ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20491, 6 May 1938, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES CIVIC THEATRE “A Damsel in Distress” is a perfect vehicle for the dancing and singing talents of Fred Astaire, and for the comedy introduced by George Burns and Grade Allen. Taken from the successful novel by P. G. Wodehouse, "A Damsel in Distress” tells the story of a love affair that commenced in a taxicab in London, when Astaire, whose publicity agents, George and Grace, have made him a reputation of being a great lover, is endeavouring to escape from pursuing women, and steps into the same taxi as Joan Fontaine (cast as Lady Alyce), who is equally determined to give her guardian the slip. Lady Alyce’s guardian, Keggs (Reginald Gardiner;, is left in the hands of the law through trying to force an entry Into the taxi, and is reprimanded by his employer, Lady Alyce’s mother' He saves himself by telling her of Alyce’s clandestine meeting with the famous American dancer. The story works up to a dramatic climax. THEATRE ROYAL “Adventure’s End" is a thrilling story of the sea in which John Wayne heads the cast. Playing opposite him is Diana Gibson, while Mauromi Olsen also is prominently cast. The story is taken from the book by Ben Ames Williams and the film was directed by Arthur Lubin. Fred Scott, “The Singing Buckaroo,’ is a new screen personality, possessing not only the ability to ride and fight in -the usual Western manner, but also a fine baritone voice. He has appeared on the New York Metropolitan Opera stage opposite Maria Jeritza, the famous prima donna. A 1 St. John, a famous comedian of silent days, makes his return to the screen with a new style of comedy. Louise Small was “Miss America,” and won three beauty contests, including the Chicago World's Fair. Billy Lenhart is a child star with a remarkable talent for playing the bass violin, and the fiery stallion, “White King,” will appeal to everyone. STATE THEATRE The Farr-Braddock fight will be screened to-day. “Hawaiian Bucharoo,” featuring Smith Ballew, and “Double Danger,” with Preston Foster and Whitney Bourne in the leading roles, will also be shown. The rough-and-ready West roars into romantic Hawaii for rousing outdoor adventure in "Hawaiian Buckaroo,” starring Smith Ballew, the singing cowboy. The film brings the virile drama and action-filled pace of the great South-west to the paradise isle of the Pacific!* for the first time. Swaggering into trouble and scrapping his way cij, with lilting cowboy songs on his lips, a trouble-busting cowpuncher heads for a far-off danger quest.

Enhancing the ever-popular story of a gentleman crook by providing him with a clever feminine rival, R.K.O--Radio’s new mystery offering, “Double Danger.” comes with Preston Foster and Whitney Bourne as stars. REGENT THEATRE Selecting her numbers from grand opera, swing music and novelty tunes, Grace Moore offers a diversified musical programme in “I'll Take Romance.” From the classic operas Miss Moore selected s the Gavotte from “Manon,” the Drinking Song from “Traviata,” the finale from the third act of “Martha," and the duet from “Madame Butterfly,” which she sings with Frank Forest.. Miss Moore joins Stuart Erwin and'Melvyn Douglas singing.the hill-billy ditty, “She'll Be Cornin’ Round the Mountain.” “MARIE WALEWSKA’ ’ A romantic aspect of the history of Napoleon Bonaparte is presented in “Marie Walewska," which will be screened to-morrow. In the role of Napoleon, the French actor Charles Boyer gives a sympathetic performance, while tGreta Garbo, in the title role, brings vividly to life the • girl patriot who sacrificed her happiness for an ideal. The supporting cast includes such well-known players as Reginald Owen, Dame May Whitty and Alan Marshall. ROXY THEATRE “Madame X” is a story which has been told on stage and screen many times since Sarah Bernardt first made it famous, and in the latest, version Gladys George is seen as Jacqueline Fleuriof. wife of a leading Paris lawyer who. after a quarrel with her husband, becomes involved in a series of situations which result in her disappearance from ihe world that knew her. Tn later years she returns to Parts, and there is a dramatic court scene in which slip is defended by her son, now a promising advocate, who does not know her identity. John Beal and Warren William take prominent parts in the film. “Artists and Models." a sparkling musical comedy, is filled with tuneful music, clever comedy and spectacular settings. There is also a charming romance. “Our Gang Follies of 1 938” is a gay production, and a Popeye the Sailor cartoon is great fun.