AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24424, 9 October 1940, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

THE CURRENT PROGRAMMES REGENT THEATRE Young Dr Jimmy Kildare sets out to save a beautiful girl who would rather die 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 is showing at the Regent Theatre, with Lew Ayres as the young doctor and Lionel Barrymore as the vetera Dr Gillespie, his scourge and mentor. The picture deals with a weird mental malady of a beautiful heiress, which medicine fails to solve Avres turns detective to trail the mystery down to the machinations of a fanatical nurse and a quack doctor. Based on the popular story by Max Brand, tire picture moves with rapid tempo. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.X.C, •• JUDGE HARDY AND SON” Further adventures of the most lovable family to appear on the screen are seen in “ Judge Hardy and Son." to be presented at the Regent Theatre on Friday Although the film is not lacking in laughs, it contains a rathei more serious note than Its predecessors and it is this note which has made it the best of the series to be seen in Dunedin Mickey Rooney again takes a leading role as Andy Hardy, and as before, contrives to entangle hlmseli with every known vari°ty of trouble, both romantic and financial. Other familiar faces are Lewis Stone, Fay Holden, Cecilia Parker. Sarah Haden, and the veteran character actress of stage and screen, Marla Ouspenskaya, the latter convincingly displaying that she has lost none of her old ability. An elderly couple, left Penniless through the selfishness of their daughter, attract the attention of the elder Hardy, and while he endeavours to help them in their need a further tragic note is struck by Mrs Hardy being laid low with pneumonia The proveiblal happy ending, however, sees all parties reunited and facing tire future with high hopes STATE THEATRE “The Stars Look Down," one ot the most important films to come from British studios recently, is at the State Theatre. This is a picture adaptation of A. a Cronin’s famous novel of the same name, and puts a moving case for the betterment of conditions in some of the coal mining areas in England. The m o in theme Is told in a story concerning David Fenwick. a young man of mining stock, who gains a scholarship and goes to university, intending to devote his energies ultimately In fighting for better working conditions for the people he has known all his life Box plans are at the theatre and Bcgg s. •• SAILOR’S LADY ” When an adopted stowaway baby " scuttles ” the navy's war games and runs a romance ragged, there can be only one result —fun! That is exactly what will be offered in the action-packed laugh not, “ Sailor’s Lady,” starring Nancy Kelly and Jon Hall, at the State Theatre on Friday In the 20th Century-Fox film the laughtei gets off to an early start when sailor Jon comes home to sweetheart Nancy and discovers that she has adopted Skipper. Supporting these two stars in their grand performances Is Joan Davis, gyrating wildly and forcing laughs at her usual fast rate. Others featured In the funproducing cast are: Dana Andrews, Mary Nash, Larry Crabbe. Katharine Aldridge. Harry Shannon and Wally Vernon. EMPIRE THEATRE A rather unusual story, good acting, and plenty of action and excitement make the present attraction at the Empire Theatre, Wagons Westward." a film of particular Interest. It tells the story of a young man who becomes the leader of a band of brigands in, New Mexico, only to be captured by his twin brother who does his best to rid the country of the bandits. A clever impersonation is carried out by the law-abiding brother, but it brings grief to a beautiful girl. Chester Morris and Anita Louise have the leading roles. The supporting programme is an entertaining one. The box plans are at the theatie and the D.I.C. “GREEN KELL” Hordes of head hunters play an important part In "Green Hell, initial Famous Productions film for Universal release, which will be shown at the Empire Theatre on Friday. These savages, still found In the upper Amazon regions chosen as the locale of this fllm, form the menacing background for the picture. They attempt to annihilate all of the principals much in fhe samei manner as the real head hunters are thought to have wiped out Colonel H. P. Fawcett and his party and two expeditions sent in search of the famous explorer. Nowhere on earth can be found a more cruel and savage people than the head hunters of the upper Amazon country, which is known as Inferno Verde (Green Hell). STRAND THEATRE An exciting murder mystery, entitled “ Double Alibi," is at present being shown at the Strand Theatre. The story Is cleverly developed, and embodies a wealth of sensational sequences and dramatic scenes. The principal parts are played by Wayne Morris and Margaret Lindsay, with William Gargan. Roscoe Karns. and James Burke filling the supporting roles The second picture Is 'Hidden Gold, a further story of the adventures of Clarence E Mulford’s Western hero Hopalong Cassidy. William Boyd, in the leading role, is this time called upon to help a man who is wrongly accused of complicity m a stage coach robbery. