ENTERTAINMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 10 January 1936, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

CLASSIC COMEDY, “JOY RIDE,” TO DAY AND SATURDAY Entertainment of an hilarious nature is provided in “Joy Ride,’’ which will occupy the Majestic screen to-day and Saturday. This will be the final picture to be presented before the Majestic closes down for five days, from Monday to Friday, 13th-17th January, for extensive improvements. Nothing is more aggravating to theatre audiences than a comedy which lags or is lacking in laughs, but neither of these criticisms can he applied to “Joy Ride,’’ the worthy successor to that classic production. “My Wife’s Family.’’ Gene Gerrard scores a further triumph ill this light-hearted screen play of tiie troubles and adventures of four bright- young things, two brother and their chorus girl sweethearts, who unfortunately derive their income from ail aunt who believes that the stage and all those who perform on it are not worthy to receive the attention of herself or her nephews. The efforts of the two young men to prevent themselves from being cut off with the proverbial shilling and at the same time retain the girls of their choice, provide much scope for mirth-making situations, and the fun waxes fast- and furious. Gene Gerrard in his usual bright- self ill the role of Bill Shepherd, the leader of the bright boys, but Paul Blake, as “Dippy” Shepherd, Bill’s brother, gives a performance that threatens to steal the principal’s thunder. Added interest is maintained by the excellent selection of supporting subJ On Saturday, 18tli January, the Majestic will re-open with two gala performances of Jack London’s stirring adventure romance, “Call of the Wild.” JOE E. BROWN IN “BRIGHT LIGHTS” AT THE REGENT SATURDAY Thrills and mystery are rampant, and laughs and romance play hide and seek with creepy chills and fantastic happenings in “Mad Love,” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s new drama of bewilderment which introduces an amazing personality to tlie screen in Peter Lorre, famous Continental character actor, screening finally at the Regent to-night. The bizarre locales include the back-stage region of the horror theatre, with its strange “props” and effects, the theatre itself with its macabre trimmings, the weird clinic and surgery of the surgeon, with its fantastic lights, gleaming instruments and trappings, the forbidding street of the guillotine, and other surroundings in keeping 'with the strange story. Commencing at the matinee on Saturday one of the year’s best pictures for sheer comedy is to be presented in “Bright Lights," starring that inimitable comedian, Joe E. Brown. In “Bright Lights” -lie gets ,aw*y from his straight comedy roles to go into burlesque and does some excellent work which will keep audiences rolling in their seats. His eccentric dancing, burlesque and mannerisms are entirely new to followers of his films, and they are legion, and in this vehicle he will assuredly delight them. The Five Maxello’s, recognised champions in the acrobatic world, delight and thrill with their tumbling. Three major songs and a comedy number with many choruses a la “The Man on the Flying Trapeze,” contribute, to the melody. Ann Dvorak and Patricia Ellis with scores of beautiful chorus girls appear in the fascinating dance sequences, with the above galaxy of talent in support of Brown. Commenting upon the picture the “Sunday Sun,” Sydney, wrote: “For sheer comedy entertainment, ‘Bright Lights’ stands high among the films of the year. Joe E. Brown reduces his audiences to helpless laughter. ” THEATRE ROYAL: GINGER ROGERS AND ROYAL ORCHESTRA Love and mystery form an intriguing combination in “Star of Midnight,” R.K.0.-Radio’s romantic drama, starring William Powell and Ginger Rogers. Telling a strikingly different type of love story, in which Miss Rogers, fresh from triumphs in the musical “Roberta,” is the pursuer, and Powell, the ostensibly wary quarry, the picture deals with a baffling mystery in modern New York’s pageant- and glitter. A beautiful woman disappears, a newspaper columnist is killed under strange circumstances, and three different factions undertake the solution of the case, eacli with a separate motive. Powell and Miss Rogers team as a “Sherlock and Watson” combination in running down clues to the mystery. The two stars, long established among the screen’s "foremost favourites, appear together for the first time. Although they have worked at the same studios many times and often have acted on adjoining stages, Powell and Miss Rogers were never cast together until R.K.0.-Radio opened the microphones for this intriguing mystery drama. The Theatre Royal Orchestra, which has been proved so popular, will again appear in selected numbers. There will also be a strong supporting array of featurettes.