ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 118, 17 April 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE “DESTRY RIDES AGAIN.” As a laughing, singing, lovihg bar-room entertainer in a town of tho Old West, Miss Dietrich plays opposite lanky James Stewart. one of the screen’s most male stars, who has the role of the -shy young dopnly-shorilF in “Destry Rides Again,” which screens at the Regent to-day Miss Dietrich secs in the character a similarity to the one she portrayed in “The Blue Angel,” the film which first lifted her to stardom. “Ever since then 1 have wanted to do another such role but until now I've never had the opportunity.” Miss Dietrich says. “The first day T began work in ‘Destry Rides Again,’ I knew I iiad the story I'd been looking for. It; was fun doing it. the exciting action and the sfnging.” Joe Pasternak, producer of “Destry Rides Again,” knew Miss Dietrich wanted to play such a role, but the star herself had despaired of finding a suitable story and had gone to Europe with plans to make two pictures in Paris. While there she received a trans-Atlantic call from PasI ternak, who described the story to her, and I won her enthusiastic approval. She took ! tlie next boat back to New York, and ! Hollywood. Incidentally. “Destry Rides ! Again” is Miss Dietrich's first picture since she became an American citizen. MAYFAIR THEATRE. “MISSING EVIDENCE.” In New Universal’? “Missing Evidence,” which screens to-day at the Mayfair | Theatre, the manner in which countorI feit sweepstakes ticket racketeers operate affords the basis for a timely and thrilling action drama. Almost everyone' lias entertained the Utopian dream of winning a vast fortune. Looking at tiie pictures of tlie bewildered but unhappy face of a porter in San Francisco, a painter in Chicago, or a seamstress in New York who lias suddenly acquired thousands of dollars on a winning sweepstakes ticket inspires the hope that some day others, too, might hold a lucky coupon. As a result, it lias been estimated by I lie United Stales Government that 20,000.000 dollars leave tlie country each year through the sale of sweepstakes coupons. "Missing Evi drnce’ deals with an effort to smash a nation-wide syndicate engaged in this racket. Preston Foster portrays a G-Man. Irene Hervey is seen as a pretty cigar stand attendant who helps him after a tragedy makes her realise she has unwittingly been an accomplice of tlie gangsters. T he bravery of tner, who give their lives that otliqTs may li\e is brought to the screen in' Columbia’s “Coast Guard.” baked by Hollywood as one of the most thrilling and dramatic records ever to bo, screened. The story of the “Coast Guard,” the new film, screens a t tlie Mayfair Theatre to-day, _ with Randolph Scot 1 ., Frances Doc, Ralph Bellamy and Walter Connolly featured. The picture reveals (lie heroic saga of tlie Coast Guard. The activities of the Service are clearly shown: tlie cutters patrolling the. iceberg lanes ol the North Atlantic or guarding seals from tlie depredations of poachers: aircralt wing over little-frequented shorelines and great ambulance ’planes take seriously injured men from ships at sea. A runaway ’plane crashes in flames in “Invisible Terror,” tlie fourtli thrilling episode of “The Phantom Creeps, Universal’s 12-chapter mystery serial playing to-dav at tlie Mayfair Theatre with Bela Lugosi, Robert Kent, Dorothy Arnold and Regis Toorney in the leading roles. METEOR THEATRE. “GOLDEN BOY.” Unquestionably unique in treatment and in theme, Columbia's “Golden Boy” opens on Saturday at the Meteor Theatre to prove that Hollywood, when it wants to, can turn out definitely superior entertainment. The new film, directed by ltouben Mamoulian and starring Barbara Stanwyck, Adolphe Menjou and William Holden, is based upon Clifford (Idol's romanlie drama. “Golden Boy” tells ol a young violinist, impatient and tired of working toward the day when he will he a success on (lie concert stage, who rapidly lights his way to the top in the prize-ring. In his swift climb to pugilistic stardom, he ruthlessly tramples u|K)ii the hopes of his musicloving father, ignores tlie cryings-out of his own conscience. He becomes brutalised by his new environment, until his love for a disillusioned young woman —the only person who really understands the tremendous conflict raging within him —causes him to give up the ring and return to tlie forgiveness of his family. Of tlie utmost importance in any consideration of “Golden Buy” is the performance turned in by new comer William Holden, making his motion picture debut in thy all-important title role. This handsome youth is so convincing in in’s “Golden Boy” characterisation that we risk little in prophesying stardom and tremendous popularity for him. Flawless performances by Barbara Stanwyck and Adolphe Menjou add charm and a certain exuberance to tlie picture. Miss Stanwyck is so ideally east that one forgets her identity and remembers only Lorna Moon, tlie girl who finds romance for (lie first time when “Golden Boy” tell? her his dreams. Mr Menjou is superb as the cynical, harassed light manager. Other' splendid performers in important roles include Joseph Culleiu. Lee J. Cobb, Edward Br'ophy and Sam Lcvene.