ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21214, 10 September 1940, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

TONIGHT’S PROGRAMMES i ROXY THEATRE “Invitation to Happine.v,” featur- j ing Irene Dunne and Fred MacMurray, and “Streets of New York,” ! will be screened today. “Invitation to Happiness” tells a heart-searching story of a society girl (played by Irene Dunne), who

falls in love with and married a prize fighter (Fred Mac Murray). An emotional problem presents itself immediately because Fred has to be away from home to follow his career as a fighter. An early crisis is reached when Fred is away as a son is born to Irene. She is terribly hurt, but forgives him. As the years roll by, Fred pursues his fighting career, determined to become champion. and the boy grows up to hate his father because he senses that his mother is unhappy about his father’s absence. The drama reaches heights of emotional conflict as Fred tries to win the boy to his side. THEATRE ROYAL The screen “Hit Parade” sets a new standard in merry, musical, comedy romances. The song and dance sequences never intrude upon the crisp, well-knit plot; they seem a part of it, rather than an excuse for it. There is a logical and definite reason for every song, dance or skit in the production. The cast includes the beauteous Frances Langford, Phil Regan, Louise Henry, Pert Kelton, William Newell, Ranny Weeks, Max Terhune, A 1 Pearce and his gang. Molasses and January, Carl Hoff and his Hit Parade Orchestra, Eddy Duchin, Duke Ellington and his band, the Voice of Experience, Ed. Thorgersen, Ben Grauer, George Givot, the Tic Toe ' Girls. Oscar and Elmer, and a score ( of others. The plot is a refresh- . ing one, having to do with an en- ] terprising young press agent’s at- -j . tempts to star a beautiful but un- j ( known radio singer. ( Jealousy, with its ever attendant ! romance, fear, and conflict, is the ' ; keynote of “Wives Under Suspicion.” The film introduces an all-star cast ‘ headed by Gail Patrick and Warren William. !

STATE THEATRE “Crime School,” featuring the Dead End Kids, and “The Californian,” with Ricardo Cortez and Marjorie Weaver, will be screened today. “Crime School” is all that its title suggests, showing how easily youths may be led into a life of crime if not given the right kind of environment and an opportunity to “make good” in life. There is plenty of excitement and much humour to lighten the tension. The popular Dead End Kids are seen to particular advantage in this appealing story, and once again prove how clever they are despite their youth. Humphrey Bogart and Gale Page have the principal adult roles and fill them with success. Few writers of adventure stories are more popular than Harold Bell Wright, and in “The Californian” he is seen at his best. Action, romance and humour are combined in entertaining fashion as the story works up to its thrilling climax. Ricardo Cortez, one of the finest actors of the screen, makes a welcome reappearance in this film.

REGENT THEATRE Some of Victor Herbert’s bestremembered songs intersperse the story of “The Great Victor Herbert.” Among them are such allround favourites as “A Kiss in the Dark,” “Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life,” “Kiss Me Again” and “I’m Falling in Love With Someone.” Allan Jones and Mary Martin act convincingly and sing delightfully, and there is the new singing discovery, fourteen-year-old Susanna Foster. The film is not so much a biography of Victor Herbert as a drama of the composer’s influence over the glamorous show world of his day, and tells of the romance of a stagestruck girl and the matinee idol of the day, who meet in Herbert’s gay world, find fame in starring in his operettas and happiness in their friendship with the great man. CIVIC THEATRE “Alice Blue Gown” (with Anna Neagle dancing and looking very lovely in the coloured scenes), “Irene” and “Castle of Dreams,” are among the song hits introduced into “Irene,” in which Anna Neagle is very charming in the title role. The lovely British star is cast as a little Irish shop girl who becomes a dress model, and then almost overnight emerges as the toast of New York society because of the gorgeous gowns she wears in public as a publicity stunt for her firm. Her wealthy employer (Ray Milland) falls in love with her while guiding her sensational career, but doesn’t reveal his feelings. But his best friend (played by Alan Marshall) becomes engaged to the beautiful model out of sympathy when she is exposed as a fraud.