AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24419, 3 October 1940, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS

THE CURRENT PROGRAMMES EMPIRE THEATRE “ Charlie McCarthy, Detective," which heads the current programme at the Empire Theatre, brings Edgar Bergen and his two famous dolls. Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd, back to the screen in a highly entertaining and distinctly novel detective story. At the outset of the film Charlie Is a night club entertainer discoursing for the amusement of the patrons, but when a baffling murder takes place Charlie is involved In it. Like a hound on the scent he enlists Bergen's aid, and sets out after the evil-doer with great determination. The manner in which the criminal is finally brought to book provides excellent entertainment. There is a good supporting 'programme. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “ WAGONS WESTWARD ” “ Wagons Westward," a new Republic frontier story of epic proportions, wiU have its first local screening at the Empire Theatre to-morrow. Chester Morris acquits himself outstandingly in a difficult dual role, in which he was called upon to portray an upright and honourable young Government agent, and his twin brother, a thorough-going scoundrel and rogue. Morris, whose engaging screen personality has made him a long-time favourite with film goers, displays new, depth and sincerity in his current role, which stamps him one of filmdon’s outstanding dramatic actors. Ona Munson, whose marked talent was recently displayed in “ Gone With the Wind,” delivers a top-flight performance as Julie, the supervisor of the dance hall girls in the Bonanza Cafe. The fragile and lovely Anita Louise makes the most of an unforgettable role, in which she sacrifices her life to the vainglory of the man she blindly adores. STRAND THEATRE “ Zanzibar,” a story of adventure in the tropics, is at present being shown at the Strand Theatre. Lola Lane and James Craig have the principal roles, and strong support is provided bv Edouard Cianelll and Samuel S. Hinds The story deals with the perils which beset a group of explorers when they are shipwrecked in a boat carrying a cargo of wild animals, and have to combat all the natural dangers of the jungle as well as the attacks of the animals. The second picture is “ Blondle." in which Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake appear in another amusing story of the Dagwood family. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.X.C. “DOUBLE ALIBI” Wayne Morris, Margaret Lindsay and William Gargan share stellar honours in Universal’s " Double Alibi,” a new kind of mystery picture, which will be shown at the Strand Theatre to-morrow. Morris plays an unusual triple role as a murder suspect, a detective and a newspaper reporter, while Miss Lindsay likewise is a reporter and Gargan her lovelorn editor. Appearing in supporting roles are such well-known players as Roscoe Karns, Robert Emmett Keane, James Burke, William Pawley, Frank Mitchell and Wade Boteler. “ Hopalong ” Cassidy’s quick-trigger thinking clears an Innocent man of guilt in a highway robbery plot; his barking six-guns and flying fists clear the way for justice in the hardriding, claim-jumping frontier west of “ Hidden Gold,” the supporting feature.

ST. JAMES THEATRE There is varied entertainment o£ Rood quality in " Talking Feet,” which is now being shown at the St. James Theatre A British production, it tells a human little story of a young girl's efforts to raise funds for a hospital, and woven into the tale in a most natural manner are a number of musical items by outstanding artists and bands. William Heughan, the celebrated Scottish baritone, is heard in one effective number in which a pipe band also takes part, and Mark Hambourg. world-famed pianist, is also seen and heard in one sequence. The supporting programme is also good. The box plans arc at the theatre, the D.1.C.. and Jacobs’. “ BLACKMAIL ” In a role said to eclipse such memorable characterisations as “ Little Caesar ” and " Five Star Final,” Edward G, Robinson will come to the St. James Theatre to-morrow in ” Blackmail,” a tale of a wronged man who dedicates his life to revenge. Ruth Hussey, who recently scored in ” The Women ” and " Maisle,” enacts his wife in the new production, with Gene Lockhart cast in one of his rare villainous parts, and little Bobs Watson, of “On Borrowed Time” fame, playing Robinson’s son. Others in the cast are Guinn Williams. John Wray, Arthur Hohl and Esther Dale, under the direction of H. C Potter Although Robinson also is seen on the wrong side of the law in “ Blackmail,” it is Lockhart who is guilty of the crime for which Robinson was sent to prison nine years before the story

