PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 24280, 22 August 1942, Page 3

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE

A popular pair of comedians with picturegoers in Bud Abbott and Lou Costello are seen again in another of their riotous comedies, ‘ Ride ’Em, Cowboy,’ the Universal hit. now featuring at tlie Empire. Clad in chaps and spur-bedecked boots, these two reach a new high level in comedy in their latest attraction. ‘ Ride ’Em, Cowboy,’ is by far their most pretentious effort. Il lias an even more diverting story thread than its predecessors, more impressive song numbers, a stronger cast, and greater production values. The story takes Abbott and Costello from their berths at hot-dog vendors at. a Long Island rodeo, shanghais them into Arizona and establishes them as cow bauds on a dude ranch. They become entangled in a mesh of feminine pulchritude, wild steers, bucking bronchos, and last but not least a tribe ol Indians. And that’s not all. Running throughout tlie story are Iwo romantic threads. One features tlie charming, talented Anne Gwynne with Dick Eoran and Johnny Mack Brown. The other highlight is the bow-and-arrow wedding of the cherubic Costello and tlie plump Jody Gilbert. Other notables in the cast include Samuel S. Hinds, the Merry Macs, and Ella Fitzgerald. Musical specialties are contributed by the Hi-Hatters, tlie Buckaroo Band, and the Ranger Chorus of 40. Several new tunes wore written for this engaging film. Excellent supports and news reels help to make up an entertaining programme.

STATE

Sir Cedric Hardwicke, noted character actor, plays the part of Dr Arnold in ‘ Tom Brown's Schooldays,’ which is playing a return season at the State. Dr Arnold, a beloved figure in English school history, strove to supplant the ancient ways of "training with the honour system which underlies the universal school system to-day. His efforts are interwoven with a group of boys at Rugby, notably Tom Brown, who is portrayed by 16-year-old Jimmy Lydon. Freddie Bartholomew, Josephine Hutchinson, and Billy Halop also have featured roles. As the resolute doctor Sir Cedric Hardwicke gives what is 1 unquestionably his finest performance to date. The sensational boy star, Jimmy Lydon, atjd Freddie Bartholomew are also superb.

ST. JAMES

Thrilling action of American defence preparedness is adroitly woven*.into ‘ Down in oan Diego,’ the new Mefro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture winch opened yesterday at the Bt. James. ’With a cast of talented young players directed by Robert B. Sinclair, the story concerns a group of youngsters who become involved accidentally wild a spy ring in San Diego. How tlie boys co-operate with tlie United States Marines in a daring capture provides a modern touch. The background of busy San Diego, with tlie army, navy, and marines constantly active, adds interest. Ray McDonald, Bonita Granville, and Dan Dailey, jun., have the principal roles. They receive excellent support Irom Leo Gorccy, of 1 lie original Dead End Kids, Charles B. Smith, Dorothy Morris, Henry O'Neill, and Stanley Clements. McDonald, as the boy who attempts to join the Marines, lying about Ins age, reveals firstrate talent. This is also true of Bonita Granville and young Dailey, who portray brother and sister. He is a Marine and she is kidnapped by the spies in an effort to force her brother to disloyalty.

OCTAGON

One of the finest pictures to reach Dunedin for some time is now running into its second week at the Octagon. It is ' The 49th Parallel.’ Anyone who has seen it can readily understand its popularity. It is a story of the war, vital, dynamic, and it is remarkable for the strength of its characterisation. The story opens when a German U-boat, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, sinks a merchantman, and later, sheltering.in Hudson’s Bay, is bombed and sunk by Canadian aircraft. Portion of her crew had been sent ashore to commandeer food at an adjacent Hudson Bay Company post. Here they meet a delightful French-Canadian, whom they murder, among others at the post, then to escape in a plane to scatter across the vast spaces of Canada. It was once said by Bismark of his enemies in 1870: “ Leave them only their eyes to weep with.” The same principles guide Hiller in his ruthlessness to-day. Erie Portmau fills the role of the hunted U-boat commander. In an all-star oast Portman’s performance is remarkable, for never once does he lose the cold ruthlessness which is the apparent driving force imbuing all Nazis. The remnants of the U-boat crow lind their way to a colony of Hulterite Germans, who prefer their own way of living and thinking to becoming Nazi claves. Anton Walbrook gives a fine performance as Peter, the leader of this settlement of simple, homely people. Here Portman’s work stands out at its best, too. The gradually dwindling band of hunted Nazis drift across Canada to the Rockies, where the remaining two, arrogant still, find shelter in the camp of an author, portrayed by Leslie Howard, polished and as brilliant as ever in the role of an ” idler of a decadent democracy.” So thought the arrogant Nazi lieutenant and his man. The dialogue and characterisation of the three within the walls of a huge tepee in this camp is superb. No one seeing this film can fail to be impressed with the magnitude of the evil to which we are opposed, and also with the magnitude of those great democratic principles which we cherish. It is a dramatic story, superbly acted. No one should miss seeing it.

