ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21370, 14 March 1941, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

TONIGHT’S PROGRAMMES CIVIC THEATRE “Wings Over New Zealand,” produced with the co-operation of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, is a thrilling and impressive film dealing with the training of airmen in the Dominion. All branches of training are dealt with, from the arrival of the raw recruit to the turning out of the smart “finished article,” ready to take his place beside other members of the Air Force in the defence of the Empire. It is an intensely interesting film, and of great topical appeal. An amusing comparison between sedate Victorianism and modernity is afforded in the screen version of Louis Bromfield’s story “It all Came True.” Zasu Pitts and Una O’Connor appear as two delightfully oldworld women who unexpectedly come in contact with a gangster, Humphrey Bogart, with laughable results. Ann Sheridan takes a leading role. STATE THEATRE “River’s End,” a great story from the pen of James Oliver Curwood, is exciting entertainment. The popular story-teller relates a tale of the Northwest Mounted Police. Starring Dennis Morgan and George Tobias, the film takes movie-goers back to River’s End, the Dodge City of the North, where Sergeant Conniston solved the strangest case in the history of the Mounted. “The Gay Caballero,” with Cesar Romero as the Cisco Kid, is packed with thrilling action, colourful romance and robust drama. Cisco is rumoured dead at the start of the film, but he is very much in evidence as he meets his most unscrupulous adversary. “Wings Over New Zealand,” dealing with the training of airmen in the Dominion, is also screened. THEATRE ROYAL “Dark Eyes of London” provides thrills, unlimited action and a surprising climax. The theme concerns the sinister activities of a halfmad doctor who conceives an evil plan to get rich quick by making use of certain people, then disposing of them in a horrible manner. So ingenious is the doctor’s method of killing that the deaths when eventually discovered by the police are (uho, light to ihav'e been caused by suicide. Suddenly Scotland Yard are presented with a valuable clue, and after a series of exciting events the murderer is tracked down. Bela Lugosi plays the leading role, that of the terrible doctor. Others featured are Hugh Williams as a detective inspector of Scotland Yard, Greta Gynt, a daughter of one of the victims of the mad doctor. Wilfred Walter, a grotesque imbecile, and Edmon Ryan as an American detective. “A Young Man’s Fancy,” starring Griffith Jones, Anna Lea and Seymour Hicks, is a sparkling romantic comedy, and “Wings Over New Zealand,” deals with the training of airmen in the Dominion.

REGENT THEATRE Rosalind Russell gives a capable presentation as a business-like secretary in “Hired Wife,” which, with its diverting situations and witty dialogue, is a very funny comedy. The film, which was produced by the Universal studios, is one of the best sophisticated comedies seen for some time, and interest is held throughout by the brilliance of Miss Russell’s acting, and the skilful manner in which she endeavours to arrange matters to suit her own wishes. Brian Aherne gives a very fine performance opposite Miss Russell as the man for whom so much trouble is arranged, and hilarious assistance is is given by Robert Benchley, as the foreign count, and Virginia Bruce. “Wings Over New Zealand,” showing the training of airmen in the Dominion, is also shown, and proves very interesting and inspiring. ROXY THEATRE “Broadway Melody of 1940,” featuring Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell, and “His Girl Friday,” with Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell, provide a well-contrasted programme. “Broadway Melody of 1940” strikes a novel note from the beginning. Fred Astaire and George Murphy, a dance team temporarily unemployed, are working as professional hosts in a ballroom. Through a novel set of circumstances, Murphy is mistaken for Astaire, and given a try-out as leading man for the dance darling of Broadway (portrayed by Eleanor Powell). When he wins the assignment things begin to happen, notably among them a badly swelled head which eventually leads to Murphy’s downfall and Astaire’s triumph. “His Girl Friday” is a sparklingly racy story which brilliantly interweaves romance and laughter.