STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 October 1940, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

“SHOOTING HIGH.” Shooting of two kinds —with guns and with motion picture cameras—figures in the story of “Shooting High,” a first-rate comedy forming part of the new double-feature programme at the State Theatre tonight. The well-, chosen cast is headed by Jane Withers and Gene Autry. Jane Withers now well in her ’teens, shows in this picture that she is producing a real talent for comedy. Gene Autry makes a good hero, but needless to say Jane Withers is not yet considered old enough to play the part of the hard rider’s lady love. The scene of the story is laid in a western American town where, the population is divided by a three-gener-ations-old feud. Fighting is about to break out again between the factions when a motion picture company arrives fo film the life story of “William Carson,” grandfather of the character played by Gene Autry. Complications arise when the star of the motion picture company turns the head of Autry’s fiancee. The old feud comes to life again in the middle of the picture filming when a team of gangsters impersonate three of the players. Jane Withers uses all her mischievous charm to turn in the finest performance of her career, while Autry never was better. His voice, is still good. He has some really grand numbers in “Shooting High.” He has two solo numbers, “Only One Love in a Lifetime” and “Little Old Band of Gold.” He sings both with skill. Jane Withers puts across a rollicking number called “On the Rancho With My Pancho” with rare zest. As a daughter of the town banker, Jane Withers aids Autry not only in the fight to vindicate his grandfather but also in his efforts to capture the heart of Jane’s sister, who is played by Marjorie Weaver. There is a happy and satisfactory ending after much good comedy and horseplay. The other feature is “It Always Happens at Night,” starring Sonja Henie and Ray Milland in the most delightful skating niusicale these popular artists have appeared in.