opens. Having escaped and set up a new life as an oil well shooter under an assumed name, Robinson is recognised by Lockhart, who blackmails him while professing friendship and pretending to mail to the police a confession to the crime By a ruse Lockhart secures possession of his own signed confession, which -he destroys. Then he turns Robinson over to the authorities. Robinson, returned to a prison camp, again escapes, sets lire to an oil well which Lockhart had attempted to steal from him, and corners his enemy between himself and the fire. The story draws towards one of the most dramatic climaxes in screen history as Robinson grabs Lockhart by the collar, forces from him an hysterical confession, the harrowing climax being ended by a logical conclusion. The support will be Blockheads," a Laurel and Hardy comedy. OCTAGON THEATRE Alfred Hitchcock’s brilliant film adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s novel, " Rebecca,” continues to draw large houses to the Octagon Theatre. The dramatic appeal of this exceptional production is intense, and throughout its considerable length the hand of the master producer is clearly seen. Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine have the leading roles of the grim young Cornishman and his unsophisticated wife whose romance comes within a hairsbreadth of being shattered by the shadow of the husband’s former wife, who, though dead, exercises a powerful influence against their happiness. Excellent supporting roles are played by Judith Anderson, Reginald Denny, Nigel Bruce and George Sanders. There is also an interesting “ March of Time.” The box plans are at the theatre and at Begg’s “EVERYTHING HAPPENS AT NIGHT” Sonja Henie has amazed movie-goers often in the past with her sensational artistry on the ice. but now the blonde champion pulls a new surprise out of the hat and emerges in her latest Twentieth Century-Fox film. ” Everything Happens at Night.” as a full-fledged, expert dramatic actress. Boasting a timely and dangerspiced story filled as well with gay and romantic touches, this new film presents Sonja with two leading men, Ray Milland and Robert Cummings, and the result of their collaboration is a screen treat indeed. " Everything Happens at Night ” will be shown to-morrow at the Octagon Theatre. Included in the cast are Maurice Moscovich, Leonid Kinskey, Alan Dinehart, and Fritz Feld.

GRAND THEATRE AN ABSORBING DRAMA Seldom has such an absorbing and tense drama been brought to the screen as “A Woman is the Judge,” the notable film that heads the new double-feature programme which opened what promises to be a successful season at the Grand Theatre yesterday. Accompanying this unusual film is a Western production of considerable merit, “ Outlaws of the Prairie,” which introduces attractive music into a picture devoted chiefly to thrilling adventure and fast action in the great West. Featuring a trio of notable players in Frieda Inescourt, Otto Kruger, ' and Rochelle Hudson, “A Woman is the Judge ” tells a dramatic story of a woman jurist who is suddenly faced with deciding the fate of her own daughter, who is accused of murder. Miss Inescourt is brilliantly cast as a noted woman judge who has carved out a successful career for herself after an unfortunate marriage with a criminal, whom she left, together with her baby daughter. In the middle of his trial, a racketeer makes use of the fact that one of the girls working for him is the judge’s daughter, and he decides to blackmail her. The daughter goes to him in an effort to prevent the blackmailing of her mother, whose career means so much to the underworld waif. In a struggle with the racketeer, she accidentally shoots him. and is tried for murder. On the morning of the girl’s trial before Miss Inescourt. her true identity is revealed to the judge, who resigns in order to save her daughter. A bril-liantly-defended trial follows, with happy results. Kruger is a clever district attorney who is in love with the judge and finally succeeds in his suit. It is an attractive story, well told and brilliantly acted. The associate feature, “ Outlaws of the Prairie,” is a story of a young man determined to avenge the murder of his father and at the same time to bring to justice a gang of gold bandits. There are exciting incidents, hard riding, quick shooting, and an attractive romance wrapped up in this picture, which features Charles Starrett in the leading role. An entertaining " Colour Rhapsody ” completes the programme. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. REGENT THEATRE

A dramatic story of modern history is told in “ Juarez,” which is now being shown at the Regent Theatre The principal theme is the attempt of Napoleon 111 to establish a puppet empire of the youthful republic of Mexico. The newlyformed Mexican republic, under the leadership of its president, Juarez, has confiscated ail the land belonging to the large landowners, and refuses to pay interest on the loans made by France to

