AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24412, 25 September 1940, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

THE CURRENT PROGRAMMES EMPIRE THEATRE ...The story of the brutal Apache Indian ... G&ronimo, who terrorised - the ■■■■ ; western States of America after*the Civil AVar, Vis" told in the picture of the same name, which is now being screened, at the Em* ' pire Theatre. Preston Foster, Ralph Morgan, "Andy Devlne, and Ellen Drew have ithe"-,principal roles. The film is full of action as the war between the Indians and ' ine Government troops is carried on; and the pitched battle which brings ■the film to a thrilling climax Is reallstic>ally.done. There is a strong supporting programme, and the box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. : MCCARTHY. DETECTIVE" When Charlie McCarthy starts snooping around*--crlminals beware! And Charlie Is snooping all over the place ;In the Universal offering, "Charlie McCarthy, Detective,", the next attraction ■at :the Empire Theatre, for it presents the wisecracking, wooden .wonder.as a night club entertainer, who (with Bergen, of course) finds himself hip deep In a : baffling murder mystery. Bergen and 'McCarthy head the cast. They are starred with Mortimer SnercL Bergen's other playmate < and Charlie's' particular " pain in the Among those who talk for i themselves are Robert' Cummings, Constance Moore, John Sutton, Louis Cal- . hern; Edgar Kennedy, Samuel S. Hinds, Harold Huber, and Warren Hymer. In addition to deducting, sleuthing, McCarthy and Bergen perform several new comedy routines. STRAND THEATRE The film version of Damon Runyon's story, " Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President," heads the current programme at the Strand Theatre. William Gargan and Ann Sothern are ideally suited to the roles of Runyon's entertaining people, and their good-humoured bickering provides some delightful sequences. They go to see the president on behall of a friend who allows .his good-nature to lead him into folly, with the result that he is imprisoned. The scene in which they both try to tell the president the story of their friends' lapse, and solicit his assistance in having the unfortunate man released. Is highly diverting. The second picture Is " Santa Fe Marshal," another of the Hopalong Cassidy adventure stories, in which William Boyd again gives a vigorous characterisation in the principal role. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C,

' ZANZIBAR " Graphic adventures of a white huntress in conflict with jungle beasts and African savages in the shadow of a flaming volcano are presented in Universal's exciting film " Zanzibar," which will come on Fri-. day to the Strand Theatre. Lola Lane portrays a daring girl explorer in the picture. James Craig, handsome screen newcomer, has the role of a danger-seek-ing young American. The story is based upon a fantastic but little known provision of the Versailles Treaty which commanded that the. sacred skull of an African Sultan be returned to its rightful tribe to restore peace among the natives. Blending historical fact with fiction, the story turns the spotlight upon one of the most wierd themes ever brought to the screen ST. JAMES THEATRE The übiquitous Maisie Ravier, heroine of several films, goes to Africa in her latest picture, " Congo Maisie," now at the St. James Theatre, and she has many exciting adventures, being mixed up in a native uprising. John Carrol, Rita John-son,-and J. M. Kerrigan are also in the cast. The second film, " Dangerous Fingers," deals with the adventures of a master crook. The 'box plans are at the theatre, the D.l.C.,and Jacobs', "TALKING FEET" Hazel Ascot, who, at the age of nine years, is the champion dancer of England, heads the cast of " Talking Feet," a British picture which .will be given its premiere at the St. James Theatre on Friday. Hazel not only dances perfectly but is also able to sing well and act in a manner that augurs well for her future. Among the supporting players are such renowned stars as Mark Hambourg, William Heughan, Davy Burnaby, Enid Stamp-Taylor;' John Stuart, Jack Barty, and Kenneth Kove, Mark Hambourg is the world famous pianist who toured New Zealand some years ago. He presents a unique mini-piano ensemble featuring himself and 14 clever juveniles. William Heughan, the famous Scotch baritone, is also well known to Dunedin people* and his number, " The Meeting of the Clan," in which he is supported by the Seaforth Highland Band is magnificent in music and Voice and picture perfect. The Three Cockney Comedians are responsible for much wit. humour and comedy, and the Eight Dancing Boys and the Dagenham Girl Pipers are champions at their art. Novelty Is added by the clever work of the Band of the Royal Marines, who led the procession of " Sailor Heroes" of H.M.S. Ajax and H.M.S. Exeter in London recently.

