ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 156, 1 June 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

KOSY THEATRE. “SECOND FIDDLE.” Sonja Hcnio is full of surprises f these days, thanks to her co-starring role with Tyrone Rower in Irving Boriin’s “Second Fiddle.” This 20th Century-Fox picture offers one of the greatest combinations of talent ever gathered for a single show, featuring Rudy Valleo and Edna May Oliver, including how-star Mat'y ITealy, Lyle Talbot and Alan Dinehart, and introducing six new Berlin sohg hits. In the flint Sonja performs on the ice with her first screen skating partner, presents spectacular tropical dances —the rhumba and tango—on the ice, and introduces with Rudy Vallce, the new ballroom dance sensation, the “Back to Back.” She also romances with Tyrone Rower —a couple fans have demanded to see again over since their triumph in “Thin Ice.” In addition Sonja hangs up her skating shoos and dons a streamlined swim suit for a sequence in the film, proving herself as much at home gracing the border of a pool, or disporting in the water, as she is on the ice. , ' - The cast of “Housemaster ’ includes such prominent players as Otto Kruger, Diana Churchill and Reno Ray. It tells the story of a middle-aged housemaster devoted to his boys and who finds that the newly appointed headmaster is gradually trying to get him to resign. Matters are made worse when three charming but irresponsible girls, who are staying with him, descend upon the school upsetting the routine and almost causing a mutiny. METEOR THEATRE. “THE STAR MAKER.” The world’s foremost exponent of popular song, thc_ incomparable Bing Crosby, is returning to the screen in a new comedy-drama, “Tho Star Maker,” now showing at the Meteor Theatre. Based on the career of the famed showman Gus Edwards, the picture . casts Bing as a penniless song writer who is convinced that lie -lias a real future in the show business. It takes Bing through all the high lights of Edwards’- career, shows him succeeding with kiddie shows; rebuffed by the Gerry Society for having children perform after 10/o’clock, and finally trying to win success on the radio. A great supporting cast includes Louise Campbell, Ned Sparks, Laura Hope Crows, Walter Damrosch, dean' of symphonic ‘conductors, and Linda Ware, the sensational 14-year-old singing discovery. The picture is replete with song, with Bing Crosby singing such Gus Edwards’ favourites as “In My Merry Oidsmobile,” “School Days,” “Jimmy Valentine,” and many others. Bing also sings four new hits, including “An Apple for flic Teacher” and “A Man and ITis Dreams.” Linda Ware sings many songs, old and new. Bing Crosby is no believer in sticking to the same leading lady in picture after picture, and consequently a new one is featured in “The Star Maker,” Louise Campbell, who is east as a girl who helps the matron of an orphanage, and finally consents to marry Bing. She helps him succeed in his ambition to get to tho top in show business by making stars out. of talented children.

STATE THEATRE. “DAY-TIME WIFE.” > What have secretaries got that wives haven’t ? Linda Darnell decides to find out when her husband, Tyrone Power, takes to working nights at tho office and comes homo with perfume on his collar. They have been married just two years aiid Linda isn’t going io give him up in a hurry, so on Binnie Barnes’s expert advice she gets a job as secretary to Warren William. Warren, who also nas a wife, is susceptible to the strange romantic influences of’business offices and Linda has an exciting time parrying his advances. Although she makes Tyrone’s conscience miserable by her carefully aimed, innocent allusions to his affair, Linda still wants to. win him back. The climax is reached when he breaks a big date they had arranged to start things anew In. desperation Linda accepts a dinner invitation offered by Warren for the same evening and together they run into Tyrone and his secretary. Wendy Barrie, at the restaurant. The resulting situation is hilarious, as Tyrone’s discomfiture is heightened when Linda forces him to conceal their relationship. The party adjourns to Warren’s apartment and his efforts to be alone with Linda are just what Tyrone needs to be. cured forever. He says as much to Linda but she insists she’s through and, as a la6t thrust, invites Tyrone and Wendy to stay the night at, her apartment: Wendy in tho spare room and Tyrone on the couch.-It’s too much for the wandering minstrel of a husband. The story closes with a gay and happy reunion