ENTERTAINMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 December 1937, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE. To-day’s flash from the picture front is a good news hash foi “Wake Up and Live,” the featuring Walter Winchell, Ben nie and Alice Fay. which opens to-z-v Tnanri’P IS

night at the Opera House Tlieaue - bv all odds the sweetest, hottest and most glamorous and glorious musical ever made. A sweethot of a show, as Mrs Winchell’s boy Walter might put it, “Wake Up and Live” carries the famed Winchell-Bernie feud to new heights of merriment, with Yotu New Correspondent and the Oto Maestro engaged in a furious vendet a in the midst of one of the most eye-

filling musicals of the year. In addition to the spectacle of Winchell and Bernie feuding face-to-face, “Wake Up and Live” offers Alice Faye, singing, dancing, and actnig, her wav to mew laurels; Patsy Kelly, Ned Sparks and Jack Haley piling up the laughs; and nine swelegant new song hits bv Gordon and Revel, the tops in Hollywood tunesmiths. Against the hilarious background of I’affaire Winchell-Bernie it tells the story of a timid vaudeville performer, Jack Haley, who muffs his big radio opportunity ■ when, at an audition, he gets “miko fright” and faints. His partner, Grace Bradley, thereupon deserts him for Walter Catlett, an agent, who books her into a night club. Through • « .. n 1, 1.. nirdAV PqFqV

the influence of his sister, t ais.v Kelly, who is Winchell’s “Girl Friday.” Haley gets a job as a uniformed guide at Radio Centre. There

he follows the artists around, sells an occasional “gag” to Ben Bernie, and meets Alice Faye, the “Wake Up and Live Girl” of radio, who tries to help him overcome his mike fright. Listening to Bernie’s programme one night, Haley is inspired by the music, steps to a microphone in a deserted control room, and sings. Unknown to him, the song is broadcast, and a flood of fan mail deluges the station. No one,

however, knows the “Phantom troubadour,’ ’and Haley even joins in the search himself. Bernie attempts to pass off the sensation as something of his own, and tries to put over a voice impersonator as the Phantom on his next programme, but Winchell exposes the hoax. The rivalry between Winchell and Bernie becomes even hotter as each strives to capture the Phantom for his own programme. Alice Faye discovers by accident that Haley is the Phantom, but he is abducted by Catlett and Grace Bradley, who have guessed his identity. A whirlwind chase ensues,' winding up in Bernie’s night club, where Winchell, in a rapid fire news broadcast announces the hectic moments of the

fipale over the air as they occur. A tuneful picture, “Wake Up and Live’’ is given melodious aid by Gordon and Revel, who turned out nine smash song hits for the firm: “Nevei' in a Million Years,” “It’s Swell of You,” “I’m Bubbling Over,” “There’s a Lull in My Life,” “Wake Up and Live,” “Oh, "But I’m Happy,” “I Love You Too Much, Muchacha,” “Red Seal Malt” and “Bernie’s Love Song.” Leah Ray, Joan Davis, Douglas Fowley and Miles Mander are also featured in this hotcha-topsa musical. Screened in conjunction with “Wake Up and Live,” is the exclusive and authentic film, taken fronw the ringside of the world’s championship, Joo Louis v. Tommy Farr. See the plucky Welshman regain boxingprestige for England. Louis gained the decision on points, which the, crowd hooted. Who did win? See the film and judge for yourself. “AFTER THE THIN MAN.” William Powell and Myrna Loy, the merriest, maddest married couple ever to come out of Hollywood, step from the last thrilling page of “The Thin Man” into the first hilarious ; chapter of the sequel millions have demanded to be written, “After the ’ Thin Man,” which opens on Monday at the Opera House Theatre for two nights and two matinees. Detective Nick Charles and’ wife, Nora, romancing again amid riotous mii'th and dramatic murder. The stars are surrounded by a sparkling supporting cast of favourites, James Stewart, Elissa Landi, Joseph . Calleia, Jessie Ralph, Alan Marshall, Teddy Flart, Sam Levene, Dorothy McNulty, George Zucco, Paul Fix, and Asta.the wire-haired terrier star of "The Thin ‘ Man.”

REGENT THEATRE Music and laughter are equal ingredients mixed in liberal proportion in “Turn Off the Moon,” which will been screened at the Regent Theatre at the midnight matinee to-night only. Charlie Ruggles heads the cast. He is aided by Eleanore Whitney, Johnny Downs, Kenny Baker, Phil Harris anil bis orchestra, Ben Blue, Marjorie Gatesoil and the Fanchonettes. “Turn Off the Moon” is an original screen play by Marguerite Roberts Harlan Ware and Paul Gerald Smith. In a light, vein the story kids astrology as a royal aid to romance and an additional headache to Charlie Ruggles’ frustrated sweetheart. The music was written by Sam Coslow, and includes three songs that are bound to be successes: “That’s Southern Hospitality,” “Turn Off the Moon,” and “Jamming.”

