AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24401, 12 September 1940, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

| THE CURRENT PROGRAMMES ST. JAMES THEATRE ~ “ Return to Yesterday ” Is the main at-* traction at the St. James Theatre this week.' Presenting Clive Brook in a typically polished role, the story tells how an ageing matinee idol in a sentimental moment tries to turn .back the hands of time by taking a part. Incognito, in a small travelling show, and of the results of his action on a youthful romance. “ Blondie .-Brings up Baby,” with Penny Singleton, is •’• the bright associate feature. The box plans , are at the theatre, the D.I.C. and Jacobs’. “HOME FROM HOME” A favourite the world Over, by virtue of his unique comedy .radio recordings, ‘“Can You Hear Me, Mother?” Sandy .Powell has already starred in two screen ;comedies. His “Home from Home” will 4bc shown at the St. Janies Theatre to--morrow. This time he takes the role Of *a convict who is glad enough to remain •4 in prison out of the way of his' domlneer--*lng wife, who continually nags him to Sfind work and not to lie in bed half the 4iday. When Sandy is pardoned and has yato go home the trouble starts all over again, especially as he has, collected an : out-of-work violinist and a glamorous cabaret star on the way. " Home from a, Home ” also Includes In the cast Rene Ray vßoy Emerton, Kathleen Harrison, and i ,1 Norma Varden. With Hugh Herbert .-•playing seven different roles and fighting •Jto " steal" comedy scenes from himself. musical farce, " La Conga ■iijNlghts,” will provide hilarious support. laughter and rapid-fire “ gags ” - through every scene, the film reveals -(.Herbert playing his mother, his grandfather, and a quartet of dizzy , sisters, in ..addition tiwf himself.”.- • La Conga ilng music, -hew -songs, and gay dance § OCTAGON THEATRE i * Playing to packed houses at every ses■2don, “Rebecca,” the screen presentation ■?of Daphne du Maurier’s brilliant dramatic fiovel of that title, is being received with 'great enthusiasm at the Octagon Theatre this week. It is a powerful story, beautl- • fully told and brilliantly acted by a strong .-cast. It tells of a sweet, unsophisticated :>-glrl who marries a young widower, the ,Vwealthy owner of a country estate, who Khad lost his beautiful wife under tragic The young bride’s life at ■pManderley, the beautiful Tudor mansion. Sis dominated by the Influence of the first gyvife, Rebecca, and the fanatic love of the for the dead woman. A draLmatic turn to the story that Involves the «owner of Manderley in a serious charge >■ brings the story to a memorable climax. Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine give brlllant portrayals In the leading roles. ' The box plans are at the theatre and ■..Begg’s | GRAND THEATRE ‘EXCITEMENT AND HUMOUR There Is some good atmosphere and plenty of tension In “ Charlie Chan in Panama," which Is now being shown at the Grand Theatre. In this latest film showing the Chinese detective’s technique in ferreting out spies, the American Fleet is about to pass through the canal, and Charlie is obliged to Investigate certain passengers who arrive by air liner before he gets enough clues to trap, the chief malefactor in one of the power-houses controlling the -locks. Suspects flee everywhere at Charlie’s approach, and it is hard to tell which among them Is the chief enemy of the American Fleet. There is plenty of action, humour and excitement in the production, the principal role in which is played by Sidney Toler, who gives a masterly performance as the famous Earl Derr Biggers. sleuth, who foils a dastardly plot to wreck the canal and; trap the fleet, and other prominent players are Lionel Atwlll, Mary Nash,' Sen Yung. Kane Richmond, Chrls-Pin Martin. Lionel Hoyce, Helen Ericsqn and Jack La Rue. Once again the Jones Family submit their humour and resourcefulness in “On Their Own,” the second feature on the programme. On this occasion Mayor Jones Is in hospital with a nervous breakdown, caused by a financial crash, and the is obliged to set his house in order in his regrettable absence. In California they purchase a bungalow court, their automobile furnishing the down payment. Their lack of finance paves the way for a series of diverting vicissitudes among which are the unwelcome attention* of a “ sourpuss ” neighbour,-and .the unending trouble and'Utigation with which they are faced when necessity forces them to make their place a haven for families with as many children and domestic pets as the parents can gather together. Tho result Is pandemonium, accepted with the tolerance and amusement demanded by a kindly sentiment, the need of ready cash, and fire hatred of a “no children landlord. as would be -natural in the Jones Family. It is *ll excellent fun, and perfectly In the-Jones. Family tradition. The box plans are at the theatre and at Begg’s. REGENT v'THEATRE “Another Thin Man'.” which will have its final screenings to-day at the Regent Theatre, marks William- Powell’s return to the screen after an extended absence. He has been ill for a long time, but it is pleasing to note thatrin;lhis. his .latest film, he shows no falling, off. in his bid ability and sense of humour. Myrna Loy is still at the top of her...form. The supporting cast includes Virginia Grey, Nat Pendleton,. as the ‘dumb but well-intentioned police lieutenant: Otto Kruger, as the assistant attorney who starts by suspecting Charles of the crime and ends by asking his advice; Ruth Hussey, as the disappearing governess; and Patric Knowles, as the fiance -tvho. Is. shot early In the story. Theboxplansare at the theatre and the D.1.C.. . “DISPUTED PASSAGE” FUipgoers will find the latest Lloyd C. Douglas- best-seller to reach the* screen all they expected. of it. The current offering of the man who gave the public “ MajKUficent . ig -Paramount’s newA-Disputed Passage,” which comes to the Theatre; to-morrow. Dorothy Lamblhv Akim Tamirotf. and John Howard are the cast leaders in the tale of the