; the previous Mexican Government. At the i point of French swords the illiterate r peons are forced to vote in favour of monarchical rule, and the tragic puppet 1 emperor, Maximilian, and his wife, Carlota, are installed. The story deals with p the unhappy fate of Maximilian, and also tolls the inspiring story of the victorious : fight to rescue the young republic which , was waged by Juarez. Paul Muni and . Bette Davis head an Imposing cast. There I Is a good supporting programme. The box . plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. 1 “ THE SECRET OF OR KILDARE ” ’ Young Dr Jimmy Kildare sets out to save a beautiful girl who would rather ’ died than reveal the secret which would . save her, in a gripping drama of mystery, romance, and medical wonders in " The Secret of Dr Kildare.” third of the scientific detective series, which will be shown at the Regent Theatre to-morrow, with Lew Ayres as the young doctor and Lionel Barrymore as the veteran Dr Gillespie, his scourge and mentor. The new picture deals with a weird mental malady ‘ of a beautiful heiress, which medicine | fails to solve. Ayres turns detective to ; trail the mystery down to the machina- ; tions of a fanatical nurse and a quack ’ doctor. Ayres in the title role is con- ; vincingly earnest, and yet injects whimI sical lightness into many of the picture’s , episodes. Barrymore is perfect as the ; irascible old diagnostician and indulges ! in comedy of a Mark Twainish nature [ when he takes part in a game of dice , with his coloured servant. Lionel A twill, Helen Gilbert, Nat Pendleton, and Laralne Day head the supporting cast, and others who give excellent accounts of themselves include Sara Haden. Samuel S. | Hinds, Emma Dunn, Walter Kingsford, Grant Mitchell, Alma Kruger, Robert Kent, and Marie Blake. The dramatic highlights include the restoration of a girl’s sight by mental suggestion and Barrymore’s healing of a paralytic boy by a new medical discovery. STATE THEATRE An exciting drama of the early days of American colonisation is told in *■ Drums Along the Mohawk.” which is now being shown at the State Theatre. Against a rich background of courage and adventure, Claudette Colbert and Henry Fonda are starred, in a tribute to those early settlers who pushed inland to found their homes amidst Indian perils and the uncertainties of a new land. The film is adapted from the best-selling novel, and the pageant thus provided has been done full justice. The battle scenes are particularly good. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “ THE STARS LOOK DOWN ” Each of Dr A. J. Cronin’s sensational novels has had a motive; almost all attacked, openly and convincingly some grave public Injustice which resulted in exploitation and misery for thousands of the world’s ordinary people. In “ The Stars Look Down,” coming to the State Theatre to-morrow, the dangers faced by the British coal miners are graphically depicted, but the drab and heart-breaking existence is all the more realistic as the film, like the novel, shows how, but for the avarice and callousness of the mine owners, the plight of the miners could be greatly alleviated. Michael Redgrave is cast as the young scholar, ex-miner, whose aim in life is to gain a political position sufficiently prominent to make men listen to him and learn about the miners’ hardships. Margaret Lockwood is Jennie, his selfish and worldly little wife, who all but ruins his chances and career. The best-remembered of the novel’s characters. Jow Gowlan, is played by Emlyn Williams, who gives a fine por-

trayal of the attractive scamp. The film will be accompanied by the latest “ March of Time ” issue. This should be of exceptional interest at the present time, as it deals with the Pope’s efforts to secure world peace, despite the fact that Italy is at war. MAYFAIR THEATRE There is an abundance of swift action in the current programme at the Mayfair Theatre, where the two attractions arc “ The Oklahoma Kid ” and ” King of Alcatraz.” “ The Oklahoma Kid ” presents Jimmy Cagney In a Western that is different. It combines the qualities of the several epic productions that have been screened, and it lias also the virtues of the more common melodrama. Cagney scores one of his biggest successes and Humphrey Bogart is sound in support The supporting film, “ The King of Alcatraz,” is a crime melodrama in which Lloyd Nolan and J. Carrol Naish have the leading roles. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.