ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 126, 27 April 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAYFAIR THEATRE. “THE MAN THEY COULD NOT HANG.” One of the most amazing aspects of civilisation is its constant striving for progress. Every day records are broken, old achievements are improved upon and new heights are reached. Typical of the never-ending search for bettor things has been the progress of Hollywood. For, aside from the technical improvement in the making of pictures, Hollywoodians are always finding new and better Mery-toll-ing techniques and stronger and subtler ways of achieving effects. One of the outstanding yardsticks of the film colony’s growth lias been the quality and nature of the horror-films, the newest of which, Columbia's “The Man They Could Not Hang,” now stars Doris Karloff at tile Mayfair Theatre. Way back, in the days of “The Perils of Pauline,” horror was evoked from the audience by the rather simple expedient of giving the villain a hook for a hand. The first real purveyor .of horror was of course Lou Chaney, euphemistically known as “the man with a thousand faces.” Chaney used to shock his audience into attention by the compelling physical appearance of his makeup in such films as “The Phantom of the j Opera” and “The Hunchback of Notre i Dtame.” Lucille Gloasan, who plays the happy but blundering wife in Republic’s Higgins’ Family comedy, “The Covered Trai.er,’’ showing at llio Mayfair Theatre to-day. is anything but hapless in real life. Even her husband. James Gleason, admits it. “Ever since the day 1 leit the army and married Luc’llo in Oakland, California, more than 25 years ago, I’ve been a lucky chap. And not many men will admit that, about their wives in public and after so many years ot married life.” Mrs Gleason intended to become a domestic science teacher, hut created a precedent in her family by going on the stage. A iicautiful girl matches wits with dangerous spies, and the hero falls prey to a giant “mechanical man” in “the Iron Monster,” the sixth lucath-taking episode of “The Phantom Creeps,” 12-ehapler Universal serial spectacle which shows to-day at ‘die Mayfair Theatre with Della Lugosi. Robert Kent. Dorothy Arnold and Regis Tcomcy it. the loading roles. REGENT THEATRE “BABES IN ARMS.” A goocf, old-time minstrel show, with all the trimmings, is one of (lie musical highlights of “Babes in Arms,” Utilisation of the Broadway stage hit, with Mickey Rooney and .Judv Garland co-starred As the action of this absorbing musical progresses. Mickey as a showman, and Judy as his secret loves put on a complete show of their owr, and 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 who starts fun with the historic command, “Gentlemen, bo seated. Eddie Leonard. 011 c of the greatest minstrel men and vaudeville headliners that ever lived, is impersonated by M’qkey Rooney during the entertainment. Mickey sings Leonard's famous hit of 25 ycais ago, “Ida,” and was coached for his performance by a group of old-time performers who appear in the picture, including George McKav, Irene Franklin, Harry Fox and by Charles Winningcr, who plays Mickey’s father. In addition to the stars, Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland, the cast includes Guy Kibboc, Julie Preisscr, Grace Hayes Betty Jaynes. Douglas McPhail, Rand Brooks. Leni Lynn and some famous vaudeville troupers who play themselves. The picture was directed by Busby Berkeley and was produced by Arthur Freed. STATE THEATRE. “WINDOW IN LONDON.” Anna Nengle rose from the chorus and basks in the sunshine of fame : and now another little girl is well on the way to that successful zenith —her name is Solly Gray. Captain Richard Norton acclaims her as the biggest star discovery since Anna Ncagle and is quite confident that her talent will bring her to the fore. In “Window in London,” screening at the State Theatre to-day. Sally Gray plays her first dramatic part. It. doesn t worry her a hit that her role is not a sympathetic one. She plays the wife of an out-of-work music hall illusionist who is much older than her and insanely jealous. The music hall illusionist is played by Paul Lukas. Sally says, “we live in cheap rooms in a ding}*, squalid London street. I ni afraid T treat my film husband rather shamelessly. We are always lighting. In the end I drive him 100 far and he kills me. ’ Producer Norton claims that this little girl blonde lias a great future m pictures. From a pittance in the chorus she is now earning £4OO a week. In her first film sue played opposite Billy Milton arid then was partnered by Stanley* Lupino, Geoffrey Toono in “Sword of Honour,’’ and George Sanders in “The Saint, in London. “Sally Gray is not a striking beauty but her sweet fascination is naturalness. She is just herself, uunlfected, sincere and charming. WILL MAHONEY AND INTERNATIONAL VAUDEVILLE. Richly laden with comedy and novelty in the most approved vaudeville standard, the entertainment to he presented by Will Mahoney and ari international company at the Opera House, Palmerston North, for two nights only, on Thursday and Friday, May 2 and 3, will appeal to all theatregoers looking for bright relaxation. Will Mahoney's versatility as a cosmopolitan eo median is well known. He establishes a friendly atmosphere from (he first moment he slops on to the stage, and his manifold gifts in the domain of comedy and humour strike a chord of icsponse with all audiences. A simple ditty, an amusing story, a musical specialty, a comedy sketch, are part and parcel of Mr Mahoney’s assets, so that there is always something different and unexpected. “Will Mahoney knows how to make an audience laugh, without effort,” said one critic, “and he has the rare power of creating spontaneously a sense of happiness and good fellowship that sends one home in a glow.” Never has there been a more varied selection of international stars to support the famous comedian. Novell}* is the prevailing note, displayed by I he Four Florays (springboard experts), the “escapologist" Lampinis, Evic Hayes (delightful show singer and comedienne), Johnny Hyman (topical creator). Boh Gornughty, hes and Mavis Ritchie (eccentric dancers/, the Mclodians (fascinating music makers). John Dohhic (mirth provider), Margaret Kelly (soprano), Cusko’s Animal Circus and a lovely ballet of dancers. The presentation ,is under the direction of (he Tivoli Circuit of Australia, The box plans will open at, Oollinson and Cumiinghame's on Monday next:.