ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20493, 9 May 1938, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES ROXY THEATRE Joan Crawford’s starring vehicle, “The Bride Wore Red,” is an entertaining film. Franchot Tone and Robert Young are her leading men. The story of a woman's struggle to find happiness in the lowly surroundings of her birth offers Joan a fine dramatic role. Deeply human in theme, “The Bride Wore Red” has the recklessness and colour of the waterfront as a background. Miss Crawford portrays the part of a poor girl who, for a few weeks, on the whim of an old man. is given the means to travel in high society. She lays the foundation for her future on a house of happiness built on lies during her month of make-believe. “My Dear Miss Aldrich” is a very entertaining production, screamingly funny at times, yet filled with thrills and adventure. Edna May Oliver plays a- prominent- part, and the romantic leads are taken by Maureen O'Sullivan and Walter Pidgeon. THEATRE ROYAL ‘‘Adventure's End” is a thrilling sea story framed against a Southern Seas canvas. It tells of the love of Diana Gibson fbr John Wayne, who comes on board the whaling vessel after he has obtained a rich fortune in pearls, despite the efforts of natives to kill him. No sooner is Wayne safely aboard the vessel than he is attacked by Mauromt Olsen, playing the role o'f first mate. Olsen notices the curious manner in which Miss Gibson watches Wayne, and correctly suspects that she' is interested in the newcomer. The story reaches a surprising climax following a mutiny at sea, a hurricane, and a tremendous struggle between a crew of men in a small boat who harpoon a whale. ‘‘Melody of the Plains” provides the unusual combination of music and sensation, having two song hits and a story packed with thrills. Fred Scott, who takes the lead, is a new screen personality, possessing not only the ability to ride and fight in the usual Western manner, but also a fi-ne baritone voice. BTATE THEATRE James ,T. Braddock, in a hard-fought battle with Tommy Farr, the British champion heavy-weight, won six of the ten rounds fought, and wound up with a brilliant burst of hard, clean and effective punching during the last two j rounds. Every detail of the ten rounds is caught by the camera in a fight picture of great merit. “Hawaiian Buckaroo” brings the virile drama of the great southwest to the paradise isle of the Pacific for the first time. Swaggering into trouble and scrapping his way out, with lilting cowboy songs on his lips, a trouble-busting cowpuncher (Smith ; Bailey) heads for a danger quest on the relentless trail of rustlers. “Double Danger” deals with the dramatic situation of an author basing his novels on his own exploits as a gentleman criminal. Preston Foster and Whitney Bourne head the cast, i REGENT THEATRE Recreating one of the most .glamorous phases of I lie remarkable Napoleon regime. “Marie Walewsa” tells the story of a patriotic Polish countess whose love for and influence with the Emperor aids in liberating Poland from Its then-time oppressor. Russia. As Ihe Countess Marie Walewska, Greta Garbo exceeds in vividness and warmth any role she lias previously portrayed. Charles Boyer shares her triumph, for Ills Napoleon is a role not soon to be forgotten. The story opens in 1806, when Napoleon, on a trip to Poland to discuss Polish co-operation in return for protection from Russia, meets the Countess Walewska, youthful wife of the octogenarian count. The love that develops between them, her sacrifice of a home and reputation to be his devoted follower, the tragedy which occurs when Napoleon, through exigencies of national politics, is forced to marry the Ilabsburg Princess, Marie Louise—all have place in the compelling story. CIVIC THEATRE “ A Damsel in Distress ” is a perfect, vehicle for the talents of Fred Astaire, and for Hie comedy introduced by George Burns and Grade Allen. They dance and sing very cleverly. The film fdis 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 fo force an entry into the taxi, and is reprimanded by his employer. Lady Alyce's mother. lie saves himself by lelling her of Alyce's clandestine meeting with the famous American dancer. The story continues on romantic and amusing iines until the exciting climax is reached. Anzac Day in Sydney, with the New Zealanders on parade, and views of the New Zealand team winning the Polo Cup are also shown. There is also a delightful Mickey Mouse cartoon in colour.