AMUSEMENTS

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 184, 19 May 1939, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS

“THE TEXANS” Texas in the turbulent days following the War Between the States forms the exciting ' background) of Paramount’s epic drama of the Reconstruction period, “The Texans,” which will •have its local showing Saturday at the Regent Theatre. With Joan Bennett, Randolph Scott and May Robson heading a huge cast, the picture tells of the South’s struggle to attain sejf-r rule and find a new way of life after the ravages of the war. M'iss Bennett, playing a fire-eating Dixie belle who refuses to admit that . the “great cause” is lost,' and Scott, a returning soldier who advises a policy of conciliation, symbolises the dilemma of the entire South during this period. Although goaded by the cor- * rupt carpet-baggers and scalawags who l-ook over the government and ran it for their own profit, wise Southerners guided the destiny of the Stato with patience. _ Scott’s ’ triumph over Miss Bennett and their decision to march their cattle to tlic Kansas market a. thousand miles'away mirrors the South’s decision to join the refct-of the Union in building a vast empire in the great Southwest. The supporting east 'includes some of the 'screen’s best-liked character players. Walter Brennan, last seen' as General Jackson’s' right-hand man in “The Buccaneer,” again has a role of a frontiersman) of tlie Daniel Boone tradition. Robert Barrat is a. corrupt carpet-bag official, while Robert Cummings, as a Southern officer, has his strongest screen role to date. The picture was directed by Janies who brought the sensational “Ebb Tide” to the screen. “LONE) WOLF IN PARIS” Bringing to the screen one of gayest and most exciting romantic comedies of the year, Columbia’s “The Lone Wolf in. Paris,” with its . colourful background oi; continental intrigue, proves an ideal vehicle for the charm of Francis Lederer and tho beauty of Frances Drake. In tin’s unsophisticated adventure story, showing Saturday at the Regent Theatre, Lederer is offered a role that fits him like the proverbial glove, and he brings to life Louis Joseph Vance’s famed gentleman crock most successfully.

Frances Drake, a.s the beautiful Princess of Arvonno, seeking to recover the crown jewels of her country, matches Lederor with a sterling performance. lii - % Intermingled with the action and adventure of this last-moving story, Albert S. Rogell, who gave it such skilful direction, has woven a tender love story, told against the picturesque settings of Paris and the charming Arvonne. U Besides Lederor and Miss Drake, the cast of fine players includes Waltei Kingsford, Leona Maricle, Olaf Hylton, Albert Von. Dekker, Dess Flowers, and Maurice Cass.

“TEST PILOT” The most modern of heroes, air- ; plane test pilots, are glorified in Met-ro-Goldwyn Mayers first aviation picture in mere than two year.s, 1 A es i* ; Pilot”, which stars Clark Gable, _ Myrna Loy and Spencer Tracy, with Lionel Barrymore heading a major supporting cast. Jt opens at the ( Regent Theatre next Monday for an 'eiV, gagement of three days. The picture, based on an original story by Frank Wead, and giving an intimate insight into the lives of im n who dare death to pave the heavens for future generations, has been acclaimed by aviation experts, military and (Civil, to be the truest picture of aviation ever produced. )l Clark Gablet plays the title role as a daring aviator, willing to risk lilts and limb for a job he love.s, living every minute of liis life up to the hilt, existing on “borrowed time.” K Myrna Loy plays an unsophisticated farm girl who marries the famous fiver and finds herself combating the unseen lure of the sky in a battle to uin the love of her husband. Spencer Tracy 7, as the best mechanic hi the business, takes care of Gable’s plane and takes care of Gable, a, double duty that i.s almost too much for one man. Lionel Barrymore is given the levable role of an aircraft manufacturer who hires Gable and who finally persuades him to give up his perilous life. Supporting players include Samuel S. Hinds, Marjorie Main. Jed i eaison. Gloria Holden, Louis Joan Heydt_ Virginia Grey, Priscilla Lawson,' Claudia Coleman and Arthur Ayles- - worth. , Victor Fleming and! Louis D. Lighton, director and producer - ly’of “Captains Courageous,” were ' reunited in the same for . . . / ■- tie new picture.' - '-7 v- ■- ... . • '■ssics -1