ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 112, 10 April 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE, “DAUGHTERS COURAGEOUS” “Daughters Courageous.” the Warner Bros, comedy of domestic life which shows to-morrow at (he Regent Theatre, could j be termed a first cousin to the same studio’s highly successful “Four Daughters,” but it is not a sequel to that picture. The similarity starts with the cast, for every important player in the first picture is also in the now one; then it had the same director, and besides it was written by a writing team one of whoso members was also co-author of the screen-plav which was last year's hit. While the plot concerns different people than those in “Four Daughters ” there is a basic similarity in that the new picture is also about'the joys, the sorrows, the laughs, the tears in tho lives of a genuinely “folksy” family. Thcro arc the same four daughters in this family and again they arc played by Priscilla, Rosemary and Lola Lane and Gale Page. Their father again is Claude Rains, and their suitors again arc John Garfield, Jeffrey Lynn, Frank McHugh and Dick j Koran. May Robson again is a member of tiiu household, this time, however, a faithful,—and outspoken-—old servant who has biccn with thorn for years. And this time the girls haye a mother, in the person of Fay Bain ter —(he mother of “Yes, My Darling Daughter.” Another newcomer to the cast is Donald Crisp. Tho girls’ errant father returns on the eve of the wedding and lie soon has it within his power to (upset the nice future which loomed for his | family until he suddenly appeared on tho | scone. The working out of this situation makes a sentimentally amusing tale with a Amoving ucnouement. ! STATE THEATRE. ! “EVERYTHING’S ON ICE.” Revealed as an enjoyable screen comedy romance, ornamented by elaborate ice ballet numbers, “Everything's On Ice,” screens at the Stale Theatre to-day with little Irpnc Dare in the leading role. This charming six-year-old miss is an ice skater of remarkable grace and skill. Iler ! prowess is demonstrated when she leads several beautifully staged ice ballets, which comprise the floor-show of a fashionable Palm Beach cafe. Such flawless execution by a child of her age is almost beyond belief, but she glides through the most intricate manoeuvres without falter. As an actress, too, the surprising Irene shows skill, giving hint that she may soon rank high among juvenile players. The excellent supporting cast is headed by the reliable Roscoc Karris. Seen as a scheming bachelor always short of funds, lie is full of grandiose ideas which usually involve tlie family of his sister. Alary Hart, mother of the prodigal child. Securing an engagement for Irene as a professional skater in Palm Beach, he escorts the child and her mother (o the Florida city, together with the older daughter, Lynne Roberts, Edgar Kennedy, the father of . the family, remains in New York City to pursue his trade of harboring. Succumbing to the lure of the swanky surroundings, Manager Karns draws rcj)catcd advances on the little girl’s salary, and succeeding weeks find the party sinking ever deeper into debt. The appearance of Eric Linden and Harrison Gregg, two suitors for Miss Roberts’ hand, seems to point a way out of the parly’s financial difficulties, but the blundering uncle throws his support to the wrong candidate and the situation becomes steadily worse. “THE MARSHAL OF MESA CITY.” “The Marshal of Mesa City,” George O’Brien’s latest outdoor drama, is the second feature which screens at the State Theatre to-dav and furnishes additional proof why this virile veteran is considered the leading star of western screen dramas. Suspense, thrilling gun lights, hand-to-hand combats, comedy. Iragedv, and a tender romance are interwoven in the exciting saga of the courageous marshals of the early West, who ended that riotous and bloody rule of frontier desperadoes. Seen in - the title role, O’Brien’s portrayal of the marshal combines one of bravery without bravado, self-assurance without vaunt, and a romance which brings tender love scenes to the screen