AMUSEMENTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20053, 27 September 1939, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE “CODE OF THE STREETS” AND “ONE MILE FROM HEAVEN.” Universal have used the entertainment value of “The Tough Little Guys" lb full advantage in their gangster murder story, “Code of the Streets,” now at the Majestic Theatre, for the participation of this juvenile group in helping to track down the criminal for whose crime the brother of one of their members has been sentenced to death, gives the picture its chief appeal. The hardened youngsters take the law into their own hands when orthodoxmethods of criminal investigation fail to extract a confession from a gangster. A member of the force is killed, and Detective-Lieutenant Lewis unwittingly assists to convict an innocent man, his enthusiasm lor justice resulting in his reduction to the ranks. His son takes up the investigation of a clue, and, with the assistance of "The Tough Little Guys’ is finally able to free the condemned man. 'Mere "The Tough Little Guys” take all the highlights by their exhibition of “playful" larrikinism. But for all their assistance to the law on this occasion, they are still, in their roles, potential criminals, despite their highly diverting aspects and entertainment value. Frankie Thomas (as the detective’s son) and James McCallion, who seems to possess latent histrionic power as the grim-faced leader ol "The Tough r’,juie Guvs" take the acting honours, with liari-v Carey in a line performance as ihe detective. The associate feature, "One Mile .front Heaven,” is a startling slor.v of. mother-love that the newspapers could not print. Leading roles arc taken by Claire Trevor, Sally Blanc, and Bill Robinson. The programnte includes a chapter of the serial, "Secret of Treasure Island."

KING’S THEATRE “CLIMBING IIIGII:” COMEDY ROMANCE.” “Climbing High,” which opens today at the King’s Theatre, is a last-moving romantic farce, starring Jessie Matthews, one of the most, popular stars on tile British screen, with Michael Redgrave, the young West End stage actor, who made so promising a debut in "The Lady Vanishes.” "Climbing High,” which was made for laughter purposes only, was directed by Carol Reed. The main theme of lire picture is the romance between Jessie Matthews as a girl earning her own living and Michael Redgrave as a wealthy young man about town, who finds himself in I lie toils of a designing society girl and her equally designing mother. True love, of course, triumphs in the end and the man marries the girl who works for her living rather Ilian the girl who lives only for her selfish ends. But before this happens there are hilarious complications and misunderstandings, Miss Mathews and Redgrave are drawn into an advertising agency run on ultra-modern quick-fire lines by Noel Madison, where Ala-stair Sid has to pose, much to his shame and disgust, as an awful example of not taking a patent medicine. “The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle”: Friday— No better couple could have been chosen to play the part of the Castles than. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, who appear in “The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle,” commencing a season at the King’s Theatre on Friday next. Once again the famous dancers come to the forefront and once again their dances hit the headlines, the Castle Walk, Texas Tommy, Castle Waltz, the Tango and Maxime. So well known were this couple that Irene Castle’s dresses and fads were copied by all who wished to bo in the latest fashion. They had a hard struggle at first, later to flash to heights of success never dreamed of. But their happiness was spoilt all too soon by the Great War. Vernon, being British, joined up and after surviving two hectic years at the front met Irene in their old Paris apartment. Some time later Vernon was transferred to Texas to leach American students, but in an effort to avoid a mid-air collision and kill a student lie crashes and is killed. This superb film, a heart-ringing panorama of song and dance, sentiment, pathos comedy and tears, was supervised by the lovely- Irene Castle herself.

regent Theatre MELVYN DOUGLAS AND VIRGINIA BRUCE IN “THERE’S ALWAYS A WOMAN” “There's That Woman Again"—referring to Melvyn Douglas’ dim-wit-ted detective spouse in “There’s Always a Woman" —will appear at the Regent Theatre to-day with Virginia Bruce in !;he role introduced by Joan Blondell. Douglas, who created the character of the wife-troubled Bill Reardon in the original romantic mystery-comedy, again plays the harassed detective. The story opens with Melvyn Douglas, as a private detective, faced with a perplexing crime problem. Daily thefts from the exclusive Nacelle jewellery store have everybody—especially the insurance company—in a dither of excitement. Douglas has but one major suspect, a clerk in the store. When he is about to gaol this clerk, his wife, Virginia Bruce, accepts the suspect as a client. Thus Douglas finds himself faced with the dilemma of frying to prove the clerk guiity while his madcap wife is doing amazing things to prove him innocent. Much to the detective’s disgust, his mate gets herself mixed up in a murder and in a general robbery of the store. This serves to give serious .vqt highly comic complications to the difficulties in which Douglas lias become' entangled. The featureltes are of outstanding entertainment value. —Saturday: Lew Ayres in “Calling Dr. Kildare”— "Calling Dr. Kildare." the moving sequel to the former film about the young physician after whom the picture is called will commence a season at the Regent Theatre on Saturday. This film was booked to commence on Friday, but owing to the delightful comedy, “There's That Woman Again," being extended, “Calling Dr. Kildare” will open now on Saturday. Lew Ayres is once more in die main role, and his performance Is even better than in the first Dr. Kildare production, for here as never before lie is given an opportunity of displaying his talents in all branches of dramatic art. Although based on, the human story of die young doctor's efforts to build himself a worthwhile career, iiic picture develops into a dramatic fight against the forces of disorder when the hero lights for the life of a youth who has been

dangerously wounded, and then when liis patient is wrongly arrested, begins a campaign to save him again. The unusual (heme of a doctor engaged in detective work is developed to its highest possibilities, and there is no lack of excitement as the principal risks his life and throws to the winds li is professional reputation in an effort to see that justice is done. Even in its most tense moments, however, the production does not err from Hie reality of life, and romance and humour also have an important share in the entertainment. Once again Lionel Barrymore shows how fine a character actor lie is in the part of Dr. Gillespie.