ENTERTAINMENTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 116, 26 February 1937, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ST. JAMES THEATRE. “Dodsworth,” the ' film version of Sinclair Lewis’s book of • the same name, will be shown, finally this evening at the St. James Theatre. This is a very well presented production, featuring Walter Huston, Ruth Chatterton and Marv Astor. There are many beautiful scenic backgrounds. The supporting films are in keeping with the high standard of the main film. Beginning on a battleship, shifting to a San Francisco waterfront dance hall, and then to a society function on Nob Hill, “Follow the Fleet,” at the St. James Theatre to-morrow afternoon and evening and on Monday evening, with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, reaches a finale that elaborately features the Irving Berlin number “Face the Music,” which will he sung by Fred Astaire and provide the accompaniment for an interpretative dance by Fred and Ginger. The sequence surrounds a play given on board a freighter, the “Connie Martin,” to raise funds so Harriet Hilliard can make the final payment on the craft in which she and Randy Scott plan to sail to distant honeymoon ports. The performance is laid, in Monte Carlo and 100 glamorous and handsome dress extras provide the atmosphere. There are also eight beautiful and alluring girls in nautical waiterette costume and ten gorgeous show girls in Bernard Newman designed gowns. Special interest will attach to the screening of play in the fourth Test match at Adelaide.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. The final screening of “The Tenth Man” will be made at the Majestic Theatre this evening. This is a story of how a man in big business bullies his way through life till he encounters the tenth man, he who is neither a fool nor a knave. 'Comedy, romance and adventure go on a mad rampage in- the new gay attraction, “Love on- a Bet,” which will show at the Majestic Theatre to-mor-row and Monday, with the feminine heart accelerator, Gene Raymond, and the comely British newcomer, Wendy Barrie, teamed. This rollicking comedy provides admirably suited roles for the talents of the romantic pair. Their transcontinental adventure on the sails of love makes “Love on a Bet” one of the season’s more unusual comedy attractions. The harrowing drama of Devil’s Island springs to vivid life again on the silver screen in Columbia’s “Escape From Devil’s Island,” a lusty and stirring picturisation of the infamous French penal colony, which is on the same, programme. Notably important about the new film’s remarkable success is the adroit combination of a powerful and gripping story from the pen of Fred De Gresac, intelligent direction by Albert Rogell and an authentic and colourful atmospheric production. All of which serves to enhance and emphasise the skilful performances registered by Victor Jory, Florence Rice, Norman Foster and Stanley Andrews in the leading featured roles.