ENTERTAINMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 December 1936, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE. “The Law in ■ Her Hands." now showing at the Opera House is a comedy drama, and is packed with dramatic action and gay humour. The cast includes Margaret Lindsay, Glenda Farrell, Warren Hull. Lyle Talbot. Eddie Acuff, Dick Purcell and Joseph Crehan. “THE THREE WISE GUYS.” Modern mirth is the keynote of “The Three Wise Guys," to be screened at the' Opera House to-mor-row and Thursday. Robert Young is co-featured with attractive Betty Furness. A spendthrift boy. while travelling on a de luxe train, meets a charming girl, living on the dangerous edge of society—drawn toward respectability by the innate fineness of her character, swayed to the halfworld by o.utside influence. They fall in love, and the three wise guys who would circumvent the romance are defeated in a battle of wits and wisdom. The supporting cast include Raymond Walbnrn, Thurston Hall, Bruce Cabot. Donald Meek. Herman Bing, Harvey Stephens and Harry Tyler.

Included among the featurettes are a coloured cartoon, a Pete Smith novelty, Metro News and a Patsy Kelly comedy. REGENT THEATRE. The last screening will be to-night of “The Country Beyond." and “Florida Special.” “KING OF THE DAMNED.” Cameramen and technicians working on “King of the Damned," the Conrad Veidt drama, received one of the greatest thrills of their life during the closing stages of production. Matters in the scenario had reached the stage when a visiting seaplane flies over the island penal settlement and surprise's the mutinous convicts who have just rebelled and conquered the guards and authorities of the prison camp. The machine to be used was a giant twinengined Saunders-Rowe amphibian, the “Saro Cloud,” piloted by Captain Ash. Batteries of cameras were mounted on 30ft high steel platforms to command the scene whilst down in the square of the huge prison settlement setting Noah Beery and- his hundreds of fellow rebels engaged themselves in looting lite place. An air of expectancy hung over the filmmakers and the cameramen stood by their machines. Eagerly they watched the sky for Captain Ash in the “Saro Cloud.” Suddenly he was sighted and the command rang out for the cameras to whirr into action. The distant dot against the clouds became in a second a hurtling mass of giant aeroplane. An enormous roaring of engines filled sky and then travelling between SO and 100 m.p.h., the huge seaplane came thundering over the rooftops and walls of the penal settlement. “King of the Damned” will be shown at the Regent Theatre on Wednesday.

STANLEY McKAY’S COMPANY. ! Twelve months ago Stanley McKay’s] Gaiety Company had an extraordinarily successful, season in Greymouth, playing to packed houses. This year Mr McKay has brought from Sydney and Melbourne an entirely now company, “Gaieties of 1937,’’ a combination of international stars, and unquestionably the largest and strongest combination of variety artists ever brought to the Dominion under his management. In a company of such extraordinary talent and variety it is difficult to individualise, but perhaps’ special mention may be made of Joe Lawman, Australia’s funniest comedian, Sydney and Melbourne theatregoers acclaiming him as the greatest comedian seen and heard in these cities for many a long day. His stage appearance, his style and mannerisms being original, are totally different to the funniest comedians who have toured with previous companies under the firm’s management. Another great I act which heads the mammoth programme, is the Flying Martinettis, a family of amazing acrobats, the highest salaried artists ever brought to

Australia in recent years, and who have created a furore in every city and town in Australia. Other notable artists leading the programme are Elton Black (world-famed comedian), Stella Lamond (brilliant soubrette). and the Hilo duo (Hawaiian musical act which toured' the world). The supporting artists include Nellie Sheridan (the world’s highest voiced soprano from the N.S.W. State Conservatorium); the Warren Boys (acrobatic clowns); the Yodelling Newtons; Cy. Pier (ukulele Troubadour); the four Sundowners (musical quartette), “Elvy” (violiniste) and' May Brooke’s Society Orchestra. Last but not least is the ballet. As with Mr McKay’s previous shows, the ballet plays an important, part, and this year’s combination of handsome and attractive dancing girls is equally good, if not beter than the ballet of previous successes. The chorus and full orchestra assist greatly to make the fare provided excellent entertainment for young and old'. Perhaps it is not necessary to mention the spectacular portion of the entertainment, for Greymouth theatre-goers will no doubt recollect as with past shows, the scenery, dressing and brilliant lighting is of a particularly high standard, but it will be interesting to the lady folk to know that many of the beautiful frocks worn in the “Gaieties of 1937” were specially imported from New York and Paris. Mr McKay wishes it to be known that exactly the same show of artists that appeared with unbounded success the leading Australian theatres will make their first appearance at the Town Hall, Greymouth, on Wednesday. December 30. The box plan is now open at Kilgour’s.