ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21225, 23 September 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

TO=NIGHT’S PROGRAMMES

REGENT THEATRE “Young Tom Edison” with Mickey Rooney as “Young Tom,” shows the great inventor and scientist as he was when he went to school in a small community. To these smalltown folk he was a “crack-pot,” his desire for knowledge was something not in the school books, his interest in doing things which had not been done was proof that he was crazy. And the restless inventive mind, the desire to Find at first hand what happens when two chemicals are mixed, was just something which did not conform to the normal and thus was to be suppressed. So the film shows the adventures of young Tom. how he sets the school on tire and how he blows up another boy with gas, and later, when things seem to be going better for him, how he destroys all he has built up by discovering, all by himself, the “new” explosive of nitro-glycerine. The steady current of humour in the story wedded to the strong human interest and the splendid acting of Mickey Rooney make a fine film. STATE THEATRE “Shooting High,” a colourful actionromance of the West, 'brings the popular Gene Autry and Jane Withers together lor 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 Carson, 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. The songs introduced include “Only One Love in a Lifetime.” “Little Old Band of Gold,” “Shanty of Dreams,” and “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. THEATRE ROYAL “South of the Border” deals with the romance of a cowboy, engaged in government work, with a Spanish senorita who ultimately enters a convent. Gene fills the leading role with 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. ROXY THEATRE In “ Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever ” Andy falls in love—of course, with someone 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 the surprise volcano ending. Mickey I Rooney plays Andy with his usual success, and Lewis Stone is again | delightful as the understanding I father. Helen Gilbert, a very | lovely girl, plays the teacher. I “ Maisie ” deals with exciting and | amusing happenings on a ranch, with 1 Robert Young and Ann Sothern in ! the romantic leads, and lan Hunter ; giving one of his usual sympathetic 1 performances. Maisie “ takes pos- ! session ” of the ranch, with very entertaining results. “ Drunk Driving ” is a sensational “ short ” that teaches a great lesson.

CIVIC THEATRE “Dodge City,” a thrilling Western story in technicolour, will be screened today. “Dodge City” is a thrilling Western story, filled with action, romance, and ! all the colour of that exciting period. : The fact that it is in technicolour I adds to the realism, some of the outdoor scenes being very beautiful. The film deals with adventures in the days when “West of Chicago there was no law, West of Dodge City there was no God!” It tells of the stirring pioneering days wh.en the fight against evil was a thrilling business. The cast is an outstanding one. Popular Errol Flynn and lovely Olivia de Havilland have the leading romantic leads, and Bruce Cabot, Ann Sheridan, Victor Jory, Alan ; Hale and Frank McHugh are proj minent in support. | There is a strong supporting pro- • gramme of news reels, comedies and interest films. “YOU NEVER CAN TELL” The Hamilton Playbox has staged many entertaining plays, and its choice for this season. Bernard Shaw’s “You Never Can Tell,” should do much to enhance the high repu- ! tation gained. The play scintilS lates with witty lines, while the | situations arc very diverting, and •j the romance is unusual. I “You Never Can Tell” will be I staged at the Civic Theatre next Wednesday and Thursday nights, and seats should be booked as soon as possible at the box plan office. The proceeds will be given to the patriotic funds.