AMUSEMENTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20084, 2 November 1939, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

KING'S THEATRE "RACKETEERS OF THE RANGE" AND "THE GIRL AND THE GAMBLER" "Racketeers on the Range," which finishes to-nigh,; at the King's Theatre is a colourful story of the United States Wesl, in which George O'Brien, famous for his stalwart characterisations, has an opportunity to display to the fullest his skill at roping, riding and fighting. The popular outdoor star is Fvcn ,as a courageous rancher who single-hand-edly frustrates the efforts of an unscrupulous packing company to victimise a group of cattlemen. Fisflights, hard riding and fast shooting .••.re plentifully interspersed in the high ■ speed action. Romance runs riot and adventure Hare.-; high in "The Girl and the Gambler," which is the associate feature on this programme. Leo Carrillo, Tim I 101 l and StetYii Dunn head the cast. —Jaseha Heifetz in "They Shall i'l:ivc Music": To-morrow — A new landmark in motion picture history was achieved when Samuel Goltiwyn. one ol Hollywood's foremost producers, brought Jascha Heifetz and his immortal violin music o the screen in "They Shall Have Music," a richly human story, which will have its premiere at the King's Theatre to-morrow. In addition to marking the screen, debut of the great Heifetz. "They Shall Have Music" also brings to millions of moviegoers all over the globe the thrilling music of (he California Junior Symphony. an orchestra composed of 45 boys and' girls jvvho have been hailed as juvenile prodigies. Directed skilfully and dramatically bv Archie Mavo. 'They Shall Have Music" is the story of a slum boy. who has inherited talent for music from his dead father. The boy lives his life on the streets, frightened by an irate stepfather, lured bv gang stories and anxious to make easy money. Through a scries of strange events, he lands in a settlement music school run by an idealistic professor, who takes him under his wing. When the grateful youngster learns of the desperate '(financial -traits of the school, he undertakes lo win the patronage of the great Heifetz., who is in New York for Carnegie Hall concerts. The featured roles in "They Shall Have Music" are brilliantly played by Andrea Leeds. Joel McCr'ea, Walter" Brennan, Gene Reynolds and Terry Kilboume. Special praise must be given to Brennan. who as the absent-minded professor, turns in one of the most stirring and realistic performances seen on. the screen anywhere. The brilliant genius ot Heifetz's playing can hardly be described adequately, but. let it suffice to say that this world-famous virtuoso renders such offerings as Saint-Saens ••Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso" and Tschaikowsky's "Melodic" There is a specially selected supporting programme. Advance bookings are heavy.

REGENT THEATRE

NELSON EDDY IN "SONG OF THE PLAINS." Associated with the customary high class supporting numbers that have put the Regent Theatre in the forefront for reliable entertainment, "Song of the Plains" makes this week's show something special. "America" is the song, of the plains, with Nelson Eddy the singer, and the combination makes the melody one of those bloodsti'fring refrains that set men marching with the will to do brave deeds. The story told is one of the epics of the days when America was growing up and land-grabbing was rampant. It is a tale of "rough diamonds." smooth, rogues and red-blooded action, a strongly masculine atmosphere tinged with occasional romance and vivid with natural comedy and exciting incidents. In a virile backwoods role Nelson Eddy this time carries the burden ol song practically alone, and his ringing baritone in folk song, Irish ballads and the victory theme song give: a melodic distinction and attractiveness to the scenes. Despite occasional romantic interludes with lovely Virginia Bruce, he is the troubadour champion of the underdogs rather than the romantic lover. With siren song he lulls the landgrabbers to a feeling of false security, then peels off his coat to lead the would-be victims to victory in a man-to-man fight, Victor McLaglen, Lionel Barrymore, Guy Kibbee, Charles Lutterworth and other notable character actors play leading carts in a highly entertaining production that has a wide appeal.

MAJESTIC THEATRE

LAST DAY: "ROMANCE IN THE DARK*' AND "BACK DOOR TO HEAVEN" Gladys Swarthout and John Boles, singing stars of "Romance in the Dark," which cone itides to-night, have never been heard to better advantage than in the songs'and duels introduced into their joyous comedy. The associate feature. "Back Door to Heaven," is a powerful human drama starring Wallace Ford and Patricia Ellis. —To-Morrow: Jack Randall in "Land of Fighting Men" and "Young and Innocent." — Jack Randall, star of "Land of Fighting Men," commences to-morrow, at the Majestic Theatre, is proud of his ability as a horse trainer, and he has personally supervised the i career of White Cloud, the beautiful animal that, plays with .lack in all of his pictures But there was one scene where Randall was slumped, to the great amu. emer.l of the rest of the cast of "Land ol , Fighting Men." While Cloud was to follow the star around, and a whistle, which is usually used as While Cloud's cue, was out lot pla.ee here, for Jack was supposed jto be silently stalking a gang of cut-throats on their way to a secret lair. Bets were being placed as to how many "la';e " wo"ld be needed before White Cloud understood what he was to do, bill lo and behold. when the cameras started grinding for the first shot, the horse went through the scene perfectly, and not a single retake was ordered. When Jack collected his bets, he let. the gang in on the secret—lie had filled his pockets with sugar lumps. "Land of Fighting Men" is the story of a range war that develops when eastern American racketeers try to lake possession of the west. Prominent in the east besides Randall, who introduces three new cowboy songs, are Louise Stailev. Wheeler Oakman, Lane Chandler, and Rev. Lease. The Colorado Hillbillies furnish the musical background. The associate feature will be another thriller from Alfred Hitchcock, who gave us "The Lady Vanishes." Nova Pilbeam appears, in "Young and Innocent" as the daughter of a chief constable, and assists a young man, suspected of murder, to elude the police—an un-

filial piece of behaviour leading to numerous and exciting adventurer. True, in one scene she is the central figure in a free-for-all rough, arid tumble in a dilapidated pull-up for car men, and another incident shows her being pulled to safety from a crumbling 'mine by Derrick de Marr.ev, who plays opposite her in the film, but. despite considerable cuts and bruises, never for one moment is her life in danger!