ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 246, 14 September 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAYFAIR THEATRE. “DANGER ON WHEELS.” “Danger on Wheels,” a drama of the speedways co-starring Richard Arlen and Andy Devine, is now showing at the Mayfair Theatre. Newest of tho popular AricnDevino series. “Danger on Wheels” is 6aid to be one of the stars’ best vehicles to date, with spectacular thrills and roaring action of the race track providing the background of the story. Arlen is seen first us 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. Boggy Moran, young screen player who is rapidly rising to film fame, is Arlen’s romantic interest. Other supporting roles are carried by Henry Corthell, Harry -Bradley, Sandra King and Landers Stevens. 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 beaded by Enid Stamp Taylor, Jack Barly. Wilson Coleman and Ivan Samson, has received very tempting offers to go to Hollywood and star in pictures under a long-term contract. She scoied ail outstanding success in her picture, “talking Feet,” which made the Critics rave about tho “most promising juvenile find for some time.” "Une oi 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 these without losing a single mark. Also screening is chapter one of the thrilling new serial “Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe,” starring Larry (“Buster”) Crabbe as Flash Gordon.

REGENT THEATRE. “THE GREAT VICTOR HERBERT.” A collector interested in American vehicles of the turn-of-tbe-century vintage would have uncovered a “gold-mine” had he strayed on to the Paramount lot during tho filming ot ‘"i lie Groat Victor Herbert,” the musical romance showing at tho Regent Theatre. ’J he expert would have found ail manner of vehicles. 'There were Allan Jones and Mary Martin riding bicycles. There weie handsome cabs and carriages, open and closed horse-drawn vehicles, victorias, ih I to-wheeled bikes and a 1905 motor-car. The- . studio property department, of course, was charged with the task of finding all of Iheeo various types of vehicles 'I fiat’s what property departments are for. Like'.most studios, Paramount has a stock of carriages ,at a near-by ranch. They are brought into tile studio whenever needed. Old-fashioned bicycles arc hard to find, particularly the llnee-wheel-ed type. This has a main wheel in back, and t»vo small ones in front, between which nestles a huge box used for deliveries. The .rnotor-ear, of course, is a museum piece. But numerous enterprising local motor-car dealers have old-typo cars on hand, which are available to studios at neat rentals, llortes to draw the carriages are icnled from an agency which makes a specialty of just that. There are matched blacks, roans, greys, and all the rest. There are sway-backs, spavined relics and misfits of all kinds. They’re good for laughs, yes, but they lead an easy life, with plenty of oafs, between pictures. “Tho Great' Victor Herbert” also features Waller Connolly, Lee Bowman, Susanna Foster uud Judith Barrett.