ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20735, 20 February 1939, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES REGENT THEATRE “Blockheads," the last picture which Laurel and Hardy made together. has an amusing opening scene, with Laurel guarding a military post in France and firing on a passing aeroplane. During the Great War Laurel has been told to remain on guard until relieved from duty. but. unknown to Laurel, the war has been over for 20 years. The pilot of the aeroplane demands 3n explanation, and Laurel suddenly discovers that the Armistice was signed in 1918. Returning home to the United States, he is hailed as a hero, and his amazing story obtains wide publicity in the newspapers. His former war companion (Hardy) reads the reports, and is led to believe that Laurel’s intelligence has improved considerably since the war. He invites him to his home, but Laurel has a hostile reception from Mrs Hardy, and the pair soon succeed in becoming involved in complicated and amusing situations. The supporting players include Patricia Ellis, Minna Gombell and Billy Gilbert. ROXY THEATRE "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm,” with Shirley Temple in the title role, is a very entertaining production, with stars all around the young favourite —Randolph Scott and Gloria Stuart in a glorious romance; Shirley tapping at tap-speed with tap-king Bill Robinson; Jack Haley and Slim Summerville, Shirley, Jack and Phyllis Brooks singing new rhythm songs. But that’s not all —not only Shirley, not only stars, not only a swell romance, not only a grand story—but six new-rhythm songs by the ace song writers. “That Certain Woman,” starring Bette Davis, is a story about the widow of a slain gangster who. despite the scorn of the world and the persecution of enemies, wins her way to business success and to the affections of a worthwhile man. Henry Fonda is the male romantic lead. CIVIC THEATRE Shirley Temple gets great opportunities to disp'ay her gifts in “Little .Miss Broadway,” which is all about a little girl who lives in a vaudeville hotel with her foster family (Edward Ellis and Phyllis Brooks). When Jimmy Duranie's jazz hand gets too loud in irehearsals the wealthy neighbour 'Edna Mae Oliver) complains and threatens to close the hotel. Her nephew George Murphy) intercedes, and while he wins nothing but enmity from his prim aunt at least he wins the favour of Phyllis. Led by the brilliant Shirley, everything ends as it should, especially after Shirley convinces an austere judge that he should permit the actors to stage their show in the courtroom. George Barbier, Edward Ellis. Jane Harwell, El Brendel. Donald Meek. Patricia (Honey Chile) Wilder nrd Claude Oillingwater, sen., have aoiive parts. Several song hits are introduced, including “Be Optimistic.’’ "We Should Be Together." “If All the World Were Paper,” “Swing Me an Old-fashioned Song." "’How Can I Thank You" and “Little Miss Broadway.” THEATRE ROYAL "The Mysterious Rider” is an exciting fllm version of Zane Grey’s thrilling story. A masked horseman who commits bold robberies and donates the proceeds to the poor, who becomes the most feared figure in the West without ever hurting an honest man, and who saves the ranch of a beautiful girl from rustlers without revealing his identity, forms the romantic central character. Douglass Dumbrille plays the strange rider who stops his wanderings long enough to secure the happiness of a daughter who does nol know him, and to avenge the 20-year-old murder of his closest friend. “Give Me a Sailor” is a very amusing film in which the family drudge deserts her pots and pans to become the winner of a national beautiful-legs contest and proceeds to push her pampered sister into the background. It features Martha Raye, Bob Hope and Petty Grable. Song hits Introduced include “What's Going on Here in My Heart?” “Just a Little Kiss at Twilight" and “U.S.A. and You." STATE THEATRE "®oss of Lonely Valley,** moving swiftly from start to finish and carrying ell of t.he glamour of life In primitive sections of the West, deals with the round-up of a gang of cow-country forgers. With Buck Jones playing the part of Steve Hanson, young rancher who rids his community of a reign of terror, “Boss of Lonely Valley" is filled with exciting incidents, ranging from a battle in a gorge to the besieging of a saloon where desperadoes are making their last stand. Muriel Evans, noted for heroine roles in Westerns, is for the sixth tkne leading woman for Buck Jones. Other prominent members of the cast include Harvey Clark, Walter Miller. Lee Phelps, Ted Adams and Dickie Holland. “Gateway" co-stars Don Ameche and Arleen Whelan in a dramatic story about Ellis Island. Gregory Ratoff, Binnie Barnes. Gilbert Roland, Raymond Walburn and John Carradine are among the featured players in an excellent cast.