ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21224, 21 September 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

TONIGHTS PROGRAMMES “STAR DUST” AT THE CIVIC THEATRE “Star Dust” stars lovely Linda Darnell in a thrilling story that well might be the story of her own rise to fame. Linda is cast as a plucky small-town girl in Hollywood scrapping for her place in the sun. In the great adventure she meets handsome John Payne, another young hopeful. Together they share heartbreak and happiness—and find out about love. With the odds a thousand to one against them, they won’t take no for an answer. They enlist the help of talent scout Roland Young and dramatic coach Charlotte Greenwood. And when things look darkest they stage a stunt that thrills Hollywood. Gay and charming, it has moments of strong drama and suspense. Mary Healy sings “Star Dust,” the lovely ballad that inspired the film, “Secrets in the Moonlight” and “Don’t Let It Get You Down.” “SOUTH OF THE BORDER” AT THE THEATRE ROYAL “South of the Border” follows closely the theme of the song of the same name; the idyllic romance of a cowboy, engaged in government work, with a Spanish senorita who ultimately enters a convent. Gene Autry gives his best to the role, and may be credited with the film’s outstanding success. Smiley Burnette, a lovable and laughable comedian, contributes his share of laughs, and Mary Lee, vocalist of Ted Weems’ orchestra, gives an effective “kid” characterisation. Lovely Lupita Tovar scores equally well in the role of Lois, the siren charmer. “The Defence Rests” is a tensely thrilling drama of love and sacrifice. Edward Ellis is cast as a district attorney who interprets the law in a humanitarian method rather than according to the law books. Cast prominently in support are Anita Louise, Robert Baldwin, Clem Bevans, Margaret Hamilton, Beverly Roberts and Harold Huber. * “ANDY GETS SPRING FEVER’ AT THE ROXY THEATRE '“Andy Gets Spring Fever,” another entertaining adventure of the popular Hardy family, and “Maisie,” a very amusing and exciting romance, will be screened today. In “ Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever ” Andy falls in love —of course, with spmeone older than himself, a school teacher. The complications which follow are very amusing, one of the funniest scenes being that in which Andy stages a play, with a very exciting ending. Mickey Rooney plays Andy with his usual success, and Lewis Stone is again delightful as the understanding father. Ami Rutherford, a very lovely girl, plays the teacher. “ Maisie ” deals with exciting and amusing happenings on a ranch, with Robert Young and Ann Sothern in the romantic leads, and lan Hunter giving one of his usual sympathetic performances. Maisie “ takes possession ” of the ranch, with very entertaining results. “ Drunk Driving ” is a sensational “ short ” that teaches a great lesson. “YOUNG TOM EDISON” AT THE REGENT THEATRE “Young Tom Edison” proves that the great inventor in his boyhood lived an exciting 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; partly loses his hearing through an accident and a box on the ears; is jeered at by assembled townsfolk, with the idea that he is halfwitted; breaks into a shop and steals a valuable mirror; 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 Bainter his mother, George Bancroft his father, and Virginia Weidler his sister. Tannic. The supporting programme includes “Servant of Mankind,” an M.G.M. Miniature; “Modern New Orleans,” Fitzgerald travel gem; the British Air Mail News (with the latest war news) and the Cinesound Review. “SHOOTING HIGH” AT THE STATE THEATRE Packed with roaring adventure, rollicking fun, trigger-fast action and five tuneful, new songs, “Shooting High,” a colourful action-ro-mance of the West brings the popular Gene Autry and Jane Withers together for the first time. Gene plays the part of Will Carson, whose one ambition in life is to clear the name of his grandfather, Wild Bill who was unjustly accused of being a member of a robber band. As daughter of the town banker, Jane aids Gene not only in the fight to vindicate his grandfather, but also in his efforts to capture the heart of Jane’s older sister, played by Marjorie Weaver. In this picture Gene has two solo numbers, “Only One Love in a Lifetime” and “Little Old Band of Gold.” Together Jane and Gene sing “Shanty of Dreams” and "Wanderers,” while Jane Withers puts across a rollicking number called “On the Rancho with My Pancho.” “Mystery Plane” starts with the boyhood of Tailspin Tommy when he hero-worships Captain Brandy Rand, former famous war ace. and develops on exciting lines, with the capture of Tommy and his friends. HAMILTON PLAYBOX “YOU NEVER CAN TELL” Witty dialogue and diverting situations make “You Never Can Tell,” to be staged by the Hamilton Playbox at the Civic Theatre next Wednesday and Thursday nights, a

very entertaining production. The play has all those typically Shavian touches which are so amusing and which keep an audience alert and stimulated. The clever players have been rehearsing for some time and should give a good account of themselves. j The fact that the proceeds are to be given to the patriotic funds should make a special appeal. The box plans are now open, and prospective patrons should book seats as soon as possible.