AMUSEMENTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20026, 26 August 1939, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE “LITTLE TOUGH GUYS IN SOCIETY” ANI) “YOUNG FUGITIVES” Huge audiences arc simply helpless with laughter at the splendid band of young actors who appear in the entertaining film “Little Tough Guys in Society," now screening at the Majestic Theatre. They appear as slum boys who are invited! to the beautiful country home of a society woman to help in a psychological cure of her son, who is suffering from the effects of his spoiled 'Upbringing. Here, however, they take control and the events that follow are .among the most amusing ever presented in a comedy. A different note is struck at the end, however, when the boys show that they have gained something from their holiday from the slums. At the head of the strong supporting cast are such accomplished players as Edward Everett Horton, Mischa Auer and Mary Boland. A happy blend of comedy, tense drama, and young romance, is contained in Universal's "Young Fugitives," the associate feature. Harry Davenport, Dorothea Kent, Robert Wilcox, and Larry Blake have the featured roles. Davenport has the role of Joel Bentham, a lovable old Civil War veteran, who suddenly comes into possession of .£IO,OOO. All of his small town neighbours wish to spend it for him, but he remembers their neglect of him and decides lie will use his money in his own way. He adopts Meg, a vivacious and charming girl hobo, and does his best to reform Ray .Rigginis, a wild young grandson of a Civil War comrade. Then an unexpected turn of events brings on the powerful climax. An added l attraction is the second chapter of “Buck Rogers,” entitled “Tragedy on Saturn.”

KING’S THEATRE

“WIFE, HUSBAND ANI) DAUGHTER.” A romance that is as gay as New Year’s Eve and as modern as tomorrow is contained in “Wife, Husband and Friend,” which is screening at the King’s Theatre with lovely Loretta Young and handsome Warner Baxter as the chief romanticists. With Loretta as the beautiful and gay wife, and Warner as Jhc husband, debonair and ardent, there is unrestrained fun. Everything would have been peace and quiet in the family if Loretta had not decided she could sing and if Warner had not toid her she had a terrible voice. But Loretta decided and Warner told, and from that point on there is not a moment's peace. An outstanding "First-half" includes the latest 1939 “March of Time" and entitled "Mediterranean Background for War." It reveals the tremendous preparations being made by the four big Powers for the control of Europe, and shows the French air and naval forces., Italian, German, and British concentrations. On the same programme there is also “The mile of the Century,” showing in slow motion the famous “Wooderson Incident,” FoxAussie news comedy, and, underwater thriller.

REGENT THEATRE “OUT WEST WITH THE HARDY’S” Another of the entertaining series of the adventures of Judge Hardy and his family is now showing to packed houses at the Regent Theatre, this .latest picture, “Out West With the Hardy’s,” showing all the members in a new and more charming light. Mickey Rooney, who again plays Andy, is uproarious as a rather conceited youth, who dresses up in full cowboy attire on liis visit to a ranch, and has amazing adventures with wild horses and many other unexpected novelties for >vhicli lie affects a lordly superiority. Opposite him are two splendid young players in Virginia Weidler and Ann Rutherford, who appear as a little cowgirl and Andy's latest love interest respectively, and the efforts of these two !o show the conceited young town youth that he has really nothing to be especially proud of provide an unending source of humour. The story tells how Judge Hardy goes out to help a friend who is being forced into selling his farm by an unscrupulous neighbour, and this problem provides a concrete background for the lighter mood which is the main attraction of the production. Lewis Stone is again perfect in his part of the judge, a fine sobering influence in a light-hearted film, while Fay Holden, as the mother, is responsible for her best and most prominent performance. Other roles are played by Cecilia Parker, the daughter, who has a fresh romantic adventure, and Frank Morgan, as the owner of the ranch.

ALL-AMERICAN REVUE

“FUNZ-A-FOPPIN” COMING TO GISBORNE The all-American revue, "Funz-A-Poppin,” which is presented by Sir Benjamin Fuller and Alex Hanlon, will appear at the Opera House, Gisborne, next Thursday, 'Friday and Saturday. At the matinee on Saturday, ki addition -to the full performance, a novel feature will be given when children present will be invited back-stage to see just how the Salicis work the puppets 'which are one of the many remarkable items in the show. "Funz-A-'Pcp'pin" aptly justifies its title, for never does the fun fail to pop. Despite the wide variety of its attractions, the parts are welded ‘into a whole that compels the attention throughout. Pace is always brisk, but the sharp point of the wit. is ‘never lost. As well as the wit and richer humour, there is much excellent music and dancing. “Funz-A-Poppin” aims to cater for every taste. From Now York s Broadway itself come the versatile entertainers who contribute to the' delightful episodes of the production. Among them are such names as Ro'-'s and Edwards, Ziegfeld comedy stars; Tommy “Bozo” Snyder, noted Broadway pantomimic comedian; 'Murray I Greene and Elsa Lang, musical comedy artists; Jack Bickle, youthful dancing star; Loretta Grey. “Pepperpot” comedienne; June and Trudell Van. Hollywood twins; the Twelve Dancing Debutantes, a dance team from the New York Radio City Music Hall; and Bobby 'Morris, who was with the Hollywood Hotel Revue. An orchestra under the direction of Joseph Clauser .is another feature. Alex. Gerber produced the revue. It was he .who wrote ■plays and composed songs for Eddie Cantor, A 1 Jolson and Fanny Brice. Mr. Gerber also composed numbers with Sigmund Romberg and wrote

“Tiilie’s Nightmare,” in which the late Marie Dressier appeared. Of the .Salici Parisian Puppets, possibly the most distinctive performers, “Variety,” internationally famous theatrical paper, and a reliable guide to talent, says: "The five men and one woman who comprise the brains of this incredibly versatile marionette show are as painstakingly accurate in their detail as ever—which ensures this act its lop spot. The two men - acrobats make realism almost fantastic, while the woman singer and her accompanist are sheer magic." The box plans will open at Ta'ttersall and Bnyly’s on Monday, when dress circle and orchestral stalls may be reserved.