ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20820, 2 June 1939, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES “HOLLYWOOD HOTEL” REVUE Described as the finest galaxy of allround entertainment ever assembled, Harry Howard's “Hollywood Hotel” Review, direct from Broadway, will be presented by Sir Benjamin Fuller in the Theatre Royal to-night ami tomorrow night, also to-morrow afternoon. “Hollywood Hotel” Revue contains no fewer than 60 prominent American performers who are presented by the Hollywood producer, Harry Howard. Star of the show is Marty May, a droll comedian, who headed the cast in the original New York production of “Roberta.” uther comedians are Murray Briscoe and Bobby Morris, outstanding favourites in America. Park and Clifford, acrobats extraordinary, and Jack and June Blair, New Y'ork dancing stars, present high Lights of the revue. A popular artist is Magda Neeld, singing lead of Jack Hylton's famous Continental Band and Jack Whitney is perhaps the finest acrobatic dancer imported to the Dominion. Wilma Horner comes from the Paramount Picture studios, and Robert Rerry, baritone, had the leading role in the American presentation of “The Desert Song.” Last but not least is that astonishing act, the Eight Big Apple Dancers, described as America's greatest coloured swing

dancers. The ballet comprises 40 beautiful girls. The musical director is Mack Davis, Broadway conductor.

Scats should be reserved at the box plan office. CIVIC THEATRE When Thorne Smith's “Topper” w-as screened in Hamilton some time ago, it created a new standard in light entertainment, and this standard is more than maintained in the second of the series, “Topper Takes a Trip.” With much Uie same cast—Cary Grant is a notable absentee, Mr Kirby having disappeared during one of his “dematerialisations”—the film deals with the same mad antics that distinguished the last film. These are made possible only by one of the characters having the power of invisibility, hut the fact that the audience is in the secret makes this rather eerie power the main source of hilarity. This power is also transferred with weird and musing result to "Mr Atlas,” the dog belonging to Marion Kirby, who is again played by Constance Bennett. She has still to accomplish the “good deed” which was her aim in the former picture, and she pursues Mrs Topper to Europe, dragging the reluctant Mr Topper with her, with exciting and amusing results REGENT THEATRE “Dramatic School” is an emotional drama telling of Louise Mauban (Luise Rainer), who toils in a gas meter plant in Paris through the night to earn enough money to study dramatic art in the daytime. Paulette , Goddard appears as Nana, the envious J rich girl who places obstacles in Louise's path. Alan Marshal plays the wealthy Marquis D’Abbencourt, who falls in love with Louise. “BOYS’ TOWN” “Boys’ Town,” starring Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney, will he screened to-morrow. Based on the story of Father Edward J. Flanagan’s Boys' Town, located twelve miles outside of Omaha, Nebraska, the role of the priest whose mission in life is to give home and shelter to needy hoys affords Spencer Tracy an opportunity for one of the sincere, natural portrayals for which he has become deservedly famous. Sharing honours with Tracy as Whitley, tough, unmanabeable, and non-conforming is Mickey Rooney. STATE THEATRE George O’Brien has the leading role as the captain of a secretly-formed hand of rangers in the exciting trim “Arizona Legion.” The picture deals with the efforts of the authorities to capture the members of a gang of bandits which has been terrorising the neighbourhood. Although most of the bandits are known, no jury is willing to convict them, and it becomes necessary to catch them in the act. For this purpose the rangers are formed, and thes.e men have to risk their public esteem by fraternising with the criminals and gaining their confidence. How this is done, and how the bandits are eventually led into a trap, provides a thrilling story. “Accidents Will Happen” deals with the efforts made by special investigators to uncover criminal organisations which are known to exist throughout the United States for the sole purpose of defrauding insurance companies. It exposes the methods used by these criminals, the fake accidents which they ebalorately stage, the selfinflicted injuries used for making insurance claims, and the pseudophysicians who magnify the injuries. ROXY THEATRE Three big attractions will be screened to-night—“ Four Men and a Prayer,” a romantic drama featuring Loretta Young, Richard Greene and George Sanders: “Alcatraz Island.” an exciting production: and “The Necking Party,” an amusing comedy featuring the popular ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and his automaton Charlie McCarthy. The theme of “Four Men and a Prayer” is an inspiring departure from the usual saccharine movie romance. Four stalwart young men, with a | grand old soldier-father, are bound j by a gallant pledge to rove the world to avenge his dishonour and death. 1 That great love pervades the entire ' story. Yet the beauty of Loretta Young and her love for one of the brothers, Richard Greene, is a joy to behold. “Alcatraz Island” is more than a story of crime versus law and order. It carries a splendid human story of love—both romantic and parental—and of exciting adventure on the mainland. John Litel is featured as a racketeer who is, despite his business, rather likeable THEATRE ROYAL “The Gang Show,” to be screened on Monday and Tuesday, tells of a

troop of scouts who are producing a show under the direction of their skipper (Ralph Reader). The troops are disappointed when they are turned out of the theatre in which they are rehearsing, but it happens that just before the producer's opera is due to open, the principal singers quarrel and walk out. The show cannot go cn: and as the producer is called away to Paris, the secretary arranges for the scout show to take its place. One of the year's most exciting films is “The Lost Jungle.'’ starring Clyde Beatty, animal trainer.