ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21195, 19 August 1940, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

TONIGHT’S PROGRAMMES

CIVIC THEATRE “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 j Sunley, who lets him down in preI ference 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. ROXY THEATRE “Beau Geste” starring Gary Cooper, Ray Milland and Robert Preston as the brothers “Geste”— “Beau.” “John” and “Digby,” respectively, is the excitementfilled tale which finds the love of brother for brother constant in the face of hardship, steadfast in the lace 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. STATE THEATRE “Bullet Code” 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 fprm 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. 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. 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 Sullavan 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.

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.

i “TALKING FEET” )' Extraordinary interest has been i created by the unique motion picture, 1 “Talking Feet,” which opens at the • Regent Theatre tomorrow. With the I matinee at 2.15 p.m. I At its New Zealand premiere in . New Plymouth recently a record in attendance was made. “Talking Feet” ,is a human, lovable story about a i little girl and her father who en- ■ deavour to raise funds to save their local hospital from closing down. The picture presents such renowned , artists as William Heughan, Mark ' Hambourg, Hazel Ascot, champion dancer, and Enid Stamp-Taylor. Also featured are the Bands of the Seaforth Highlanders, Dagenham Girl Pipers, and the Royal Marines, together with a 14-piano ensemble, the Three Comedians, and climaxing with the Band of the Royal Marines on board a battleship with sailor chorus fciA&ing “Rule Britannia.”