STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 June 1939, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

“PECK’S BAD BOY.” Inspired by George W. Peck's everpopular character, “Peck’s Bad Boy With the Circus,” will be shown to- . night at the State Theatre with Tommy Kelly, hero of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” in the starring lead. This version of the adventures of one of America’s most celebrated fiction heroes has Ann Gillis (Becky Thatcher in “Tom Sawyer”) featured as a circus bareback rider and Edgar Kennedy as a lion tamer. RKO Radio releases “Peck’s Bad Boy With the Circus,” the first of a new series. The picture is one that will make a strong appeal to the picture patron. It provides a delightful array of exciting fun-pro-ducing antics under a big circus tent. In a three-ring arena there is featured the Escalante troupe of high wire performers, the great Liberty Horse Act, as well as seventy performing animals. Tommy Kelly, Ann Gillis and Spanky McFarlane provide all the “fun of the circus” in this great drama of the circus. There are thrills, humour and tense drama throughout the picture, i making in all a film that is outstanding in its class. Those who appreciate a really good picture of circus life together with a strong human appeal should not miss “Peck’s Bad Boy With the Circus.” “TOPPER TAKES A TRIP.” Commencing on Friday evening is the second of the entertaining Topper pictures, introducing again Roland Young in the part of the rather timid little banker who becomes mixed up in the efforts of Marion Kirby to do a good deed. All the former attempts by the Kirbys—George Kirby has now disappeared from the mortal scene —have failed, and instead of making Topper's life happier have brought him into the divorce Court. Constance Bennett, who again plays the part of Mrs Kirby, pursues the banker and his wife to the Court and so interferes with proceedings in her invisible guise that the case is thrown out. The scene then moves to Europe, where Mrs Topper, anticipating an early conclusion to the affair, is not averse to the attentions of a young nobleman who is attracted by her money. There are many hilarious scenes in the film, on several occasions the quarrel between the Toppers being almost patched up, only for Mrs Kirby to materialise at an unfortunate moment. Billie Burke has the role of Mrs Topper and Alexander D’Arcy plays the penniless nobleman. Box plans for the season are now open at Adcock’s, or phone theatre, 1322.