AMUSEMENTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20044, 16 September 1939, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE

“GRAND JURY SECRETS” AND “SOME LIRE IT HOT”

Crowded houses greeted the opening of the outstanding and well-balanced double bill at the .Majestic Theatre yesterday. - Grand Jury Secrets” tells a thrilling, dramatic story, one that relies on an unusual means—shortwave radio—to extricate the principal characters from tile difficulties into which they arc plunged. A.'.’, overzealous reporter is out to find out just what a special grand jury panel is investigating, even though ho realises that all sorts of trouble can eventuate because his brother happens to be assistant district attorney, and in charge of launching the probe. Using a special short-wave radio set, the reporter gets the inside story of the investigation, and breaks it in his paper. He reveals the fact that the jury is investigating a crooked investment house, and in doing so puts his brother on the spot with the district attorney. John Howard is cast as the reporter, Gail Patrick supplies romantic interest, William Frawley is a newspaper photographer. Harvey Stephens plays the role ot the assistant district attorney, brother of Howard, Jane Darwell is cast as the mother of the none 100 friendly brothers, and Porter Hall plays a member of the i-hady business house. Lovers of good swingy music and good comedy have a big motion picture moment in store for them in Paramount's -Some Like ft Hot,” the associate feature. This one is right in the groove, for it not only co-stars Bob Hope and Shirley Ross, but Gene Krupa is starred right along with them —and his orchestra is featured with him! Swing “fans” will recognise Krupa as ‘‘the king of the hide-beaters,” who starred so long with Benny Goodman and then started his own orchestra. The programme opens with the serial. ‘Buck Roger.-,. KING’S THEATRE “SO THIS IS LONDON”: BEN TRAVERS’ COMEDY The sparkling comedy. “So This is London." now showing at the King’s Theatre, has its roots m the differences, both subtle and otherwise, between the English and their trans-Atlantic cousins, which -provides the basis for grand entertainment. Robert T. Kane decided to recruit his principals from established British favourites, adding George Sanders. Berton Churchill and Lily Cahill to provide the trans-Atlantic atmosphere. Berton Churchill is a veteran of the Hollywood screen. George Sandcis is British, but he found fame in Hollywood when Darryl F. Znnuck_cast him for a key role in “Lloyds of London, Robertson Hare and Alfred Drayton, rapidly establishing themselves as England’s No. 1 comedy team m boln films and on the stage, star in "so This is London.”

REGENT THEATRE laugh PRODUCTION, “THE LAMBETH WALK” “The Lambeth Walk.” that fascinating, tantalising tune that has, swept the world and has gol everybody doing “as they darn well pleasey,”now takes on a new lease of life and has fresh worlds to conquer in the film version of the Victoria success. "Me and My Gal,” with Lupino Lane, star of the original stage “hit.” in his famous role as the little Cockney who inherits a title and sets blue blooded aristocracy agog with his lack of poise and his wealth of "Oi s. Albeit da Courville directed “The Lamoeth Walk." with Anthony Havelock-Allan, of “This Man is News" fame, as producer. Supporting “Nipper” Lane m his whimsical comicalities are Sally Grav, who scores an immense peisonal hit ns the Cockney sweetheart of the Cockney hero, and that dean ot the English stage, Sir Seymour Hicks, who plays an unconventional and lovable old nobleman. Other members of the cast include Nnrah Howard. Enid Stamp-Tay-lor. Wallace Lupino and manv more. The film is now showing at the Regent Theatre by Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer Pictures. Limited. _ The all-conquering dance, of course, is one of the highlights of the production, and that, allied to the splendid performances by every member of the cast, and the haunting music toy Noel Gav, make "The Lamoeth Wahi a treat in store for everyone and a preordained success at every box office in the world. From the opening shot, set in the famous London suburb, to the hilarious reunion of the two Cockney lovers, "The Lambeth Walk” ripples on its way with one chuckle following closely on Ihe heels of another. The star gives the performance of his life and has the time of his. life re-creating “Bi!!.’ the hero, a little Cockney with all the lovable traits of his class, traits which even social snobbery cannot smother.

OPERA HOUSE “THE GINGALEE”: FIRST NIGHT MONDAY The box plans arc open for the sixnight season of the colourful musical comedy, "The Cingalee,” which commences at the Opera House on Monday. The Gisborne Operatic Society was fortunate in its choice of such a happy piece of entertainment as it provides such a wealth ot bright and cheerful relaxation from the cares and worries of the present day. "The Cingalee” takes you into a colourful world of melody and song, of gay romance, and of last-moving lavishljproduccd ballets and ensembles, accompanied throughout by good-nat-ured" humour and side-splitting hilarity. The comedy scenes cover the whimsical, satirical and broader types of humour entertainingly blended with the musical numbers in just the

right proportions. The comedy roles are in the capable bauds oi’ wellknown local performers. Two new singing personalities will bo introduced to Gisborne audience:-, and a wealth of novelty has been included in the ballets. As in its previous production. 'T.io Rita," the Gisborne Operatic Society is featuring the dancing talent nl Gisborne in a number ol spectacular ballets. “The C'ingalee” lends itself to colourful treatment both i.n costume and scenery and this has been exploited to the full by the producer, Mrs. Mcßeath. Against this background of brightness, the glorious music and the hilarious comedy situations gain additional warmth and brilliance and the story bubbles with laughter and merriment from start to finish without a dull moment. The booking office is at Tattersall and Bayly’s. The net proceeds of this production will be