ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21178, 30 July 1940, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

TONIGHTS PROGRAMMES ROXY THEATRE “The Bridal Suite,” featuring Annabella and Robert Young, and “Man of Conquest,” with Joan Fontaine and Richard Dix, will be screened today. In ‘‘Bridal Suite,” Annabella appears as a Swiss innkeeper who entertains her guests with her songs in the evening. Robert Young is the black sheep playboy of an American family, whose mother (Billie Burke) has brought him to the Swiss resort so that she can obtain a certificate of amnesia for him from her pet psychiatrist, Walter Connolly, to explain his failure to show up at his own wedding. ‘‘Man of Conquest” should revive interest in several biographies of Sam Houston and his contemporaries, as well as other fiction and nonfiction works with a Texas background. It is a thrilling and colourful tale of the West.

CIVIC’ THEATRE

A pleasing blend of drama, comedy and romance Walter Wanger’s colourful film “The House Across the Bay” will head the new programme today. Joan Bennett makes the young nightclub singer who marries a racketeer

a convincing and sympathetic character, while George Raft has a part admirably suited to his polished style as her husband. Important supporting parts have been assigned to Gladys George, Lloyd Nolan and Walter Pidgeon. The story is filled with thrills, for it is intensely dramatic in parts, yet there is much humour to lighten the tension, while the romance is as charming as it is unusual. Joan Bennett not only acts convincingly, but sings sweetly and dances the rhumba.

THEATRE ROYAL

Ice skates and gamblers are combined with dramatic effect in “The Game That Kills.” The story concerns the “accidental” killing of a player in a game and the efforts of his brother (played by Charles Quigley) to solve the mystery. The solution involves the. discovery that a gambler is behind the team and is winning money by betting on its opponents, while the players “throw the game.” The murdered player, it seems, interfered with his plan and was put out of the way. Quigley not only avenges the murder, but runs into romance with the daughter of the coach.

“Lily of Laguna,” based on the popular song, unfolds a very charming romance, with Norah Swinburne and Richard Ainley heading the cast. John Jayne’s Negro Choir sings delightfully.

REGENT THEATRE

The film adaptation of the popular play “French Without Tears,” which ran for two years in London, is very entertaining. It deals with the amusing things which happen when a number of men gather at a school to take French lessons, and an attractive girl descends on them. Diverting complications occur. Jim Gerald is cast to perfection as the professor and Ray Milland gives a fine performance as the rising young diplomatist and novelist who refuses to be vamped by the play’s most designing blonde. Ellen Drew is very attractive in the latter role, and David Tree, Ronald Culver and others give splendid support. The crowning of the Queen of the South at Auckland Town Hall is shown in a very impressive film and another interesting picture shows the Australian and New Zealand forces in Egypt.

STATE THEATRE

“Love and Hisses,” with Walter Winchell and Simone Simon, and “Oh, Mr Porter,” featuring the English comedian Will Hays, wil be screened today. “Love and Kisses” is one of the brightest films seen in Hamilton for a long time. It tells of a charming romance, and there are touches of exciting drama, while the comedy is very funny. Some melodious songs are introduced. Lovely Simone Simon has the leading feminine role, and fills it with success, while Walter Winchell, Ben Bernie and Joan Davis give excellent support. “Oh, Mr Porter,” is a screamingly funny comedy, with witty dialogue and very diverting situations. Will Hay, the English comedian who has won success on stage and screen, has the leading role and keeps the audience chuckling, while a number of other clever people help the fun along. These two films are well contrasted, and provide excellent entertainment.