ENTERTAINMENTS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 49, 7 December 1940, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

ST. JAMES THEATRE. ; Interesting throughout with more comedy than the two previous films of the popular series and very entertaining with admirable performances of the two doctors given by Lionel Barrymore and Lew Ayres, who make the two men stand out as real people you know in the current attraction, “The Secret of Dr. Kildare,” being scrcenedl at St. James Theatre.

The new picture deals with a weird mental malady of a beautiful heiress, which medicine fails to solve. Ayres turns detective to trail the mystery down to the machinations of a fanatical nurse and a quack doctor. Ayres and Barrymore are given effective support by an excellent group of players, among them Lionel Atwill as the millionaire father of the “mystery patient,” Helen Gilbert as the girl in.the thrall of an unknown terror, Nat Pendleton as the brawny ambulance driver and Laraine Day as Ayres’ nurse-sweetheart who figures in an. hilarious episode when Barrymore becomes ill. and has to follow her orders. Recent-comer, lovely Helen Gilbert, makes a hit as a patient with a fear complex, her father being the millionaire Lionel Atwill. Laraine Day, beloved by Ayres, and Alma Kruger, a devoted older assistant, are the distinctive nurses, a third mirse and the telephone operative girl being clever comedy cameos. An excellent first half includes latest news service, Pete Smith specialty “Ski Birds” of interest to all skiing enthusiasts, an Our Gang comedy and a technicolour cartoon.

WAKANUI SCHOOL CONCERT,

.The, Wakanui School held a very successful concert in. aid of the prize funds.

The chairman (Mr C. Crawford), who presided, expressed the committee’s thanks to> parents and friends for their support. He welcomed Miss E. M. Jackson, the junior teacher. The concert was produced by Mr D. Dick and Miss Jackson.

The -programme was as follows: — Songs and choruses by senior and junior classes; songs, Jean, Cairns, Margaret Amos and Standard IV. girls; recitations, Mary Gilbert, Janet Crawford, Forbes Taylor; piano duet, Margaret Moore, Stella Cairns; violin solo, Lorn a Amos; accordion solo, Lester Moore ; play, “The Three Princesses,” Standard VI. pupils; instrumental items, Mrs Chapman, Helen Baynes, R. Brennan, A. Green: songs, Mrs Martin, Mr O’Grady, Master Noel Harwood ; tap dance, Bernice Pay. The chairman proposed votes of thanks to the performers and Margaret and Dawn Moore presented posies to Mrs Chapman and Miss Jackson. Dancing -followed, music being supplied by Mrs Mitchell’s orchestra. Mr G. Giles w'as Master of-Ceremonies.

HARMONICA BAND- DANCE. Over 250 persons were present at the Ashburton Imperial Harmonica Band’s weekly dance last evening. Monte Carlo- dances were won as follow: —No. 1, Mrs Heseltiue and Mjr Baker, Miss Watson and) Mr Stone; No. 2, Miss Heseltine and Mr Baker, Mrs Wilson and Mr Miles • No. 3, Miss Lamb and Mr Nicholls, Miss Steffen and Mi? Lister; No-. 4, Miss McDougal and Mr Price, Miss Kellagher and Mr Evans. Music was supplied by the Yacht Club Boys’ Band and extras were played by Mrs Gordon and Mr Chapman. Mr Adamson was M. C.