STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 November 1938, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

JESSIE MATTHEWS IN

“SPARKLES.”

There was a very large audience at the State Theatre last night, the outstanding attraction being “Sparkles,” featuring that noted actress, Jessie Matthews. “Sparkles,” presents Jessie Matthews in a story and a role that is absolutely different from anything seen before. She plays the part of a reporter on a newspaper, whose travels take her to New York where she becomes involved with a band of gangsters. The action is fast and furious, the dialogue bright and snappy, the direction smooth, and the musical numbers, giving Jessie Matthews and Barry Mac Kay many golden opportunities, are all winners. Playing opposite Jessie Matthews, who makes the most of every moment either singing, dancing, or acting, is Barry Mac Kay. This young actor has lots of personality, good looks and acting ability. For the first time he sings and dances on the screen in “Sparkles,” and in the number “Lord and Lady Whosis,” he and Miss Matthews score splendidly. Noel Madison and Nat Pendleton sketch amusing portraits of American gangsters, and Olive Blakeney as Nedda Beaumont, contributes an excellent performance. Other outstanding players who help the film’s snappy, entertaining pace along are Liane Ordeyne, a lovely newcomer, Patrick Ludlow, Graham Moffatt and Warren Jenkins, who shows a nimble foot as a foreign dancer. No Jessie Matthews film would be complete without soZg and dance. In ‘“Sparkles,” Jessie Matthews has four numbers that, with Barry Mac Kay, she puts over in fine style. BOBBY BREEN AND THE ICE QUEEN.

The big feature at the State Theatre on Friday night will be Bobby Breen, Charlie Ruggles, Dolores Costello and Irene Dare (the world’s juvenile “Ice Queen”), in that outstanding picture, “The Ice Queen.” There will also be a Donald Duck-Mickey Mouse picture on the programme.