AMUSEMENTS

Grey River Argus, 4 October 1948, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS

At the Opera House Finally To-night: “Bridge of San Luis Rey.” Commencing To-mor-row: “Trail Street” and “Devil Thumbs a Ride.” The gripping story of how fabulous marshal, “Bat” Masterson, put an end to the feud between the Kansas farmers and cattle-men in 1880 inspired R.K.O. Radio’s action-packed drama, “Trail Street”, starring Randolph Scott, Robert Ryan, Anne Jeffreys and George “Gabby” Hayes, commencing at the Opera House tomorrow. In those lawless days, the cow-men stampeded their beef, driving their wild herds over the farmlands, and in the little town of Liberal, it was decided to send for “Bat” Masterson to establish law and order. “Bat’s” arrival is the signal for a bitter fight to a finish, culminating in a spectacular pitched battle. “DEVIL THUMBS A RIDE."

Suspense of an unusual kind features the dramatic thriller “Devil Thumbs a Ride,” starring Lawrence Tierney and commencing at the Opera blouse to-morrow. The story concerns a gunman who kills a theatre manager in a stick-up and tries to escape the consequences by hitch■:k ng to Los Angeles. He manages a ride with a travelling salesman and the two of them pick up two girls who also are thumbing their way northwards. Unfortunately for the killer, a young man at a gas station on listening into a police broadcast, recognises the fugitive’s description and notified the police. . The ensuing steps taken by the police traps the fleeing murderer and the latter’s frantic endeavours to 'evade them accent the suspense of the plot.

Regent Shows Brilliant Acting in Real Life Story.— “Tenth Avenue Angel.” The poignant story of a little gir who creates a magic world of her own out of the humdrum atmosphere of a New York tenement dis irict brings child star, Margaret O’Brien, to the Regent screen m M-G-M’s “Tenth Avenue Angel.” Flavia Mills is content to skate her way down “her” street on one skate, makes friends with everyone from Mr Challupski’s horse to the blind newsdealer on the corner, is devoted to her mother and violinist father, and is “in love” with their roomer. Luke (George Murphy), taxi-driver who served a sentence rather than turn State'- on a gang o young hoodlums with whom he wa. reared. Another fan is petty Susa Parker (Angela Lansbury), Luke’ girl friend, who is tried of his fail ures. Flavia looks on the world as a fairyland but, realities of life intrude and she is brought down to earth when falsely accused of a theft. When her mother is caught in r-well-intentioned' lie, Flavia is further disillusioned and when, Luke quarrels with Susan and returns to hi • former gangster friends, all hop" seems, lost. In the end, Flavia’s faith and goodness of heart work a miracle and she comes once again to love the street. “Tenth Avenue Angel” is one of Hollywood's more praiseworthy efforts. George Murphy gives a true touch as the ex-convict. Angela Lansbury is excellen’ as thembittered Susan, and Phyllis Thaxter and Warner Anderson are F-lav ia’s sympathetic parents. Other noteworthy bits are contributed by Rhys Williams, Barry Nelson and Connie Gilchrist.