PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 23694, 30 September 1940, Page 7

PICTURE THEATRES

OCTAGON

‘ Rebecca,’ Allred Hitchcock’s masterly adaptation of Daphne du Manners powerful novel, is in the fourth week of its Dunedin season at the Octagon. Few films have caused such a sensation as this thrilling drama of the domination of a whole household by the spirit of a dead woman. Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine both give brilliant performances in tho leading roles, while Judith Anderson is outstanding as the housekeeper of Manderley, rambling mansion of the do Winters. Such well-known names as George Sanders, Nigel Bruce, C. Aubrey Smith, and-Reginald Denny are included in tho list of characters.

STRAND

Demonstrating tho full dramaticforce of motion picture entertainment, Universal’s ‘ Zanzibar ’ is at the Strand. For sheer “ thrills ” and weird mystery, this picture sets an impressive level and is a treat for those who like rugged and lusty adventure. Lola Lane gives one of her best performances as tho girl .explorer, and James Craig is a new challenger. for romantic honours as the American adventurer who seeks danger and finds it in. large doses. ‘ Blondie ’ supports.

REGENT

‘ Juarez,’ the film version of an unusual historical episode which occurred in the 1860’s, is at the Regent. It is the pathetic story of the ill-fated Maximilian von Hapsburg, brother of Francis Joseph, Emperor of Austria. Louis Napoleon of France induced Maximilian to become the puppet Emperor of Mexico in order that he could get complete control of that country. "Weak and undecided in, some respects, Maximilian was yet a man of very high ideals, sincere, and determined to perform what ho considered his duty. The role of Maximilian is played with subtlety and perception by Brian Aherne, that of Juarez by Paul Muni.

EMPIRE

“ M'Carthy sings’’ is the best news in connection with Universal’s ‘ Charlie M'Carthy, Detective,’ starring M'Carthy and Bergen with Mortimer Snerd, and which is at the Empire. M'Carthy breaks into song in hjs role as a night club entertainer (with Bergen and Snerd) rendering a ditty, ‘ I’m Charlie M'Carthy, Detective,’ and then goes on to prove his deducting and detecting abilities in a first-class murder mystery which breaks about his wooden ears. Bergen and his precocious family of assorted lumber fire featured. ‘ Charlie M'Carthv, Detective ’ is a mystery play with high comedy relief by Bergen and his troupe.

GRAND

An exciting film of murder and mystery, ‘ The Spider,’ heads the programme at tho Grand, where ‘ Free, Blonde, and 21,’ is also being shown. Derrick de Marnoy and Diana Churchill head the cast, ‘ Free. Blonde, and 21,’ is an entertaining film that blends very effectively comedy and drama in a story that concerns the lives of two girls in women’s hotel.

STATE

An interesting sidelight on recent international affairs turned up on the Twentieth Century-Fox set during the filming of Darryl F. Zatmek’s production of ‘ Drums Along the Mohawk ]at the State. The same guns witli which the Ethiopians tried to fight off tho Italian invasion were used in ‘ Drums Along the Mohawk,’ which lias an American Revolutionary background, and they fitted tho period perfectly. They see plenty of realistic action again in ‘ Drums Along the Mohawk,’ this time against the savage Iroquois.

ST. JAMES

One of tho chief points of interest in ‘ Talking Feet,’ which is at tho St. James, is that among tho cast are two artists who are personally known to many in Dunedin, and whoso visits are still remembered by many more. They are the celebrated pianist, Mark llamhonrg, and the popular Scottish singer, William Heughan. ‘ Talking Feet ’ tells tho story of a little girl and her friends raising money to save their local hospital from closing down, and it introduces Hazel Ascot, known the world over as tho “ Little Sunbeam.”

MAYFAIR

‘ Bean Gesto,’ I’. C. Wi en’s griping novel concerning the adventures of tlirco brothers after the theft of 1 Blue Water,’ a famous jewel, in the Foreign Legion, has been transferred graphically to the screen. It is at the Mayfair. ‘ Pride of the West,’ supports.