ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20957, 9 November 1939, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMMES STATE THEATRE A very entertaining programme, with two well-contrasted films, is being screened at the State Theatre. | The Charlie Chan pictures, with their entertaining mixture of mystery, thrills, romance and humour, are always popular, and “Charlie Chan at the Olympics” is one of the best of the series. Against a background of the famous grounds is worked out a thrilling story, rising to a very dramatic climax. The tense interest of audience is held throughout. Warner Oland gives a great performance as the popular Oriental detective, and he has the support of a very strong cast. “Once a Doctor” is totally different in theme but equally enteitaining. It is a romantic drama, and keeps cue audience interested. Jean uir J and Donald Woods have the romantic leads. REGENT THEATRE “The Ice Follies of 1939” features Joan Crawford in a strong role. The story centres about Mary McKay, a singing ice skater who, through a series of strange twists of fate, finds herself on the top rung of the ladder to film fame. Her quick ascent, however, leaves her husband (James Stewart) behind and the manner in which the two are reunited supplies plenty of dramatic action. “The Four Just Men” “The Four Just Men,” which will be screened on Saturday, was made for a definite purpose, first and foremost to provide exciting and memorable entertainment, and secondly to expose the spy menace by revealing the secret endeavours of these enemies of the nation, often cloaked in the disguise of decent citizenship, ever seeking and plotting to undermine the strength of the Empire. “The Four Just Men” are symbolical of the Empire’s manhood. THEATRE ROYAL Carole Lombard and Fred Mac Murray are together again in “Swing High, Swing Low,” a romance with music. “Swing High, Swing Low” is the story of night club life in Panama and New York. Miss Lombard plays the role of an entertainer in a Panama cabaret who makes a famous musician out of Mac Murray, who has been very much on the loose in the canal port. This role gives Miss Lombard an opportunity to sing and dance, the first time she exhibits her talents in these fields, and Mr Mac Murray plays the trumpet, also for the first time in pictures. “Three Married Men” tells of the amusing things which happened when a wife went away. The fun is fast and furious, with Roscoe Karns, Lynn Overman and William Frawley heading a strong cast. “Heritage of the Desert” Zane Grey’s colourful drama, “Heritage of the Desert,” will head the new programme tomorrow. CIVIC THEATRE Bringing to the screen with abundant colour a segment of life in the old South little known to presentdayday audiences, “Way Down South,” with Bobby Breen as its star, is a fine production. The story, laid in Louisiana’s bayou country, is j richly endowed with entertainment value. Beloved old spiritual and traditional songs of the pre-Civil War era combine with the staging of traditional dance festivals to make the picture a melodic triumph. Its plot carries much human interest with its tale of a lad whose heart goes out to those less fortunate than he and his stout efforts to maintain on his vast plantation the happiness and peace which are the heritage of its slaves. Bobby sings “Louisiana,” “Good Ground,” “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child,” “My Lawd’s Gonna Rain Down Fire,” “Some Folks” and “Peter, Go Ring Dem Bells.” “The Four Feathers” “The Four Feathers,” which tells a thrilling stopr, will be screened tomorrow. It is in beautiful technicolour. ROXY THEATRE “This Man is News,” featuring Barry K. Barnes, is an exciting story dealing with a reporter who achieves notoriety as the result of a murder story he sends to to his paper before the crime is committed. As may be imagined this produces uncomfortable consequences, but, fortunately, he is able to prove an alibi. The criminals concerned, however, are of opinion that either he must possess amazing foresight or else he knows too much, and they decide he would be better out of the way. “Good-bye, Broadway,” the second attraction, is a sparkling romantic comedy. “Royal Banners in Ottawa” is an inspiring film of the Royal visit to Canada. “The Young In Heart” “The Young In Heart,” featuring Janet Gaynor and Douglas Fairbanks, jun., and “The Racket Busters,” with George Brent and Gloria Dickson, will be screened tomorrow.

ORGAN RECITAL

An organ and choir recital will be given in St. Paul’s Church tonight. An attractive programme has been arranged. The organist, Mr H. R. Cook, will play the Toccata and Fugue in D Minor (Bach), the Suite Ancienne (Holloway), the Finale from Mendelssohn’s Sonata No. 1, and other items. The choir will sing “Jerusalem” (Parry) and two compositions by Mr Cook, “What Sudden Blaze of Song” and “Evening.” Miss Cecilia McLachlan will give a violin solcfc