AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24402, 13 September 1940, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS

THE NEW PROGRAMMES GRAND THEATRE A fiendish plot to destroy the Panama canal and trap the American Fleet in the wrecked locks is the challenge faced bv the famous Earl Derr Biggers sleuth, Charlie Chan, in “Charlie Chan in Panama,” the main feature on the particularly attractive double-feature programme which Is now at the Grand theatre. Sidney Toler once again portrays Charlie, and among those prominent in the supporting cast are Jean Rogers. Lionel Atwill. Mary Naish. Sen Yung. Kane Richmond. Chris-Pin Martin, Lionel Roycc, Helen Ericson, and Jack La Rue. As usual, the plot is well worked out, and there is plenty of incident and suspense. The second feature is " On Their Own.” another instalment of the adventures of the celebrated Jones Family. In this film Father Jones has had serious financial reverses and a consequent nervous breakdown, so. in his absence, the family has to set to work to adjust itself to the new circumstances. There is a blend of humour and some pathos in their efforts, and the whole goes to make good entertainment. The various parts ax - e played by the actors who have created thein in the past. The box plans are at the theatre and Begs’s. REGENT THEATRE Deserving rank alongside the greatest of ail medical stories, the new Paramount picture, “ Disputed Passage.” brings to the screen at the Regent Theatre to-day an exciting talc of the world of science. The picture deals more with a doctor's attitude towards his practice than the practice itself. Akim Tamiroff has a suitable role as a world-famous neurological surgeon who scorns all things outside the realm of pure science. This trenchant viewpoint reacts strongly upon the lives of John Howard, brilliant student at the medical college headed by Tamiroff, and on Dorothy Lamour, an American girl brought up in China. Howard meets Miss Lamour when he is called to operate on the nerves of her injured arm. He learns that she has come to the land of her parents for the first time, to raise money for the embattled Chinese people. Before many weeks have passed they realise they are in love. Tamiroff learns of their intended marriage and exclaims that his protege's career will be ruined. At a private appointment he tells Miss Lamour that her husband-to-be will never be great if he marries. Convinced that marriage will ruin the career of the man she loves, the unhappy girl departs for China. A brief telegram to Howard explains: “ We must both follow our separate paths. Howard abandons his position and spends gruellii'e weeks seething for his fiancee the length and breadth of war-torn China. Box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. STATE THEATRE A millionaire’s one-man rebellion forms the laughter-packed theme of “ Fifth Avenue Girl,” RKO Radio's new starring vehicle for Ginger Rogers, which is to be screened at the State Theatre to-day. The millionaire is Walter Connolly, who, after years of steadily-increasing neglect on the part of his family, hires Miss Rogers to pose as a gold-digger and stay in his palatial Fifth avenue mansion as his house guest. His wife and children suddenly become very solicitous about him, and do their best to drive the feminine intruder away—all of which makes for the many uproarious sequences of the film. Two youthful romances, and a second honeymoon for the millionaire and his wife, are all taken care of by the time Miss Rogers completes her job. The role is one of the most engaging which the Titian-haired s-Lar has ever played, and the picture itself is rated among tire funniest offerings of recent < years. Verree Teasdale, Tim Holt, and Kathryn Adams, the latter a discovery from the “ Gateway to Hollywood " talent quest, comprise Connolly’s family in tne film, with James Ellison in one of the romantic leads. Box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. EMPIRE THEATRE Lewis E. Lavves, who wrote the story for “ Invisible Stripes," to-day's change at the Empire Theatre, has always championed the rights of one-time losers to return to good citizenship after learning their lesson behind prison walls, and it is this theme which underlies the stirring dramatic story of “ Invisible Stripess.” It is the story of two convicts who are released from prison on the same day—one a hardened criminal, the other a first offender anxious to return to an honest and useful life. The former makes no attempt to mend his ways. He knows that he will end up back in the " big house,” but until that happens he, intends to enjoy life. The latter tries tc find honest work, but the prison stigma causes him to lose his jobs as fast as he gets them. His girl turns against him refuses to marry a branded man. His younger brother, discouraged by his own inability to make enough money to marry on, is ripe for a life of crime and easy money. Realising the futility of trying (o go straight himself, the ex-convict goes back to his old gang and joins them in a robbery, so that he can give his brother enough money to go info business for himself. Box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. STRAND THEATRE Revealing the work of G-men as they fight to halt spy activity and prevent theft of vital military plane designs from United States aircraft factories, Universal’s timely film. “ Enemy Action,” will be shown at the Strand Theatre to-day. For sheer "newspaper headline” realism, suspense and fast action, • few pictures have more to offer. Featuring Richard Cromwell, Helen Vinson, Robert Armstrong and Jack La Rue, the story is told in ,and around the giant aircraft factories of Southern California. The screen play by Sam Robins and Edmund L. Hartman dramatises newspaper stories on spy activities, and is charged with genuine excitement. A drama of the underworld life of Chicago will be the associate picture. It is “ Gangs of Chicago.” The story tells of the struggle of a man whose father has been killed by the police to “ get even ” with society. Box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. ST. JAMES THEATRE 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 be shown at the St. James Theatre today. This time he takes the role of a convict who is glad enough to remain in prison out of the way of his domineering wife, who continually nags him to find work and not to lie in bed half the day. When Sandy is pardoned and has to 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 Home” also includes in the cast Rene Ray, Roy Emerton, Kathleen Harrison and Norma Varden. Offering Hugh Herbert a chance to romp through seven of the funniest voles in comedy history. Universal’s gay musical farce, “La Conga Nights,” will complete the bill. Herbert portrays his eccentric mother, his four daffy sisters, his whimsical grandfather and himself in what is described as a comedy drama with music, dancing and new songs. The story follows Herbert’s surprising experiences when ho tires of managing his vast fortune and starts out to become director of a neighbourhood rhumba band. Special gowns, wigs and make-up were created to enable the comedian to portray the five feminine roles in the picture. Hilarious scones arc said to be those in which four or five Herberts sit around a table trying to “ outwit ” each other. Supporting players include Barnett Parker, Frank Orth, Fcrike Boros and Sally Payne. Box plans are at the theatre, the D I.C. and Jacobs’s, OCTAGON THEATRE With Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine heading a cast of outstanding players and with a story filled with drama, suspense, and mystery, David O. Selziiick’s latest production. “ Rebecca," is showing at the Octagon Theatre. The film was brilliantly directed bv Alfred Hitchcock, known internationally as a master of intrigue, crime, and mystery on the screen. “ Rebecca ” is the film version of the best-selling novel of the same name by Daphne du Maurier. It was prepared for the screen by Robert E Sherwood and Joan Harrison, and retains all the gripping drama of the original book. The theme of the story is distinctly unusual, but it is brilliantly handled from all points of view. Oliver and Joan Fontaine both give impressive performances, and the film, which will commence an extended season to-day, promises to be one of the most popular seen here for some time. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s.