STAGE & SCREEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 August 1938, Page 8

STAGE & SCREEN

SOME ATTRACTIONS COMING TO MASTERTON. MR F. ANSELL INTERVIEWED. “Masterton is to be well served in the matter of stage and screen entertainment,” said Mr F. Ansell, exhibition manager of J. C. Williamson Picture Corporation, Ltd., when reviewing the future plans of his firm in an interview with a “Times-Age” representative today. “There has been great activity recently on the theatrical side,” continued Mr Ansell. Due to open in Wellington shortly was the spectacular musical show, “Balalaika,” which, owing to the great expense involved, it was not originally'intended to bring to New Zealand. "Masterton will have an opportunity of seeing ‘Balalaika’ in due course,” said Mr Ansell. Both the Ruth Draper and Lawrence Tibbett seasons had been enormous < successes. Both artists had marvellous personalities, said Mr Ansell, who went on to describe the scenes of enthusiasm at Mr Tibbett’s concerts in Wellington, where the audience of 3000 had risen and cheered the singer. Mr and Mrs Tibbett were most appreciative of the kindness shown to them by the New Zealand people. They had also expressed their admiration of this country’s scenic beauty. Arrangements had been made, said Mr Ansell, for the visitors to see Rotorua, the Waitomo Caves and other places of interest. Discussing forthcoming screen attractions, Mr Ansell mentioned that a contract had recently been signed with Warner Bros. First National Pictures by which a number of outstanding films would be screened at the Regent Theatre, Masterton. One very fine picture, said Mr Ansell; was Warners’ "The Adventures of Robin Hood,” a technicolour production starring Errol Flynn. Also there was “The Perfect Specimen,” a comedy with the same star, which was at present having a good run in Wellington. Reminiscent of that great production “The Guardsman” was “The Great Garrick,” a remarkable piece of film work starring Brian Aherne. A fine example of English production was “The Yank at Oxford,” which will be screened in Masterton shortly, continued Mr Ansell. For this film, Robert Taylor had journeyed to England, where the true atmosphere of the University was captured by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer experts who supervised the production. “The Yank at Oxford” was also notable for the fine performances of the English supporting actors. Coming to Masterton shortly also is the riotous comedy, “Merrily We Live” which is now in its third week at the Majestic Theatre, Wellington. Mr Ansell also made reference to the new French discovery; Daniell DArieux, who is featured in Universal’s “Rage of Paris.” Her performance, he said, was wonderfully refreshing ar d she was a fine little actress. A remarkable act, which has had a great success in the South Island was that of, the Boxing Kangaroo, which makes its appearance on the stage, in copjunction with the ordinary picture programme. This prizefighter of the animal world, said Mr Ansell, would be coming to Masterton shortly.