ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20742, 28 February 1939, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES THEATR^ROYAL Edward Everett Horton and the famous “Pixilated Sisters” are together in “ Let's Make a Million.” The story deals with the bonus given to veterans of the World War and what one man did with his. The man in this case was Horton, He wanted to use it to bolster up his business and to use the surplus to get married to charming Charlotte Wynters, who plays t.he role of his secretary. famous pixilated pair (Margaret Seddon and Margaret McWade) have other ideas on the subject, but after a series of hilarious goings-on, which brings the whole local American Legion Post into the picture, together with a pair of stock swindlers and a “deadhead’’ oil well, Horton finds himself richer than he even thought he could be. “King of Gamblers,” an exciting drama, has a cast including Claire Trevor, Lloyd Nolan and Akim Tamiroff. CIVIC THEATRr Errol Flynn is a made-to-order Robin Hood in the litle rolp of “The Adventures of Robin Hood,” and lovely Olivia de Havilland is an attractive Maid Marian. Other important roles are filled by Claude Rains as the treacherous Prince John. Basil Rathbone as villainous Sir Guy, lan Hunter as Kinc- Richard, and Patric Knowles and Alan Hale as outlaws. The story is filled with breathless adventure, mighty men and mightier deeds, and lovely ladies. Robin Hood lived, according to the legends, at the end of a century of adventure that has no equal in history or fiction. Richard the Lion Hearted was King of England, but was absent for long periods while he led his knights to the Crusades, leaving his villainous brother John in charge of his throne. It was the era of the joust, of the lance and sword and the bow and arrow, of rough fun and rougher warfare, of men who fought magnificently, loved dangerously, lied generously and ale and drank prodigiously. STATE THEATRE “Charlie Chan at the Races,” a thrilling mystery story, and “White Hunter,”’ an exciting tale of adventure, will be screened to-day. There is no more popular character of the screen than Charlie Chan, and in this film he is seen at his best. It is a mystery of the race track, in which the Oriental detective comes to grips with some desperate criminals. Warner Oland acts convincingly as Charlie Chan, and utters the quaint Chinese proverbs in very amusing fashion. He is supported by a very strong cast. The film is very entertaining, with its mixture of thrills, romance and humour. “ White Hunter ” is a film of a totally different kind, but equally exciting. It is a tale of adventure, by which the tense interest of the audience is held throughout. Popular Warner Baxter has one of his most attractive roles, and June Lang and Gail Patrick give good support. The outdoor scenes are particularly effective. REGENT TKEATRE “The Rat,” the film version of Ivor Novello’s successful stage play, tells a thrilling story. Its picturesque 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 York. 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. ROXY THEATRE As mouse-trap sellers in a land of cheese, Laurel and Hardy are very funny in “Swiss Miss.” The picture has been given a highly entertaining plot and a sumptuous production. Many customs of the district, such as yodelling, alpenhorning, bell-ringing and flag-throwing, are introduced and afford an interesting and colourful background. “The Texans” tells of a romance between a fire-eating belle of the Old South and a handsome young soldier. 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. “CAREFREE” “Carefree,” featuring Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, and “Checkers,” which gives full scope for the gifts of popular little Jane Withers, will be screened to-morrow.