Entertainments

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 3, 4 January 1941, Page 7

Entertainments

REGENT THEATRE—TO-DAY “THE SEA HAWK” “The Sea Hawk” unfurls the glorious saga of the boldest buccaneer ever to fight under the (lag of the skull and cross-bones, exciting naval battles between England and Spain, fierce fighting in danger-swept waters of the Spanish Main! Behind this, court intrigue, internal politics, midnight raids, fighting through enemy ambush—all the tyranny that, shackles men to the tortures of bondage! In a way it all parallels current events with the 16th Century—England as the foe of the aggressor, then as now. Among England’s great heroes of the day was The Sea Hawk (Errol Flynn), a fearless lighter, a sort of ‘‘Robin Hood of the Seas,” confiscating gold and merchandise which he brings home to fill England’s dwindling coffers. On one of his daring adventures he captures the ship carrying the Spanish Ambassador (Claude Rains) and his English niece (Brenda Marshall), with whom The Sea Hawk falls in love. While the Queen (Flora Robson) berates this exploit, in secret she sends him off to pirate more gold from the Spaniards. They learn of this plan, trap him in a swamp-infested jungle and imprison him as a galley slave aboard a Spanish vessel. With a dagger he loosens his shackles and almost single-handed overcomes both the galley timekeeper and whipper. H* then frees his feilow prisoners, who engage in hand-to-hand fights and duels with the ship’s officers and men. The Sea Hawk takes possession of the ship, saves tiie day and the Navy for England. In recognition of this, he wins knighthood from the Queen, and the love of the Ambassador's niece. KOSY THEATRE—TO-DAY “TROUBLE BREWING” “Trouble Brewing” is undoubtedlv one of George Formby’s funniest films. George has an excellent part as a printer's compositor who fancies himself as a detective. His escapades whilst trying to entrap a gang of crooks are an absolute riot. One particularly funny episode is where George deputises for the horoscope writer of the paper and innocentlv causes his friend to think that a certain horse will win a race and enable them to make a great deal of money. Of course, George does not know his pal, Bill, has taken it from (he day’s horoscope, neither is Bill H iat Geor ee has written the column. Oit to t{ie races they go and George's savings are invested on a horse, but It does not seem to have a chance and is left right behind. Disconsolately the two men throw away their ticket and make J™ r o'l ay to , J- h( ? exit - Meanwhile the horse has suddenly spurted forward and actually wins the race. It is not. until George and Bill are just outside the nnVuroll that hettr the neWS > £tnd JVJtoV a,lly m?° tearln * back t( > And the T * h< ! n ‘ Qeor So'a troubles begin, ticket is found but the money isn’t: trail agaiS G 8 f ° rCed back to the crlme “The Outsider," Lines of dialogue that are as arresting as the crack of a whip abound In “The Outsider,” showing at the Rosy Theatre, and starring Mary Maguire and George Sanders. Here are a few samples: Sanders, the quack of a famous surgeon— My degree Is A.F.D.—After Doctors rail. And again on the subject of his outrageous fees, “There are only two fees —noltiing and too much.” To a sympatop tic listener lie says of his unpopularity, * n °t ethical and I’m not English—le trouble." a poor patient, dragoon_d into touting patients for him, says, “He may be a crook and a swine, but. he can cure people.” There is the crux of this brilliant story by Dorothy Brandon, ltagatzy, the bone-setter, appalls the meuical profession by his manners and methods but he does cure people. When the daughter of a famous surgeon leaves her father's house for Ragatzy’s to try his cure, drama rises to fever heat, particularly when affections and loyalties complicate the medical ethics of the situation.

STATE THEATRE—TO-DAY “DANCE, GIRL, DANCE” “Dance, Girl, Dance.” is an exciting story of back-stage life the type of entertainment that possesses universal appeal. Co-starring Maureen O’Hara, Louis Hayward and Lucille Ball, the sparkling comedy-drama with music reveals itself to be a most unique offering, combining romance, laughs, poignant drama, and a wealth of diversified songs and dances against spectacular backgrounds. The three stars have never been seen to better advantage. Miss O'Hara is ideally cast as an impoverished dancing girl who dreams of fame as a ballet star. Miss Ball is a member of an unsuccessful dancing troupe, but being more practical, she is out to get what she can. especially from her legion of sugar daddies. Hayward portrays convincingly a disgruntled playboy millionaire whose wife divorces him and who seeks solace with the two girls until Miss Ball hog-ties him at the altar. Ralph Bellamy gives another of his sterling characterisations, playing the role of a noted dance impresario who eventually discovers Miss O'Hara while she is engaged as a comedy build-up for Miss Bail's sensational numbers in a cheap variety show theatre. The knockdown and drag-out battle the two girls stage when their jealousy reaches the explosive stage has never before been equalled °n the screen. Song- and dance highlights ot the scintillating film are Morning Star,” ballet spectacle featuring Maureen O'Hara; and Lucille Ball's .™°“ rlul offerings, "Jitterbug Bite" f nd . -''other. What l)o 180 Now?” Ed\sSsrt.i Vara '. C J le .'t ter For est and Robert Wright created the three lilting tunes. MAYFAIR THEATRE—TO-DAY "MEN WITHOUT SOULS" One of the most thrilling dramas of the new season is Columbia’s “Men Without Souls,” now at the Mayfair Theatre. John Lite!, Barton Mac Lane and Rochelle Hudson are featured in the unusual and exciting story of a two-fisted prison chaplain who fights a whole prisonful of desperate men and wins his battle. Glenn Ford, Don Beddoo and Cy Kendall play important roles in the new film which was directed by Nick Grinde. Associate Feature, Blondie wants a maid so Dagwood needs a rise,! The fun is so terrific, even Daisy faints with excitement! Better than ever—the Bumsteads (God bless them) remind us there’s lots to be gay about, in the newest adventure of the screen’s beloved family! Breeziest and best of the hectic Columbia series, “Blondie Has Servant Trouble” again finds Arthur Lake as harassed hubby Dagwood, Penny Singleton as beaut if ql Blondie, Larry Simms as Baby Dumpling. Also on this grand programme is chapter 6 of the brilliant serial “Drums of Fu Manchu.” METEOR THEATRE—TO-DAY “GAUCHO SERENADE” Gene Autry’s first tune title picture, “South of the Border,” was a tremendous success and played in hundreds of theatres throughout the country. The second, “Rancho Grande," duplicated this success. Now, to the Meteor Theatre today comes his latest and biggest screen success, “Gaucho Serenade." No Gene Autry picture could be complete without Smiley Burnette who has appeared in all the Gene Autry westerns. Smiley Is an expert musician, and in “Gaucho Serenade” sings the “Wooing of Kitty MacFuty,” a comic song which he himself composed. June Storey is the third chief component of this entertaining film. Tho story weaves round little Michael Willoughby, an English boy in school abroad, who receives a message from his adored father in America, to join him at once.. Michael believes his father to he the owner of a vast property known as the Rancho “San Quentin,'* a name which his father has concocted to keep from his son the knowledge that he Is in prison, the innocent victim of a false embezzlement charge. The message has actually come from the real culprits. Martin and Blake, who plan to kidnap the youngster, i° ais safety as a threat against Willoughby, senr., who is about to give testanony winch will clear himself and con\ ict them. Michael arrives at the dock and meets Gene Autry and Frog Prom ol fhP in m !t take for the two crooks. i h ® n OXI things begin to happen. gramme/ 8 a first ‘ claS3 supporting pro-