ENTERTAINMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 June 1943, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE—To-night: “LaugH it Off” and “Madame Spy.” Unmistakably patterned for wartime popular entertainment, “Laugh ,it Off” with Tommy Trinder supported by Jean Colin, Peter'Gawsborne, W. Patch, Sidney Burchell (Australian baritone)', and Geraldo’s /famous dance orchestra, is showing at the Opera House. The story opens with Tommy and Sally stars of’ a Blackpool concert party, who wdh other members of the com;pany find themselves jobless on the outbreak of war. Tommy reports for i military duty, where his adventures j with war training service, his rough i handling of a tough fellow who turns out to be the sergeant-major and riotous introduction to the mysteries I of army life bring howls of laughter. When the sergeant falls down on preparing a concert, Tommy gets the old concert party together, which goes with a bang. The troops are entertained, the Colonel can look the General in the eye, the sergeant sees his Waterloo, concluding in a grand patriotic spectacle which features marching songs, and old favourites with Tommy inveigling the audience to join in. “MADAME SPY” Constance Bennett, whose screen career has been high-lighted with brilliant dramatic success, has one of her most spectacular roles in “Madame Spy.” Miss Bennett portrays a young bride, deeply in love with her husband, who is unable to disclose to him that she is a Federal agent rounding up a nest of spies. Porter, her husband, is a famous newspaper man, and when his own _ investigation of the spies puts him on the trail of his bride, the complications ensue rapidly.

REGENT THEATRE: To-night: “Crossroads.”

A combination of swift-moving action and powerful, believable drama, plus one of the year’s most powerful casts headed by William Powell and Hedy Lamarr—the screen’s most polished gentleman, the screen’s most glamorous lady—are together in a story of blackmail and intrigue. The picture combines all the elements of suspense, intrigue, romance and thrills. Excitement and romance parallel one another, with Powell in. the dramatic role of a man who finds himself struggling against malevolent odds to maintain the life he has built for him. As a French diplomat, Powell is catapulted into a life of intrigue when Rathbone accuses him of once being a notorious underworld character. With the help of his accomplice, Claire Trevor, Rathbone baffles Powell to such an extent that he doesn’t know which is his true identity. The excellent associate programme includes one of the most remarkable shorts ever to come to this country and. should be seen by everyone. Its title is indicative, “Mr. Blabbermouth.” “HEI TIKI” One of the most important feature films to reach a local screen is the New Zealand production. “Hei Tiki,” which is to be presented at the Regent Theatre on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The film which deals with Maori history, was produced in the Lake Taupo district. The theme is, of course, highly dramatic, and is heightened by the fine singing of the Maoris. The story is simply this: The chief of a certain Maori tribe had to preserve his firstborn female child so that she would be a virgin bride for the mythical war god, Maru, when the latter chose to make his appearance. This is discovered by a hostile tribe, one of whose leaders decides to impersonate the war god and carry off the beauteous young maiden, who is named Mara. This is duly done and discovered too late by the first tribe. That doesn’t deter them from invading the land of the intruders, and there is a fine battle scene.

The whole film is interestingly directed and the result is certainly satisfying in that it captures the Maori spirit, life and customs lo a remarkable degree. DANCES ARRANGED The following is a list of the forthcoming balls, published for the guidance of Social clubs:— To-night: Stillwater. To-night: Gladstone. June 18: Runanga Fire Brigade. June 18: Reefton Catholic. June 19: Bell Hill School. June 26: Ahaura. July 3: Paroa Tennis. July 10: Stillwater. July 10: Ikamatua. July 17: Brunner League. July 17: Ngahere. August 7: Nelson Creek. August 14: Blackball League. August 21: Ikamatua R.S.A. August 23: United Nations. THE JEWS’ FUTURE History shows that in time of peace and in lands of plenty the Jews are forgotten, and prosper, while in decades of war, famine or turmoil they appear again on the programme. Today many are taking a new interest in the Jew. A strong trend of Christian thinking considers their present plight a very definite fulfilment of prophecy and the chief sign of the return of Christ. This live topic will mark the opening of a new series of addresses to be delivered in the Lyceum Hall, Guinness Street, commencing Sunday evening.