ENTERTAINMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 June 1936, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE. A gangster picture with a refreshing new plot and unexpected series of developments is “She Couldn't Take It,’’ now showing at the Opera House. The story is that of a. gangster leader, RicaYdi (George Raft), who. after grasping the opportunities for education presented by six years in prison, decides to try a higher mode of life. In prison he meets Van Dyke, a financial magnate who has faked his income returns to escape from his uncontrollable family. Van Dyke is stricken with a heart attack, but before he dies makes Ricardi his sole executor. Ricardi’s campaign against the family, which consists of a daughter, Carol (Joan Bennett), a son, and Mrs Van Dyke (Billie Burke) is at first very amusing. Later, when Carol enlists his old gang to kidnap her, with the object of getting a large ransom from the estate, tragedy steps in. The action speeds up when Ricardi, having attracted half the police of the United States to his pursuit, races along perilous roads to the rescue in a stolen police car. The story is a fast-moving one with no dull moments. A very fine supporting programme is also shown.

FRIDAY’S FEATURE. A gay romance' and ,sparkling comedy is “The Widow from Monte Carlo,’’ which is to have its New Zealand premiere.at the Opera House on Friday. This rollicking drama carries plenty of exciting action, shot with humour. The characters involve a playboy major, a widowed Duchess, flirtatiously inclined, her very proper English relatives and her more proper fiance; rich and persistent widow, who is trying to crash society, and an American crook who is a fugitive from justice. There are thrilling, although amusing adventures. which lead to a rather amazing climax. Warren William has never played with more delightful abandon than as the major who sweeps the Duchess off hef feet into his arms after an informal flirtation at Monte Carlo to which Her Grace had gone incognito. Dolores Del Rio, as the Duchess, is as beautiful and charming as "ever, and gives the part a piquant flavour. As the woman seeking to crash society, especially that of the Duchess, Louise Fazenda does an excellent job. Colin Clive gives a good performance as the quite proper and over-dignified English diplomat, betrothed to the Duchess. She gives him a merry runaround and winds up by ditching him entirely.

REGENT THEATRE. A drama of danger, dynamite sticks and dynamite fists, reckless daredevils and fatal feuds, and lovers of life who scoff at death, will be seen when “Hard Rock Harrigan” is shown tonight at the Regent, with George O’Brien, the screen’s top action star, outdoing himself in the title role. Replete with dramatic suspense, the story concerns a feud between a husky “hard-rock” driller, George O’Brien, and his tunnel Ikjss, Fred Kohler, who are engaged in drilling a tunnel through the mountainside for a gigantic aqueduct project. The action occurs principally in a construction camp and in the interior of a tunnel. The talented Irene Hervey, whose performance in “Hard Rock Harrigan” will send her a long way to success, appears as George O’Brien’s leading lady. She is the operator of the camp commissary and her beauty provides a welcome contrast to the rugged background where the “hard rock”, men fight nature. A cave-in and other dangers make for exciting consequences.

“Music Hath Charms,” the second feature on to-night’s programme should satisfy the radio public’s curiosity about a popular idol, and make one of the brightest entertainments ever offered on the screen. It has cast-iron popular fare. No film devised around the orchestra and personality of Henry Hall, band leader, can fail to be a great attraction. And it is very obviously an entertainment of the somidest calibre with water- i tight screen, good fun, pictorially and musically, and is almost a tonic in its effect. Hall and his boys are supported by W. H. Berry, the famous radio star Hildegarde, Lorna Hubbard, Billy Milton, and a host of others.

FIRE BRIGADE BALL. The Fire Brigade Ball takes place in Schaef’s Hall on Tuesday evening. The programme consists of old-time and modern dances, while the management of the floor will be in the capable hands of Firemen Batty, Heaphy, Scott and Bring. ..The music will be supplied by the Marina Orchestra of six first-class players. The supper is being carried out by the ladies’ committee, which will commence at 10.30, under the coloured ticket system. Kennedy’s ’bus will leave Karoro at 8.45 and return afterwards. Everything favours the 1936 ball, and there should be a record attendance.

TECHNICAL CARNIVAL. The Cobden candidate in the Technical School’s Queen Carnival for the Assembly Hall is Glenor Ford.