ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20261, 2 August 1937, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES, i

REGENT THEATRE. j Filmed in technicolour against an authentic Hollywood background, “A Star is Born,” with Janet Gaynor and Fredric March teaming for the first time in a fine performance, sets a new high -standard. In addition to these two -stars, it' brings back a new Adolph Menjou, and the inimitable May Robson, whose dry humour and terse philosophy are strikingly etched against the general plan of the story, j These four dominate the picture, but j It Is Janet Gaynor, with her demureness and wistful charm, who “-steals” It. As the film-star wife of a spoiled and dissolute husband —himself a former screen idol —she establishes herself as one of the finest dramatic actresses on the screen. Fredric March is convincing as the former screen -star who falls in love with this unsophisticated -seeker after fame from the country, and who lives to see her outshine and ultimately edge him into oblivion. It is Granny (May Robson) who believes in the girl and encourages her in her pilgrimage to Hollywood, and it is Granny who brings help and succour when breaking-point is almost reached in those desperate, poignant moments when Vicki -seeks a sanctuary from the world clamouring at her feet. The natural colour adds much to the charm of the film, particularly those actual glimpses of Hollywood’s more famous place-s. A Mickey Mouse cartoon in colour, “Mickey’s Circus.” is a feature of the supporting programme. THEATRE ROYAL. “Bulldog Drummond Escapes” brings back the popular character of book, stage and screen. Murder on the fog-bound moor, a kidnapping, the machinations of a counterfeit band, and the imprisonment of a beautiful woman in a house of mystery are a few of the things “Bulldog Drummond” has to solve. Ray Milland plays the role of the master sleuth and soldier of fortune. He is assisted as usual by his pal, “Algy" (played by Reginald Denny), and again he is forcecL-to overcome the obstacles thrown in his path by his friendly enemy, Inspector Neilson of Scotland Yard (played by Sir Guy Standing). Heather Angel is the beauty whom he rescues. “The Wildcatter” depicts the exciting drama that accompanies the wild rush of fortune seekers to the scene of a new oil strike. Here is adventure, served with, just the right blending of drama and romance. Jean Rogers and Scott Cotton have the romantic leads. CIVIC THEATRE. “Step Lively, Jeeves,” brings the celebrated Wodehouse creation, Jeeves, to the screen. In the part of Jeeves, Arthur Treacher gives a fine performance. He has rarely been as consistently amusing as in this stimulating picture. A brilliantly witty burlesque of American gangsters, confidence men and newly-rich society

“climbers," the film presents a varied assortment of characters, all of whom make essential contributions to an hilarious story. As Prince Boris Caminov, a vehement and melodramatic Russian adventurer, George Givot gives a splendid characterisation. Even apart from the scenes in which Treacher appears, the sequences in which Givot elaborates his plan of selling the Russian Crown jewels to unsuspecting dupes would in themselves make the film well worth seeing. Once again Alan Dinehart shows his versatility in the role of the Hon. Cedric B. Cromwell, originator of the swindle which leads the unsuspecting Jeeves to believe he is the Earl of Bedford, ROXY THEATRE.

“The While Angel,” With Kay Francis as the noble Florence Nightingale, is an impressive film. The story of Florence Nightingale’s single-handed battle against the prejudice, greed and incompetency of some of the leading surgeons and government officials of the middle of the last century, Is known to the world, but never has it been depicted in such flaming and picturesque colour as in “The White Angel.” The daughter of a wealthy and prominent English family Florence Nightingale was discontented with the formalities and inanities of a social butterfly’s life, and yearned to do something worth while. Learning of the terrible condilions of the London hospitals. she resolved to devote her life to this service, with exciting and romantic results.

The kidnapping of the richest woman in the world furnishes an exciting part of “Three Kids and * Queen,” a film in which comedy, romance and drama arc mixed very cleverly. STATE THEATRE. “The Crime Nobody Saw” tells how three authors in search of a plot solve a mystery. The three are Lew Ayres, Benny Baker and Eugene l’allette. They are given twenty-four hours to deliver a play for which they had already drawn several large advances, and the day before the play is to go into production finds them still without an idea. The murder of their | neighbour, right in their own living- j room, however, gives them plot arid | solve it. they impersonate police 1 officers, and run foul of the law. They j discover that there apparently were j two murders and one crime, and the ■ climax is reached when they find out ■ that Ihe murdered man was not tlio I person thev thought lie was. •■Hills ‘of 01.1 Wyoming” is l a film of a totally different kind. ( but equally entertaining. It is one of the popular llopalong Cassidy stories, filled with advntur.* and all the colour and romance of the West. William Boyd is again llopalong, and willi him arc George Hayes, Clara Kimball Young, Stephen Morris and others.

“ THESE PRETTY THINGS.” The SI. Peter's Players will produce 1 Gertrude Jennings' romantic <*omed> - . drama. "These Pretly Tilings,” in I he 1 Theatre Royal 10-nighl. The cast includes Mrs Weuthcrliog.

Mrs Sullivan, Mrs Hill, Misses Roma Garratt. Jean Laurenson, Gwen Simoock, Dawn Rogerson, Beatrice St. Paul' Very Rev. T. P. Weatherhog, the Rev.’Martin Sullivan and Mr H. Hill.

"THESE PRETTY THINUB.”

PRODUCTION AT NGARUAWAHIA. A very creditable performance was given by members of St. Peter's Players, Hamilton, when they presented a three-act comedy, "These Pretty Things," at the Town Hall on Thursday. The proceeds were In aid of the Ngaruawahia Anglican Queen Carnival. Miss Jean Laurenson, as Susie Parsons, played a difficult role In which she came off with flying colours. The Very Rev. T. P. Weatherhog, as Harvey Mayfield, gave an amusing performance. At the conclusion the players were entertained to supper in the Parish Hall by members of the committee.