AMUSEMENTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20129, 26 December 1939, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

REGENT THEATRE JEANETTE MACDONALD IN • BROADWAY SERENADE.” The extremely popular singer and actress Jeanette MacDonald forsakes her customary costumed parts in the appealing modern musical romance, “Broadway Serenade,” the Mclro-Golchvvn-Mayer production which will be shown for the first time at the Regent Theatre to-day. Although some of her songs in this picture are modern compositions, the attractive soprano also will be heard in captavating excerpts from the operas "La Bohcme" and "Madame Butterfly." the classical song "For Every Lonely Heart" and a medley ol' favourite tunes from the ! colourful era known as the “Gay ’Nineties.” Lew Ayres, who excels in straightforward dramatic parts, heads the supporting players. He makes an impressive contribution to the success of “Broadway Serenade” as a struggling composer, the husband ol a Broadway singer, who is left in a dingy garret to envy h'.s wife's good fortune. Another convincing portrayal is given by A 1 Shean as an old Bavarian ’cellist who befriends him. There is a brief passage shared byAyres and Shean, when the young composer’s despair is swept away by a determination to succeed which will be appreciated for its sincerity and simplicity. Lighter roles are capably filled by such well-known players as Frank Morgan. Franklin Pangborn and Rita Johnson. The associate programme includes "Set ’Em Up.” a Pete Smith specialty dealing with the popular American game of bowls, known as skittles. Amazing feats of skill performed by experts are shown, compeared in his usual racy style by Pete Smith. "Ash Can Fleet," a topical subject illustrating the navy’s method of dealing with U-boats by dropping depth charges, and the latest war news also are on the programme.