ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21223, 20 September 1940, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMMES STATE THEATRE “Shooting High,’’ with Jane Withers and Gene Autry, and “Mystery Plane, will be .screened today. Jane Withers and Gene Autry sing five grand new songs, specially writ- | ten for them, in “Shooting High.” i The film, which sets Jane and Gene j out on the range, where they have : room to put on a real show, full of j riding, shooting, roping—and sing- ! ing, offers both the finest songs they j have had to date. j “Mystery Plane” starts with the ; boyhood of Tailspin Tommy when he j hero-worships Captain Brandy Rand, • former famous war ace. When ! Tommy grows up he becomes the "world's greatest pilot.” according to Betty Lou, his girl friend, and Skeeter, his mechanic and pal. The three work on an electrically con- 1 trolled bomb release apparatus for the Government. After officials of 1 army and air force O.K. the tests, i Tommy. Skeeter and Betty Lou are captured by a spy ring who try to j force Tommy to divulge his secret, i I REGENT THEATRE A foreword to "Young Tom Edi- | son,” declares that all the incidents j represented arc essentially true. If j that is the case, the boy lived an ex- | citing life. For, while the audience is looking at him. he nearly burns the schoolhouse down; saves a child from being killed by a train; almost blows up a train with a bottle of nitro-glycerine; runs away from home; telegraphs to neighbouring towns the false alarm that the populace is being massacred by Indians; publishes a newspaper in a railway luggage van; peddles sweets to travellers; climbs on and off speeding trains; and finally saves a train from destruction at a wrecked bridge. The story is splendidly acted by Mickey Rooney as Tom Edison; Fay 1 Bainter his mother, George Bancroft his father, and Virginia Weidler his sister, Tannic. THEATRE ROYAL Inspired originally by the successful song from which it derives its title, “South of the Border,” promises to become as popular as the song itself. Seldom has a more expertly rounded out western production, replete with every element that makes a good film “good,” been seen. It has songs, it has laughter, it has thrills, and it has a thoughtfully contrived story with a timely angle which creates an illusion that the audience is witnessing actual events dramatised from the daily newspaper headlines. Warm with the richness of humanity, deep with the drama of self-sacrifice and loyalty, and alive with sharply etched human characters, “TheJTefence Rests” is splendid entertai®ient. CIVIC THEATRE “Star-dust” tells the story of plucky small-town youngsters scrapping for fame in the great adventure that is Hollywood—a story that well might be the tale of Linda Darnell’s own meteoric rise to stardom. Also featured are two new songs by Mack Gordon, famous Hollywood song writer. These songs, “Secrets in the Moonlight” and “Don't let It Get You Down,” are two of the best numbers Gordon has done and it should be remembered that he was in on such hits as “Did You Ever See a Dream Walking,” “Never in a Million Years,” and many others. John Payne appears opposite Linda ► in “Star Dust.” Among the players chosen for other featured roles are Roland Young, Charlotte Greenwood, William Gargan, Mary Beth Hughes, Mary Healy and Donald Meek. UOXY THEATRE “Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever,” featuring Mickey Rooney and Lewis Stone, and “Maisie,” with Ann Southern and Robert Young in the leading roles, will be screened today. “Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever” is one of the most entertaining of the Hardy Family series. It tells what happens when Andy falls in love, the complications being as exciting as they are amusing. Mickey Rooney, as Andy, gives a fine performance, with dramatic a'nd humorous highlights, and Lewis Stone is again the understanding father. "Maisie” porvides fun and excitement on a ranch, showing what happens when a typical town girl lands on a farm. She “ takes possession,” gets into one unusual romance, and straightens out another one. Ann Sothera is a very attractive Maisie, and good work is also done by Robert Young, lan Hunter and Ruth Hussey. “YOU NEVER CAN TELL” “You Never Can Tell,” to be staged by the Hamilton Playbox at the Civic Theatre next Wednesday and Thursday nights, is Bernard Shaw at his wittiest .and should prove very entertaining to local audiences. The proceeds will be handed over to the patriotic funds. A strong cast is rehearsing assiduously, and a successful production is assured. Box plans are open, and seats should be reserved at once. ,