ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 25311, 14 June 1935, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE “HELLDORADO” AND “GAMBLING’ A graphic film of a modern gold rush is the current attraction at the Civic Theatre. The film, “Helldorado” commences with the plight of a party of motorists, who are trapped in the hills when a cloudburst causes the bridges to be swept away in the floods. They stagger through the darkness and arrive at a “ghost town.” Next morning the self-appointed leader of the party, Richard Arlen, discovers that there is one occupant of the town —a crazy old man who imagines him to be his partner. The discovery that the long-lost partner actually is Arlen’s grandfather and that there is a rich mine in the vicinity stimulates general interest, and, following Arlen’s visit to a nearby town, a rush sets in. This portion of the film is well done and gives a graphic idea of what a modern gold rush would be like. The ghost town in a few hours finds itself full of a vivid life, but /.rlen’s position is not enviable since his samples have been shown to be merely pyrites. The crowd is beginning to be unpleasant when the heroine, Madge Evans, returns to tell Arlen that she has discovered the plans of the mine in some old letters that the crazed prospector had given her, and all is well. A mystery melodrama as tight in construction, as vivid and tense as any that the screen has offered in many months is , “Gambling.” This thrilling screen drama was adapted from George M. Cohan’s successful stage play and has Cohan as its star. It was Percy Hammond, drama critic of the New York Herald Tribune, who, after seeing Cohan in the play, wrote an editorial nominating him to the place of “America’s first actor.” “Gambling” is a colourful, ably directed and splendidly acted mystery melodrama, rapidly paced from its opening to its smashing, breathless climax. TO-MORROW’S PROGRAMME. WHEELER AND WOOLSEY. The well-known comedy team of Wheeler and Woolsey provide, by their amusing antics, highly satisfying entertainment in “Kentucky Kernels,” which is the principal picture on the new programme at the Civic to-morrow. The story of their new production fully maintains the high standard. set by their previous efforts, and the inclusion in the cast of “Spanky” McFarland, a gifted youngster, contributes largely to the success of the production. Mary Carlisle, an attractive player, is well cast in a romantic role, while Noah Beery shows that he is a singer of merit. The story of “Kentucky Kernels” centres round the adventures of two out-of-work vaudeville _ artists, who start on a series of hilarious adventures when a young boy whom they have adopted becomes the heir to a valuable Kentucky estate. His guardians set out with their charge, but soon find that all is not plain sailing. The Milford family, to which the boy belongs, and their neighbours, the Wakefields, are bitter enemies, and fight at every opportunity, so that Wheeler and Woolsey find themselves in the centre of a furious battle. After many amusing incidents, the pair manage to straighten out the quarrel, but it breaks out again with greater bitterness. A catchy melody, “One Little Kiss,” is introduced into the picture, and provides a musical background for some spectacular episodes. There is an excellent supporting programme. The box plans for. the season will be found at the theatre and Begg’s THE MAJESTIC. “SMILIN’ THROUGH.” A CHARMING PRODUCTION. “Smilin’ Through,” which shows for the last time at the Majestic to-day, is a charming production and one that will live long in the memory. For thirty years Sir John Cartaret has mourned the tragedy which took away his beloved Moonyeen. An insanely jealous rival, Jeremy Wayne, took her life as she stood at the altar with him as they were being united in marriage. Sir John’s loneliness is alleviated somewhat by the presence of Kathleen Clare, the orphaned child of Moonyeen’s sister. His bosom friend, Dr. Owen, had brought the child to him when she was four. Accepting her then reluctantly, he had raised her to beautiful womanhood and now he loved her as his own child. But he would not marry again. He still lived in the bitterness of his memories of Moonyeen, memories that were relieved from time to time when she came to him in visions and talked to him. Then Kenneth Wayne comes to the English town where Sir John lives. Kenneth is the son of the hated Jeremy, who had fled to America after Moonyeen’s death. Kenneth knows nothing about his father’s misdeed. He