medical world which thrilled the country with its exciting Incidents and its Insight into human motives and emotions. “ Disputed Passage ” is the story of the conflict between two philosophies, in medicine. One doctor, Akim Tamiroff, is the cold, factual scientist; the other, John Howard, hla pupils, respects the genius of his teacher, but misses something from his teachings. And the teacher’s mistake is brought home to him through a girl, Dorothy Lamour, and her vital love for the younger man. Miss Lamour, portraying an American girl brought up in China, returns to that country when Tamiroff persuades her that marriage to Howard will ' ruin the latter’s career. The locale of the story shifts to the Far Eastern conflict when Howard, discovering the reason motivating his fiancee’s refusal to marry him. has crossed the Pacific to find her. STATE THEATRE A -film about London, telling the story of the lives of some of its ordinary, everyday people. “A Window in London," which will he shown to-day at the State Theatre, has a Thames-side setting, and much of the action has for its background the building of the new' Waterloo bridge The principals of this mystery-drama are Michael Redgrave, who made such an auspicious film debut in "The Ladv Vanishes "—though some must go surely to Alfred Hitchcock, the director, who displayed his charge to his best advantage—Sally Gray, and Paul Lukas. Othrs in the east are Patricia Roc, Hartley Powei, and Gertrude Musgrove. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. “FIFTH AVENUE GIRL” Pioneering a new type of screen comedy, RKO Radio stars Ginger Rogers in “Fifth Avenue Girl,” the film to be shown at the State Theatre to-morrow, an uproarious tale of a sidewalk Cinderella who brings about a'revolution among the members of a rich but unhappy New York family. The picture revolves around the manifold activities of the Bordens in their Fifth avenue home' facing Central Park., The father, who has made millions with his pump -manufacturing company, suddenly realises that his family thinks of him only as a one-man mint. His wife , is carrying on with a playboy, plans to go to Reno and get a divorce. His son neglects the business to play polo. His daughter travels, with a dizzy crowd of nitwits, but is in love-with the Borden’s class-conscious chauffeur. And when, after a tough day at the office, Borden comes home hoping they will at least remember it Is his birthday, he finds they have forgotten that too, and have gone elsewhere for file evening. Despondent, he strolls into the park and encounters a jobless but cheerful working girl. He Joins her, enjoys her colourful attitude on life,, her scorn of the rich, and after a hectic evening of night-clubbing, takes her home with him as a guest. Her presence scandalises the wife, amuses the 1 daughter—but it centres the family at- I tentlon on the father for the first time i in years. ■' -, > ■V; ';'’’: EMPIRE THEATRE Greatest of the “dime detectives” is Nick Carter, who has thrilled two generations of youth all over the world. Now he makes his bow among the ranks of the screen detectives, and the first production. “Nick Carter. Master Detective, which is now being screened at the Empire Theatre, is likely to widen the ranks .of his admirers. 1 It is an up-to-date tale of espionage, aircraft secrets, and the action moves rapidly. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “INVISIBLE STRIPES” Starring George RMt, Jane Bryan, and William Holden. “ Invisible Stripes will have its local screening at the Empire Theatre to-morrow. The story is of a man just released frpm Sing Sing who is determined to lead ah honest life, but the obstacles he encounters as a parolee make it next to Impossible. George Raft, who renegged on his announcement that he would never play a gangster again, plays the title role, hut explained his action by saying; “The unusual aspects of such a role convinced me that this was just not another ■ gangster part, but one .In which there Is justlficatlhn.” - The suave actor, who won fame-years ago In " Scarface,” has come a long way since that auspicious film debut. Born in New York’s ,famed* Hell’s Kitchen, Raft stepped rapidly, through such careers as electricians helper, boxer, professional baseball player, and dancer. It was as a dancer’that Raft, found fame. When, the Charleston gave him the reputation as "the kid with the fastest feet In New York " he was off on his career, which soon brought him to the attention of Hollywood; A few minor roles, and then came the part as the klllefln “ Scarface.” Since that role George Raft has been; one of Hollywood’s top "menaces;" Recently he rebelled, and refused to play any more gangsters, but retracted his intention to play In ” Invisible! Stripes ”, because.’ of the nature .of "the role.' • nvv’- ' STRAND THEATRE There is an abundance of exciting action in the current programme, at the Strand Theatre. Pat O'Brien and Frank McHugh are starred in “ Devil on Wheels,”* drama of the motor racing track and of the fight, of a daredevil driver to prevent his,; younger brother from being caught up by the lure of speed. ” Stagecoach War.”, a tale of the early West, Is the Second feature. William Boyd has the lead. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “ENEMY AGENT” Attempts by foreign spies, to secure plans for one of America’s most closelyguarded military secrets, highly-publicised aeroplane bomb-sight, form the dramatic theme of Universal’s timely screen play, ” Enemy Agent,” which is coming to the Strand Theatre to-morrow. Although the story is described as fictional, it shows how enemy spies might gain employment In the giant aircraft factories of Southern California, and then carry on sabotage while trying to. steal blue-prints of the bomb-sight and advance warplane designs " Gangs of Chicago ” will be the associate picture; and Lloyd Nolan, Barton Maclane, and Lola Lane are the stars. MAYFAIR THEATRE s, One of the most delightful “ family ” pictures to reach the Dunedin screen is Four Daughters,” the present chief attraction at the Mayfair Theatre, where the associate feature is " Magnificent Fraud." Taken from an appealing story by Fannie Hurst, “ Four Daughters tells of the romances of the quartet of girls, all of whom are talented in their different ways. Lola, yßdpemary and Priscilla Lane. John Garfield, Claude Rains and Fay Balnter have the leading roles, and the acting Is excellent. The associate feature, " Magnificent Fraud,” features Akim Tamiroff, and Lloyd Nolan in an. exciting story of a South American dictator. The two films afford excellent entertainment. The box plans,are at the theatre and the D.I.C.