ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20284, 28 August 1937, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

CURRENT PROGRAMMES. “WAIKIKI WEDDING" AT THE CIVIC THEATRE Romance, hilarity, music and song are to be found In abundance In “Waikiki Wedding.” Bing Crosby Is cast as Tony Marvin, the publicity agent for a Hawaiian pineapple cannery. One of the sales promotion campaigns ■he arranges is a recipe contest and the winner Is given a free trip to Hawaii. The contest is won by an attractive young girl, Georgia Smith, a part capably handled by Shirley Ross. Upon her arrival she decided that she does not like Hawaii, and is about to return ; home when the publicity agent : arranges the “kidnapping” of a party i which includes himself and the girl. The entertainment provided by the : party can well be understood when it : is discovered that such talented screen j players as Bob Burns and Martha Raye | are Included. The Ilawaiians who have obligingly kidnapped the party take them to a secluded island and entertain them with their colourful and spectacular ceremonials and dances. At the appropriate moment Tony arranges an “escape” from their confinement, and eventually the story is brought to a satisfactory conclusion. Outstanding among the delightful songs are “Sweet Letlani,” “Blue Hawaii” and “Sweet Is the Word for You.”

The featurettes Include a Popeye the Sailor cartoon, Overseas and Australian News, and a sportlight, “On the Nose.”

“MYSTERIOUS CROSSING”

AT THE THEATRE ROYAL “Mysterious Crossing,” a picture of Intrigue, romance and smart newspaper reporting in old New Orleans, is the new lighter type of mystery film. It has a clever comedy twist combined with its action, suspense and danger. The popular James Dunn Is cast as a mystery-solving reporter whose nose for news gets him into a series of stirring adventures. Andy Devine, seen as a hill-billy singer, has an unusually humorous role, and Jean Rogers gives a fine performance in the feminine lead. Much of the picture was made in New Orleans and embodies authentic shots of the old French quarter. Filled with excitement and touches of comedy, “Freedom for Sale” is vivid entertainment. The picture deals wilh the evil of easy prison parole, and has a strong cast, headed by Paul Kelly and Rosalind Keith. Gazettes and topical films oomplete the programme.

“CHEROKEE STRIP"

AT THE STATE THEATRE The brave days of old when Amerloa was throwing open free homestead lands to pioneers willing to race for them and develop them, live again in “The Cherokee Strip,” the exciting melodrama starring Dick Foran. The choicest land went to those who claimed first, travelling by cow ponies, buckboards, covered waggons, or on foot. All this is deplct p d with historic accuracy. Dick Foran, besides acting convincingly, sings “The Little Buckaroo ” In splendid style. There are two heroines, Jane Bryan and Helen Vallds, and a number of other noted players, including Ed Cobb, Milton Kibbee, David Carlyle and Gordon Hart.

Hilarity and adventure run riot on the highways in “Time Out for Romance,” the thrlllingly amusing production, with Claire Trevor and Michael Whalen as a runaway bride and a highway Romeo Involved with a cross-country auto-caravan. Pisturing the carload of trouble that a driver acquires when he picks up a hitch-hiking heiress, “Time Out for Romance” also features Joan Davis, Douglas Fowley and Bennie Bartlett. There are some entertaining “shorts” in support. “AFTER THE THIN MAN”

AT THE REGENT THEATRE William Powell and Myrna Loy, who gained outstanding success In their popular mystery comedy “The Thin Man,” continue their adve|tures in a sequel entitled “After the Thin Man.” Mr and Mrs Charles, as the hero and heroine of the picture are named, return to their home in San Francisco,

only to find that another murder awaits their solution. William Powell, in the chief role, rather unwillingly sets his talents to the discovery of the murderer, but for the greater part of the picture his efforts are thwarted by the well-meant interferences of his wife. Finally, however, he gathers all tlie suspects into one room, waits for the suspense to prey upon the criminal’s nerves, and seizes immediately

on the mistake that reveals guilt. The real importance of the story, however, lies in the ease with which it allows the introduction of a series of highly amusing minor characters. By no means the least prominent of these is Asta, tlie terrier, whose acting is marked by a zest which would raise jealousy in the hearts of some human actors. One scene, in which Asta gels hold of a vital letter and lias lo be chased about the fiat before lie will surrender the prize, is a feature of the film. The supporting programme includes tlie Cinesound Review and the British Air Mail News. “RAMONA” AT TIIK ROXY THEATRE Action on a tremendous scale, combined wilh Its production in the new perfected Teclmicolour, make of Helen I Mint Jackson's popular lo\e slor>. I.orel I a Young is featured ■- Bamona. wit It Hon \mcrJie as • Iro. and Hi" splendid supporting cast .ICuuUuued in next cuiuiiiu. )

Includes Kent Taylor, Pauline Frederic, Jane Darwell, Katherine De Mille and John Carradine. “Ramona” teems with fiestas, fandangoes, songs, roses, secret trysts, mission bells, stolen kisses, tears, love and laughter. “Theodora Goes Wild” Is a very amusing story of a young authoress who poses as a very sophisticated woman, with exciting and romantio results. Irene Dunne gives a fine performance as Theodora and Melvyn Douglas and other clever players give good support. There will be the usual newsreel session at 7.30 to-night. THE MONTAGUE SHOW REVUES FOR HAMILTON Describing the first appearance of George Doonan, the famous English comedian In New Zealand, a critic said: “George Doonan, principal comedian of the Montague Revue Company, took about 30 seconds to make friends with the huge audience at this opening of ‘This Year of Carnival,' and about the same length of time to convince the people that he would make them laugh. lie did —often. Doonan has an endless flow of patter, tells a story well, has a flair for mimicry, is full of gusto, and, like ull good comedians in a show such as this, does the lion's share of the work.” “This Year of Carnival," with which the company will open a Hamilton season next Saturday, Is presented on exactly the same -scale as it was seen In the West End of London, and the original producer, Mr Lewis Marks, travels with the company. • Included In the company are the famous Darmora Ballet, a troupe of Hungarian girls; Miss Barbara Vernon, the American comedienne; Jewel and Werrlss, Irrepressible mirthmakers; the Dawn Sisters, dancing differently; the Blenders, four masters of melody; Ihe Two Rogues, in a comedy cataclysm; and a ballet of 30 girls. . “RIO RITA” HAMILTON OPERATIC SOCIETY “Rio Rita,” the spectacular musical play in which Gladys Moncrieff ma le one of her greatest successes, will be •staged by (he Hamilton Operatic Society for a week, from Monday, September 13, to Saturday, September 18. Playgoei s are advised to take advantage of the special honorary membership concessions in prices and priority of booking. Seldom does an amateur performance go with the swing that characterises “Rio Rita.” This modern musical comedy is presented in up-to-date fashion with the performers showing an enviable zest. It progresses rapidly through its climaxes to the “triple wedding” that finishes a sparkling performance. A well-trained ballet provides a charming interlude, and musically the show is very line. The rehearsals are proving very suc - cessful and “Rio Rita” promises to lie an outstanding production in every FILMS AT OHAUPO Fred Mac Murray mid .loan Benin II play Hie leading roles in ' Thiele m Hours bv Air." exciting story of murder amt ‘intrigue on a liMiiseoiitiiienl.il transport plane, which will he screened at Ohanpo to-day. In Ihe cast are Zasii Pills. John Howard. Bennie Barlloll, Grace Bradley, Alan Bax lor. I made in the sky and al airports on llie ! \e\v 'i oi k San I'i ancisc.. mule. is {authentic in ever* detail, and is idled with romance and ■sensation.