ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20741, 27 February 1939, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES REGENT THEATRE “The Rat” has for its background one of the. world's “naturals” for powerful realistic drama, the Paris underworld. Its picturescue characters, the famed French police eyeing its flotsam and jetsam, the Apaches, dangerous criminals, along with visitors from higher ranks of society who come to see how the other half lives, are made a part of this surging panorama of life. The play by Ivor Novello and Constance Collier caught the spirit and colour of this strange procession and had long runs in London and New Y’ork. The screen drama based on this stage success permits, of course, a wider scope, and the director took the large cast to Paris for authentic atmosphere. street scenes and panoramas. Ruth Chatterton and Anton Walbrook are ideally cast respectively as the glamorous woman of wealth and the clever jewel criminal, known as the Rat. “The Rat” is well acted in a picturesque locale and its story is tensely dramatic. ROXY THEATRE Laurel and Hardy reach a new peak of comedy in an Alpine setting in “Swiss Miss," The picture has been given a highly entertaining plot and a sumptuous production. 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 yodeling, alpenhorning, bell-ringing and flag-throwing, are introduced an 1 afford an interesting and colourful background. A romance between a flre-eating belle of the Old South and a handsome young soldier forms the plot of the epie drama of the Reconstruction period. “The Texans.” Lovely Joan Bennett is seen as the belle, who tries to start a one-woman rebellion against Northern rule after the war between the States, while Randolph Scott plays the impoverished soldier who forces her to adopt his more conciliatory policies toward the Union. STATE THEATRE “The Patient in Room 18” is based upon a novel by Mignon Eber-

hart, creator of some of the finest detective yarns of recent years. And it is altogether novel, because the detective involved is able to solve several interdependent crimes while confined in hospital himself as a patient. Patric Knowles, handsome young British leading man, plays the part of this sleuth, and -Ann Sheridan is the lovely heroine. “Mr Doodle Kicks Off,” replete with songs, romance and comedy, concerns a shy collegian whose only ambition is to lead his own orchestra. His father, however, has other ideas: he is determined that his son shall become a sensational football hero, even the young man hates athletics. further his plans for his son the father enters into a conspiracy with school authorities, with amusing and exciting results. Joe J?enner. the radio and screen comedian, heads the cast. THEATRE ROYAL Popular Gene Autry sings agreeably and acts convincingly in “Oh, Susanna,” an exciting Western drama. Gene Autry, handsome Western star, is an evening’s entertainment himself. So is Smiley Burnette, his pal. neighbour and acting contemporary. But when 111 there are also the six Light Crust Doughboys, the popular singers, any story is an assured success. The story, which lias to do with a bad man masquerading as a radio star at a dude ranch, is probably Mr Autry’s best production to date. “Reformatory,” dealing with a corrective institution lor boys, presents both sides of the question. A State institution managed by brutal, corrupt guards and politicians, the boys it holds are turned into bitter, rebellious youngsters eager for trouble. When a humane system is introduced the boys turn into mode] citizens, thoughtful of their own “self-government” pledges. Jack Holt and Charlotte Wynters have the romantic leads, and a fine performance is given by ilttle Bobby Jordan. CIVIC THEATRr Adventure, romance, comedy and drama are all combined in “The Adventures of Robin Hood.” As Robin Hood, Errol Flynnn gives a fine performance and is an ideal choice for the character. The film has the advantage of being in natural technicolour, so that the beauty of the forests and countryside can be all the more appreciated. The story, familiar ! to all. has its setting in the reign of Richard the Lion-Heart, whfln lie was absent on one of the crusades. Under the guiding hand of Prince John and the vilainous Sir Guy of Gisbourne, the barons oppress ind tax th« - citizenry, until a band of men under the leadership of Robin Hood sets out to take from the rich and give to the poor. Basil Rathbone is splendid as Sir Guy, while others in the outstanding cast are Olivia de Havilland. Claude Rains, Eugene Pallette, Herbert Mundin and lan Hunter.