ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 81, 4 March 1935, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. “NOW AND FOREVER.” “Now and Forever,” the Paramount picture, again to bo screened at the (Regent Theatre to-night, -is a starring ■ vehicle tor the exploitation of the abound- | ing charm and talent of that fascinating child actress, Shirley Temple, now one of Hollywood’s best offerings. Shirley is Penelope Day, the daughter of Jerry Day, who cannot go straight, even though ho is loved sincerely by the beautiful Toni Carstail's (who has taken the place of Penelope’s dead mother). Jerry swindles anybody and everybody, and even steals a valuable necklace from a wealthy old lady who desires to adopt Penelope. This incident, set in the Riviera, gives Shirley Temple a great opportunity to show her vitality m, emotional scenes. Felix Evans is admirably played by Sir Guy Standing. The acting and the setting of all artists are up to the highest standard. “Now and Forever” is a compound of smiles and tears and a mixture of romance and cynicism. In the first part of the programme is a feature of unusual interest—a diving exhibition by the famous Pete Des Jardins, assisted by an aquatic clown, Kruger, and a mermaid of graceful figure. “Madhouse Movies” is a comedy novelty, and “Axe Me Another,” a Popeye cartoon with a lumberjack netting. A very interesting newsreel caps an all-round programme. STATE THEATRE. “THE CAMELS ARE COMING.” A policeman, a sailor, and now Jack Hulbert blackens his face and turns into a most engaging Sheik for his role in the now Gainsborough production, “Tho Are Coming,” which opened at tho State Theatre on Saturday to capacity audiences. “The Camels Are Coming” is a starring vehicle for Britain’s most famous and popular comedian, and presents Jack as Squadron-Leader Jack Campbell, arriving in Egypt in charge of ten aeroplanes bought by the Egyptian Government to assist in fighting overactive smugglers. Played before novel backgrounds, the story provides Jack with limitless opportunities for comedy situations of which he readily avails himself. His scene with a camel, for instance, is a priceless piece of work that will cause beholders to literally curl up with laughter, yet this is only one incident in a picture absolutely packed with happy laughter.- Of courso Jack has an opportunity for singing and danc'ing. A particularly tuneful and catchy lyric by Noel Gay, “Who’s been polishing the Sun ?’’ provides him with a number destined to outrival his “Hat’s On the Side of My Head” number of his previous film. The song is dealt with in Jack’s inimitable fashion; he break- out into a very original tap dance and introduces a rhythmic shuffle step on tho sandy floor of the smuggler’s hut in the desert. Scenes for tho film were made in Egypt at Cairo, Heliopolis, Luxor, Karnak, Valley of the Kings and other localities, the party of players under the direction of Tim Whelan being away in Egypt for two months on various locations. The I Egyptian Government and Air Force | authorities co-operated and their extreme courtesy in the provision of facilities was much appreciated. Anna Lee is Huibert’s new leading lady. Others in the cast are Harold Huth, Hartley Power, Peter Gawthorno and Allan Jeayes.

KOSY THEATRE. “GRANDAD RUDD.” For the greatest treat of your, life meet “Grandad Rudd,” with Bert Bailey, that grand old man of the Australian, stage and screen and his equally famous family, which is now screening at tho Kosy Theatre. Prosperous now, with troubles and hardships things .of the past, (lie Rudd favourites, with an increase in tho family, are even twice as funny as in “On Our Selection.” “Grandad” does not do any hard work these days, all he does is keep a tight rein on the family purse and make a nuisance of himself to- everybody who is trying to do a bit of work about the place. “Cripes, ain’t he a beaut,” roars Dave, when the old man, feeling that he has been too generous in promising Lil that he would raise Dave’s salary from £3 to £3 10s, goes straight to Dave and puts ' the rent up ten bob a week. “These arc times for sacrifice,” he points out to the disgusted Dave. “Didn’t I givo up £SOOO, a scat in Parliament, and a gold pass?” “Yes,” roars Dave, “by 560 votes.” And so the laughs go on. with “Grandad” setting the pace and always having the. last say. He organises a Rudd cricket team to play the Regans, under “Rudd Rules,” and once again the Rudds win, but not before you’ll have rolled off your seat laughing. Of course, “Grandad” makes the winning hit, tho ball goes down a well, and when the old man couldn’t run any more they brought out a wheelbarrow and wheeled him up and down the pitch. Honestly, you’ll scream ! But no more than you will when “Mr Rudd and party” visit the local school, and “Grandad” asks the voungsters questions .he couldn’t answer himself. Nor when the new tractor bolts, dashing through barns, upsetting hay carts, careering through wheat paddocks, and generally converting the Rudd farm into a riot. In addition to Bert Bailey, tho big cast includes such old favourite® as Fred MacDonald (Dave;, George Lloyd, John D'Arcy, Les V arton and charming Elaine Hamill. winner of the recent Women’s Weekly-Cinesound Screen Quest. In addition a coloured cartoon, two pictorials and the sixth chapter of the Western serial, “Red Rider, will be shown.