ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 245, 13 September 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE, “LITTLE OLD NEW YORK.’’ The - boisterous town of the 'good old days, when cows roamed Fifth Avenue and, a barmaid—or a lady—could win a man like Robert Fulton; are brought vividly to life on tile screen in “Little Old New York,” the 20tlr, Century-Fox film, which shows at tlio Stale Theatre, with Alice Faye, Fred MacMurruy, Richard Groenn and Brenda Joyce lieuuing a splendid cast. This robust, romantic drama casts Alice Faye in her iuost eojourful role as the fiery belle of the waterfront who fell headlong in love with handsome Robert Fulton — and went aiter Him, wlino urn wuoie brawling waterfront cheered her on. MaeMurray is seen as the burly shipbuilder engaged to build tho Clermont, after I'ulton’s model, for ' the iirst steamboat; Greene, is seen as the dashing im enter himself; and blonde Brenda Joyce has the role of tho lovely girl who loved liiru, helped him to attain Ins dream in the faeo of ridicule, and who later became 'liis wife. Others prominently featured in the cast are Andy Devine, Ilenry Stephenson and Fritz Feld. Directed by Henry King, “Little Old New York” offers the most spectacular production of tho •• produce!director combination which gave to tho screen such unforgettable films as “In Old Chicago,” “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,’’ “Stanley and Livingstone” and _ “Jesse James.” Before the actual filming of “Little Old Now York” began, the director, liis assistant, and a camera crew spent a few weeks in the oast photographing old New York backgrounds and scenes along the Hudson for the production. They also did a vast amount of research on the history of the town and the career of Robert Fulton.

REGENT THEATRE. “THE GREAT .VICTOR HERBERT.” A collector interested in American vehicles ol the tuin-oi-the-coiitury vintage would have uneovo.cd.a “gold-mine hud ho strayed on to the Paramount lot during the litniing ot “liie Great Victor Herbert,” tho musical romance showing at the Regent Theatre. The expert would have found all maimer of vehicles. There were Allan Jones and Mary Martin riding bicycles. There were 1 handsome cabs and carriages, open and closed horse-drawn vehicles, victorias, threo-whoeled hikes and a 1905 motor-car. The studio property department, of course, was charged with the task of finding all of theso various typos of vehicles That’s what property departments arc for. Like most studios, 'Paramount has a stock of carriagos at a near-by ranch. They aro brought into the studio whenever needed. Old-fashioued bicycles are hard to find, particularly the three-wheel-ed type. This has a main wheel in hack, and * two small ones in front, between which nestles a huge box used for deliveries. The motor-car, 1 of course, is a museum piece; But numerous enterprising local motor-car dealers have old-typo cars on hand, which aro available to studios at neat rentals. Horses to draw the carriages are rented from an agency which makes a specialty of just that. There are matched blacks, roans, greys, and all tho rest. There aro sway-hacks, spavined relics and misfits of all kinds. They’re good for laughs, yes, but they lead an easy life, with plenty of oats, between pictures. “The Groat Victor Herbert” also foatures Walter Connolly, Loo Bowman, Susanna Foster und Judith Barrett.

MAYFAIR THEATRE. “DANGER ON WHEELS.” “Danger on Wheels,”- a drama of the speedways co-starring Richard Alien and Andy Devine, is now showing at tho Mayfair Theatre. Newest of tho popular ArlcnDevine series, “Danger on Wheels” _ is said to be ono of tho stars’ best vehicles to date, with spectacular thrills and roaring action of the race track providing tho background of tho story. Arlen is seen : first as a daredevil test driver, who goes through death-defying stunts testing new motor-cars. Later he becomes a race driver smashing through to victory in the Indianapolis Speed Classic in the climax. Andy Devine appears as Arlen’s faithful but slow-witted mechanic. Peggy Moran, young scrcon player who is rapidly rising to-film fame, is Aden's romantic interest. Other supporting roles are carried by Henry 1 Corthell, Harry Bradley, Sandra King and Landers Slovens. Hazel Ascot, who stars in “Stepping Feet,” the new, sparkling 8.1.E.D. musical which is now showing at the Mayfair Theatre with a talented supporting cast headed by Enid Stamp Taylor, Jack Barty. Wilson Coleman and Ivan Samson, lias received very tempting oilers to go to Hollywood and star in pictures under a long-term contract. She scored an outstanding success in her picture, “Talking Feet,” which made the critics rave about tho “most promising juvenile find for some lime.” "One ot the greatest discoveries in the history of _ British films” was but one of the eulogistic paeans credited to her. Hazel has won the All-England juvenile championships and City championship, and all those without losing a single mark. Also screening is chapter one of the thrilling now serial “Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe,” starring Larry (“Buster”) Ciabbe as Flash Gordon.