AMUSEMENTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20065, 11 October 1939, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE

WALLACE BEERY IN “SERGEANT - - - f MADDEN” l . Wallace Beery, the great old actor who has brought so many unforgettable roles to the screen such as “The -Bad Man of Brimstone” and "Stablemates,” now appears as a lovable, cussable, Irish policeman. As Sergeant Madden, 30-year veteran of the force, soft-hearted, plodding and idealistic, Beery epitomises the finest traits of “New York’s Finest.” He is the policeman on the beat to the minutest detail, and as the father who must track down the son whom he has failed to impress with the traditions and ideals of the job, Beery is magnificent. A trio of youngsters presses him hard for honours. Alan Curtis, as the son who tries a short cut to promotion and finally is forced to turn bank robber, plays a meaty role to the hilt, with a finelyshaded progression of character from the time lie finds himself a victim lof the prize-fight racket to the climatic moments when he is the snarling, cornered criminal, In a difficult role as the Irish waif whom Beery adopts and who marries Curtis, Laraine Day comes through with flying colours jin this, her first important featured part, auguring well for a memorable career. She is sensitive, clear-cut and convincing even to her Irish brogue. Tom Brown, as the adopted son whose loyalties are torn both ways, shows a fine conception of another colourful characterisation. Outstanding in supporting roles are Fay Holden as Beery’s wife, Marc Lawrence, enacting the racketeer, David Gorcey as the young thief, Marion Martin as his sister, Donald Haines Ben Welden and Etta McDaniel. A fine array of featurettes includes “Fruit Protection,” “Going Places,” a comedy cartoon, and the latest newsreels.

KING’S THEATRE

“THE RETURN OF THE CISCO KID” He is back—the gayest, most gallant gun-fighter of them all! It is the Cisco Kid, .0. Henry’s immortal Robin Hood of the Rio Grande, brought lo the screen of the King’s Theatre yesterday by Warner Baxter and a stellar cast, in “The Return of the Cisco Kid.” Back into old Arizona rides that gallant caballcro and bullets cannot touch him, gaols cannot hold him and posses cannot get him. A thousand senorjitas sigh for him, but the one girl he really wants, he cannot have! It is an entertaining piece of screen refreshment that 20th Century-Fox has given us in “The Return of the Cisco Kid.” —“Tail Spin”: Friday—- “ Tail Spin,” 20th Century-Fox’s smashing melodrama of adventure starring Alice Faye, Constance Bennett and Nancy Kelly, will roar across the screen of the King’s Theatre next Friday. Telling the story of three courageous women who lly, their splitsecond escapes and the heart-throbs behind their spectacular lives, "Tail Spin” is the first attempt Hollywood lias made to focus its cameras on the Women of the sky. And what a magnificent job has been clone! Darryl F. Zanuck, Hollywood’s ace producer, was in charge of production on “Tail Spin” and Roy Del Ruth directed the film from a screen play by Frank Wead.

REGENT THEATRE

THE “PERFECT” MUSICAL: “THE GREAT WALTZ.” i Even musical geniuses do not escape from the fiery darts of cupid’s bow. Johann Strauss was no exception, and the story of his romances take an important part in “The Great Waltz” at the Regent Theatre. A touching story, it tells how the great musician grows away from his former sweetheart to fall in love with his prima donna as he soars to fame. However, when confronted by the two women, it is to the old love that he turns, and it is his first sweetheart who shares the personal tribute of the Emperor Franz Josef in the closing scenes. To the music of Strauss tunes, and to the singing of Miliza Korjus in her first screen appearance, this remarkable picture sketches the life of ;the musician. Fernand Gravet takes the part of Strauss, while the brilliant Polish opera star, Miliza Korjus, makes her first screen appearance as the singer Carla, and Luise Rainer, first actress to win the Academy Award twice in succession, stars as Poldi, the wife of Strauss. Preceding “The Great Waltz” is an atmospheric prologue by the pupils of Maureen Kcany. —Friday: Peter B. Kync’s “Valley of the Giants!’ — “Valley of the Giants,” a film which reaches epic heights through its staunch idealism and magnificent technicolour photography, will commence a season at the Regent Theatre; on Friday. This film was made by Warner Bros, and is claimed to be greater than “Heart of the North” and “Robin Hood.” A band of lumbermen, hard and rough in their mode of life, but lovers of the tall trees they must perforce destroy, are led by a young contractor who opposes with all his heart the machinations of the business men who would wantonly destroy every acre of forest in the pursuit of their narrow commercial interests. This inspiring conflict is portrayed in all its virile intensity and courage of purpose against the background of America’s redwood forests, where lofty giants raise their heads far above the rich slopes which have nurtured them for hundreds of years. Wayne •Morris is ideally cast in the leading role, his earnest and direct style lending the sincerity to his part, which is essential to the success of the picture. Claire Trevor gives a provocative performance as the girl of the gambling saloon who comes to the contractor’s side, and further good acting comes from Alan Hale, Frank McHugh and Donald Crisp. RADIO REVUE , “You can boost my show for all you're worth, and it will not let you down. I know its good, and I know that the people of Gisborne are going, to like ■ it.” Such is the information which 1 has been sent by “Uncle Ed.” of 2YH, Hastings, to “Aunt Daisy” and “Uncle : Les” in reference to the radio revue I which he is to stage in the Opera > House on Saturday, October 14, in aid 1 of the 2ZM kiddies’ Christmas treat. "Uncle Ed” advises that along with 1 i

himself and “Aunt Gwen” there will be a party of 30 clever children all coming through to take part in the revue, which is stated to be one of the brightest and snappiest entertainments seen for a long time. “It is not a concert, but a real revue, and the children I am bringing through will surprise you all with their ability to do humourous sketches, beautiful ballets, dainty dances, and solo work of the highest standard,” writes “Uncle Ed.” The box plan for “The Music Store” is now open at Tattersall and Bayly’s.