REGENT THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 November 1940, Page 2

REGENT THEATRE

“VIRGINIA CITY.” The Regent Theatre continues its new season parade of film hits so auspiciously begun, with “Virginia City,” starring Errol Flynn, Miriam Hopkins and Randolph Scott. The film, which brings to the screen one of the most stirring chapters in the American west’s unwritten history, will be shown tonight. Southern sympathisers in Virginia City have banded together and raise some five million dollars which is to be smuggled out and sent to the Confederate (Southern) Army. Flynn, as a Union (Northern) Intelligence officer, gets wind of the plan, and sets out for Virginia City with some plans of his own. On the stagecoach journey, he meets Julia (Miriam Hopkins), who is the new singing and dancing star at the famous Sazerac Cafe in Virginia City. This marks the beginning of a hectic romance which has as many ups and downs as the terrain of Nevada. Pitted against Flynn in his battle to divert the gold to the Union Army is Randolph Scott, as a Confederate officer, and John Murrell (Humphrey Bogart), notorious highwayman, who intends to divert the gold to his own uses. From this situation emerges as lusty and action-pack-ed a story as the most ardent thrill-fan could desire, even more exciting than “Dodge City” in which Flynn starred last season. Critics call Miriam Hopkins’s performance the surprise of the year. The fine supporting cast includes Frank McHugh, Alan Hale, Guinn “Big Boy” Williams, John Litel, Moroni Olsen, Russell Hicks, Dickie Jones, Douglas Dumbrille and a host of others. Brilliant featurettes include the latest Cinesound Gazette and a delightful all-colour cartoon. Plans are at Messrs Steele and Bull’s and the theatre.