ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20726, 9 February 1939, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES CIVIC THEATRE The “Our Gang” type of juvenile picture has always a big appeal and tonight the “ Dead End ” gang will he seen in “Crime School.” This tells an exciting story of t lie Juvenile Underworld and the methods adopted to restrain them. Splendid character portrayals are given by the cast and some of the tragre moments reach a high level of acting. The comedy is well woven into the story. The usual Civic programme will precede the featured film, including the latest “March of Time" film. “SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS” On Monday next the famous Disney picturlsation of these little people will commence a week’s season with three sessions daily. This story is full of charm and beauty and has a tremendous appeal to all classes. THEATRE ROYAL “Sworn Enemy” is now screening at the Theatre Royal. The .story concerns two young brothers, born and raised in the seething heart of a great city, where the influence of the grirn racketeers is never far away. One of them is ruthlessly killed because lie knows too much. Joseph Calleia, the sinister villain of the screen, plays a Lon Chaney role. Robert Young portrays the surviving brother who becomes the manager of a prizefighter. Florence Rice has the feminine lead, and others in the cast are Lewis Stone, the veteran character actor, Harold Huber, Tlarvey Stephens and Samuel Hinds. Four ex-newspapermen got together and wrote “Women Are Trouble,” a swift-paced story of life behind the headlines in metropolitan New York, which is the second feature, with Stuart Erwin, Paul Kelly and Florence Rice the featured players. TO-MORROW’S CHANGE “The Big Broadcast, of 1938” will screened for to-morrow's change. REGENT THEATRE “The Awful Truth,” with Irene Dunne and Cary Grant, is having a repeat season at. the Regent Theatre. After being recognised for so long as one of the greatest dramatic actresses of the screen. Miss Dunne has achieved the almost impossible by gaining even greater popularity in roles that are the very antithesis. Cary Grant, dark, is co-starred with Miss Dunne in “The Awful Truth.” The picture is based on the famous American stage play of the same name, and the two romp through a gay and giddy comedy of marital affairs with Asta, that famous canine player world-renowned for his antics in the “Thin Man" series, supplying many of the film's laughs. Ralph Bellamy, Columbia’s young contract player, heads the brilliant supporting cast, which includes Joyce Compton, Wyn Cahoon, Esther Dale and Alexander D’Arcy. Song and dance numbers by Irene Dune are added highlights of the production, which was directed by Leo MeCarey. ROXY THEATRE “Yellow Jack,” the feature story at the Roxy Theatre, reunites lovely Virginia Bruce with Robert Montgomery, with whom she previously costarred in “The First Hundred Years.” In the new drama, describing the courageous fight of rnan against yellow fever, Montgomery plays the part of a soldier who offers his life for humanity, while Miss Bruce is seen as the nurse who accompanies the heroic expedition to Cuba. The second feature stars Alice Brady and Guy Kibbee, two of fllmdom’s best-known comedians, who are teamed in “Joy of Living,” R.K.0.Radio’s new musical comedy with Irene Dunne and Douglas Fairbanks, jun., in the principal roles. The two mirth-makers portray Miss Dunne’s selfish and hypocritical parents who spend her money faster than she can earn it, and the conflict of the story revolves around their “sponging" on their daughter, and on Fairbanks’ efforts to make her seek an independent life. BTATE THEATRE The entertainment fare provided at the State Theatre continues to be of a high standard, and for this week’s Guest Night programmes three excellent pictures are being presented. The popular Jones family series will be continued in “Off to the Races,” featuring Slim Summerville in a horseracing comedy. This series deals with the doings of an average family whose ideas do not always coincide. George O’Brien in “ Daniel Boone,” the famous story of the American backwoods in the early days, is the second feature. Leading players are Heather Angel and Ralph Forbes. “ So and Sew ” is a splendid bit of farce and adds life to the feature* L». section. TO-MORROW’S CHANGE “Sharpshooters,” a film dealing with the work of the newsreel men, and “Where the West Begins,” a Western with Jack Randall in the lead, will be 1 screened to-morrow night. COVENT GARDEN BALLET APPEARANCE IN HAMILTON The Covent Garden Russian Ballet, which is to be presented by the J. C. i Williamson Theatres, Ltd., at the Theatre Royal on Thursday night next, achieved an outstanding triumph at its premiere Auckland performance. The following is a quotation from an Auckland critic: •With l'rcsli and pleasant, memories of a less distinguished company which visited New Zealand not quite two years ago. Auckland gave a wholehearted welcome last night to the Covent Garden Russian Ballet at the opening of its Dominion tour. His Majesty's Theatre was- filled to its utmost capacity, and the performance was given in the presence of the Governor-General. Viscount «...lw.iy. and Viscountess Galway. The warmth 1 of the reception *ra\e promise llial the I whole tour wmdd l»e in every way as ■ j successful as lliat which the compauv I has .jusl. rom-ltgjld in XusfiMlia.*' L While the visit ui the Monte Carlo

Ballet was a notable event, in that it was a revival of this delightful art after the years had elapsed since New Zealand had been privileged to see the great Pavlova, the present tour has added lustre from the fact, that it is under the personal supervision of M. Michel Fokine, the greatest living choreographer and I lie undoubted rather of modern ballet. The company also contains Irina Baronova. Tatiana Riabouchinska, Tamara Grigorieva, David Lichine and Anton Dolin. In addition to M. Fokine there is a link with the memorable days of Diaghiloff in the person of the regisseur-generai, M. Serge Grigorieff, who held that office under the man to whom the Russian Ballet owes its enduring fame. Ii is almost impossible to describe the loveliness of the various ballets, of which the best and most successful will be presented here. Altogether there are 120 travelling members of the Covent Garden Russian Ballet. Including a full symphony orchestra, which is under the direction of the famous director, Antal Dorati. Already a very large number of applications have been received for seats for the approaching performance of the company here. The box plans are at Lewis Eady’s.