Entertainments

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 39, 16 February 1938, Page 7

Entertainments

REGENT THEATRE—TO-DAY “LET'S MAKE A NIGHT OF IT’* “Let's Make A Night Of It,” the spectacular musical film produced by Associated British Pictures, la the kind of film which sends audiences home feeling incredible, sparkling and happy. It is essentially a gay, irresponsible production, containing something to charm all tastes. Although it has been described as a “film revue”—which indeed it is. since it contains a cast of variety favourites never before seen together in one single entertainment—lt has a strong story interest. Buddy Rogers and June Clyde, the two young American stars who charmed filmgoers in “Dance Band,” play the leading roles in “Let’s Make A Night Of It.” Buddy appears as a waiter with musical ambitions who falls in love With Peggy (June Clyde), the daughter of a nightclub king. Fred Emney, a comedian from the stage, with strong screen possibilities, gives a delicious characterisation as the owner in spite of himself. While Iris Hoey, of the fluttering personality, is his impressionable wife who, unbeknown to everyone, is also the owner of a night club. These four players are the chief figures in the actual story of “Let’s Make A Night Of It,” but a real galaxy of talent from stage, screen and radio, has been gathered together to give colour, music and comedy to the night-club sequences. Prominent among these are Claire Luce, of the bewitching hands and husky voice; Bertha Belmore, Steve Geray, Zelma O’Neal, Syd Walker. Claud AlUster, Oliver Wakefield. Afrique, Lyle Evans, Dan Donovan, the Four Aces, the Four Franks, .Jack Melford. Brian Michie, Arnaud, Peggy and Ready, and Lawrence Anderson. Jack Jackson, Jack Harris, Rudy Starlta, Eddie Carroll, Joe Loss, Sydney Lipton and Harry Acres and their bands play the numerous song hits of the production, which include such numbers as “When My Heart Says Sing.” “The Spider and Fly” and ”1 Went to Havana,” composed by Jimmie Kennedy and Michael Carr of “Did Your Mother Come From Ireland?” and “Old Faithful” fame. Graham Cutts, who directed the successful comedy, “Aren’t Men Beasts?,” is the director. MAYFAIR THEATRE. “IT’S A GRAND OLD WORLD.” A real film treat is being provided for patrons of the Mayfair Theatre when Sandy Powell’s new picture “It’s a Grand Old World,” is shown for a season. Never before, the critics acclaim, has the famous Yorkshire comedian been provided; with such a fine vehicle in which to ex-| ploit his inimitable talents. The laughtercreating story, written by Tom Arnold, who is also responsible for the production, deals with Sandy’s adventures after he wins £16,000 in a football pool. With thi3 money Sandy indulges In the most humorous exploits imaginable, ranging from adventures with a circus lion to buying a country mansion b.v mistake and falling into a den of Ldndon crooks. “It’s a Grand Old World,” a rollicking hearty tune which is the theme song of the picture, is an ideal song for Sandy, and the great comedian puts it over in an unforgettable manner. Not only is the theme song a fine cue—but the picture itself can be acclaimed as the grandest slice of comedy entertainment seen on the screen for many a long year. Supporting the great comedian is Gina Malo, with a great cast including Cyril Ritchard, Garry Marsh, Frank Pettingell, John Turnbull and Iris Charles. The picture was directed by Herbert Smith, whilst those two ace British song writers, Michael Carr and Jimmy Kennedy are responsible for the popular song theme of the picture. KOSY THEATRE. “ DESERT GOLD ” In thrilling action, Zane Grey’s stirring novel is now at the Kosy Theatre. In this picture Paramount has produced an action drama that is real, exciting and entertaining. Every moment bristles with adventure. Prominent among those familiar to fans in featured roles are Larry “Buster” Crabbe, Marsha Hunt, Tom Keene, Monte Blue, Raymond Hatton and Robert Cummings. “Desert Gold” deals with a young Indian chief. Crabbe, who is abducted by a villainous mine promoter, Blue, and horribly tortured in an effort to make him tell of the whereabouts of his tribe’s hidden gold mine. He is rescued by a young mining engineer, Keene, imported by Blue to locate the Indian’s mine. For this great service, Crabbe awards him naif interest in the mine. Keene is attracted to Marsha, Blue’s fiancee and, with the help of the girl’s father, succeeds in stealing her away the night she is to marry the mine operator. Blue is furious and, with his band of ruffians, follows Keene and overtakes him. The action which follows leads to one of the most exciting climaxes seen on local screens recently. “Desert Gold” was directed by John Hogan. “Ship's Cafe.”

Carl Brisson, Paramount actor, sought realism for his new screen role as ship stoker by spending much of his time witn the “black gang” in the stokehold of a ship, in order feeling and background of his part. The Danisn star is featured opposite Arline Judge In Paramount’s comedy drama with music, “Ship Cafe,” now at the Kosy Theatre. The story deals with the adventures of Brisson, a stoker, who becomes the bouncer in a waterfront dive and makes the place an overnight society rendezvous by knocking out a champion boxer who visits the club one evening with a party of highbrow friends. When the regular featured entertainer in the cafe takes ill one night, Brisson steps into the breach and himself becomes the restaurant’s singing sensation. A countess takes an interest in him, promises him a huge salary in a swanky club and promptly makes him her gigolo. Many hilarious episodes result when Brisson is brought to a realisation of his position, and renounces his benefactress. Directed by Robert Florey, the supporting cast includes William Frawley, Mady Christians, Inez Courtney and Eddie Davis, wellknown night club singer of the famous “Leon and Eddie’s,’’ Manhattan night club.

