AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24227, 20 February 1940, Page 16

AMUSEMENTS

THE CURRENT PROGRAMMES GRAND THEATRE “Winter Carnival,” which heads the Grand Theatre’s current programme, is an entertaining film with spectacular settings and some brilliant ice skating. The background for the ex-' celleni story is a big coeducational college, and the plot deals with the attempt of a wealthy divorcee who calls at the college in the hopes of reviving a student romance. Things dq not go all her own way, but the climax is a satisfactory one. One of the most notable films ever to come from Hollywood is “ Boy Slaves,” which is a vivid account of the way boys who tre denied the right of becoming useful citizens drift into crime. The box plans for this diversified programme are at the theatre and Begg’s. “ CONSPIRACY ” A girl’s efforts to save a young American fugitive from death at the hands of a foreign secret police is the basis on which is built the exciting action of “ Conspiracy,” which will screened at the Grand Theatre to-mor-row. The American is a ship’s radio operator who is forced to jump overboard in a foreign harbour to keep from being shot by one of the police spies. Ashore, he is hidden by a girl who belongs to a patriotic group opposed to the dictatorship, and she tries to help him get away to a neutral country. But numerous complications spoil their plan. The police are hot on the fugitive’s trail, and the opposing group also try to kill him for reasons of their own. Seeking the aid of another American in the city, the two are trailed, and by speedboat, steamer, and seaplane they try to gam safety. Allan Lane, Linda Hayes, and Robert Barrat are seen in the featured roles. A thrilling chapter in the history of the battles between lumber and cattle interests that marked the development of the old West is revealed in “ Timber Stampede,” George O’Brien’s latest starring vehicle. Planning to despoil the rich Wagon Wheel Country, a lumber baron and a railroad king combine forces to build a road through the heart of the area, and log off all the timber. But Scott Baylor, a leader of the cattlemen in the district, is strongly opposed to the coming of the road, and so is his fiery old Uncle Henry, who runs the only newspaper in that section. The role of Scott affords the husky O’Brien excellent opportunities for his action and dramatic talents, with Marjorie Reynolds, as the newspaper girl heroine. REGENT THEATRE The spirit which characterises the men responsible for the splendid traditions of the British Civil Service has inspired “ The Sun Never Sets,” a gripping story of sinister doings on the African Gold Coast, which is now at the Regent Theatre. The principal members of the strong cast are Basil Rathbone, Douglas Fairbanks, jun,, C. Aubrey Smith, and Barbara O’Neill. The story deals wtih the activities of a fanatical foreigner who has discovered valuable denosits of molybdenum, a necessary agent in the manufacture of armaments, and by the use of a secret radio station is attempting to stir up a world war. This melodramatic material is really the background against which is told the history of two members of an English family which has contributed sons to the .Civil Service for many generations. Two brothers (Basil Rathbone and Douglas Fairbanks, jun.) are the two concerned in the story, and their adventures are exciting and interesting.' There is a strong supporting programme, and b°x nlans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “POISON PEN” The “Poison Pen” in the film of that name, coming to the Regent Theatre on Friday, bears results mat bring the writer within the reach of the law. A suicide and murder xollow swiftly on the letters that are the only evidence in the detective’s hands. A hand-writing expert gets to work on these, and his deductions show how much hand-writing can tell of the character of the author. This part of “ Poison Pen ” is based on actual fact. It does not matter if the writer changes the pen to the other hand, the characteristic pressures and strokes will remain. A change of slope is equally unavailing as a disguise; even printed capitals will retain the features that the graphologist seeks. So much for the recognition of disguised hand-writing. Other characteristics of the writer are often easily deduced. Education or mature age may be reflected in the hand-writing being well formed. Nervous temperament is shown by a “ fly-away ” style, neurosis by unevenness or illegibility. Many doctors find hand-writing assists diagnosis. One interesting clue in “ Poison Pen ” the discover that the writer sometimes uses a Continental style figure “ 7,” which has a stroke through the stem, showing that the culprit must have spent some years abroad. When the discovery is complete the revelation is nothing short of amazing; but no less surprising than the lengths to which these “ Poison Pen ” writers will go. Flora Robson heads the cast, and her brilliant work is echoed in the supporting roles, filled by Robert Newton, Bell Chrystall, Ann Todd, and Edward Chapman. STATE THEATRE The joys and sorrows of boys and girls whose precarious lives are brightened by a great musical artist are delightfully blended in “ They Shall Have Music,” which is at the State Theatre. A treat is in store for music-lovers who see this picture. The well-known violinist Jascha Heifetz takes the part of himself, and is instrumental in resuscitating a settlement music school when it is in the throes of dispossession. Heifetz’s playing of the violin is in itself a sufficient reason for seeing “ They Shall Have Music,” but this is supplemented by a charming story, and an orchestra of amazingly talented children, the Peter Meremblum California Junior Symphony Orchestra, which was especially engaged by Samuel Goldwyn for the film. Box plans are at the theatre and at Begg’s. “CLOUDS OVER EUROPE” In “Clouds Over Europe,” which opens at the State Theatre on Friday, Laurence Olivier, the star of “ Wuthering Heights.” has another excellent role, this time in partnership with Valerie Hobson. He plays the role of an adventurous young test pilot who joins forces with Scotland Yard in seeking a new bomber which disappeared on its test flight. Several other machines disappear under similar circumstances, and the builders at lasi send out their crack pilot to act as a decoy. The ingenious means bv which the aeroplanes have been captured is revealed, and is shown to be the work of a powerful gang of spies. Exciting developments follow. The crew of the captured aeroplanes, held nrisoners aboard a vessel, attemnt to gain control of the vessel, and there is a bitter fight. EMPIRE THEATRE The theme of “Man About Town.” featuring Jack Benny, which heads the current programme at the Empire Theatre, has relatively little common with the title. However, that has been said to be the rule rather than the exception with Hollywood! The plot has Jack in a “ jam ” and Jack as the butt of the jokes and gags. Jack is the moving spirit of the whole piece—he keeps It going at top comedv pace from beginning to end. With all that, it must yet be admitted that the show is stolen by the drawling, lazy, philosonhical. intensely humorous negro called “Rochester.” “Rochester,” who is Bill Robinson’s equal in comic dancing. is not the only other big game in the film. Dorothy Lamour sings three excellent songs in deep-throated voice: Bettv Grable manages to look blondely entrancing at all times; Edward Arnold turns in a piece of .character acting

