ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 125, 26 April 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE, “BABES IN ARMS.” A good, old-time minstrel show, with all tho trimmings, is one of tho musical highlights of “Babes in Arms,” filmisatioii of the Broadway stage Hit, with Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland co-starred As the action of this absorbing musical progresses, Mickey, us a showman, and Judy as His secret love, put on a complete show of their own rflid as a special feature introduce the minstrel show, complete with all historic features. They have a parade. They have a male singing chorus and an interlocutor wb,P starts fun with the historic commafid, “Gentlemen, be seated.” Eddie Leonard, one of the greatest minstrel men and .vaudeville headliners that ever lived, is impersonated by Mickey Rooney during the entertainment. Mickey sings Leonard’s famous hit of 25 years ago, “Ida,” and was coached fop bis performance by a group of old-time performers who appear in tho picture, including George McKay, ’ Irene Franklin, Llarry Fox and by Charles Winninger, who plays Mickey’s father. In addition to the stars, Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland, the east includes Guy Kibbce, June Preisser, Grace ITay.es. Betty Jaynes, Douglas MePhail, Rand Brooks, Lcni Lynn and some famous vaudeville troupers who play themselves. The picture was directed by Busby Berkeley and was produced by • Arthur' Freed. KOSY THEATRE. “KENTUCKY.” Showing today at tho Kosy ’Theatre, “Kentucky.” a 20th Century-Fox production filmed in toehnieolour, is a romance of the Blue Grass State, and it features in the leading roles Loretta Young, Richard Greene and Walter Brennan. Also included in the cast are Douglas Diunbrillc, Karen Morlcy and Moroni Olsen. “Kontudkv” contains’ the most spectacular climax of any picture ill recent years as it presents, for the first time in tho history cf motion pictures, the Kentucky Derby filmed in toehnieolour. _ Much of ihe picture was filmed on location in the heart of the Blue Grass country and the luxuriant beauty of the land where the thoroughbreds roam the meadows is reproduced on ihe screen in complete naturalness through the perfection of teclinicolour. “BREAKING THE ICE.” Two of the most talented chi’dren in the entertainment business combined their highly specialised elicits in the making of “Breaking- the Ice.” These children aro 11-year-old Bobby Breen and six-year-old Irene Dare. Breen, the star of the picture, and a top-ranking singer of radio and screen, sings five new numbers, in a story which has an appeal both to youngsters and adults. Miss Dare, who is making her film debut in “Breaking the. Ice.” is tHo youngest figure-skater in the world, and before she was lured to Hollywood, was known throughout the Middle West, as “ihe baby Sonja llonio.” This child, with a record of starring in 17 ice-shows ;it. her early age. seems destined for lop honours both in films and the link. METEOR THEATRE. “THEY MADE ME A CRIMINAL.” “They Made Me a Criminal.” which opens at the Meteor Theatre on Saturday, is a' tenso and exciting Warner Bros.’ drama with a prize-ring background that co-stars John Garfield and the “Dead End” kids in a cast that also includes Claude Rains, Gloria Dickson, May Robson and Ann Sheridan. Aside from its merits as entertainment, “They* Made Ale a Criminal” is noteworthy because it is the fol-low-up of Garfield, young newcomer from the New York slage, to his sensational screen debut, in “Four Daughters”’ It is the answer of the Warner studio to the insistent public demand that the brilliant young actor bo raised to stardom immediately. It. presents Garfield as a lefthanded (this ’is important) prize tighter who. the day after lie lias won the lightwciglit championship of the world, learns by big stories in the newspapers that lie is supposed to have, murdered a newspaper reporter and then been burned to death in an automobile accident while fleeing from the city. He drops out of sight, and finds his way across (he country. Eventually he gets a job on an isolated California dale orchard and falls in love with the niece of the woman who owns Ihe ranch. Seeking to get some money for the two women, he gets into the ring with a barnstorming heavyweight who offers £IOO a round to anyone who can last against him. This puts a suspicions detective on his trail, and leads to ihe thrilling and emotional dramatic finish. Tho picture, which was an adapalation by Sig llerzig of a novel bv Bertram MiHliaiiscr and Beulah Marie Dix. was designed to exhibit the full range of young Garfield's talents as well as to give the popular “Dead End” kids an opportunity to cinch their hold on the public’s fancy with their very dblinciivc type of entertainment. The production was directed by Bushy Berkeley. WILL MAHONEY AND VARIETY COMPANY. Vaudeville, with its. fast changing features and its element of speed, has a definite appeal us an entertainment medium in all countries and with all audiences. It is particularly acceptable in these days of war when everyone appreciates a touch' of brightness and a dash of novelty in his theatre fare to relieve the tension. So it was a happy thought of the Tivoli Circuit to send across to New Zealand such a world figure as Will Mahoney, who will appear at the Opera House, Palmerston North, for two nights, Thursday and Friday, May 2 and 3, in association with a talented company of international artists. Will Mahoney lias been a pronounced success in Australia, where he has played for three consecutive seasons at the T ivoli Theatres, Being greeted with uproarious laughter and applause at every appearance. His humour pervades many a merry sketch, and he stands unique for his manlier of presentation.. Smart and bewitching is Evie Hayes, who is prominent in the supporting company. She is a decided success with her feminine charm and her ability to sing popular numbers, while her comedy sense is apparent in enriching cameo acts of hilarity with Mr Mahoney. A radio burlesque is one of tho highlights in this respect. Gonial Bon Gcraghly, a clever pianist, is back again, and ho links piano and song with artistic results. The Melodious are also a musical delight. Breathless thrills are supplied by the Four Florays and the Lampinis in their respective specialty acts, which have given them world note. Captain Cusko presents his circus of trained dogs and birds in a unique circus scene. A New York star, Johnny Hyman, has an original topical offering with plenty of snap and humour. In addition there are eccentric dancers and a ballet of lovely girls in a succession of alluring ensembles that add glamour to the show. The box plans will open at Collinson and Cunninghanic’s next Monday, April 29.