ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 97, 23 March 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. “THE UNDER-PUP.” A new motion picture star, possessing a remarkable singing voice and a personality at once warm and refreshing is Universal’s new singing starlet. Site is Gloria Jean, an 11-yoar-old whose coloratura voice and natural appeal dominate a picture replete with romantic comedy and musical “surprises.” Presented by Professor Joe Pasternak, the man who also introduced Deanna Durbin, Gloria will undoubtedly be compared to her stellar predecessor yet she has a personality all her own. Gloria is by no means the whole show, however, nor is she the solo, newcomer. One of the year’s longest oasts has been gathered, and all deliver -in impressive style. In romantic assignments Robert Cummings repeats his hit of “Three Smart Gills Grow Up,” while Nan Grey, again opposite him, is equally effective. Honours are divided between a cast of adults and as talented an array of youngsters has has over been assembled on the. screen. The grown-ups are Beulah l’ondi. Margaret Lindsay, C. Aubrey Smith, Billy Gilbert. Raymond Walburn. Paul ' Cavanach. Frank Jonks, Ernest Truex and Samuel S. Hinds. Among tlie youngsters Virginia Weidlcr, and Ann Gillift are welcome and familiar faces, while Shirley Mills, as the “nicanie,” scores in her first, appearance. Also on the hit side are Billy Lcnhart. cigir*-year-old “slap fiddle” player and his partner, Kenneth Brown, 7, accordionist. WILLIAMSON’S ICE SHOW. EXTRAVAGANZA ON ICE. The first and third acts of J. C. Williamson’s colossal Ice Show and lee Ballet, which is to be staged at the Opera House, on ’Tuesday, April 2, and four following evenings, and on Saturday afternoon, April 6, are done on ice, and the second act is a fast-moving cabaret show which is done on a superimposed stage over the ice, in which several of the world's finest vaudeville artists will appear, including Connie Graham, a brilliant comedienne, Hal Scott, talented American humorist, and Russell and Marconi, two mirth-provoking comedians. This show brings lo New Zealand a large number of famous overseas artists, comprising skaters, dancers, comedians, singers and cabaret entertainers. Great interest naturally centres in the appearance here of [ Miss Megan Taylor, the world’s champion skater, who runs parallel with Sonja Home for popularity in the world of skat- | irig. “Switzerland” is .said to be more j than a mere ice-gala revue. Although it glistens with surprises—many of them screamingly humorous, it is the skaters who thrill, whether with the exquisitely performed pas-dc-dciix work, with the bar-rel-jumping and stilt-skating of Phil Taylor, or with sheer loveliness of the “Symphony oil Tee.” in which the dancing of Hie ballet is said to roach the apogee of grace to the music of Debussy’s “An Clair tie Lurie.” The programme of the show is presented in the form of a night and day in Switzerland. Miss 'Taylor’s brilliant artistry never fails lo create spontaneous enthusiasm. Even in Sydney, which has had its glaceriittn in which to present famous ice skaters. Miss Taylor’s unsurpassed achievements on the icc rink at the Williamson theatre proved a revelation. Other skating artists include Diana Grafton, Rita Bramlev. the MacKinnon Sisters, Doreen Parr. Ray Blaxlaml. Hazel McCulloch, the Misses P. Wright, R. Broughton, M_. Lawrence, R. Ganton, B. Bouskiil, N. Bonskill, B. Hancock. N. Riddell. G. Storey, S. Gould J. Smith and Messrs Ronald Priestly. Erie Gerrard, Graham IT obi is, R. Caldicoti. E. Smith and enters. The box plans will be opened at Collins-on and Cunningham's oit Thursday morning next at 8.30