ZANE GREY FILM TO-NIGHT Larry Crabbe rides, shoots, and swims his way through a. thrill-pack-ed yarn of cattle-thieving and adventure in the Zane Grey film, “The Arizona Raiders,” a Paramount picture which will be shown tonight at the Regent. Crabbe is teamed with Marsha Hunt and aided by a cast, of topnotchers, including Raymond Hatton, Johnny Downs, Jane Rhodes and others. “Arizona Raiders” presents thrills in double-barrelled doses. There are two romances: two near-lynchings and two stampedes worked into the plot, eacli as exciting as the other. .A novel twist is given by a sequence in which Miss Hunt, as a ranch owner, is forced to “steal” her own horses to save them. The picture opens with Larry about to be hanged on a false accusation of horse stealing; he makes his escape by inches. Crabbe then comes upon Raymond Hatton, about to be hanged for minor offences; he saves the victim and they become mates. In Arizona they enter a small town and Hat ton gets thrown into gaol, and there Downs promises to Help the boy elope with Miss Rhodes. Crabbe frees the pair by stampeding a. herd of cattle through the town, so that they shatter most, of' the buildings. When Crabbe and Hatton set out for the Hunt ranch to carry out. Hatton’s quixotic plan, Crabbe is brought into contact with the beautiful owner. In a short time he has dis-

covered a. plot under way to rob the girl of all her herd. IDA LUPINO TO-NIGHT. Ida Lupino becomes a lovely adventuress, who has adopted so many assumed names that she has trouble remembering them in “Yours for the Asking,” now at the Regent, with G. Raft and Dolores Costello Barrymore in stellar roles. A tough guy sets up a gambling club in a mansion. Miss Barrymore, a society girl, aids him. Miss Lupino sets about winning Raft, and Raft, taken in by her goes to Miss Barrymore for instruction in society manners. Raft’s quest for polish and the scheming of his aides lead to a score of comedy situations. “HEAD OVER HEELS. “Head Over Heels,” Jessie Matthews’ biggest and brightest musical introduces four new faces to the screen, and between Jessie and these people occur some of the most amusing scenes in the film, and will be screened at the three sessions of the Regent to-morrow. There are her two leading men, Robert Flemyng from Dublin and Louis Borrell, who is Dutch, both of whom are good-look-ing and sure of instant success. Then there is Romney Brent, a little better known, and Edward Cooper, who is very well-known on the English music halls. Jessie sings no less than six song hits in “Head Over Heels.”

STANLEY McKAY’S COMPANY. An event of unusual importance to theatre patrons is the visit to Gr.eymouth of Stanley McKay’s Gaieties Company, and 1 , judging by the personnel of “The Gaieties of 1938,” the present, combination excels in variety the popular companies brought to the Coast, by Mr McKay in other years. The Gaieties, z headed by that popular comedian, Joe Lawman, will commence a. short season at the Greymouth Town Hall to-night in the latest revusical cocktail, “Something Novel, Something New.” A performer of especial interest to West Coasters is the brilliant young Reefton native, Heather Wright. When at the Grand Opera House, Wellington, last year, Mr McKay was struck with the amazing ability of this clever contortionist and tap dancer, and immediately arranged for her to tour Australia withl bis company, and from files to hand, his judgment was not misplaced, for Heather has certainly captured theatrical Australia, and is sure of a hearty welcome from Greymouth audiences.

Another act which is sure to “catch on” is that of the Fredo Freres (a couple of Continental acrobatic musicians, who play violins while performing sensational acrobatics). “The Glittering Diamonds,” whose only covering for their bodies is diamond dust, are athletically proportioned and their act, which consists of artistic posturing and adagio work, is one of the company’s “high-lights.” Those popular musicians, “The Hilo Duo” (Hawaiians), are also assured of a. hearty welcome, as is “Elvy,” the dainty lady with the fiddle, and “James,” billed as “The Gay Deceiver,” will excite much speculation as to the source from which he secures liis almost never ending supply of lighted cigarettes. Cliff O’Keefe, the popular basso who was responsible for, the forming of “The Big Four,” a quartette of male singers whose fame became world-wide, has arranged a similar party for Mr McKay, and their items, will be favourites with our musical audiences. Wyn Edgerton is the Gaieties soprano, and Leo Trenette is the tenor. Mr Trenette is visiting the Coast for the first time, and those’musically inclined and even those who are not, will enthuse over the items rendered by this brilliant singer. Elton Black (Scottish comedian), Alice Bennetto (singer and revue artist), George Corelli, the Gaieties Ballet, and May Brooke’s Orchestra, make up a combination that is hard to improve upon. A gala holiday matinee will he given on New Year’s Day, when a special price for the kiddies is announced. The plans are at Kilgour’s.

MIDNIGHT MATINEE TO-NIGHT.

Responding to the requests of hundreds of playgoers, the Gaieties will hold a community sing-song matinee (alter the Show to-night), commencing at 11.45, and continuing until 1 a.m., 1938. George Greig, of the Hilo Duo, will be Master of Ceremonies, and will be assisted by Leo Trenetto (tenor), Cliff O’Keefe (basso), “Elvy” (violinst), and Elton Black (comedian). High Carnival will be held as midnight chimes with streamers from

the stage and from the audience, and a happy time is assured all patrons. The theatre will be cleared after the Gaieties’ performance of “Something Novel,” and the matinee ,box office will then be open to patrons. NEW -YEAR BALL. Dance lovers should not miss thp last and liveliest ball of 1937, Schaaf’s New Year’s Eve Carnival Ball tonight, so let’s all trip the light fantastic and greet the New Year with our best foot forward. Carnival hats, squeakers, streamers, and supper will he provided. If you miss it, you’ll regret it.