OCTAGON THEATRE * ; Rebecca," Alfred Hitchcock's brilliant screen adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's. unusual story, continues ■ to attract large audiences to the Octagon Theatre. The sombre atmosphere of the Cornish mansion in which the story is unfolded has been faithfully captured by the director, and the performances of the two principals, Lawrence Olivier and Joan Fontaine, still further raise the high level of the production. Miss Fontaine plays the role of an unsophisticated girl who marries a rich young Cornishman, whose life and that of his household is ruled by the spirit of his dead wife The struggle of the young girl to rise above the sombre atmosphere and capture the love of her .husband makes a gripping story which mounts to an unusual climax. The box plan's are at the theatre and Begg's. GRAND THEATRE Henry Wilcoxon is one of Hollywood's most versatile actors. Originally brought over from England to play what he calls a " grandiloquent " role in " Cleopatra," Wilcoxon scored so decisively with the American picturegoers that he was cast in another such role in " The Crusades." However, he soon doffed his toga and coat of mail for modern clothes and has since proved that he is equally at home in all types of modern characterisations. Now Wilcoxon gives one of his best performances to date as a charming and successful doctor who falls in love with one of the lovely guests at the Sherrington, swank metropolitan hotel for women, in " Fref. Blo"de and 21," the new 20th Cen-tury-Fox film, which is the feature of the new bill at the Grand Theatre Lynn Bari plays the beauty in question, while others prominently featured in the cast are Mary Beth Hughes, Joan Davis, Robert Lowery, Alan Baxter, Katharine Aldridge, Helen Erlcson and Chick Chandler. " Free, Blonde and 21," was directed by Ricardo Cortez. " The Spider," a British mystery drama, is in support. Box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. REGENT THEATRE If " Ninotchlta," her new film which is. now showing at the Regent Theatre, is any criterion, Greta Garbo has abandoned her more or less permanent role as a gloomy, reticent tragedienne; She is seen as a slick, suave comedienne; she becomes tipsy, even falls in love like an ordinary human being, and finds enjoyment in the pleasures of; the Paris bourgeoisie. The way in which she fulfils her acting requirements in " Ninotchka " is further proof—if any were needed—of her trus,artistry. Further it justifies the.-daring of master-producer Ernest Lubitsch.- who had the courage to make the screen's No. 1 tragedienne into a screen clown. Melvyn Douglas is as amusing as ever in thfe male lead, while the main supporting roles are competently filled by Ina Claire, Bela Lugosi, and Sig Rumann. The box, plans are at the theatre and the P'.I.C. i "JUAREZ" 'Juarez," Warner Bros.' brilliant new production starring Paul Muni and Bette Davis, will be screened at the' Regent Theatre on Friday. The materials of the film are history; history dealt with in a fascinating style; but audiences will find that the added fascination of " Juarez" lies in its cast, which boasts Academy Award winners in both leading roles. First, Muni plays one of his most forceful parts as Juarez. President of Mexico in the sixties. The queen of the screen, Bette Davis, plays the tragic figure of Carlotta, wife of Emperor Maximilian. For Brian Aherne big things are ahead in films, if his Maximilian is a criterion. In a notable cast are Claude Rains, the brilliant John Garfield, Donald Crisp, Joseph Calleia, Gale Sondergaard Gilbert Roland, and Henry O'Neill STATE THEATRE Appreciative audiences at the State Theatre are spontaneously acclaiming Walter Wanger's presentation of " The House Across the Bay " as unusual and satisfy-

ing entertainment. George Raft and Joan Bennett play the leads, and the strong cast associated with them includes.. Walter Pidgeon; Gladys George, Lloyd Nolan, and June Knight; The pivotal character of "The House Across the Bay," which is based on a . story by Myles Connolly, is Brenda Bentley (Joan Bennett), a young girl confronted with the problem' of adjusting her life to a strange fate when her husband is sent to prison for evading the payment of income tax. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. '■ "BRUMS ALO&fiT THE'MOHAWK" When Walter D. Edmonds, who was raised in the traditions 'of New .York State's beautiful Mohawk Valley, wrote his biggest of best-sellers, " DrUms Along the Mohawk," it was immediately recognised by Darryl F. Zanuck as one of the finest screen possibilities he had ever encountered. Accordingly the book . was purchased by 20th Century-Fox, who proceeded to give It top importance on the' schedule. This is evidenced by the names associated with Zanuck's production of " Drums Along the Mohawk," the State Theatre's coming attraction. John Ford was made director. Claudette Colbert was starred with Henry Fonda, whose family hails from the Mohawk Valley. Other names in the cast guaranteeing unusual playing power are Edna May Oliver, Eddie Collins, John Carradine, and Dorris Bowdon. To top it all, it was decided to film the picture in Technicolor so as to bring out as vividly as possible the great action and battle scenes and to take advantage of the beautiful backgrounds of the valley in which the filming was done. MAYFAIR 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 shown .at the Mayfair 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. " Legion of Lost Flyers," starring Richard Arlen and Andy Devine, will support. Box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.