which is typical of his brilliance: Phil Harris sings and Jooks debonair; and there are uncounted numbers of glamour girls. There is a strong supporting programme, and the box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “EAST SIDE OF HEAVEN” What is said to be one of the most capable casts ever found in a single picture was assembled for Universal's “ East Side of Heaven.” which opens at the Empire Theatre on Friday. Bing Crosby and Joan Blondell are costarred in this film, which features hit songs, romance and comedy against a strong human background. And they are surrounded by a galaxy of players who already are knocking at Hollywood’s carefully guarded portals leading to stardom. Mischa Auer, often referred to as Ihe mad Russian, tops the supporting cast. “ Sandy,” 10-months-old baby of a Los Angeles milkman, does such a surprising job that studio executives already have the parents’ signatures on a long-term contract. Irene Hervey. who portrays baby Sandy’s mother, is one of the film colonv’s most rapidly ascending ycung actresses. C. Aubrey Smith is a veteran of many excellent films, Jerome Cowan gives further proof of why Hollywood will not let him go back to Broadway. Others in the cast include J. Farrell MacDonaJd. Robert Kent Jack Powell. Matty Malneck’s orchestra and Edward EaiTe. ST. JAMES THEATRE The setting of the film “ Good-bye, Mr Chips,” which is being shown at the St. James Theatre, is a great English public school founded in the fifteenth century. To this in the early ’7o’s comes Mr Chipping (Robert Donat) as a junior master. He is young, enthusiastic, and is prepared to idealise his profession. Unfortunately he suffers from shyness. The teaching staff, however, understands him and treats him with friendly, good-natured tolerance. Then, on a holiday in the Alps he meets Katherine (Greer Garson). He is near the forties and she is in her early twenties. Katherine recognises the fineness in Mr Chios that is masked by his shyness, and she makes a new man of him. The passing of Katherine is almost too poignant to dwell upon. But the courage she has instilled into Chips carries him through. Box clans are at the theatre, the D.I.C. and Jacobs’s. “JAMAICA INN” Paramount’s “ Jamaica Inn ” tells a tale of excitement and adventure on the bleak storm-swept Cornish coast —of the inn which was the rendezvous of wreckers' who were guided by a far more subtle and active brain than their own. Wrecks without a single survivor became so numerous that the navy decided to investigate, and one of their officers became a member of the gang. What happened when he found out the real purpose of the gang and the man: behind them is told in “ Jamaica Inn.” Charles Laughton is the star, Emlyn Williams, Leslie Banks, Maureen O’Hara, and Robert Newton are the players. It will play a return Dunedin season at the. St. James Theatre next Friday.; STRAND THEATRE Denis O’Keefe and Florence Rice have the principal roles in the bright comedy, “Vacation from Love,” which is the main attraction on the S Iran d Theatre’s entertaining double bill this week. It tells of the gav happenings that, result from a girl’s elopement with a saxophone player who becomes his father-in-law’s partner in an advertising agency. The frst-moving story goes on to an hilarious French divorce case. Reginald Owen, Edwin Brophy and Herman Bing have prominent roles. “ Stunt Pilot,” the exciting associate film, features John Trent and Marjorie Reynolds. It is a thrilling picture of the “Tailspin Tommy” series. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. OCTAGON THEATRE “The Man in the Iron Mask” will be the first attraction to be screened at the Octagon Theatre when it reopens shortly. The France of Louis XIV .is the background. £nd the story deals with the lives of King Louis- and his twin brother. Philinpe. who at birth is whisked away to the country in order to avoid succession complexities. , At the age of 22 years Philippe turns up at the Royal Court. Louis is astonished at his brother’s likeness to him and decides to use him to gain his own ends. The unsuspecting Philippe “ doubles ’’ for the King, who uses him to win the heart for the King of the Infanta Maria Theresa (Joan Bennett), daughter of the King of Spain. Eventually Louis decides that he cannot tolerate longer the success of Philippe, whom he condemns to the Bastille, there to wear for ever a heavy Iron mask. Philippe is rescued and Louis, after some swift-moving action, meets his deserts. Louis Hayward gives an outstanding performance, nlavina the double role of King Louis and Philippe. MAYFAIR THEATRE An exciting spy film from the pen of Edgar Wallace, “ The Four Just Men.” and “ Spirit of Culver ” comprise the excellent double-feature pro-, grrmme at the May/air Theatre ait present. “The Four Just Men” tells of a daring plan to wreck the British Empire, and of the more daring plan that prevents it. Frank Lawton and Anna Lee have important roles. " Spirit of Culver” features Freddie Bartholomew and Jackie Cooper. The box plans are at the theatre and the D J.C.