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “’YOU’RE NOT SO TOUGH” Eight of the screen’s toughest youngsters will be seen In prominent and featured roles of Universal’s " You’re Not So Tough,” which will come on Friday to the Strand Theatre, The eight are Billy Halop. Huntz Hall. Gabriel Dell, Bernard Punsly, Bobby Jordan. Harris Merger. David Gorcey, and Hally Chester, all of whom have appeared In the play " Head End.” In "You’re Not So Tough the boys will be seen as California crop workers following the harvests up and down the State. Others in the cast are Nan Grey, Henry Armetta, and Rosina Gaul. " The Kid from Kokomo,” something new in the way of prize fight comedies, will be the associate film. Pat O’Brien, Wayne Morris and Joan Blondell head the cast of the Warner Bros, production. ST. JAMES THEATRE A tense melodrama of the attempt of an innocent prisoner to lead a new life, and of his resentencing, second escape, and revenge after the real criminal tricks him. " Blackmail.” with Edward G. Robinson as Its star, is now showing at the St. James Theatre. Robinson Is seen as a dynamiter of oil fires who develops into a callous brute when wrongly sent back to prison, and makes revenge his sole object. Ruth Hussey, little Bobs Watson, Guinn Williams. John Wray, and Arthur Hohl are in the fine supporting cast. On the same bill is “Blockheads,” featuring the popular comedy team Laurel and Hardy. The box plans are at the theatre. Jacobs' and the D.I.C. “ COME ON, GEORGE ” It was due to the enthusiasm ot a Lancashire picture exhibitor that George Formby. who will be seen at the St. James Theatre on Friday in "Come On, George,” was Induced to go into the movies, for the theatre proprietor had noted the way fllm fans all over the country had taken to Grade Fields—herself a native of Lancashire—and considered Formby a good “bet." Formby, however, had his own point of view. He was a picture fan himself, and has his own favourites, just like thousands of other fans all over the country, and he Was also a bit critical. He used to go and see comedies made by comedians who were said to be getting thousands of dollars a week, and thought that perhaps money came to them a bit on the easy side at times. Inwardly, however, he yearned to do something in front of a movie camera His chance came sooner than expected. Prompted by the exhibitor who considered him a good " bet," Formby was later approached by a representative of the Mancurian Film Company, for whom he made two pictures, which, If they did not reach any high production standard, certainly provided him with the experience he desired. Gene Autry. Smiley Burnette, and June Storey are the featured players in “ Colorado Sunset.” which will be In support. OCTAGON THEATRE Sonja Hdnie, the beautiful skating star, Is featured in "Everything Happens at Night,” which 1$ the main attraction at the Octagon Theatre this week. The story tells how two rival newspaper reporters endeavour to track Dr Hugo Norden. a famous figure at peace conferences, and thought to have been assassinated. In doing so, they encounter a pretty girl on skis. The discovery of Norden’s hiding place reveals the girl b Identity and also develops the dramatic note of the story. The chief characters, Include Ray Mllland and Robert Cummings as the reporters. Sonja Henie has one superlative skating sequence, perhaps the best in which she has figured.

Maurice Moscovitch is an arresting figure as Norden, and Fritz Feld gets all the comedy possible from his small role of the gendarme. There Is a strong supporting programme, and the box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. “MY FAVOURITE WIFE” Possessing all the elements that go to make a great drama, “My Favourite Wife.” starring Irene Dunne and Cary Grant, is one of the brightest, breeziest comedies ever filmed. This picture will be introduced to local audiences at the Octagon Theatre on Friday. After an enforced sojourn of seven years on a tropic Island, Ellen (Irene Dunne) returns to find that Nick Arden (Cary Grant), her husband, has that day had her_^f, c 2, r< legally dead, and has married Gall Patrick. She determines to break up the honeymoon, and to get Nick back. When he meets her he is completely flabbergasted, but realises that he still loves her, and decides to tell his second wife. Events happen all too quickly, but the husband and his first wife are finally reunited With Cary Grant as the husband. Irene Dunne as his first wife, Gall Patrick as his second wife, and Randolph Scott as the personable scientist, the fun follows thick and fast. GRAND THEATRE One of the most ambitious fllm sets ever built in a London studio was erected for the Crazy Gang’s third and iatest screen comedy, “ Frozen Limits,” which will be released at the Grand Theatre to-day. 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 confined 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 principal mining office and cheap, drab-looking hotel, on which a creaking sign declaimed the fact that one could enjoy a superlative bed and breakfast for Just a few nickels a night. In "Young as You Feel,’ which will be in support, all the Jones Family “ cut loose," Dad and Ma get that " young feeling ” when the latest and funniest of the 20th Century-Fox series transplants them to the Gay While Way. Jed Prouty, Spring Byington and the rest of the family are all present in the picture, and Joan Valerie (as Bonnie), Helen Encson and George Glvot add to the fun. Box plans are at the theatre and Begg s. MAYFAIR THEATRE Spericer Tracy, Clark Gable, and Jeanette MacDonald have easily the finest roles ot their careers in the epic ’’ San Francisco,” which wil’. again be screened locally at the Mayfair Theatre to-day, This remarkable film tells the story of the events leading up to the disastrous earthquake. and then, with gripping realism, reproduces that great upheaval. Box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.