ENTERTAINMENTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 25, 9 November 1936, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ST. JAMES THEATRE. "Colleen,” Warner Bros.’ latest musical film, shows finally to-night at the St. James Theatre, with an all - star cast, including Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler, Jack Dakie, Joan Blondell, Hugh Herbert, Louise Fazinda, and a score of other principals, as well as a couple of hundred chorus beauties and dancing youths. Beniamino Gigli, held by many to be the world’s greatest tenor since Caruso, is the star of “Forget Me Not, ’ the London Films production, which will bo shown to-morrow and on Wednesday at the St. James Theatre. In a story especially written for him, Gigli has been provided with a role in which ho should feel perfectly at ease—that of an internationally-famous singer. The producers have broken away from the “obscurity-to-stardom overnight’’ theme which has .served as a vehicle for many other opera stars. Gigli is shown in a very human setting as a doting father and husband whose home is nearly broken up by a jealous woman.

Joan Gardner, Alexander Gorda’s beautiful discovery, plays opposite Gigli in the most difficult and important role she has so far attempted. Hugh Wakefield has a typical part as the wellmeaning but assinine manager to the great tenor. An exceptionally strong supporting cast includes Ivan Brandt, Jeanne Stuart, Allan Jeayes, Hay Petri* *nd Charles Carson.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Warner Bros, have produced a number of pictures with historical backgrounds and authentic as well as outstanding characters. Rut none surpasses “‘Frisco Kid” in the intensity of its action, in exciting episodes, in its flaming colour and picturesqueness. This will be shown at tho Majestic Theatre finally to-night. The combination of drama, laughter and romance that Damon Runyon introduces in his inimitable fiction, will be shown at the Majestic to-morrow and on Wednesday, with Metro-Gold-wyn-Maycir’s adaptation of his prizewinning story, “The Three Wise Guys.” Here is ■ a story practically made to order for the screen. Damon Runyon writes so vividly of life as we see it that his stories provide natural material for tho art of tho movies. Robert Young and Betty Furness have the romantic leads. The supporting cast consists of Raymond Walburn, Thurston Hall, Bruce C'abot; Donald Meek, Herman Bing, Harvey Stephens and Harry Tyler. Harry Rapf was the producer, and George Heitz directed. The story relates the adventures of a rich man’s son who strolls from his father’s private car on a de luxe train to encounter a beautiful girl in a forward coacli. From that moment the story is a stream-lined account of colourful action and romance, with a wealth of humour. The narrative covers the modern American scene from New York across the continent to Hollywood, with amusing stop-overs in Palm Springs and at a Pennsylvania farmhouse.