meets Kathleen and they fall in love. But Sir John discovers their love and forbids it Kenneth is going to war, and Kathleen has her choice of going away with him or staying with Sir John and renouncing her lover. Dr. Owen tries to intercede, but loses his dear friend’s friendship in the attempt. But he enables Kathleen to understand her guardian’s hatred, and in loyalty, she lets Kenneth go away alone. After four years of war, Kenneth returns—a cripple. Kathleen, who has waited those four years, can restrain herself no longer and tells him she will go with him. She even turns on her uncle and denounces him when he refuses to relent. But Kenneth, believing himself a forlorn wreck and remembering that she sent him away before, fears that she is only taking pity on him, and his pride stands in the way. He is going back to America alone. Dr. Owen understands. He makes Sir John see the injury he has caused, and when her uncle says the word, Kathleen goes flying to Kenneth, who has wanted her and now realizes he needs her. Then the beloved Moonyeen of Sir John’s visions returns to him, and he goes “Smilin’ Through” from old age back to youth, where she has been waiting and beckoning him to eternal happiness. There is an excellent supporting programme. IN THE CLOUDS.” SEASON COMMENCES SATURDAY. For genuine thrills and action of the most exciting kind, patrons of the Majestic Theatre on Saturday will find “Murder in the Clouds” outstanding entertainment. Dealing throughout as it does with aviators and aviation, it lends itself to thrilling entertainment, and the latest and fastest medium of travel has been exploited to make a film that has not a dull moment in its whole length. The outstanding character in the picture is “Three Star” Bob Halsey, who daily performs feats that give his fel-low-pilots a sinking feeling in the pits of their stomachs. This role is given a most effective interpretation by Lyle Talbot, and opposite him the part of Judy Wagner is played charmingly by Ann Dvorak. George Cooper is responsible for the greater part of the humour of the film in his role of Wings Mahoney, an aircraft mechanic, and Halsey s staunch friend. As the story opens the audience is treated to a display of really startling aerobatics by “Three Star, who is just arriving back at the airport, where he is employed, after a holiday. He thinks it only right to sig-

nalize his return in appropriate fashion, and after he has looped the loop a few times and has performed several other nerve-wracking manoeuvres, he descends to earth to report to . the director of the air line. Along with Tom Wagner, brother of Judy, who is an air hostess with the same line, “Three Star” is assigned to carry out a night flight with the inventor of a deadly explosive as the passenger. It .is essential that the mission shall be carried out with secrecy, but before they can take off “Three Star” is attacked by a number of thugs, employed by a man who wishes to obtain the formula for the explosive, which the inventor is carrying with him. Another pilot in league with the crooks takes “Three Star’s” place, but before he has gone far he knocks his co-pilot unconscious, sets a time bomb in the plane, secures the formula, and makes a parachute descent. The plane blows up and the remaining occupants are killed. Then follows a desperate search for the formula, a search in which both “Three Star” and Judy take a prominent part. The latter is trapped in a lonely hunting lodge, but by an ingenious device she makes her whereabouts known to the aviator, and with the same action as he rescues her he obtains the formula. It is all thoroughly satisfying entertainment, and should definitely not be missed by anyone in search of a bright and fast-moving picture. There is an unusually good supporting programme, including a “Believe it or not” feature and an attractive comedy, “My Mummy’s Arms.” “I Love Mountain Music” is a very clever cartoon. The main featurette, however, will be a two-reel film of the Jubilee celebrations in London. This shows the Royal procession and other interesting incidents. A special matinee is announced to take place on Saturday morning at 10.15. THE REGENT. “MRS WIGGS OF THE CABBAGE PATCH.” A FASCINATING ENTERTAINMENT. Since Alice Hegan Rice wrote “Mrs Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch,” more than 30 years ago, thousands of readers have made the acquaintance of the droll characters, and have been entertained by the homely philosophy and quaint humour of the story. Naturally, all those readers