ENTERTAINMENTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 286, 15 September 1936, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ST. JAMES THEATRE. “Living Dangerously,” at the St. Janies Theatre to-night and to-morrow night, is a story of a Harley Street specialist who is falsely accused of unprofessional conduct and crossed off the medical register. Otto Kruger, the star, went to London from Hollywood especially for this role, while Leonora Corbett has the leading role. Aileen Marson is seen as “the other woman,” while Francis Listed- appears as Kruger’s unscrupulous partner. Lawrence Anderson, Eric Stanley, Charles Mortimer, Hubert ITarben, Iris Hoey, James Carew and Jimmy Godden are others in the cast. Otto Kruger was one of the last of the front-rank Broadway stage stars to hold out against the talkies but already he is acclaimed byt picturegoers everywhere. He is of Dutch extraction but was born in Toledo. His father, an accountant, wanted him to become an engineer, and sent him first the University of Michigan and then to Columbia. For seve>ral years after leaving college he roamed around, living an outdoor existence, first as a ranger and then as a telegraph linesman. During the war he served with the United States Navy, and afterwards drifted in to the stage, where after a short time touring the smaller cities of America ho crashed Broadway. There will he a good supporting programme.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. I Paramount’s presentation of “Anything Goes,” the Broadway musical comedy success, will he given its local opening at the Majestic Theatre tonight, and it will be shown again tomorrow night. It is a sparkling happy comedy, and contains all the famous song hits associated with this play. The audiences will prove enthusiastic over the screen offering. Bing Crosby, the singing star, is the feature attraction, and carries off honours with his breezy style of acting and singing. The high point of the picture, vocally, is a set of parodies on “You’re the Top” which he and Ethel Merman sing, and which evoke surprise and delight. Others in the cast of players are Charlie Ruggles, Ida Lupino and Grace Bradley. In addition to the song hits associated with its name, the picture has new songs by Cole Porter and others. The direction is by Lewis Milestone, and the dance routines were elaborated by Leßoy Prinz.