picture _is presented in "Stranger on the Third Floor,” featuring Peter Lorre, screening finally to-day. The film deals with the plight of a young newspaperman who finds himself facing the electric chair because of circumstantial evidence, ana who escapes by a strange occurrence. “ Kitty Foyle ” This year's eagerly awaited academy award list named Ginger Rogers as the greatest actress of the year for her performance in "Kitty Foyle. theatregoers will have the opportunity to-morrow of seeing this widely acclaimed picture. How a spirited working girl sacrifices her own happiness for the sake of the man she loves, forms the theme of “Kitty Foyle. Bringing Christopher Morley’s widelydiscussed novel to the screen in brilliant fashion, the picture vividly deals with the modem romance of a little Irish secretary and her Philadelphia socialistic employer. The upshot of their acquaintance is a runaway marriage, but when Kitty discovers that her husband's family want to run their lives for them, she realises it is hopeless, goes to New York and gets an annulment. Meanwhile she meets a young doctor who falls in love with her, and after years of business success but romantic loneliness Kitty is about to give in to her farmer husband when he comes dramatically back into her life. How she has to decide between the two men—between her happiness and her future—makes the climax of the picture. Dennis Morgan and a new find James Craig, have the leading masculine roles in the offering. REGENT THEATRE “TOO MANY HUSBANDS” “Too Many Husbands” is a comedy so gay with witty dialogue and embarrassing situations that it would be impossible to dwell on grey moments whilst witnessing it. Jean Arthur is delightful as the lucky young woman who suddenly finds herself with two husbands in the persons of Fred MacMurray and Melvyn Douglas. How she is left to decide which of these equally attractive young men to choose forms the basis of the story and it has turned out to be one of the most hilarious plays ever adapted to the silver screen. MAJESTIC THEATRE “KEEPING COMPANY” A new romantic team, Ann Rutherford and John Shelton, makes its appearance in "Keeping Company," a romantic comedy of newlyweds and their trials and tribulations, which is showing at the Majestic. Also prominent in a large cast are Frank Morgan, Irene Rich, Gene Lockhart and thirteen - year-old Virginia Weldler. Morgan and Miss Rich were teamed dramatically in “The Mortal Storm” while Miss Weldler, called the “most talented young scene-stealer in Hollywood," has just completed outstanding work in “The Philadelphia Story,” bringing her list of pictures to more than thirty. “New Moon” Reunited for the first time in more than a year. Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy score another success in their latest musical romance, “New Moon.” which opens at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday. “New Moon" takes its place along with the best of the films to co-star these two singing favourites. Packed with action, it moves vividly from the romantic New Orleans of 1780 to a tropical island where a strange group of personages, cast on land from a shipwrecked boat, set up a republic. In the supporting cast Mary Boland offers another of her amusing portrayals, with other standout performances given by George Zucco, H. B. Warner, Grant Mitchell, Stanley Fields, Richard Purcell John Miljan and Ivan Simpson. The picture is particularly rich in the Sigmund Romberg musical score, the stars singing such favourites as “Lover Come Back to Me” “One Kiss,” “Wanting You.” “Softly As in a Morning Sunrise,” "Rondolet,” “Marianne,” “Paree,” “Stout Hearted Men” and “Shoe Shine Song.” “New Moon” is one of the most enjoyable musical romances to hit the screen in some time. It is a picture which can be safely recommended to the entire family as a decided entertainment treat. AIR FORCE BAND CONCERT IN THEATRE ROYAL TO-NIGHT The Band of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, under the command of Flight Lieutenant Gladstone Hill, arrived in Timaru from Invercargill yesterday. The Band was met on arrival by the Town Clerk (Mr E. A. Killlck) representing the Mayor and the committee responsible for the billeting of the band during its stay in the town. In a talk with a “Herald” reporter, Flight Lieutenant Hill said that the reception accorded the band throughout the Dominion had been excellent and in Oamaru, Dunedin and Invercargill it was nothing short of a triumphal march. On Sunday night in Dunedin the Empire Theatre, the second largest in the Dominion, was packed, hundreds being turned away. In Invercargill the entire theatre was booked out and as much as 10/- was offered for seats, but it could not be accepted. For the first time in his experience, people paid to sit in the orchestral well. The Band raised more than £lOOO in the two southern cities. Flight Lieutenant Hill said they were anxious for the people to see the ceremonial marching display which had met with such a wonderful reception everywhere, and to this end the Mayor had agreed to close that portion of Stafford Street between Church and Cannon Sreet commencing at 3.45 this afternoon. In the evening a special programme was being arranged and would include Friedemann’s Slavonic Rhapsody, the Maori Rhapsody and the musical satire “The Band Came Late.” THE GREAT LEVANTE MASTER OF MAGIC With his 50 tons of magical effects and a company of 32 English artists the Great Levante will arrive in Timaru and will commence a season of two nights at the Theatre Royal on

Thursday next, May 28. Levante states that the majority of his tricks are entirely new. An adept at the art of sleight of- hand, he baffles his audience with his speedy execution of difficult and spectacular tricks. In addition to himself he presents a brightly varied programme of revue attractions. The artists include Esme Levante, a noted English portrayer of Oriental dancing, with her Eastern Maids: “Melba," England’s greatest shadowgraphtst; Rex and Bess, specialty artists who have come direct from Jack Hylton’s famous English band; “The Moderniques,” renowned Anglo-American exponents of the very latest terpischorean art; Protea, an act beautifully presenting a delightful kaleidoscope of scenas and tableaux, introducing some beautiful Scottish scenes and songs;

the Mayfair Four, instrumental and vocal harmonists and Levante’s famous London Glamour Girls. The settings and costumes are lavish and brilliant, and the whole is said to be a delightful three hours’ entertainment. The box plans for the two nights’ season ooen on Friday next, May 23., at Begg’s. An added attraction will be the acceptance of the challenge issued by the employees of the packing and export department of “The Farmers” (Timaru) who are making a packing case in which they will secure him. The Great Levante in accepting the challenge has promised to get out of the case within 15 minutes and will not damage the case in any way. This unusual feat will be attempted on the first night of his season, May 28, on the stage of the Theatre Royal.