ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21361, 4 March 1941, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

TONIGHT'S PROGRAMMES NATZKE-NEATE CONCERT Tonight, in the Theatre Royal, the famous New Zealand bass singer, Oscar Natzke. will give a concert in conjunction with the young Australian tenor. Kenneth Neate. Henri Penn, the well-known English pianist, will contribute a group of solos as well as providing the accompaniments. These three artists, who are touring under the direction of D. D. O'Connor, began their New Zealand season at Auckland on February 22, when a capacity audience accorded them a tremendously enthusiastic reception, falsifying, as far as Mr Natzke is concerned, the old adage that a prophet has no honour in his own country. Mr Neate, too, has won many admirers by his unaffected and sincere art, while Mr Henri Penn is a very competent and interesting pianist. Tonight’s programme will be the same as that given at the opening concert in Auckland. Plans are open. Tomorrow night a concert will be given in Tc Awumutu, Mr Natzkc's birthplace. ROXY THEATRE “ Angels with Dirty Faces,” featuring James Cagney, Ann Sheridan and the Dead End Kids, and “ This Man in Paris,” with Barry K. Barnes and Valerie Hobson, will be screened today. “Angels With Dirty Faces” concerns the effect of environment on the lives of slum dwellers. Basically it is the story of two boys. Both started out to be potential criminals. One, caught and sent to gaol, became a gangster and was idolised by the hoodlums of the younger generation. The other becomes a priest, fighting to make good citizens out of the slum boys. “The Dead End Kids” are grimly humorous as the slum boys. “This Man in Paris” is set in the French capital, where reporter “Drake” and news-editor “MacGregor” (Alastair Sim) are in charge of the Continental edition of the London “Daily Gazette.” STATE THEATRE “ Varsity Show ” is a sparkling production dealing with the efforts of Chuck Daly (Dick Powell), a Broadway producer temporarily in difficulties, to stage the annual Quadrangle Club show at Winfield College. Daly, himself a Winfield graduate, is induced to return to the college to rescue the show from the hands of Professor Sylvester Biddle (Walter Catlett), faculty advisor, who is all for art and nothing for modernity in school presentations. The fun is fast and furious, and there are some melodious song hits. “ Prairie Thunder ” is a colourful Western story, with plenty of action, a charming romance and many touches of humour. It provides thrills and entertainment, and holds the interest of the audience throughout. Popular Dick Foran heads the strong cast. REGENT THEATRE Based on three major naval incidents in the war, those of the Graf Spee, the Altmark, and the City of Flint, “ Mystery Sea Raider” shows the story behind commerce raiding on the high seas in wartime. Recalling the City of Flint, it tells of what might have happened to that American vessel when it was boarded by a Nazi prize crew in the North Sea at the outset of the war. Had it not been for Norwegian intervention, it is very likely that the City of Flint would have been converted into a sea raider such as occurs to her movie double in the film, when Fifth Column operatives take her over. A fine cast is headed by Carole Landis and Henry Wilcoxon. “ World in Flames ” is a striking indictment of the Nazi system and shows the outstanding events of the past ten years. CIVIC THEATRE The beautiful technicolour is a feature of “ Maryland,” some of the scenes being very striking. Walter Brennan’s William Stewart, studmaster, is finely handled. Fay Ba inter is seen as a woman who, when her husband is killed in the hunting field, develops an obsession against horses. To this end she tries to educate her only son, Lee (played by John Payne). The story lies in the abduction by Ben Carter of a mure that Fay Bainter has ordered to be destroyed; the prowess of that mare’s foal; and the love between Lee and a granddaughter of William Stewart (played by Brenda Joyce). A highlight of '* Maryland ” is a negro revival which is as thrilling as it is bizarre, and the ; lacing scenes are also very exciting. Hattie McDaniel and Ben Carter give splendid character studies. THEATRE ROYAL ; Owing to the theatre being otherwise occupied, films will not be shown , tonight. How “ T ’’-Men work overtime to plug breaks in the United States customs lines is depicted in “ Society Smugglers,” to be screened tomor- “ She Married a Cop,” starring Phil . Regan, gives the inside story on what makes those funny little animated wheels go " round, ’ and it also presents one of the most amusing and ■ thoroughly entertaining offerings of ; the season.