GRAND

A drama alive with thrills and action, ‘ Cadets on Parade,’ heads the double-fea-ture programme now screening at the Grand. It stars the popular and versatile Freddie Bartholomew, so well remembered for his excellent portrayal of the character of David Copperfield. Sharing the honours with Freddie is Jimmy Lydon. They are two boys from different worlds, one Ihc son of a self-made man and the other the son of a self-made crook. They inarch logo! her shoulder to shoulder. The story opens at the Bexford Military Academy, where Freddie Bartholomew is a first-year student. The son of wealthy parents, Freddie is completely out of place at the academy and is taunted by his class mates for the cowardly way in which he reacts to all sports at the school. Unable to stand their teasing, Freddie runs away and winds up in a nearby city. Befriended by

a poor newsboy, played by Jimmy Lydou, the cadet lives with his new-found friend and the two boys educate each other. Freddie teaches the newsboy the finer things in life, while Jimmy teaches the wealthier lad how to sell papei’s, how to swim, how - to play football, and all the other things be never learned. Betrayed by Jimmy’s father, who is eager to collect the reward which is being offered for Freddie’s return, the two .lads return to Eexford and become the heroes of the corps. The supporting feature is ‘ Blondic Goes to College,’ a colourful comedy which will appeal to all.

STRAND

Just as ‘Little Miss Marker’ brought Shirley Temple into prominence, so, too, will another Damon Runyon screen production, ‘ L-ulch Minds the Baby,’ which opened at the Strand yesterday, bring another child discovery to the fore. In ‘ Butch Minds the Baby,’ Runyon brings a 13-months-old baby into the life of a hardened professional safe cracker, enacted by Brod Crawford. The association of Butch and his hard-boiled mob of friends with the baby results. in dramatic as well as hilarious situations. The baby in the picture is little Harold Baritz, who is bailed as a “ baby in a million.” A strong cast includes Virginia Bruce, Crawford, Dick Foran, Fortcr Hall, and Shemp Howard. Other-features are ‘Mandrake the Magician,’ in which Warren Hill plays the part of Professor Houston, the master of legerdemain, and episode 6 of ‘ Don Winslow of the Navy.’

REGENT

With the latest tunes, plenty of humorous interludes, and the United States navy as a background, ‘ The Fleet’s In ’ was presented to the Dunedin public at the Regent yesterday. Dorothy Lauiour as “ The Countess ” has the leading part, and William Holden as Casey Kirby, Betty Jane Rhodes as Diana Golden, a motion picture star, Eddie Bracken as Barney Waters, the comical friend of Casey, all lend able support. Among the many musical features of the film are Jimmy Dorsey and his band, Bob Eberly, and Helen O’Connell (vocalists), and a dance team, Lorraine and Rogmau. The story commences when a quiet, studious, and rather bashful seaman, Casey Kirby, leaves the friendly protection of his shipmate, Barney Waters, to obtain the autograph of Diana Golden, a famous singing motion picture star. An enterprising Press agent seizes him, and secures a photograph of the star kissing the sailor. The papers are full of the incident next morning, and Casey suddenly finds himself with (he reputation of a Lothario. His shipmates are even more convinced of his prowess when the Admiral's daughter, Eileen Wright (played by Barbara Britton), comes aboard anil requests that Casey be “ loaned to her for ihe afternoon.” , She asks Casey to get (he screen star to go.to a party she is giving, and when he consents to try she promptly kisses him in front of The whole crew. Jealous of his own toppling reputation as the ladies’, man of the licet, Jake (Leif Erickson) boasts that he knows someone that Casey could not kiss in public. Bets are made, and Jake reveals the name of the girl as “ The Countess,” the singing star of a San Francisco dance hall.

MAYFAIR

A big Mctro-Goldwyn-Mayer musical comedy, ‘ Lady Be Good,’ is the principal attraction in (he change of fare to be offered at the Mayfair to-day, with Eleanor Powell. Ann Sothcrn, and Robert Young in the featured parts. The supporting picture, ‘ Three Men From Texas,’ is a first-class action film in which William Boyd and his pals appear in the latest exploit of the indomitable Hcpalong Cassidy. There is more than ordinary hard-riding in this film. Hoppy and his young companion, the impressionable but hotdieaded Lucky, again see that justice gives back to its 'rightful Spanish owners the lands which American desperadoes had stolen by an insufficiently satisfying legal procedure. The story is well developed and moves briskly. Always attractive, Hopny and Lucky are particularly so in this production.