ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 144, 20 May 1939, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. "SWEETHEARTS.” Modern dress, a modern story, and modern technicolour befit Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy better than anything they have attempted in the past. Despite their success together in “Naughty Marietta,” “Rose Marie,” “Maytime,” and “Girl of the Golden West,” they establish still another milestone for the film musical in “Sweethearts.” now showing at the Regent Theatre. A new warmth and vividness of personality colours all their efforts in this new Victor Herbert adaptation, and whether the cause includes the story, the dress, or the technicolour, they emerge as oven brighter luminaries of the Hollywood firmament. Afl stars of a Broadway “show within a show,” they arc right in their clement and handle the comedy as skilfully as their | singing assignments. An unprecedented , cast of comedy personalities surrounds 1 them, with Frank Morgan prominent as the fluttcry show producer, Ray Bolger, winning the limelight he deserves as the t show’s dancer, Florence Rice adding to a ' series of recent hits with her secretary , role, Mischa Auer and Herman Bing the laugh riots they always are as the battling composer and librettist, and Reginald Gardiner as an ingenious Hollywood agent. The plot, concerning the attempts of two f ime-weary Broadway musical comedy stars who are husband and wile in private life to get the upper hand over a conniving producer, is replete with action and laughs, together with the original “show within a show,” which offers opportunity for the picture's beautiful song and dance numbers.

KOSY THEATRE. “CONVICTED.” “Convicted” on circumstantial evidence, despite Ins own sister’s confession of minder ! That is the situation faced by Charles Quigley and Rita Hayworth, principals of I lie new Columbia drama, now showing at the Ko&y I hcatro. 'L'ho film, one of the most exciting- in recent months, details the efforts of the girl and of a police defective to prove her brother’s innocence. Quigley is cast as the detective whose admiration for the brave light put up by Miss Hayworth causes him to assist her. Miss Hayworth is scon as a night club singer who confessed to the murder in a desperate attnmnl to save her brother. She loses, and tlic boy is sentenced to death. Quigley and the girl thereupon embark upon a race against time, and finally capture tlie true killer at the very moment tile death house switch is slated to be pulled. The climax of “Convicted” is possessed of heart-stopping qualities, so brilliantly lias tlic film been written, played and drectcd. In addition to flic principals, the cast includes Marc Lawrence, George McKay and Bob Rideout. “I,TTTJ/E MTSS THOROUGHBRED.” “Little Miss Thoroughbred.” which is now showing at the Ko*y Theatre, introduces to the movie public a now child a (.tress' for whom tlic studio predicts a very glowing future. Tho child for whom this brilliant future is predicted is six-year-old Janet Chapman, who plays the titlo 1-oio in “Little Miss Thorough bred,” a part that fully equals in importance those of (lie three adult leading players, •lolm Lite! and Ann Sheridan of “Alcatraz Island” fame, and Frank McHugh WANGANUI MUSICIANS. SUCCESS IN AUSTRALIA. “Wherever they have appeared in Australia tho three young Wanganui musicians who comprise the Bridges Trio have won unqualified success and they arc very popular,” said Mr E. Sheldon, advance agent for the famous Oriental magician Cluing, in an interview. Mr Sheldon is making arrangements ior tho appearance of the Chang company at the Opera House this coming and Tuesday, and the Bridges Trio is included in tho company of supporting artists. After a.n absence from Now Zealand of five years, during which tiino they liuve travelled in every State in Australia in connection with theatrical' and radio contracts, ' the members of tho Bridges musical trio, of Wanganui, returned with the Chang company. Tho trio comprises Miss Nancy Bridges (violinist), Miss Frances Bridges (harpist) and Mr Clifford Bridges (pianist). As juvenile musicians, the trio was well known to New Zealonders, and particularly to the people of the Wellington province On going to Australia tho players studied at tho Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and later accepted contracts with the Australian Broadcasting Commission, including one which lasted 18 months with on c station in Brisbane. Immediate popularity was won, gaid Mr Sheldon, with their presentation of Maori songs. In order to win further appreciation from Australian audiences they learned aboriginal songs from the natives, and claimed to he the first lo broadcast such songs. They joined the company of tho Chinese magician Chung in Australia, and will spend seven weeks touring Now. Zealand with that company. The box plan for Chang's production of “A Trip lo Hades” is now open at Messrs Collinson and Cunmughame's.