ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20988, 15 December 1939, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

TO=NIGHT’S PROGRAMMES

STATE THEATRE

Eleven people by an aeroplane in the jungles of the Amazon —means of escape for five only. Who shall live? That is the question in "Five Came Back,” a tense, gripping drama. "Five Came Back” is the story of 12 persons aboard a big transport airliner on her regular run from United States to Panama City. There is a terrific storm, the steward falls from the aeroplane, and then follows a forced landing in the depths of a Brazilian jungle. Stranded there in the jungle till the aeroplane can be fixed to fly again are 11 oddly-assorted people: Bill, the strong silent pilot; Joe, his co-pilot: Alice Melhorne, wealthy heiress, and her rather worthless fiance, Judson Ellis, who are eloping to wed in Panama; Peggy, fleeing to escape trouble; Henry and Martha Spengler, an elderly botanist and his wife; a gangster, Pete, escorting his chief’s small son to a place of safety; and a prisoner, Vasquez, being taken to Central America to be hanged, and the grim detective, Crimp. The story works up to a thrilling climax. REGENT THEATRE “Good Girls Go to Paris,” is one of the gayest comedies seen in Hamilton for a long time, showing what happens when a girl decides on the unconventional methods which will take her to the city of her dreams. The witty dialogue and the amusing situations keep tTie audience chuckling throughout, while some of the situations in which the girl finds herself are as exciting as they are funny. “CLOUDS OVER EUROPE” “Clouds Over Europe,” to be screened tomorrow is as much a comedy as a topical spy drama. Ralph Richardson, who will be remembered for his performances in “The Citadel,” plays the outstanding role of his career in “Clouds Over Europe.” As the Scotland Yard sleuth he is perfect. His clever witticisms and polished acting rank him with the very best actors.

ROXY THEATRE “The Citadel,*’ is the screen adaptation of Dr. (ironin’s sensational novel. Robert Donat, who will be remembered for his excellent portrayal of Monte Christo, is starred with Rosalind Russell. Against the background of grim, merciless coal-mining valleys for the first time the pattern of Wales is brought to the screen as the setting for this grim drama. Up and down these hard, gray valleys, dotted with the gaunt frames of mines, pitheads, chimneys, lines of cottages and bare hills rising up above the smoke pall, the opening scenes are set. One of the greatest settings is that of a complete Welsh mining town street, gaunt, rain-swept, rising to the background of grey hills and pit-head gear. “The Life of the Party” is a sparkling musical comedy. CIVIC THEATRE Opening with the launching of the Queen Mary on the Clyde, moving powerfully on to depressed days and progressing through comedy and pathos to a triumphant ending, “Shipyard Sally” provides Gracie Fields with her most human and amusing performance. Gracie appears as Sally, variety singer, who is discouraged by the poor response of Glasgow audiences and embarrassed by the presence of her rascally but lovable father, “The Major” (played by Sidney Howard). “The Major” buys a Clydeside pub with Sally’s savings just before the depression settles over the shipyards, and exciting and amusing things happen. Among the seven songs which Gracie sings, as only she can, is “Wish Me Luck,” so popular now with Tommy Atkins, “Land of Hope and Glory,” “Danny Boy” and “Annie Laurie.” THEATRE ROYAL Nine songs with accompanying music by the Tennessee Ramblers, noted sextette, provide the musical entertainment of Gene Autry’s latest western action film “Ride, Ranger, Ride.” Heading the list is “On the Sunset Trail.” The other numbers include: “Ride, Ranger, Ride,” theme song; “Yellow Rose of Texas,” “Follow the Bugle,” “Song of the Pioneers,” “When You and I Were Young Maggie,” "Old Grey Mare,” “Going Down the Road,” and a “Merry Mix Up,” featuring the Ramblers. "Ride Ranger. Ride” is based on the exciting exploits of the Texas Rangers during the Indian wars. “Army Girl,” an amazing adventure romance, filmed against the spectacular background of America’s peace-time army, has Madge Evans and Preston Foster in the romantic leads. An episode of the exciting serial, “The Lone Ranger Rides Again,” will be screened at 7.30.