AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24423, 8 October 1940, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

THE CURRENT PROGRAMMES j GRAND THEATRE A dramatic story of a women judge who is faced with the task of having to try her own daughter on a murder charge forms the theme of “A Woman is the Judge," which is the principal attraction at the Grand Theatre. Frieda Inescourt I is responsible for a notable portrayal of I the part of the judge, who escapes from | her predicament by resigning from het post and undertaking the defence ol her I daughter, whom she has not seen since 1 she was a small child The second pic--1 lure is “ Outlaws of the Prairie,” in which I Charles Starrctt plays the part of a Texas Ranger who is required to rid the district j of a gang of gold robbers whose activities have brought the locality into dis- | repute. The box plans are at the theatre and at Begg’s • FROZEN LIMITS” { One of the most ambitious film sets ever I built in a London studio was erected for the Crazy Gang’s third and latest screen comedy, " Frozen Limits,” which will be released at the Grand Theatre to-morrow The set represented Red Gulch City, a mining town, ostensibly in Alaska, the place where, tradition has it, " men are really men." In a very cofifined space at the studios a small army/of carpenters, with only a blue-print plan'to guide them, constructed a set that “ breathed the very spirit ” of the Yukon. All the edifices familiar from American " Westerns " were present with just that vital “ difference.” A long, narrow, winding street, with its rough and unprepared roadway, stretched as far as the eye could see The unkempt actual thoroughfare was accentuated by the tumbledown buildings on either side that represented the inevitable swingdoored saloon a la Mexico, the prln- !- cipal mining office and cheap, drab-looklng hotel, on which a creaking sign declaimed the fact that one could enjojy a superlative bed and breakfast for just a few nickels a night When Dad retires and heads the Jones Family towards Broadway, things are bound to happen and happen fast! And they certainly do just that In “ Young As You Feel.” the newest and funniest of the 20th Century-Fox comedies, which will be the associate feature. Dad Jed Prouty turns jitterbug and Ma Spring Byington goes “ glamour girl ” REGENT THEATRE A straight-forward drama, with touches of pathos and comedy, ” The Secret of Dr Kildare,” which heads the current .programme at the Regent Theatre, is excellent entertainment for all tastes Once again Lew Ayres has the role of young Dr Kildare, and he gives an outstanding performance, while Lionel Barrymore once more is responsible for a brilliant characterisation. Laraine Day, Lionel Atwill, and Nat Pendleton head the supporting cast. The story concerns the efforts of old Dr Gillespie and young Kildare in their research into the cure for pneumonia. Endeavouring to get the old man to stop his work, which is sapping his strength, the other pretends to be interested in a neurotic heiress, who is smitten by blindness. This is the basis for an interesting drama, which rises to a strong climax. There is a varied supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C, “JUDGE HARDY AND SON” Troubles—both financial and romantic—and Andy Hardy are apparently inseparable, and Micxey Rooney is again up to his neck in hot water in ‘ Judge Hardy and Son.” which will commence its Dunedin season on Friday at the Regent Theatre. The familiar Hardy characters all appear at their best in this latest of the series, main roles being taken by the veteran Lewis Stone, Fay Holden. Cecilia Parker, Sarah Haden. and Maria Ouspenskaya the latter well-known character actress of stage and screen giving one of her most memorable performances. It is unnecessary to say that with Judge Hardy’s youngest in the thick of things there are laughs aplenty. STATE THEATRE

In “ The Stars Look Down,” whicli is the current film at the State Theatre, 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 hest-remembered of the novel’s characters, Jow Gowlan, is played by Emlyn Williams, who gives a fine portrayal of the attractive scamp. Box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. “ SAILOR’S LADY ” A comedy-romance, " Sailor’s Lady,” starring Nancy Kelly, Joan Davies, and Jon Hall will be the next film at the State Theatre. It has a naval background. EMPIRE THEATRE A vigorous Western story which embodies all the best and most entertaining features of this particular type of screen production is told in ” Wagons Westward.” which heads the current programme at the Empire Theatre. Chester Morris has the dual role of Thomas and David Cook, twin brothers of widely different characters Tom is the naturally vicious brother who becomes the head- of a bandit gang in New Mexico, and David is the other who does his best to clean the gangs out of the country When Tom is Imprisoned, David impersonates him and endeavours to trap the leaders of the other gangs by inviting them to amalgamate with his brother’s forces. A tangled romance also comes into the story, which winds up in a flurry of shooting and much hard riding. There is a good supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “ GREEN HELL” Teamed together for the first time, Douglas Fairbanks, ,jun„ and Joan Bennett are said to make one of the most striking romantic couples ever seen in a motion picture. They will be seen as co-stars of " Green Hell.” initial Famous Productions film for Universal release, which will come to the Empire Theatre on Friday In the story, Joan is Inadvertently marooned in the jungle camp of six men. headed by Fairbanks, who resents her presence because of its demoralising effect upon his men Joan is equally spiteful toward him The plot, however, requires an attack by savages,

