THE THEATRES

Southland Times, Issue 24230, 13 September 1940, Page 9

THE THEATRES

REGENT

PAUL ROBESON FINAL PRESENTATIONS TODAY Long absent from the screen, Paul Robeson returns as a Welsh miner m a fine dramatic film, its locale in the Welsh mountains, telling a thrilling story of the courage and persistence which keep these miners in their dangerous jobs. His glorious voice is heard in several solos and also with a splendid Welsh Choir backing him. They sing “All Through the Night ; an extract from "Elijah”; “Land of My Fathers”; “Lord God of Abraham ; “They Can’t Stop Us Singing”; and “Deen River.” Robeson, is first seen as a street singer on the tramp for a job, the scenery being exquisitely beautiful. He jumps a tram, landing in an empty truck almost on top of an old hobo with whom he links up, and they sing through the streets for a few coins. Finally Robeson’s magnificent voice attracts the attention of the conductor of a band of miners who are rehearsing the Elijah as he takes up the solo from the street. The conductor is only too glad to avail himself o£ his new find, takes him home to his wife and children, and gets him a job in the mines.

“ANOTHER THIN MAN”

WILLIAM POWELL AND MYRNA LOY Regent Theatre patrons will be privileged to follow the popular “Thin Man team of William Powell and Myrna Loy through another of their frolicsome sleuthing adventures when “Another Thin Man” is screened at that theatre tomorrow. Pithy wisecracks and hilarious comedy situations lift their latest presentation well above the common class of murder mysteries. Centring round the efforts of Nick Charles, debonair amateur detective, to unravel a particularly complicated double murder mystery, the film moves at a brisk clip from the outset, and provides entertainment of a class that is not often seen on the screen. William Powell, suave and competent as ever after his two years’ layoff from screen appearances, gives another delightful characterization as Nick Charles, and Miss Loy is equally good as his wife. An addition to their family circle in this film is Nick Charles, jun., a little bundle of mischief who vies with Asta, the pup, as chief scene-stealer.

STATE

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 today at 2.0 and 8.0 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 rests on her oars (but not for long!). Power is at hL 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, Wendy Barrie, and Joan Davis are featured, and the spirited direction of Gregory Ratoff makes this a picture to delight the heart of every fan! Excellent featurettes will complete the programme. Owing to the phenomenal reception being accorded Walt Disney’s sensation, “Pinocchio,” in other towns, this outstanding film will not be screened on Monday as previously advertised, but will begin on Friday next, September 20, at 2 p.m. Those patrons who have already reserved for “Pinocchio” are requested to apply at Begg’s booking office for a refund of their money. Box plans for Friday next and the ensuing week are open now at Begg’s or the State Theatre.

MAJESTIC

Further adventures of Mr Wong, the celebrated Chinese detective, will be seen at the Majestic Theatre today 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, broken-heart-ed 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 1 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. The associate feature on today’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

An exciting story of espionage within the grim walls of France’s famous frontier fortification, which proved so useless in the Republic’s fight against Germany, is unfolded in “Double Crime in the Maginot Line,” which will be screened tonight at 7.45 at the Civic. It was produced and acted in France, but an English dialogue has been substituted for the French, and this has been so well done that a few moments are quite sufficient to get the “hang” of the whole idea. The film is not an ordinary thriller, but a play which takes into account several character studies and human relationships as well. The story deals with the sudden and dramatic death of the new commander of the line, who, while on a tour of inspection, meets sudden death in company with his adjutant. Suspicion falls at first on Captain Bruchot, a veteran of the Great War, who ruined a brilliant career by marrying a German woman. His wife, Anna, is madly loved by her husband, who is, however, prone to fits of insane jealousy. He is arrested for the crime, but when it is proved that he could not have done it, he demands that he be given the opportunity of tracing the criminal himself, for he feels that his honour has been slighted. The soldier turns detective, and in an exciting climax brings the culprit to justice. The second feature is “The Marines Fly High,” a thrilling comedy drama, featuring Richard Dix. Popular Civic prices tonight are: All stalls 1/-, circle 1/6, and children half-price. • Plaps arc at the Civic.

THEATRE ROYAL, WINTON

The Wizard of Oz, a wanderer for 38 years, has returned to his home in Hollywood. There in 1900, Lyman Frank Baum, a newspaper man, created the curious people of Oz who now return to star in the motion picture, “The Wizard of Oz.” The movie version achieved feats in fact which Baum could only describe in fancy. His word pictures of the brilliant-hued Land of Oz and its picturesque people were recreated in technicolour. The Kansas cyclone in the stage play was a gentle breeze by contrast with the twister that was created by the Hollywood windmachihes. Baum died in Hollywood in a comfortable home which he called Ozcot, built from the proceeds of his fabulous stories. He was born in Chitenango, New York, in 1856 and became a journalist in Chicago, editing The Show Window from 1897 to 1902.

THE EMPIRE. RIVERTON

“Just Around The Comer,” featuring Shirley Temple, will be presented at Riverton tonight and on Saturday night. Shirley is assisted by Charles Farrell, Joan Davis, Bert Lahr, and Bill Robinson. It is just what the world wants now—a great big beaming picture that turns the sunshine on. Three new song hits are highlights of this latest picture triumph of this little star. It is hailed as one of the best screen stories written for Shirley.