AMUSEMENTS

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 76, 29 August 1938, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

“THEY GAVE H.LM A GFX” Hiding on the crest of the wave for lii.s sterling performance as the heroic Portuguese > fisherman in “Captains Courageous.” Spencer Tracy now maintains his standard of excellent acting in a new picture. This one is the Metro-Goldwyn-.May-or adaptation of William Joyce Cowen’s novel, “They Gave Him a Gun.” The picture comes to the He Luxe 'Theatre To-night with Gladys George and Franchot Tone as Tracy’s colleagues. W. S. Van Dyke II was the director. He has followed the memorable •story of war closely, as the author, himself a former soldier of the line, -described it. But more than that, the picture clings to the powerful psychological effect of war on certain characters, long after the conflict is ended. The scars remain on their souls. The supporting cast includes Edgar Hearing, Cliff Edwards, Alary lieen and others. The story describes a circus baikcr who enlists in the regulars and tlieic, up in tho lines, meets a small-town clerk who has just learned the deadly use of a gun. They both fell in love with the same girl, a Red Gross Nurse. / The ex-circus barker is reported missing and she marries the weakling, out of pity for his helplessness. But the other man escapes from an enemy prison camp and they meet again m the States after the Armistice. Now, an expert with firearms, the clerk has become a crook. The circus man tries to save him from himself, still loving the girl, but a police bullet ') eventually, proves to be the only cure. It is a* strong story, powerfully cn- * < acted. %