STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 January 1939, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

“THE GOLDWYN FOLLIES.” The outstanding picture of its % class. according to many competent judges. “The Goldwyn Follies," will be finally presented at the State Theatre tonight. “VARIETY HOUR." The “Variety Hour,” which will open its season at the matinee on Wednesday afternoon, is a Fox-British picture made at the Wembley Studios. It presents a host of variety’s best performers against their proper background—tne stage. It is a real variety show — music, dancing, comedy, thrills —wound round a story concerning Clapham and uwyer’s endeavour to make good on the radio. Their impression of a British commentator at a boxing match is a riot. Some really grand numbers are introduced, including a splendid symphonic arrangement of Rasbach’s “Trees,” sung by Brian Lawrance. Lawrance and his Lansdowne band are at the top of their form, investing their arrangements with tremendous vigour and sparkle. Carson Robison and his pioneers give us some cowboy songs, and the Wiere Brothers are crazier than ever. Kay, Katya and Kay, whose remarkable terpsichorean ability is world famed, combine grace and rhythm with acrobatic skill in a couple of brilliant dances. The Norwich Trio with its golliwog contortionist are highly amusing. Jack Donohue, the world’s fastest tap-dancer gives an excellent display of high speed foot work, the Music Hall Boys as always, in high spirits, gag the old songs frivolously, and both Helen Howard and Raymond Newell sing magnificently. Jack Hulbert turns in a breezily entertaining portrayal in “Kate Plus ien,” tne second feature. Appearing as a Scotland Yard detective, the star is given sterling support by Genevieve Tobin. The highlight is a thrilling sequence wherein the criminals steal a train laden with bar gold, and drive away down a disused track to a derelict coal mine. This exciting episode culminates in a train-versus-car chase that rivets the attention.