THE THEATRES

Southland Times, Issue 24229, 12 September 1940, Page 4

THE THEATRES

REGENT

“THE PROUD VALLEY”

PAUL ROBESON WITH WELSH CHOIR

Paul Robeson returns to the screen in a fine dramatic film, “The Proud Valley,” which opened at the Regent Theatre yesterday. Critics are unanimous in their acclamation that here, at last,” is another real Robeson fi™> a magnificent, human story delightfully blending the rugged, hard life of Welsh mining with the Welshman s and Welshwoman’s unfailing courage, warmheartedness, and great love of music. The story also offers Robeson ample opportunities for the full display of his glorious voice, and in addition to solo numbers, he is supported by famous Welsh community choirs in the Eisteddfod ' Festival sequences, adding rich harmony to the flawless quality of the music. “The Proud Valley” derives its title from the locale of the story, a derelict mining village, and tells a simple yet graphic story of a miner’s fight to reopen a pit abandoned after an explosion. After writing to the owners without success, representatives of the men march to London, reaching the metropolis on the outbreak of war, and convince the management of the national need to work the pit. The story then proceeds to its stirring climax, that is a fitting finale to the unforgettable human drama. On the other side of the plot is Robeson’s magnificent singing. He first comes into the film as a street singer looking for work, but his superb voice captures the admiration of the local community choir, and before long he is leading them in preparation for the Eisteddfod Festival. The romantic side is catered for by Simon Lack and Janet Johnson, a lovely Australian lass, the former a pit worker, and the latter the daughter of the venemous postmistress.

STATE

MYSTERY FILM “THE MAN WHO WOULDN’T TALK” An unusual and absorbing idea in mystery films is used for ‘ The Man Who Wouldn’t Talk,” which screens finally today at 2.0 and 8.0 at the State Theatre. From the beginning of the film, when a murder is committed, the audience and the police know at once who committed the crime; the mystery is the identity of the killer, and his motive. Confessing to the slaying, the murderer refused to speak another word, even in his own defence. The result is a highly exciting story, well played by Lloyd Nolan in the title role, supported by Jean Rogers, Onslow Stevens, Joan Valerie and Eric Blore. The second feature, “Young As You Feel,” stars the ever-popular Jones Family, Jed Prouty, Spring Byington, Kenneth Howell, George Ernest, June Carlson and Joan Valerie. Supports include “Nazi Massacre of Refugees and “Epic of Dunkirk.” Tyrone Power and Linda Darnell have the leading roles in “Daytime. Wife,” the gay new Twentieth Cen-tury-Fox romantic comedy, which will be screened tomorrow and Saturday only at the State Theatre. The film concerns the hilariously romantic carryings-on of a husband who goes whistling under the wrong balcony (his secretary’s)—and a perfect peach of a wife who rest on her oars (but not for long!). Power is at his gay romantic best, and Linda (the hit of Elsa Maxwell’s “Hotel For Women”) is a sensation in her first starring role. Warren William, Binnie Barnes, V/endy Barrie, and Joan Davis are featured, and the spirited direction of Gregory Ratoft makes this a picture to delight the heart of every fan!

“PINOCCHIO” ON MONDAY

RESERVES AVAILABLE Enchanting in its fantasy, and almost unbelievable in the quality of its production, the screen version of the immortal old American fairy story “Pinocchio” is coming to the State Theatre on Monday next, September 16, for a short season of five week days. A film for young and old, it is the second of Walt Disney’s full-length cartoon features in full colour. Disney, who, it will be remembered, was the pioneer in this field of entertainment with “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” goes one better with this production, since he had the experience with the technique for such a venture, and the sure knowledge that such films would find a ready market when released. Technically, the show is superb. In its story, the film presents a little wooden puppet who is given life by the Blue Fairy. He is sent off to school, but on the way the bad men get at him, and he has some amazing and highly-enter-taining adventures before he gets back to normal life once more. “Pinocchio” is a production all should see. Box plans are already rapidly filling at Begg’s or the State Theatre for each day of the season and intending patrons are advised to reserve early for this special.

MAJESTIC

Sonnie Hale is the star of British Empire Films’ musical comedy farce “Let’s Be Famous,” which will conclude at the Majestic Theatre today. In the supporting roles are Betty Driver,who is indeed a new Grade Fields with her Lancashire accent and splendid soprano voice, and Jimmy O’Dea, Ireland’s foremost comedian. “Let’s Be Famous is full of funny situations, snappy dialogue and catchy new song hits. Tire other picture on today’s programme at the Majestic Theatre, “Black Limelight,” is taken from the play of the same name which was judged among the six best plays of the year. Further adventures of Mr Wong, the celebrated Chinese detective, will be seen at the Majestic Theatre tomorrow under the title of “The Fatal Hour. Boris Karloff is again seen as James Lee Wong, the celestial sleuth, while Grant Withers plays Police Captain Street and Marjory Reynolds is again seen as the go-getter Bobbie Logan, a newspaper girl, who butts in where she is not wanted but generally helps with the solution of the crime. “The Fatal Hour” opens with the murder of a police officer assigned to a smuggling case and Captain Street, brokenhearted at the death of his friend, calls in the Oriental detective, Mr Wong. The trail leads to the Neptune Club and its proprietor Hardway, a former gangster; it leads to Belden’s jewellery store, until Belden sen. is murdered and his son accused of the crime; it leads to Town apartments, until a suspect, Lanya Petrova, is murdered also. It is not until a new murder occurs right in the police headquarters, as the law is lining up the chief suspects, that Mr Wong can tie together- all the clues that definitely point to the murderer. lire associate feature on tomorrow’s programme at the Majestic Theatre, “Blondie on a Budget,” depicts the adventures of the newspaper “comic strip

characters,” “The Bumstead Family.” Chapter XI of Universal’s absorbing serial, “The Green Hornet,” and the latest issue of the Cinesound News will complete a programme which compares favourably with any picture entertainment which has yet been offered in Invercargill. *

CIVIC

Seething with tense mystery and powerful emotional conflict, Universal’s production, “The Man Who Cried Wolf,” is the first attraction on the Civic’s 6d and Sd programme finally tonight at 7.45. It features Lewis Stone, Barbara Read and Tom Brown. “The Man Who Cried Wolf” is a bombshell of drama that no audience will ever forget. It presents problems everyone will want to solve. Jerome and Scholl, Warner Brothers ace song-writing team, composed six numbers for “Melody For Two,” the new musical extravaganza featuring James Melton and Patricia Ellis, which is the second feature on the Civic’s 6d programme finally tonight. The theme song, “Melody For Two” and “September in the Rain,” both ballads, were composed for Melton to sing in the picture which Louis Kung directs. The team of M. K. Jerome and Jack Scholl wrote four numbers for Winifred Shaw and Patricia Ellis to introduce. Miss Shaw sings “Jose O’Neill, the Cuban Heel,” a swing' rumba; “Dangerous Rhythm,” a rhythm novelty, and “An Excuse for Dancing,” a swing song. Miss Ellis, in addition to “An Excuse for Dancing,” sings “A Flat’ in Manhattan,” a rhythm ballad. The Warner music department, under the direction of Leo Forbstein. composed atmosphere and special music for several dance numbers. Civic prices tonight are: All stalls, 6d, all circle 9d,