ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21221, 18 September 1940, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

TONIGHT’S PROGRAMMES STATE THEATRE Those two expert portrayers of screen dumbness, Hugh Herbert and Allen Jenkins are seen in the goofiest mystery-farce they have ever attempted—“Sh! The Octopus.” The city to whose detective department they are attached is in the clutches of an “Octopus of Crime.” Its lair is found to be an abandoned lighthouse several miles out at sea, and thrilling an damusing things happen. “Alcatraz Island” is an exciting story of men who live outside the law and the men whose duty it is to apprehend and convict them. It is set in the big American penitentiary on Alcatraz Island, which is brought to the screen in all its realism. John Litel and Ann Sheridan have the leading roles. THEATRE ROYAL Based on the famous French play of the same name by Eugene Brieux and adapted for the modern screen j by Upton Sinclair. “Damaged i Goods” throws the searchlights of truth on one of today’s great \ menaces to health and happiness. At ! the same time it cannot be stressed too strongly nor too often that here is no mere health lecture, but a stirring drama of this age—the story of five people whose whole future was threatened by a youthful indiscretion on the part of one, on the eve of his marriage to a second of the group. Some may contend that the picture is somewhat daring, but let us remember that it is based on actual fact, and that the truth sometimes hurts. Science and statistics have proven that ignorance and innocence are the greatest allies of a disease that is making serious inroads into the health and happiness of aU nations CIVIC THEATRE “Espionage Agent,” a thrilling story with a very topical lesson just now, will be screened today. Joel McCrea and Brenda Marshall have the romantic leads. In these days of international activities “ Espionage Agent ” should be very interesting, for it deals with a branch of endeavour that has played a big part in the present world war. The film is particularly timely, being a spy story full of adventure, thrills and romance. It shows the agents of the Foreign Service fighting deadlier dangers than G-men, and winning greater battles than an army. From the first reel to the last it is full of excitement, and as the story works up to its exciting climax the tense interest of the audience is held. Popular Joel McCrea and the clever “ discovery,” Brena Mashall, have the leading roles, and are supported by an excellent cadt REGENT THEATRE “Dad Rudd, M.P.,” is an ideal film for wartime, for it enables audiences to forget the worries of everyday life in rollicking humour and homely senment. The film brings back the inimitable Rudd family, who have won esteem because of their ability to provide entertainment that is lighthearted. wholesome and sincere. Under the paternal wing of the bewhiskered Bert Bailey there are Mum (Connie Martyn), Dave (Fred McDonald), Joe (Ossie Wenban), Sally (Valerie Scanlon) and Ann (Yvonne East). The comedy character of “Cedric Entwisle,” is played in uproarious manner by Alec Kellaway, while Grant Taylor is the romantic “Jim Webster.” Among the highlights of the film are a big flood scene and “Dad’s” inspiring speech with which the picture ends. ROXY THEATRE Story of a romance which bloomed even against the discouraging and depressing background of prison walls, filmed in the dramatic and authentic locale of actual Federal prisons, “They All Come Out,” emerges as one of the most unusual features of the year’s film fare. With a cast headed by Rita Johnson and Tom Neal as the romantic leads, it achieves great sincerity. Unfolding against the colourful tropical background of a Central American republic, “The Marines Fly High,” a fast-moving action drama, presents in the leading roles Richard Dix, Chester Morris and Lucille Ball. Packed with thrills and dramatic suspense, “The Marines Fly High” opens at a military cantonment in a little Latin American country where a group of U.S. Marine officers and non-commission-cd officers are stationed for the purpose of organising and training a native army to halt a reign of terror conducted by Vengador, a mysterious, bloodthirsty bandit chieftain, and his ruthless followers.