REGENT THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 June 1940, Page 2

REGENT THEATRE

“BROADWAY SERENADE." Taking its place at the top of this season’s musicals, “Broadway Serenade” starring Jeanette MacDonald, will be finally presented tonight at the Regent Theatre. Not in recent months has Miss MacDonald had the vocal or dramatic* opportunities that this new production affords her. Rich in elaborate stage numbers, tempered with a good story revolving about a girl who climbs from singing in cheap night clubs to musical comedy stardom, “Broadway Serenade” contains every conceivable element of entertainment. Splendid supporting subjects include the latest Air Mail News showing the R.A.F. over Norway, a Pete Smith specialty and a most timely item, “The Ash Can Fleet,” showing how the Navy deals with U-boats by means of depth charges. The box plans are at Nimmo’s and the theatre. “THEY MADE ME A CRIMINAL.” Tomorrow night’s change of programme will be headed by that brilliant outstanding picture sensation, “They Made Me a Criminal.” “They Made Me a Criminal” is a tense and exciting drama with a prize-ring background that co-stars John Garfield and the "Dead End" kids in a cast that also includes Claude Rains. Gloria Dickson, May Robson and Ann Sheridan. Aside from its merits as entertainment, “They Made Me a Criminal." is noteworthy because it is the follow-up of Garfield, young newcomer from the New York stage, to his sensational screen debut in “Four Daughters.” It is the answer of the Warner Studio to the insistent public demand that, the brilliant young actor be raised to stardom immediately.

It presents Garfield as a left-handed (this is important) prize fighter who, the day after he has won the lightweight championship of the world, learns by big stories in the newspapers that he is supposed to have murdered a newspaper reporter and then been burned to death in an automobile accident while fleeing from the city. He drops out of sight, and finds his way across the country. Eventually he gets a job on an isolated California date orchard and falls in love with the niece of the woman who owns the ranch. Seeking to get some money for the two women he gets into the ring with a barnstorming heavyweight who oilers £lOO a round to anyone who can last against him. This puts a suspicious detective on his trail, and leads to the thrilling and emotional dramatic finish.