AMUSEMENTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20027, 28 August 1939, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

KING’S THEATRE “WIFE, HUSBAND AND FRIEND”: LAST DAY To piclure-gocrs who enjoy a really good laugh, the best advice of the management is to see “Wife, Husband and Friend," which concludes at the King’s Theatre to-night. A superb cast includes Loretta Young, Warner Baxter and Binnie Barnes. There is also the latest “March of Time screening. —“Owd Bob” and “Oh, Mr. Porter!” To-morrow — “Owd Bob." Alfred Ollivant’s world-renowned story oi sheepdogs and their masters, has been brought to the screen with Will Fyfife in the leading role of Adam McAdam, and opens at the Kings Theatre to-mor-row. In the story old Adam had a son whom he continually beat. For modern screen purposes this was considered neither entertaining nor romantic. A daughter was substituted for a son and the role given to Margaret Lockwood, but filmgoers will be relieved to know that she receives no beatings—although she has an unhappy time of it —what with fending off the neighbouring creditors, preventing her father drinking too much whisky’and being forbidden the house when her father discovers her love for David, the handsome young farmer. John Loder is cast as David. All-important members of the cast are, of course, Glyn and Storm, the dogs who portray the famous canine characters of Owd Bob and the villainous Black Wull. The drama o.f the sheep-trials has never been surpassed. Various dogs are shown completing the course, then comes the great moment when Black . Wull, holder of the Cup enters for his trial. He lowers the time average considerably—Owd Bob has a hard task before him. “Oh, Mr. Porter! starring Will Hay pictures the adventures oi a muddling railway porter, who gets the sack for coupling the Scottish express to a coal train and mistakenly sending 2000 Derby-bound racegoers to a temperance convention in Wales. Will, the porter, is then "promoted’ master of a tiny station.

REGENT THEATRE

LAST DAY: “OUT WEST WITH THE HARDYS” A gem of a comedy, with Mickey Rooney giving an outstanding performance, makes the latest of the Hardy family series, “Out West With the Hardys,” a grand attraction at the Regent Theatre. The story chronicles the adventures of the family who visit a Western ranch. Judge Hardy tries to assist a couple of old friends to circumvent the racketeering tricks of a neighbouring rancher and while he delves into the law of water rights and-so on. the rest of the family goes “haywire" in the Western fashion. It is fine, simple humour throughout and some of the scenes are uproarious. A line .-.upporting programme, including ui interesting and remarkably .funny Pete Smith oddity, gives "Out West With the Hardys”'even greater appeal. —To-morrow: Waller Pidncen and Virginia Bruce in “Society Lawyer Motion picture “fans” who like their murder mysteries baffling have something to outguess them at the Regent Theatre when “Society Lawyer, featuring Walter Pidgeon, Virginia Bruce and Leo Carrillo is shown. The laugh-provoking and thrilling ■murder .mvstery is superbly cast doth in its major featured players as well as in its supporting cast. Walter Pidgeon was never seen to better advantage than in his role oi lawyer--1 detective in this film. Virginia Bruce sparkles with engaging vivacity and even discloses one ot her hidden Gilents when she sings as a night-club entertainer. Leo Carrillo is at his topmost form in a warmly human characterisation as a reformed gangster. The story reveals the efforts oi Pidgeon, Miss Bruce and Carrillo, to siwe the life of a client of Pidgeon’s from the chair on a framed murder charge. Miss Bruce and Carrillo, her night-club employer, assist Pidgeon in finding the real murderer, setting a trap for him in which they themselves threaten to be caught. Carrillo loses his life in seeing the ingenious plan carried through, but the murderer is brought to justice. The supporting cast includes Eduaido Ciannelli, Lee Bowman, Frances Mercer Ann Morriss and Herbert Mundin. Night clubs, fashionable penthouses, courtroom and prison life scenes provide much of the exciting New York atmosphere for the production, which also promises to set several new fashions for women in the wardrobes worn by Miss Bruce. Frances Mercer, Ann Morriss and others.

MAJESTIC THEATRE LAST DAY: “LITTLE TOUGH GUYS IN SOCIETY" AND “YOUNG FUGITIVES” A doufole .programme which has been recking (Majestic patrons with laughter will conclude to-night. Guile Tough Guys in Society" is' cue long laugh, with Edward Everett 'Horton, Mary Boland. 'Miscba Auer, and Ui. little tough guys. The associate oatiue is “Young Fugitives." starring Rc.oeit Wilcox and Dorothea Kent. —To-morrow: Basketball Story, “Campus Confessions,” and “Men With Wings”— “Campus Confessions." the new Paramount fil'n 'ccming to-morrow to die Majestic Theatre, is the first picture to be made with a basketball 'oackground, and incidentally, is ’the fust collegiate film in which the hero is not a .football player who rushes in the game at the last .moment to win for good old Podunk and the beautiful girl "waiting in the stands. Hank Luisetti, star American basketball ace, is seen in a featured part, along win such other young stars as Betty Graolc, William Henry and Eleanore Whitney. "Campus Confessions” tells of tne struggles of a rich man's son when he enters a college that his father supports. only to find himself heartily disliked Iby the student 'body because his father refuses lo give any money for the various athletic teams. Hank Luisetti, who starred 'in the great Stc.nford-U.SjC. game -of last year, is not only (featured in the athletic sequences of the 'film, but also appears in the romantic action. "Men With Wings," which is Ibeing revived, is the first great romance of the air to be taken in Technicolor, and is a dramatic cavalcade of flying endeavour. It deals with the daughter of a pioneer airman who grows up to 'fail in love with the companions of her childhood, who also

become leaders in this field. The .girl is played attractively by Virginia Weidler and Louise Campbell, and Ray Milland and Fred 'MacMurray appear as the two men who are to play such important and yet so different parts in her life. Gripping scenes of “dogfights” and beautiful landscapes and sky effects enhance the greatness of the picture as an adventurous story of pioneering faith and heroism. There is little of the false spectacular stunting that has marred former films cn similar subjects, and the picture lacks all that might ,be described as melodramatic and unreal. The programme opens with the fourth chapter of "Secret of Treasure Island." Owing to the length of the programme, sessions will commence at 1.45 and 7.30 p.m. OPERA HOUSE FUNZ-A-POPPIN” REVUE The all-American revue, “Funz-A-Pippin," 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, in addition to th c 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 of the show. "Funz-A-Poppin" 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 New York’s Broadway itself come the versatile entertainers who contribute to thc delightful episodes of the production. Among them are such names as Ross and Edwards, Ziegfeld comedy stars; Tommy “Bonzo" Snyder, noted Broadway pantomimic comedian; Murray Greene and Elsa Lang, musical comedy artists; Jack Bickle, youthful dancing star; Loretta Grey, "Pepperpot" comedienne; June and Trudcll Van, Hollywood twins; the Twelve Dancing Debutantes, a~ dance team from thc 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 “Tillio'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 tilt brains of Ihis incredibly versatile marionette show are as painstakingly accurate in their detail as ever - which ensures .this act its top spot. The two men acrobats make realism almost fantastic, while the woman singer and liter accompanist are sheer magic.” The box plans arc open at Tattersall and Bayly's where dress circle and orchestral stalls imay be 'reserved,. All seat? must be paid for and collected at time bf booking.