AMUSEMENTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20079, 27 October 1939, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

REGENT THEATRE CHARLES LAUGHTON IN THE FIRST N.Z. SCREENING OF “JAMAICA INN” The coaches avoided “Jamaica Inn," hidden in the harsh Cornish moors, not far from the coast. Its name was evil, and no man knew what its dark shutters hid. Yet it was to Jamaica Inn that Mary Yeilan went, to join her aunt and uncle. Only too soon was she to learn the full tale of its horror, though she stayed beneath its roof because of her aunt, so lovely once, so battered and haunted now. So she learned the smugglers and murderers, and the rifl'-rnfY of the coast; of the wreckers whose profession it was to lure ships in land by false lights when tempests blew, and raid tlie defenceless crew and plunder the cargo. Into her life came love even in this out-of-the-way hole, from ,a man who seemed to be one of the wreckers, but proved his love worthy of her. She. too. came to know Humphrey Pengallan, the squire, sinister brains behind the equally sinister doings of Jamaica Inn. Every one of them is in’ Paramount’s equally absorbing and thrilling picture, "Jamaica Inn," with Charles Laughton as the squire, . and newcomer, beautiful Maureen O’Hara as Mary Yeilan. Others in the cast are Leslie Banks. Emlyn Williams, Marie Ney and Robert Newton, under the masterly direction of Alfred Hitchcock. Included in the featurettes is the first war film from England, showing London evacuating children and hospital patients. This is the first New Zealand screening of this film.

MAJESTIC THEATRE

EDWARD G. ROBINSON IN “AMAZING I)R. CLITTERHOUSE,” AND DICK FOR AN IN “SHE LOVED A FIREMAN” Warner Bros, have found an admirable vehicle for the talents of Edward G. Robinson, who began his screen career in gangster roles, in the film version of a sensational stage success. “The Amazing Dr. Clitterhousc,” which will begin its season at the Majestic Theatre to-day. Robinson is cast as Dr. Clitterhouse, a famous, highly-respected neurological surgeon, whose interest in the mental reactions of criminals at moments when they are engaged in their illegal activities becomes an obsession. In order to gain material for his book he is writing on the subject, he commits crimes, robbing the houses of his rich patients with which he is familiar, and testing his nervous reactions at the same time. Launched on his criminal career. Dr. Clitterhouse comes into contact with Jo Keller (Claire Trevor), a glamorous blonde of the underworld, who realises that the famous neurologist is leading a Jckyll and Hyde existence, and informs the leader of the gang to which she belongs. The leader, Valentine (Humphrey Bogart), makes a proposition to tlie doctor whereby the scientist is to plan crimes for the gang in return for which he may experiment on them. the doctoi accepts and plans crime upon crime, the members of the gang amiably allowing him to test their emotional reflexes as they carry them out. An astounding climax follows. Some of the most spectacular flame-fighting scenes evei thrown upon the screen are presented in “She Loved a Fireman,” with Dick Foran as the hero. The climax of the picture is an immense blaze on a waterfront, with boats as well as land apparatus engaged in its quenching. Foran plays a new chum fireman who comes under the command of a hardboiled captain, portrayed by Robert Armstrong. The two become bitter enemies, even though Dick falls in love with Bob’s sister—the lovely redhaired Ann Sheridan. During the. waterfront conflagration. Bob is disabled and apparently doomed to death in the flames when Dick, by superhuman efforts, rescues him and then peace is restored all round.

KING’S THEATRE “BACHELOR MOTHER": RIOTOUS COMEDY Heralded by advance preview reports as one of the season s most sprightly and original comedy romances, “Bachelor Mother” makes its debut at the King’s Theatre to-dav, with Ginger Rogers and David Niven in the stellar leads. Miss Rogers in the role of a department store sales-girl displays her Hair lor comedy which she recently employed in “Vivacious Lady” and * Stage Door.” Niven's characterisation as an adamant store executive is a refreshing departure from his roles in “Wuthering Heights” and "Dawn Patrol.” A hilarious mix-up over a baby forms the axis about which "Bachelor Mother” revolves. Holding a temporary job in the store during the Christinas rush, Miss Rogers—on her lunch hour —finds an infant on the steps of a foundling home, and is instantly mistaken for the child s mother. The more Ginger protests the more she is disbelieved, and the home authorities report the matter to the store executives. Niven, a vice-presi-dent and the son of the store’s owner, investigates for himself and he, too. is convinced that Ginger is the mother. He immediately shifts her to the permanent staff and gives her a raise. This only infuriates Ginger, who is at her wits end to shift tho care of the child to others. Horrified, Niven lectures her. and under threat of dire consequences forces her to bring up the youngster. But his interest in the girl arouses the jealousy of a young stock clerk in the stoic, who anonymously misinforms Niven's father. Charles Coburn, that Niven is responsible for Miss Rogers’ child. Coburn, anxious that his son shall marry and settle down, is greatly interested in the report, lie shadows Niven, and concludes that the report is true. The situation becomes even more hectic when both Miss Rogers and Niven learn that Coburn is planning to adopt the child as his grandson! A big supporting programme includes Walt Disney's latest coloured cartoon, “The Practical Pig”; "Western Welcome," a Technicolour musical: "World of To-morrow.” which features the New York World Fair; Pathe Overseas News, and the Fox Aussie News, which includes New Zealand’s preparations for war, the American Fleet sailing for the Pacific, and the passing ' of the famous Maori prophet, R'atana.