ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 99, 27 March 1939, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE. , “SAFETY IN NUMBERS.” As long as Hollywood turns out pic- [ turew as good as “Safety In Numbers,” I the Jones Family’s latest, no one can j challenge tho industry’s current slogan , i that “motion pictures are your best ,en- . I terta-inment.” Showing to-morrow at the ‘ ( State Theatre, this delightful 20th Cenj tury-Fox comedy linds America's, favourite folks ton times funnier than ever —because this time they’re all in a jam together, proving that whore there’s a jam there’s ; mound to bo a Jones, and vice versa! The , picture opens with Mrs Jones agreeing to go on tlie air with a weekly broadcast on domestic problems. Her sponsor controls - the site of a new mineral water discovery in which the good citizens of Maryville—--1 led by Dad Jones —aro anxious to invest i their savings. So preoccupied i.s the family ) with visions of sudden wealth that no one ■ realises that Jack Jones has fallen in love ■ meanwhile with pretty Toni Stewart, a newcomer to Maryville, - who wants Jack 'to elope with her. Jack Suggests that they . Bond bin mother an anonymous letter, in • care of the radio station, asking her ndi , vice. She dirscnstcs their problem in her next broadcast and to Jack’s and Toni's utter surprise, gives her approval to the match. On the day the two lovers plan to elope, it ie discovered that the spring water . contains no minerals—which means that Dad and the other investors have been duped, about 100,000 dollars’ worth! It: is only tlie quick thinking Mrs Jones, using her regular broadcast rime, that lures the (swindlers back to their eventual capture by the entire family and. incidentally, brings Jack and Toni back to their senses. '“Safety In Numbers” presents Jed Prouty, Shirley Deane. Spring Islington. Russel! Gleason, Ken Howell. George Krncst. June Oar Ison, Florence Roberts and Billy Mahan in their usual family roles with MarGin Stephens, Iva Stewart and Henry Ivolker featured. “LAWLESS VALLEY.” Blazing six-shooters, thundering hooves, a damsel in distress and a two-listetl vest-ener bent on revenge sums up briefly George O'Brien’s newest UKO Radio outdoor drama, “Lawlers Valley,” which opens to-morrow at the State Theatre. REGENT THEATRE. “HOLIDAY.” V ith an all-star cast, headed by Gary Grant, Lew Avros, Edward Everett Horton and Katharine Hepburn, “Holiday” shows all the symptoms of being a lirst- ; class show. “Holiday” ie the story of | inoderii youth challenging an older genera- | t ion. The hoy is perfectly willing to work hard at his career, but only until such time as his career has reached the i stage where lie can retire. And if he 1 can t retire while lie's still young, he'd ! 'j ust as soon nor have a career. He wants ;to know the world. The girl is a dangle .ter of wealth and position. Tired of the I sham and prentenco of her life as a. debu- ' tame, she is frantically searching for Louiething to absorb her. The Rhilip Barry i play was a brilliant success. Donald Ogden Stewart, one of the greatest of humorists, collaborated with Sidney Biiclinian. who wrote “Theodora Goes Wild.” in adapting the Harry drama to the screen. Miss Hepburn has never brought a finer characterisation to the screen. She lias always wanted to play the role of Linda Scion, ever since her days, not so long ago. as a struggling young actress seeking a foothold in the theatre. At that, time, she once was engaged as an uudoret inly to the star in the stage production of “Holiday.” Miss Hepburn spent an entire season in the wings watching and waiting for a chance to play the role. Cary Grant, co-starred in “Holiday.” is the first leading man over to appear opposite tho aotre<-e for a second time. This pair recently completed “Bringing Up Baby.” Grant, whoso forte is madcap comedy, is one of Hollywood’s favourite stare. Others in tlie cast of “Holiday” are Doris Nolan, Joan Dixon, Binnic Barnes, Edward Everett Horton, Low Ayres and Henry Kolkcr.