STATE THEATRE *‘s 2ND STREET” The famous blpck in New York located on 52nd Street bounded on the east by sth Avenue and on the west by 6th Avenue and which, contains in Its email area more music, excitement, thrills and entertainment than any other spot in the world, has at last been transplanted to the screen in Walter Wanger’s “52hd Street,'' which Is showing to-day at the State Theatre. “52nd Street” is based on a story which ranges from the springtime of 1912 to the swingtime of 1937 adapted to the screen by Grover Jones, its action unwinds along Manhattan’s night-club thoroughfare and dramatises Us world-famous personalities. Kenny Baker, sensational radio star, heads tho distinguished cast comprising lan Hunter, Leo Carrilio, Pat Paterson, Ella Logan, Sid Silvers, Basu Pitts, Marla Shelton and a veritable army of night club entertainers including Jack White and Pat Harrington of the famous “18“ Club. Rocco and Saul ter of the Kit Kat Club, George Tapps of the Paradise, Cook and Brown of the Harlem Uproar House. Jerry Colonna, A 1 Norman and as delightful an aggregation of buffoons and performers as ever stepped from a night club floor to the screen for the first time. The “52nd Street” giifls represent a galaxy of the most beautiful of all showgirls. Eight great musi ml numbers are featured in the picture. Among the song hits are “Don’t Save Your Love For A Rainy Day,” “I Would Like to See Samoa of Samoa,” “Nothing Can Stop Me Now,” “52nd Street,” “Let Your Hair Down.” A special ballad Is introduced by Miss Paterson, “I Still Love To Kiss You Good Night,” and a comic number, “Twenty-Three Skidoo,” is presented by Zasu Pitts. The music and lyrics for “52nd Street” were composed by Walter Bullock and Harold Spina. Dance numbers were staged by Danny Dare, noted dance arranger of many Broadway musicals. Sid Silvers who Is featured in the top comic role contributed: much of the dialogue. And Harold Young, who made “The Scarlet Pimpernel, ’’ for Alexander Korda directed. “52nd Street” is released through United Artists. METEOR THEATRE “SHIPMATES FOREVER” The thrill and romance of naval officers In the making, men who in peace or in war, heroically brave death for their country in their line of duty, is col ourfully depicted in the new Warner Bros.t Cosmopolitan drama-with-muslc, “Sliip- | mates Forever,” which is scheduled as the ' feature attraction showing at the Meteor Theatre to-day. It is an intimate and revealing story of the lives of the midshipmen in their study rooms, on the parade grounds, and their cruises at sea. It pictures them at work and at play: their loveis and their laughter; their loyalty and their courage. Dick Powell and Ruby Keller head the cast. Dick personifies the raw cadet, somewhat spoiled, but with the makings of a man, who is whipped into shape as a gallant officer through the rigour of the Naval Academy training, and Ruby, the loyal daughter o“ the Np,vy. Dick sings; fights a bitter ba.ttle albne with himself, and finally winds up as a hero who dashes through scalding steam and flame to rescue a snipmate. Ruby dances to gay throngs, the while she fights desperately to win the man she loves to the traditions of tire Navy. „ There is a talented supporting cast which includes Lewis . Stone, Rosn Alexander, Eddie Acuff, Richard (Dick) Foran, Robert Light, John Arledge, Joseph Crehan, Martha Merrill and Mary Treen. Frank Borzage directed. “Road Gang.” A picture* of raw, stark realism, said to bare the terrors prisoners are subjected to in certain penal institutions shows at the Meteor Theatre to-day under the title of “Road Gang.” Besides its terrifying aspects which make it of vital interest, there is a glowing romance of a girl who sticks to her man even when he is convicted of a crime, and who battles for his release until she eventually wins his freedom. The picture is set in the sombre background of a farm conducted by a county for convicts and a mine where incorrigible prisoners are shipped. Iu the former place the brutality is almost mediaeval, but at the iatter conditions are so terrible inmates are said to either go insane or die. There is a wealth of dynamic drama and fast action, with thrill upon thrill, including a convict’s strike and battle with police guards who use gas bombs, in the bowels of the earth; a fight between police cars and an automobile in which a convict Is fleeing for his life; and the blasting of a mine tunnel with dynamite. The picture has an unusually large and talented cast which Is headed by Donald W oods, Kay Linaker, Carlyle Moore, June., Henry O’Neill and Joseph King. Others include Addison Richards, Joseph Crehan, Charles Middleton, Olio Howland find Eddie Shubert, besides scores of others in the roles of guards, police and convicts. Louis King directed the production from the screen play by Dalton Trumbo, based on the original story by Abem Finkel and Harold Buck-