REGENT THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 April 1939, Page 2

REGENT THEATRE

“STABLEMATES.” A new screen team is introduced in “Stablemates,” which will be shown tonight at the Regent Theatre. The new team is that of Wallace Beery and Mickey Rooney. Beery is seen in the role of a once brilliant veterinarian who changed to a race track lounger because he was. framed into a murder charge. Rooney, fresh from his triumph in “Boy From Barnardo’s,” will win more admirers, if possible, in his characterisation of the stable boy and jockey who befriends Beery in order to get the latter to operate on his injured horse. The two join forces and tour the country with the racehorse, which Rooney has been given in lieu of his salary. When the horse is in perfect condition they start for Hollywood Park to participate in the big race. One day Rooney listens to a radio broadcast and learns that his travelling companion is an escaped convict. Having learned to love Beery like a father ,he tries to persuade him not to come to the track without letting him know the reason. Capture is sure if he does. But Beery goes along. Then things really start to happen, with the action of the big race matching the tempo of the climax. Harry Rapf, producer, made excellent use of the new Hollywood track at Inglewood as well as featuring five champions of the turf in Seabiscuit, Dauber, Specify, Indian Broom and Lloyd Pan. _ The work of the stars is brilliant and is ably supported bv the performances of Arthur Hohl/Margaret Hamilton, and Marjorie Gateson. Sam Wood gives the picture a race track tempo with his direction. Not only does the film show Hollywood Park, but gives sport enthusiasts a chance to see Santa Anita, home of the 100,000-dollar Handicap, Bing Crosby’s Del Mar track, and San Francisco’s Tanforan. There is also an excellent supporting programme which includes “Double Diving,” a Pete Smith specialty, showing Harold “Dutch” Smith and Farid Sumaika, Olympic champions, dive through the air in perfect syncronisation, a remarkable demonstration of skill and artistry; “Once Over Lightly,” a sparkling musical novelty done in Metro-Goldwyn-May-er’s usual bright style; “Practical Jokers,” an “Our Gang” comedy with the popular youngsters funnier than ever; “Tears of an Onion,” splendid colour classic, and latest newsreels.