ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21194, 17 August 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

TONIGHT’S PROGRAMMES THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER AT THE REGENT THEATRE “The Shop Around the Corner” is a delightful romantic comedy. As the likeable employer and his interesting employees move in and out of the picture, they give it life, warmth, suspense, comedy and romance. Sharing the plaudits with the stars (Margaret Sulla van and James Stewart) is a splendid cast. Frank Morgan never has appeared to better advantage than in the role of the shop owner. Joseph Schildkraut is thoroughly dislikeable as the rascally assistant who has an affair with the wife of his kindly employee. Felix Bressart, who provided so many laughs in the role of the lanky Russian commissar in “Ninotchka,” is the timid assistant, afraid of the boss, the butcher and the doctor. Also effective in supporting roles are Sara Haden, William Tracy, Inez Courtney, Sarah Edwards, Edwin Maxwell, Charles Halton and Charles Smith. The supporting programme includes “Home on the Range,” a coloured cartoon; “Northward Ho,” showing the making of the Northwest Passage; the British Air Mail news and the Cinesound Review. “THE STARS LOOK DOWN” AT THE CIVIC THEATRE The stories of Dr. A. J. Cronin are always popular in book form or on the screen. “The Stars look Down” deals with the hopes and aspirations of a studious young miner, David Fenwick, who sacrifices his ambitions for pretty, shallow Jenny Sunley, who lets him down in preference for the unscrupulous selfmade Joe Gowlan. This human drama is being played out while the mine and its impending disaster loom in the background throughout the whole film. The climax is one of the most impressive scenes ever brought to the screen. Michael Redgrave has the role of David, the miner who is eventually brought into conflict with authority over the re-opening of a disused mine, and gives a fine performance. Margaret Lockwood lends vitality to the part of Jenny, and Emlyn Williams contributes a forceful characterisation as Joe Gowlan. A March of Time, “America’s Youth,” is an interesting feature of the supporting programme. THE LIGHT OF WESTERN STARS’ AT THE THEATRE ROYAL “Parole Fixer” makes the point that the law puts the public enemies behind bars, but racketeers of law release them to pray on society again. It is taken from J. Edgar Hoover’s book, “Persons in Hiding,” and features William Henry, Virginia Dale and Anthony Quinn. The story is based on the revelation by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation that one quarter of the nation’s criminals are men who have been favoured by parole or other forms of clemency. “The Light of Western Stars” tells a thrilling story in which a lovely girl from the East attempts the reformation of a man of good character who has become identified with outlaws. Gun fighting, hard riding, romance lead it to a tense denouement. The first chapter of the exciting serial, “Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe,” is also screened. “CALLING PHILO VANCE” AT THE STATE THEATRE “Bullet Code” deals in sensational fashion with a young Westerner’s atonement for a crime he did not commit, and cattle rustling methods of fifty years ago. It tells of the method used by cattle thieves who used to drive their stolen herds over the line rather than risk disposing of them in the United States. George O’Brien is seen as a young rancher who aids an older cattleman in fighting a group of rustlers and who soon finds himself in a network of complications. Virginia Dale has the chief feminine role. Surprise mystery thrillers have long been movie favourites. The artistry of Van Dine has been recognised since he first conjured the whimsical super-detective Philo Vance, and he is at the top of his form in “Calling Philo Vance,” a thrilling and romantic story holding the tense interest of the audience. James Stephenson and Margot Stevenson head the strong cast. “BEAU GESTE” AT THE ROXY THEATRE Heroic, lusty adventure, epitomised in a glorious story of three gallant brothers who join the French Foreign Legion to demonstrate their loyalty to one another in the face of being accused of the theft of a valuable sapphire, comes to the screen in “Beau Geste.” Co-starring Gary Cooper, Ray Milland and Robert Preston as the brothers “Geste”— “Beau,” “John” and “Digby,” respectively, this is the excite-ment-filled tale which finds the love of brother for brother constant in the face of hardship, steadfast in the face of the efforts of a mad brutal sergeant to wrest the gem from them. Murder, mystery, revenge and romance ride the skies as “Flight to Fame” brings Charles Farrell back to the screen. The story revolves around a unique, but not fantastic, invention. Hugh Sothern, the somewhat eccentric father of Jacqueline Wells, has perfected a “death ray” gun. Coincidentally, Farrell, an army aviation officer, has developed a new type of pursuit plane. “TALKING FEET” HAMILTON NEXT WEEK Hazel Ascot, who, at the age of nine years, is the champion dancer of England, heads the cast of “Talking Feet,” a British picture which com-

mences its season at the Regent next Tuesday. Hazel not only dances perfectly but also is able to sing and act. Mark Hambourg is the famous pianist who toured New Zealand some years ago. He presents a unique mini-piano ensemble featuring himself and 14 clever juveniles. William Heughan, the fanjous Scottish baritone, is also well known to New Zealanders, and his number, “The Meeting of the Clan,” in which he is supported by the Seaforth Highland Band, is magnificent in music and voice and picture perfect. The Three Cockney Comedians are responsible for much wit, humour and comedy, and the Eight Dancing Boys and the Dagenhan Girl Pipers are champions at their art. Novelty is added by the clever work of the Band of the Royal Marines, who led the profession of sailor heroes of the H.M.S. Ajax and H.M.S. Exeter in London recently. Matinees will be held each afternoon to enable school children to see this delightful film.