ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 22508, 16 February 1935, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE REGENT. “WAKE UP AND DREAM.” BRILLIANT MUSICAL COMEDY. A constantly changing scene forms the background for “Wake Up ajjn Dream,” the Universal comedy with music which comes to the Regent today. Russ Columbo, Roger Pryor, June Knight, Catherine Doucet and Henry Armetta are in the principal roles. The story opens in Atlantic City, switches to another theatre where a musical comedy is in rehearsal and soon afterwards is transferred to New York, whither Columbo, Pryor and June Knight, as members of a small vaudeville act,, flee. The leading part, is taken by Roger Pryor, who has been seen in previous films of this nature. He has a fresh, unstudied manner, and this quality in a comedian lends additional zest to the joke. The part is that of an unsuccessful actorin musical comedy who devotes a great deal of time and a great deal of misdirected energy to obtaining success for his two companions, both of whom are well qualified to look after themselves in this respect. Pryor, as Charlie Sullivan, is the traditional poor clown whose fate it is to work romantically for the happiness of others, masking his sorrow with a smi.e. However, he manages this time-worn role in so natural a manner that one does not realize at the time now old the theme he is working actually is. This is a tribute to his pleasing technique. The film has no lack of refreshing incident. From the beginning when Sullivan’s efforts to win success involve him and his companions in more serious straits than before, to the end where all three are united in Hollywood luxury and the little romance has been happily concluded, there is a constant change of scene which is enough in itself to hold the _ attention. Amusing interludes are provided by a large Italian with a passion for bananas, and “Madame Rose,” a fortune teller of a highly romantic nature. The singing is by Russ Columbo with occasional assistance from June Knight. Columbo has a voice of smooth quality which he handles skilfully and with considerable effect. The best of his numbers is “Too Beautiful for Wo ids, which possesses an appealing melody. Columbo made major appearances in only two films, the other being Broadway Thru’ a Keyhole”, but in these efforts he won for himself a very prominent place in his particular sphere of the Hollywood universe, • and his tragic death recently as the result of an accident is to be regretted. In support of the main feature there is the usual high-class programme. A Universal newsreel deals with varxd topics of world-wide interest, an orchestral variety and a novelty “Stranger than Fiction,” are among the items included. CIVIC THEATRE. JACK BUCHANAN IN MERRY SHOW “THAT’S A GOOD GIRL.” The big attraction at the Civic Theatre to-day, “That’s a Good Girl, is based upon the famous stage success which Jack Buchanan produced and starred in at the London Hippodrome. The film is musical, as was the original, but with the exception of “Fancy Our Meeting,” retained from the stage show, all the music in the picture is specially written. Musical director of the film, and composer of the new music, is Philip Braham, author of “Limehouse Blues” and other famous popular numbers —a musician who can copy, compose, conduct and orchestrate- —a most rare combination of accomplishments. The story introduces one Jack Barrow, played by Jack Buchanan—an impecunious young man-about-town dunned by creditors and besieged by bailiffs, who suddenly hears that he can claim half a million pounds in the South of France from an aunt he has never seen. The one stipulation which qualifies the bequest is that he must take with him, when he goes to claim the money, some attractive and distinguished young men, this being to protect Aunt Helen’s ward, Moya, who also inherits half a million, from the attentions of fortune-hunting gigolos. The only even vaguely respectable companions whom Jack can take are Timothy and an opera singer, Francis Moray. Moray is betrothed to a jealous opera singer, Berata, who only lets him go on the understanding that Jack does not let him look at another woman. As soon as Moray gets to the South of France he falls in love with Moya—and from this fact-, and the suspicions of Berata, the fun emerges. Jack Buchanan is supported by a first-class cast, including Elsie Randolph, who re-creates the role she played in the stage version. Vera Pearce plays Berata; Garry Marsh is Francis Moray; William Kendall is blithely vacuous as Timothy; Dorothy Hyson makes an attractive Moya; Kate Cutler is the aunt whose word is law; Anthony Holies and Frank Stanmore play other significant parts. The male chorus which will be heard in “That’s a Good Girl” is the finest that has ever been brought together for a musical talking picture. Numbering fifty-five, the chorus has been assembled for the purpose of rendering the music specially composed by Philip Braham, and every member is a singer with a reputation on the operatic stage. Rehearsals under the personal supervision of Jack Buchanan were carried on for several days at the Prince Edward Theatre in London, while the art director was supervising the building of a huge set at the British and Dominions’ Boreham Wood Studios to represent the stage of a Continental opera house. The supports include Croydon-Paris Airway, a splendid tour of Melbourne, old and new,

and the latest Pathe Newsreels, including wonderful creations when society invades Ascot racecourse. MAJESTIC THEATRE. “THE BLUE SQUADRON.” A STIRRING EPIC OF AVIATION. The programme coming to the Majestic Theatre this afternoon promises to be an exceptionally good one. “The Blue Squadron,” Warner Bros’ First National All-British Production, is the most spectacular aviation drama ever filmed, and not only takes filmgoers behind the scenes of Italy’s great air force, but also features a stirring dramatic story of the loves and jealousies of young air officers which alone make the picture extremely powerful entertainment. Esmond Knight, who has risen to fame in a comparatively short period following his successes on the screen in such pictures as “The Bermondsey Kid” and “Waltzes From Vienna,” stars in the role of Carlo Banti, a squadron-leader in the Italian Air Force. John Stewart, another great favourite, appears as Colonel Spada, his bosom friend. There is only one feminine role of importance, that of Elene, played by Greta Hansen, a promising new recruit, whose first leading portrayal this is. The story revolves around the bitter jealousy that arises between the two friends following a misunderstanding over Elene, and how their quarrel nearly results in both losing their lives. There is in this film a great deal of aerophotography, mountain scenery, and a splendid series of shots of two skiers running down hill with news of the aviators’ crash. The performances of the principals and the authenticity of the aviation scenes make it a picture well worth seeing. There is a good supporting programme. Chapter two of the thrilling serial “Perils Of Pauline” and a Mickey Mouse cartoon (Barnyard Broadcast) will be screened in addition as a feature at the matinee only. Box plans are at McCracken and Walls until 12 o’clock; after that at theatre (telephone 738). DANCE RECITAL. MISS DERBIE’S PUPILS. Ambition is the keynote of the dance recital which will be given by . the pupils of Miss Kathleen Derbie in the Civic Theatre on February 21. Miss Derbie’s recitals have grown in popularity year by year, and deservedly so, for no effort has been snared in the training of the pupils, the preparation charming scenas or in the search for novel ideas to entertain an exacting public. A glance at the programme reveals that it contains variety as well as excellence. There are elaborate scenas, duos and solos of all descriptions, as well as musical items in • lenty. The number of Miss Derbie’s pupils has enabled her to prepare items with a lavish hand, which she has not failed to do, and so the recital does not merely depend for success on the appeal peculiar to children’s entertainments.