ENTERTAINMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 January 1945, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE: Finally To-night: “The 7th Victim,” and “South of Dixie.” Next attraction, commencing to-morrow: “Girl Crazy.”

Brimful of Gershwin melodies, music and laughter, “Girl Crazy,” starring Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland, teamed together for the eighth time, commences >at the Opera House to-morrow (Friday). Tommy Dorsey and his band are featured in the laugh-happy comedy of the Golden West and do full justice to the beloved score of the Gershwins. The musical numbers include: “Embraceable You,” “I Got Rhythm,” “But Not for Me,” “Bidin’ My Time” and many others sung and danced by the inimitable Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney. The story concerns the playboy antics of Mickey Rooney, a powerful publisher’s son. Tired of his son’s night club attendance, Henry O’Neill enrols him at Cody College in Arizona. Mickey goes reluctantly, but becomes enthusiastic when he meets Judy Garland, the dean’s granddaughter. Judy doesn’t like Mickey’s attitude and it is not until he proves himself by saving the school from being closed by staging a gigantic rodeo that she decides Mickey is the man for her. In the “Embraceable You” number, Judy dances an intricate fox trot, and the finale number, “I Got Rhythm,” features a chorus of 100 dancers. June Allyson shares the spotlight with Mickey Rooney in a novelty number, “Treat Me Rough.” Nancy Walker, who has been called “a female Mickey Rooney,” supplies a splendid foil for the Rooney antics. Also featured in the cast are Guy Kibbee, Gil Stratton, Robert E. Strickland, “Rags” Ragland and Frances Raffertv.

REGENT THEATRE: Finally Tonight: “Bombardier.” Commencing Friday: “Crash Dive,” starring Tyrone Power, with Anne Baxter.

You’ll find thrills above, below and ' across the Atlantic- in “Crash Dive,” the thrilling new technicolour hit commencing at the Regent Theatre on Friday. Starring Tyrone Power, this is the first picture of the fighting submarines and their story is one of intense action all the way. The story itself tells the many and varied duties of the submarine division, each a little more dangerous than the other and requiring the nerveless iron constitutions of the men who man these mammoth steel fishes. From the time the picture opens with its awe-inspiring panorama of the turbulent sub-infested Atlantic in all the magnificence of technicolour, right down to the tender romantic scene between Tyrone Power and Anne Baxter, the film is a series of uninterrupted thrills, touching romance, and dramatic suspense,. all photographed in the best coloured photography yet. KIWI CONCERT PARTY The original Kiwi Concert Party which entertained the Second New Zealand Division in the Middle East lor a number of years and came home to our Dominion in 1943, set a formidably high standard of entertainment by an all-male cast. “The Kiwis” successors to that famous party, commence a season of four nights and a matinee at the Town Hall to-night. This delightful and breezy show “Desert Days” consists of humorous sketches, clever instrumental number, catchy staging and rhythmical tap dances, musical comedy memories and songs. Stars of “Desert Days” are two brilliant female impersonators, John Hunter and Phil Jay, whose make-up, actions manners, and, above all, frocks, are so effective that audiences find it hard to believe that they are not watching actresses. John Hunter is slim and dark and his ballet and tap dancing are a feature. He possesses a surprisingly true soprano voice. Phil jay, as the willowy blonde, is a host in himself. He takes part in a large number of the acts. He sings, talks and dresses well; in fact, as a female impersonator, is one of the best. Jim Millins, who comperes the show, is a very likely factor, whilst the humour is provided by frozen-faced Dick Marcroft and Tim Bonner, the naughty little girl of the original' Kiwi Party. Instrumental numbers are given by Snowy Hall and Harry Unwin (piano accordionists), Arthur Peelan (saxophone), Bice Sharley and Bob McKeown (trumpets). An experienced trooper is Eddie Hegan (clever tap dancer), who visited Greymouth recently with the Victory Loan Bond Waggon. Alex. Taylor, with a resonant baritone voice, is heard to great advantage. The orchestra of nine under the direction of George Hatton, provides incidental music of good.standing and in finished style. A special feature oi the show is the slick stage management of Mr Roy Campbell, who m two and* a-half hours puts through a programme of 35 items. . Be advised and reserve now at Kilgour’s for this fast, bright entertainment all the way show. The Kiwis” will again present Desert Days” to-morrow (Friday) evening and on Saturday matinee and evening, and Monday evening, “Cairo Carnival,” their second bright comedy will be presented.