AMUSEMENTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20017, 16 August 1939, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

REGENT THEATRE “HONOLULU” Exotic Hawaii and the languorous music of steel guitars form the colourful background to the Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer romance "Honolulu," which will continue its season at the Regent Theatre to-day. Eleanor Powell has never been seen to better advantage as a dancer. There ns a variety and ingenuity in her dances which has been missing in some of her earlier films. A sensational native dance shows' her emotional capabilities as a dancer, while n hula—a clever blending of Hawaiian with Western tap dancing—illustrates her grace of arm movements. Robert Young is seen in an amusing dual role, while the inimitable Graeie Allen and George Burns bead the talented supporting cast.

—Friday: N.Z. Premiere of ‘‘Union Pacific”—

The sweeping drama of the building of the United States' first transcontinental railroad and the linking of two oceans is brought to the screen by that master of spectacle arid romance, Cecil B. Dc Mille, in hi.s latest production, "Union Pacific." The picture, which wilL have its first New Zealand screening at the Regent Theatre on Friday, is a thrilling story of human titans who clamped a continent together with bands of steel. “Union Pacific’s two stars are Barbara Stanwyck and Joel McCrea, giving the outstanding performances of t'heir careers. Miss Stanwyck, in a role different from any she has previously played, is Mollie Monahan, a lusty girl of the frontier; daughter of the “Union Pacific's” first engineer, postmistress of "end of track” and little sister of the men building the railroad. McCrea plays Jeff Butler, the sturdy and handsome troubleshooter, whom the Washington government sends out to quell disturbances. Jeff and Mollie meet in the gaudy, lawless settlement called “end of track," at a time when the intrigues of a frontier sharper Sid Campeau (Brian Donlevy) and his lieutenant Dick Allen (Robert Preston) threaten to halt the building of the road. The men arc playing the game of a Chicago financier who wants to stop the construction, sell “U.P." stock short and make a big' profit on the transaction. Mollie finds herself uncomfortably in the middle since Dick, one of her oldest friends: is also in love with her. Jeff’s brilliant success is outwitting Campeau and his gang at every turn makes him the sharper's Public Enemy No. 1. When Campeau erects a danceball at “end of track" and lures the men away from their work with gambling, liquor and women. Jeff and his aides literally wreck the place. When the bandits hold up a pay train, Jeff rides out to catch them on the spot. When they stir up the Indians, Jeff leads the railroad’s defence against the attack. Although Jeff's spectacular feats cause her to fall in love with him, Mollie is unable to let Dick down. When Dick is suspected of helping to hold up the pay train, she saves him by marrying him. Later unexpected events dissolves Che meianing'lfess marriage and reunite the girl with her troubleshooter.. “Union Pacific” again shows De Mille’s unmatched ability to pick characters made-to-order lor supporting roles. Akim Tamiroff is excellent as a 'brawling hard-as-nails railroad guard, armed wicn a bullwhip. Lynne Overman again wisecracks Ills way across 1 the scieen, this time as a frontiersman. Preston has his first big role as McCrea’s rival. De Mille, who has now made his sixty-fifth picture, has a record of success unequalled it) Hollywood. “Union Pacific" carries on the tradition!

KING’S THEATRE “TROUBLE IN SUNDOWN” AND "THE GREAT MAN VOTES" . In the dead of night three furtive figures stealthily make their way into the 1 State Batik in the little western town cf Sundown. A scuffle > n f! ie darkness, a muffled moan and then stillness again envelopes the sleeping village. Next morning the bank misses 90.000 dollars and when the burglarproof vault is opened the body of the night-watchman is discovered lacked within. Who was guilty of this dread deed? That is the absorbing mystery which America’s favourite action-star, George 'O’Brien, must solve in . his newest and most interesting film, at the King’s Theatre. The second feature on the programme will be R.K.O. Radio’s “The Great Man Votes," starring John Barrymore.

—“Nearest Thing to Heaven”: Irene Dunne anti G’has. Boyer Friday Co-starred for the first itime, lovely Irene Dunne and handsome Charles Boyer make an ideal romantic team in "Nearest Thing to Heaven,” having its first local showing at the King’s Theatre on Friday next. The film, which starts as a romantic comedy, and finishes- on a dramatic note, gives both -players opportunities to display their versatility. According to advance reports, Boyer gives a brilliant performance as a French playboy who is regenerated when he falls in love with a luxury-loving singer on shipboard, and -he again: shows that be is in the front rank of dramatic actors in Hollywood. Miss Dunne, as the singer, is given opportunities to display flier attractive voice in two songs, and in addition shows the high standard 1 of dramatic acting that characterised her performance in the memorable “Magnificent Obsession. ’ Marie Ouspcnskaya arid' Maurice Moscov-itch head the supporting cast. In the development of the plot the man and woman meet on a -ship, fall in love, and decide, to test their love, that they should part and meet again in six moAlhs. The screen play unfolds to a dramatic conclusion. "Ferdinand, the Bull,” the latest Walt Disney trilimph, is on the same programme.

MAJESTIC THEATRE "CRIMSON ROMANCE" AND "CRASHING HOLLYWOOD" A powerful condemnation of war and aerial bombardment is contained in “Crimson Romance,” a story based upon the exploits of Baron Von Richthoven, the famous "Red Knight of Germany." The air sequences are among the most thrilling and spectacular ever filmed. A splendid cast is : headed ; bv Ben Lyon, San Maritza and Erich Von Stroheim, A strong cast of popular players is seen in support of Lee Tracy, starred in “Crashing Hollywood," a new R.K.O. Radio comedy-drama, which is the associate feature. Heading the list are Joan Woodbury. Paul Gyilfoyle, Lee Patrick, and Bradley Page, who have featured roles; and Richard Lane, Torn Kennedy, Jack Carson and George Irving in other

outstanding characterisations. “Crashing -Hollywood" is an exciting story about crooks and a bank robbery told against a background of the' movie studios. The programme epenn with -Chapter 2 of the new serial, “Secret of Treasure Island." —Friday: Official Film of t Louis v. Gnlenfo World Championship Fight—

Boxing “fans” are assured of 20 minutes of thrills next Friday when the official pictures taken; from the ringside of the Louis v. Galcnto fight will be screened at the Majestic Theatre. Boxing critics who witnessed the fight state that, despite Loui< being knocked down in the third round, he was never in danger of defeat by Galento. However, newspapers are still praising Galento for his courage and the general feeling 'is that he has earned' a return bout. In addition, a full doublefeature programme will be screened, consisting of John Howard 1 and Heather Angel in “Bulldog Drummond's Secret Police” amt Charlie Rugglcs and Mary Boland in "Boy Trouble" A new serial will commence at 1.45 and 7.45 p.m.. entitled "Buck Rogers" and starring Larry Crabbc and Constance Moore.