have a desire to see those characters again in the form of a film, and they will find “Mrs Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch,” which is to open at to’day’s sessions at the Regent Theatre, one of the most appealing entertainments shown in Invercargill for quite some time. As an adaptation of the original immortal story, the picture is faultless. The characters of the book come to life in a most fascinating manner, attention to detail has been regarded, and the time and circumstances 'when the inimitable story was written have been inspired in the film. The acting also is of a very high standard. A lovable family are the Wiggs. Mrs Wiggs, who remains intensely loyal to her absent, worthless husband, earns a precarious living by doing laundry work; Billy, the eldest boy, supplements the family income as a budding firewood merchant; Jimmy, the family invalid, is cheerful and selfsacrificing to the end; and the three young girls rejoice in quaint names of geographical significance. Pauline Lord, an accomplished actress, makes her screen debut in the title role. As Mrs Wiggs, her performance is a constant delight. Her ease of action and unassumed natural manner, combined with a charming personality, win instant admiration. Miss Lord is ably supported by two irrepressible humorists, W. C. Fields and Zasu Pitts, who contribute many amusing scenes. The latter- is seen in the role of Miss Hazy, a neighbour of the Wiggs family, and her efforts to secure a husband through a matrimonial agency precipitate many bright incidents. Her efforts are finally rewarded in the shape of a Mr Stubbins, a part excellently played by W. C. Fields. The romance of the story is carried by Evelyn Venables, as Lucy Olcott, and Kent Taylor, as Bob Redding. The Wiggs family is first met on the eve of Thanksgiving Day, an occasion in America which is of more import than Christmas or New Year. The younger children are speculating as to the culinary possibilities of the morrow, and the motherly heart of Mrs Wiggs encourages them to outline a grand repast on the prospects of 80 cents with which the eldest girl is expected to return as the proceeds of. laundry work which she has gone out to deliver. But the customer does not pay and the castles in the air come tumbling down; but not so the thoughts of Mrs Wiggs, in whom the qualities of gratitude and faith are unfailingly strong, and her faith is justified in the shape of a sumptuous hamper of turkey and other luxuries which come from the home of a wealthy neighbour. Thereafter ensues a series of eventful happenings. Grief comes with . the passing of the younger son, but in sorrow as in joy the plulosophy of Mrs Wiggs shines forth to brighten the lives of both her family and her increasing circle of well-wishing friends. There is something to please everyone on the first half of the programme. Commencing with an interesting news film, the subsidiary bill includes a variety number which depicts some of the oddities of the world, a Grantland Rice “Sportlight,” a beautiful cartoon in colour, “Poor Cinderella,” and the official film of his Majesty’s Jubilee celebrations. Such a programme should not be missed. MATAURA REGENT THEATRE. Featured at the Mataura Regent Theatre to-night is the pulsating production “Manhattan Melodrama” which is a dramatic thunderbolt. Three men, a priest, a district attorney and a racketeer, all love a beautiful playgirl. The story moves dramatically and powerfully to a thrilling climax in which such great stars as Clark Gable, William Powell and Myrna Loy win great triumphs. THEATRE ROYAL, WINTON. Quite the most outstanding of Jack Hulbert’s many breezy and laughable comedies is his latest film for Gainsborough, “The Camels Are Coming,” which will be released at the Theatre Royal, Winton, to-morrow night. He has scored a big success in the past as a policeman and a sailor, and now, in “The Camels Are Coming,” he becomes Squadron-Leader Jack Campbell, arriving in Egypt in charge of ten aeroplanes bought by the Egyptian Government to assist in fighting ever active smugglers. The fun begins straightaway with the opening scenes and continues with a crescendo movement to the climax which is a positive riot. He blunders into the smugglers’ headquarters and, obliging chap that he is, actually runs a cargo of contraband, known as “Arab’s Delight” for them. He is later involved in a desert-fbrt siege, when, disguised as a sheikh, at the head of a camel caravan, manned by life-like straw dummies, he is surprised by the real sheikh. .