STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 April 1939, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

♦ “THE AFFAIRS OF ANNABEL.” The programme at the State Theatre tonight will be headed by two comedy specials—“ The Affairs of Annabel” featuring Jackie Oakie and Lucille Ball, and “Mr Doodle Kicks Off” starring Joe Penner and June Travis. Flavoured with high-speed humour and side-splitting situations, “The Affairs of Annabel” revolves around the unexpected results of a series of imaginative exploits contrived by Oakie in his role of a rash press agent to publicise the studio’s foremost star, played by Miss Ball. Unfortunately these stunts have a habit of backfiring. To attract attention to a prison picture, Oakie has Lucille gaoled under an alias, promising reams of publicity upon her release a few days later. But real prison terms loom for the pair if the scheme is learned; and Lucille has to serve out her time for fear of exposure. “The Affairs of Annabel” provides a wealth of entertainment and as well affords interesting behind-the-scenes action on producing pictures and their subsequent ballyhoo. Supporting players headed by Ruth Donnelly, Bradley Page, Fritz Feld, Thurston Hall and Elizabeth Risdon add to the mirth and excitement of the film. “Mr Doodle Kicks Off” presents Joe Penner, popular radio and screen comedian, in the role of a daffy gridiron hero, in a comedy which pokes fun at collegiate football and campus life. The story is said to be replete with songs, romance and comedy. It concerns a shy collegian whose only ambition is to lead his own orchestra. Joe Penner, of course, is cast as the lad whose fight to keep out of football togs meets with failure, especially when pretty June Travis, as the college president’s co-ed daughter, enters into the scheme. As the football assistant-coach, Richard Lane finds it practically impossible to make a football star out of such soft timber. The special feature on the programme on Friday will be “Prison Without Bars,” starring a young and beautiful French actress, Corinne Luchaire. As Suzanne, the innocent inmate of the girl’s reformatory, Miss Luchaire has many 'dramatic opportunities. Edna Best, Barry Barnes and Martita Hunt and Mary Morris have important parts in the picture which Is of a high dramatic standard.