ENTERTAINMENTS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 249, 2 August 1937, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

ST. JAMES THEATRE. ‘SWING TIME.” i “ Few musical films have had more appeal because of the song hits and story combined than “Swing Time,” which is to be shown finally this evening at the St. James Theatre. Fred' Astaire and Ginger Rogers are seen in one of their best productions to date. There is a- good supporting programme. His back to the wall, a knife at his throat, the world’s slyest sleuth, Charlie Chan, battles for his life in the most thrilling and exciting of the 20th Century-Fox adventures of the wily Chinese detective, “Charlie Chan at the Opera,” at the St. James to-mor-row and on Wednesday. Warner O.land portrays the arch-enemy of crime, with Boris Karloff co-starred as the king of terror, in what is promised as the most thrilling mystery Chan has ever encountered. With Keye Luke, Charlotte Henry, Thomas fieck and Margaret Irving featured, the film starts off in a roar of high tension excitement that reaches a spirie-tingling climax in a crescendo of thrilling events. Karloff, a hopeless maniac, is an inmate of an insane asylum, spending his time singing forgotten arias from the days when he was a famous opera star. The world believes that Karloff perished in a theatre fire. MAJESTIC THEATRE. The double bill at the Majestic, with “The Mighty Treve” and “Wanted: Jane Turner,” as the chief offerings, will he shown finally this evening at the Majestic Theatre. Both films provide an enjoyable interlude for patrons, and there is a good action film of the Springboks. High comedy, seasoned with the paprika of satire, the salt of farce, and the sugar of romance, describes the spicy entertainment at the Majestic on Tuesday and Thursday, when “More Than a Secretary” will be shown. Jean Arthur and George Brent hold down the principal roles, aided and abetted in their hilarious mischief by Lionel Stander, Ilutlx Donnelly, Reginald •Denny, and Dorothea Kent. Their collective tomfoolery in the name of health and romance hits the season’s high spot in riotous romantics and exhilarating comedy. From the very opening scene, where Jean Arthur sighs hopefully about romance while under the influence of spring fever, until the final surprise fade-out, the film maintains a rapid succession of laughs, interspersed with Stander’s wild brand of comedy, a dash of tender pathos, a good deal of suspense, and no end of brilliantly executed dialogue. SCOTTISH SOCIETY DANCE. The weekly dance of the Ashburton Scottish Society in the Orange Hall on Saturday evening was again successful, a large number attending. A Monte Carlo was won by Mr J. Marusich and Mrs Frampton. Cook’s orchestra played the music and extras were played by Mrs T. McGregor and Mr G. Chilton. Masters of Ceremonies were Messrs T. McGregor and G. Chilton.