AMUSEMENTS

Grey River Argus, 17 August 1937, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS

Opera House “WITHOUT ORDERS.” The rugged, mountainous country of the north-west forms the setting of “Without Orders,” RKO Radio’s exciting romance of commercial aviation, which is now at the Opera House. ' The producers have packed plenty of thrills and a notable amount of heart interest into the screen version of this Peter B. Kyne story, and a finely-chosen cast and excellent direction combine to make the picture an outstanding offering. With many of its scenes actually filmed inside a big modern transport plane and at a large airport near Hollywood, the settings and backgrounds are authentic, and the atmosphere of commercial flying has been captured to an unusual degree. The plot centres around the professional rivalry of two transport flyers and their personal rivalry over a pretty air hostess. One of the pilots, the son of the owner of the lines, comes to work for the company after a ■'sensational career as a stunt flier, but his unfitness to handle a big transport plane is evident to everyone but his doting father. The flyer twice endangers the lives of his passengers by his foolhardiness and cowardice. A cleverly handled romance, and a gripping climax when a plane is lost in a storm over the Idaho mountains and the reckless pilot deserts his post, afford absorbing moments to film-goers. Robert Armstrong and Sally Eilers, in the romantic roles of an experienc-’ ed pilot and his stewardess, turn in finely characterised portrayals. Both are pilots in real life. Vintch Haworth, a newcomer to pictures from the radio field, gives an excellent performance as the ex-stunt flyer, and the various supporting roles are uniformly well played,* with Charley Grapewin, Frances Sage, Arthur Loft and Ward Bond being outstanding. Cliff Reid’s first-class production and the adroit direction of Lew Landers, round out the entertaining qualities of the picture, scenarised by J. Robert Bren and Edward L. Hartmann.

RUNANGA TO-NIGHT. The attraction to-night at Runanga Miners’ Hall is “Dark Angel,” a most interesting production.

Regent Theatre “LOVE FROM A STRANGER" On the screen the most sinister of menaces and on the stage Romeo, the hero, Basil Rathbone makes a welcome return to the screen with Ann Harding in Max Schach’s “Love from a Stranger,” which will be shown at the Regent to-day. Rathbone’s parents, when he was five, took him from his birthplace in South Africa to England, where he attended schools in London and matriculated at Repton School in Derbyshire. It was his parents’ desire he should take up a commercial career. Rathbone’s tendencies leant towards the theatre. In 1912 he began his stage training with the aid of his cousin Frank Benson, the most distinguished of Shakespearean producers. His career was interrupted by the War, from which he emerged with a lieutenancy and a Military Cross. In 1929 Rathbone went to Hollywood, his many screen successes including “The Last Days of Pompeii,” “A Tale of Two Cities," “David Copperfield” and “Romeo and Juliet.” Rathbone is still trying to live down his Murdstone reputation, as producers seem t 6 find it difficult to think of the star as anything but a menace. Rathbone will always be welcomed by the millions of picturegoers in his latest United Artists release “Love From A Stranger.” In this he plays the part created on the stage by Frank Vosper, who wrote

the original play, and whose recent tragic death while crossing the Atlantic made sensational news. “EDUCATING FATHER.” Opening at the Regent on Thursday “Educating Father,” feaetures the Jones family with Jed Prouty, Shirley Deane, Dixie Dunbar, Spring Byington, Kenneth Howell, June Carlson, George Ernest, Florence Roberts and William Mahan in the leading roles. “CLARENCE” “Clarence,’ Paramount’s comedy of family life by Booth Tarkington, comes to the Regent on Thursday, with Roscoe Karns, Eleanore Whitney, Eugene Pallette, Johnny Downs and Charlotte Wynters in the leading roles. “HER HUSBAND’S SECRETARY” “Hit me harder, Jean.” “She will, in the takes, Beverly," promised Director Frank McDonald. They 'were rehearsing the resounding slap Jean Muir takes at her rival, Beverly Roberts, when she- finds her in her husband’s arms. They are Warren Hull’s arms and Beverly is the husband-steal-ing amenuensis in “Her Husband’s Secretary,” which comes to the Regent Theatre on Saturday. “HIDEAWAY GIRL” Shirley - Ross and Martha Raye, famed in “The Big Broadcast of 1937 are together in Paramoilnt'S ‘Hideaway Girl,” a gay musical mysiep.y which begins on Saturday at the Regent. Robert Cummings plays the male romantic lead. TECHNICAL SCHOOL SPORTS. The annual cross-country run of the Greymouth Technical High School was held yesterday over a course of approximately three miles. The race, which is one of the events on the annual sports programme, was run in two divisions, and resulted as follows, the tribal affiliations being shown in parentheses: — Senior: G. Parry (Taintu) 1; G. Henderson (Arawa) 2; J. Cooper (Taiaroa) 3; R. Parry (Takitimu) 4. Time: 16min. 5 1-5 sec. Junior: J. Stewart (Taiaroa) 1; G. Penhale (Arawa) 2; T. Holmes (Taiaroa) 3; N. Lawson (Tainui) 4. Time 16min. 22 l-ssec. Teams’ races were held in conjunction with the run, the results being: Senior: Taiaroa 1, Tainui 2, Takitimu 3, Arawa 4. Junior: Taiaroa 1, Tainui 2, Arawa 3, Takitimu 4. GRAND MILITARY BALL TO-NIGHT Ladies, there is still time to have your hair permed. Men you still have time to ring your partner.—Don’t hesitate or you will miss what promises to be the most sensational ball of the year. The first-class music is guaranteed by vae Marina and Marley’s Dance Bands, Harker’s renowned De Luxe supper, novelties, paper hats, balloons, squeakers, ana the latest attraction of bugle calls to supper, and lastly, quietly done, yet wonderfully effective decorations, will all help to make this one of the greatest entertainments ever held. Now don’t

leave everything till the last minute, hurry along and collect your partner and come early for the first sitting of supper. And don’t forget that special flashlight photographs are being taken at the ball, so be sure ydu are in it. You will be able to procure one after the ball, and keep it for a souvenir of the grandest ball of 1937. Runanga Miners’ Hall GRAND OPENING BALL. Friday night will see the fine new Miners’ Hall which has been erected at Runanga formally opened, the ceremony taking place at 7 o’clock, and it will be followed by the opening ball. A great gathering, from all parts of the Grey district and further afield is certain on the occasion, and the promoters are making every preparation to entertain each and all in royal style. The splendid floor will appeal to all lovers of dancing, and two orchestras are being engaged to provide modern and old time music for the respective styles. A strong ladies’ committee have charge of the supper arrangements, which are on a lavish scale. The hall is being appropriately decorated, and every up-to-the-mjnute adjunct of dancing equipment will be in evidence, while the customarj' competitions will also be features of the evening’s programme.