the death of two members ol the camp, and strained relations among all the others to bring about this transition, and Fairbanks and Miss Bennett find that they have a lot in common.

STRAND THEATRE ” Double Alibi,” which is now being shown at the Strand Theatre, tells an intriguin., mystery story in which there is plenty of action and excitement. Wayne Morris has the rotes of a murder suspect, a detective, and a reporter, and Margaret Lindsay, William Gargan Roscoe Karns. and James Burke lend admirable support. The second picture is " Hidden Gold, another spirited Hopalong Cassidy story, in which William Boyd again plays the leading role in a tale dealing with Cassidy’s endeavours to free an innocent man from a charge of robbing a stage coach. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. ST. JAMES THEATRE Edward G. Robinson is given a new and more attractive role in “ Blackmail,” the principal feature at the St. James Theatre this week In this story he Is cast as an innocent man who has escaped from prison only to be returned through treachery to a convict camp. He is forced to endure all manners of torture and privations in the camp, and all the time he is filled with a burning desire for revenge. His final escape and dramatic means of avenging his betrayal complete a remarkable film Gene Lockhart and Ruth Hussey are also in the cast Laurel and Hardy appear In the associate feature, “ Blockheads.” which is an hilarious comedy in their best style. The box plans are at the theatre, the D.1.C.. and Jacobs’ • COME ON. GEORGE ” it Is not the lot of every performer to be able to compose his or her own song numbers, but this does not go for George Formby, England’s ace firm-stage-and-radin comedian, starring In “ Come On, George,” the riotous horse-racing comedy which will come to the St. James Theatre on Friday Of the 66 numbers Formby has recorded, he has written and composed 66 himself. Of these recordings the most popular Is “ Chinese Limehouse Laundry Blues,” which might never have been included in his repertoire had it not been brought under his notice a second time, for when It was first offered to him, Formbv turned it down. Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette are the stars of the film which will be In support. “ Colorado Sunset " 's Its name OCTAGON THEATRE

Sonja Heme, Maurice Moscoviich, Ray Mllland and Robert Cummings are a brilliant quartet in " Everything Happens at Night, the present attraction at the Octagon Theatre The film has something in common with 11 1 Met Him in Paris, in that much of its appeal is the attractiveness of three people who dally with love in romantic surroundings. This film is easily one ot the brightest in which Sonja Henie has appeared If its story has a melodiamatlc thread streaking its gay texture, at least ft has a topical note echoing something of the International intrigues that led to the war. It tells of the search of two rival newspaper reporters for a Nobel Peace Prize winner Who escaped from a German concentration camp. Together they find the attractive Sonja Henie, who in this picture shows more than ever that her acting ability is as great as her skating. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. “MY FAVOURITE WIFE” The conflict between a kissless bride and a legally dead wife over the same husband brings about dramatic and hilarious complications In the new Irene DunneCary Grant co-starring film for RKO Radio, “ My Favourite Wife,” which will come to the Octagon Theatre on Friday. Leo McCarey, who guided the two stars in ” The Awful Truth,” is responsible for the new scintillating hit directed by Garson Kanin, of “ Bachelor Mother " fame. \ MAYFAIR THEATRE •One of the outstanding stage and screen productions of recent years, “ The Women,” is the principal feature at the Mayfair Theatre. This brilliant satire on the outlook and habits of women features Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Rosalind Russell. Mary Boland. Paulette Goddard, Joan Fontaine, and Virginia Weidler, " Mystery of the White Room ” is the associate feature. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.