ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20672, 6 December 1938, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES STATE THEATRE “Times Square Playboy” is a rollicking comedy, filled with tense drama and heart interest as well as laughs, based on the famous Broadway hit "Home Tjbwners.” Warren William heads a talented cast in the role of a small-towner who has made good in the big city. Bubbling over with good spirits and happiness because he has won the love‘of a beautiful night-club singer from a younger rival, lie calls on a boyhood chum in the old home town of Big Bend to act as his best man, with exciting results. Although mounted on a modern setting. the romance and spectacular conflict of the frontier West flares again on the screen in “The Last Outlaw.” Such noted Western stars as Harry Carey. Hoot Gibson, Henry B. Walthall and Tom Tyler once again bring the realistic flavour of hard riding, straight shooting and forthright living to lovers of the old West. Lovely Margaret Callahan has the feminine romantic lead. THEATRE ROYAL Karloff and Bela Lugosi, two of the screen’s most sinister figures, are co-starred again in “The Invisible Ray,’’ which combines mystery and startling adventure with a depiction of scientific marvels. Karloff, as a “lone wolf’’ scientist, brings down from the heavens an actual reproduction of the battle of suns and stars millions of years ago. and the great glass dome of his laboratory is filled with blinding light as prehistoric events in a starry nebula are relived. Later he discovers a substance a thousand times more powerful than radium, and looses it on his enemies. “Three Kids and a Queen” is a fastmoving comedy-drama in which May Robson appears as an eccentric, wealthy old maid whose relations attempt to have her adjudged insane in order that they may get control of her money, but who cunningly evades them and confuses her kidnappers. CIVIC THEATRE “Kicking the Moon Around.” a sparkling musical production with stars of the radio and stage, will be screened to-day. The specialty artists include Evelyn Dali, the blonde beauty who created a sensation as the first American crooner to sing for Royalty; Ambrose and his Orchestra, who supplied the music: Florence Desmond, world’s greatest impersonator; and Harry Bichman. America’s leading night-club entertainer. “ Kicking the Moon Around " is a very light production, combining melody, romance, comedy and spectacle, and keeps an audience entertained throughout. Some very tuneful melodies are introduced. Evelyn Dali, the American singer, is said to be a great discovery, and is headed for wide popularity on the screen. Florence Desmond, of course, has attained world popularity by her lifelike impersonations, especially those of screen stars. Ambrose and his orchestra are among the leading bands in America. With other clever performers the film provides splendid entertainment. A March of Time film, “ G-Men of the Sea,” is a feature of the strong supporting programme. REGENT THEATRE Laurel and Hardy reach a new peak of comedy in an Alpine setting, climbing to dizzy heights of mirth in “Swiss Miss,” their new musical film. The picture has been given an entertaining plot and a sumptuous production. Some of the scenes in and about the village inn where most of the action takes place rank high In pictorial quality. Singers, dancers and musicians, garbed in the quaint costumes of the region, give a glamorous impression of a Swiss fete. Many customs of the district such as yodelling, Alpen-horning, bell-ringing and flagthrowing are introduced, and a number of catchy songs are included, among these being “Yo-Ho-De-O-Delay-Eee,” “The Cricket Song,” “Mine to Love." “1 Can’t Get Over the Alps” and “Gipsy Song.” “LONDON MELODY” “London Melody,” a delightful musical romance, will be screened tomorrow. The popular Anna Neagle and Tullio Carminati will head the cast ROXY THEATRE Popular Bobby Breen, in “Make a Wish,” sings four songs— I “Make a Wish,” “Music in My Heart,” “Campfire

Dreams” and “Birchlake Forever.” The story finds Bobby at the boys’ camp, where he makes the acquaintance of a composer of operettas (Basil Rathhone). Through Bobby the musician acquires a very personal interest in the lad’s young mother, former singing star of the stage, much to the annoyance of her fiance. The situation -reaches a minor climax when Rathbone urges her to play the leading role in his new operetta. From this point the story moves to a surprising finish. “Big City” is a thrilling drama of two warring factions of rival taxicab drivers, and of the marital romance of a rough-and-ready taxi driver and his foreign-born wife. Spencer Tracy plays the taxi driver who refuses to be dominated by racketeers, and Luise Rainer appears as the faithful wife who becomes the innocent victim of the racketeers’ brutality.