ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 101, 29 March 1939, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE. “SAFETY IN NUMBERS.” As long as Hollywood turns oub pictures as good as “Safety In Numbers,” the Jones Eamily’s latest, no one can I challenge the industry’d current slogan | that ‘‘motion pictures are your best en- | icrlainment.” Showing to-night at the Slate Theatre, this ueiightlul 20th Cen-Itury-Fox comedy finds America’s favourite folks ten timed funnier than ever —because jlhis time they’re all in a jam together, (-proving that where there’d a jam there’s ’mound to be a Jones, and vice versa! The picture opens with Mrs Jones agreeing to |go on the 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—.led by Dad Jones—arc anxious to invest their savings. So preoccupied id the family with visions of sudden wealth that no one realises that Jack Jones had fallen in love I meanwhile with pretty Toni Stewart, a newcomer to Maryville, who wants Jack to elope with her. Jack suggests that they eend hid mother an anonymous letter, in care of the radio station, asking her advice. She didcusdes 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 id didcovered that the spring water contains no minerals—which moans that Dad and the other investors have been duped, about 100,000 dollars* worth! “LAWLESS VALLEY.” Blazing six-shooters, thundering hooves, a damsel in distress and a two-fisted westener bent on revenge dimid up briefly George O’Brien’s newest KKO Jiadio outdoor drama, “Lawless Valley,” which opens to-morrow at the State Theatre.

REGENT THEATRE. “HOLIDAY.” With an all-star cast, headed by Cary Grant, Lew Ayres, Edward -JCvcrott Hor- ; ion and Katharine Hepburn, “Holiday” i shows all the symptoms of being a lirst;c!atd show. “Holiday” id the story of j modern youth challenging an older genera- | tion. The boy is perfectly willing to work hard at his career, but only until duch time as his career has reached the stage whore he can retire. And if he can’t retire while lie’s still young, he’d just as soon not have a career. lie wants to know the world. The girl is a daughter of wealth and position. Tired of the ; sham and prcntcncc of her life as a debutante, she is frantically searching for something to absorb her. The Philip Barry play was a brilliant success;. Donald Ogden Stewart, one of the greatest of humorists, collaborated with Sidney Btichman, who wrote “Theodora Goes Wild,” in adapting the Barry drama to the screen. Miss Hopburn has never brought a finer characterisation to the screen. She ha* always wanted to play the role of Linda Scton, ever since her days, not so long ago, jus a struggling young actress seeking a foothold in the theatre. At that time, she once was engaged as an understudy 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. Carv Grant, co-starred in “Holiday,” is the first leading man ever to appear opposite the actress for a second time. This pair recently completed “Bringing Up Baby.” Grant, whoso forte is madcap comedy, is one of Hollywood’s favourite star*. Others in the east of “Holiday* * are Doris. Nolan, Jean Dixon, Binnic Barnes, Edward Everett Horton, Lew Ayres and Henry Kolker.