AMUSEMENTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23042, 5 September 1949, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS

King’s.—After the signal success of "An Ideal Husband." so recently revived on the screen, producers have come to the belief that there are still audiences for the brilliant language of Oscar Wilde, and the smooth, cynical, subtle characters he created so blithely over half a century ago. "Lady Windermere's Fan," now at the King’s Theatre, convinces one of this, for this piece uf sophistication dealing with London society life—with such pretty play about the wanderings of My Lady’s fan—is class entertainment. Regent.—Versatile June Allyson steps from her dramatic role in "The Three Musketeers" to a lilting song-and-danco part in "Words and Music," M.G.M.’s star-atudded Technicolour musical based on the lives and music of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. This is the hit offering screening today. Others among the stars in this attraction include Perry Como, Judy Garland, Lena Horne, Gene Kelly, Mickey Rooney and Ann Sothern, with Tom Drake, Cyd Charisse. Betty Garrett, Janet Leigh, Marshall Thompson, Mel Torme j and Vera-EUen.

Majestic.—When Balfe wrote his opera, "The Bohemian Girl" over a century ago he little dreamed that is would one day be the basis of a comedy motion picture. Such it has become in the hands of Laurel and Hardy, plenipotentiaries of laughter, who in the film now screening at the Majestic Theatre. The dramatic, and sometimes morbid, story of the original work has been neatly drawn and quartered to give the pair of comedians an admirable vehicle for their' fooleries. Much of the music has been retained. "The Great Franquin" Tonight.—One of the most eagerly awaited events in popular stage history in Gisborne will he the first presentation in the Opera House tonight of "The Great Franquin," hypnotist. His reputation, as a pop.iular entertainer having preceded him, and his long-run seasons and record attendances everywhere the talk of the theatrical world, local residents will tonight expect much, and, it is predicted, will have their greatest expectations exceeded. The Gisborne season is of four nights—tonight, tomorrow night, Wednesday night and Thursday night.