STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 June 1939, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

TWO BIG FEATURES. Two special films, “Up the River” and “Speed Demon” will be shown at the State Theatre tonight. The chief feature is “Up the River,” which features Preston Foster, Tony Martin, Phyllis Brooks, Slim Summerville, Arthur Treacher and Bill Robinson. Said to be a hilarious combination of music, broad comedy situations and prison football, the film is a happy departure from the cycle of grim prison melodramas with their lofty but solemn messages of social reform and is a refreshing exploration into a novel background for comedy. Most of the action takes place within the walls of a mythical state penitentiary, where the happy inmates boast of a radio in every cell and gates that are practically revolving doors. Tony Martin and Phyllis Brooks handle the romantic interest, and the cast also includes Alan Dinehart, Eddie Collins, Jane Darwell and Sidney Toler. The incomparable Gambini Family, headed by Henry Armetta, is again introduced to screen fans in “Road Demon.” Henry Arthur, in his movie debut, plays the romantic lead with Joan Valerie. In the role of a daredevil race driver, young Arthur interests the Gambinis in the speedway when he induces Papa Gambini to buy a racer and enter a speed classic with Tom Beck as driver. Bill Robinson is also featured in the picture. Highlights of the film include several thrilling scenes on the track during a big race. “GUNGA DIN.” Those who like action in their picture and many dramatic monuments of thrilling intensity could find no better film than “Gunga Din,” which will open its Masterton season at the State Theatre on Friday next. Rudyard Kipling’s famous lines, “You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din,” have been taken as the basis of a series of adventures that holds the audience in anxious tension and thrilling anticipation. Victor McLaglen, Gary Grant and Douglas Fairbanks Junr. are the featured players. The box plans are now available at Adcock’s.