ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23227, 16 June 1937, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE

TWO BIG FEATURES TODAY The Arctic wastes of Alaska provide the virile background for the gripping Columbia picture, “North of Nome,” which heads today’s programme at the Majestic Theatre. It is a film for people who like their entertainment dramatic, and who do not complain if it makes their heart beat just a bit faster. Thrills it has, and a story that is something new under the sun. Jack Holt, in the starring role, once more proves his acting prowess; his portrayal is strong and intelligent. Evelyn Venable, Guinn “Big Boy” Williams, John Miljan, Roger Imhoff and others bring their respective characters to life in fine fashion, giving splendid assistance to the dependable Holt. Supporting “North of Nome” there is a thrilling mystery drama, “Love Letters of a Star.” The film is based on an exciting detective novel by the mystery master, Rufus King. The suspense of the story is brightened by a thread of romance and deft embroideries of humour. The role of the detective is portrayed with a new screen technique by C. Henry Gordon. The script writers and the director keep the solution of the crime hidden until the last scene in the picture. A LONG-AWAITED EVENT “THREE SMART GIRLS” ON FRIDAY Following its phenomenally successful seasons in the north (it ran for eight weeks in Auckland, six weeks in Wellington and six weeks in Christchurch) “Three Smart Girls,” featuring the sensational young star Deanna Durbin is to open at the Majestic Theatre on Friday. This picture sets forth the hilarious adventures of three young girls intent on saving their father from a fortune-hunting international beauty, who wants to marry him only for his wealth. There is a comedy of errors, based on mistaken identity, which adds to the fun-provoking story. The dialogue is brightly amusing, the situations get funnier by the minute and the songs will steal your heart away. The ravishing Birinie Barnes portrays the huntress of fortunes; Alice Brady is seen as her scheming mother. Ray Milland helps the “Three Smart Girls” prevent the marriage and wins the heart of one of the sisters, played by Barbara Read. Charles Winninger is the millionaire. Deanna Durbin is the youngest daughter. The other one is portrayed by Nan Grey, who is whirled 'into a romance with John King.

REGENT THEATRE

“SANDERS OF THE RIVER” PAUL ROBESON AS BOSAMBO “Sanders of the River,” which is to be shown again at the Regent Theatre for a three-day season, is a brilliant demonstration of what can be done with British resources. It ranks as superlative entertainment. By avoiding the stereotyped variety of African scenery Mr Korda has given the film an initial reality and vividness that makes the task of the cast an easier one from the outset. The. individual actors who impose themselves on these scenes of shifting tropical luxuriance give as fine performances as one could wish to see. Only a man with rare strength of character could have presumed to step into the shoes of Sanders, for this British official, besides being an excellent administrator and psychologist, must at critical moments quell native uprisings through the sheer fact of his presence. Leslie Banks in this exacting role not only makes Sanders credible, but he makes the man memorable as well. Having won renown as a concert singer and stage actor, Paul. Robeson, who plays the part of Bosambo, the native chief, is outstanding. Aided by a magnificent physique, he creates an entirely new and admirable type of role. Vocally he is excellent, and his robust voice is heard to advantage in several pleasing numbers. Nina Mae Mackinney, who is better known on the legitimate stage than on the screen, has a small part as Bosambo’s beautiful wife She is lovely to look at, and is an eloquent actress. Robert Cochrane, Martin Walker, and Richard Grey handle minor parts in a capable manner. The story of the book by the famous Edgar Wallace is well known to everyone, and tells of the chaos which follows when the beloved and feared Sanders departs on a year’s leave; of the fierce fighting among the different tribes; of Sanders’s return and his rescue of the courageous Bosambo, who goes alone into the “Old King’s Country” to save his wife when she is captured by Mofolaba; and of the restoration of peace and law with Bosambo once a convict, king of all the river tribes. There is an excellent supporting programme, which is headed by. a wholly delightful Mickey Mouse cartoon entitled “Mickey’s Service Station.” The box plans are at H. and J. Smith’s and Rice’s Regent shop.

STATE THEATRE

TWO EXCELLENT FILMS Comedy and gay music, together with some brilliant dancing, make “Follow the Fleet,” which is now showing at the State Theatre in conjunction with “Wild Brian Kent,” one of the brightest films that have been seen m Invercargill for a long time. Its special appeal lies in the fact that the featured players are Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, who are the outstanding favourites in light film entertainment at the moment. While both of them are highly-skilled dancers they also have a decided flair for comedy, and the result is that they make the most of the happy story which the picture relates. Another of the film’s attractions is the fact that the musical numbers were composed by Irving Berlin. The story concerns the romantic adventures of two American sailors following their arrival in San Francisco, The pair become involved in many amusing scrapes before a delightful climax is reached. The second picture is “Wild Brian Kent,” featuring Ralph Bellamy. Adapted from Harold Bell Wright’s story, “The Re-creation of Brian Kent,” this film presents a full-blooded drama of the American West, in which Bellamy, as Brian Kent, wages a singlehanded battle against a gang of desert bandits whose aim is to dispossess the girl he loves of her ancestral ranch. It is a thrilling story, told in vivid and exciting style. BEGINNING FRIDAY “THAT GIRL FROM PARIS” A novelty in musical pictures, with a hilariously funny story as a thread on which the world’s foremost coloratura soprano strings her pearls of song, is offered to picture-goers in “That Girl From Paris,” which comes to the State Theatre on Friday, and which stars Lily

Pons, JackOakie and Gene Raymond. Breaking away entirely from the customary type of musical comedy, the new offering turns out to be a gay laugh-feast from start to finish, with a notable cast aiding the tiny prima donna in her mirthful endeavours. The story concerns the tribulations of a noted French opera diva, who baulks at a marriage of convenience and follows a handsome young American orchestra leader overseas to the United States to encounter many unexpected adventures.

GALA OPENING NIGHT

THE MARCUS SHOW GLITTERING, SPECTACULAR REVUE Arriving by special train today, “The Marcus Show,” with its stupendous spectacle, its glittering scenes, its gorgeous girls and its 16 headline acts, will open an all-too-brief Invercargill season with the presentation of "La Vie Paree” at the Civic Theatre tonight. Much has been said and written about this brilliant American revue company since it was first announced that Invercargill was to be included in its itinerary. The truth of all these written and spoken words should be borne out by “La Vie Paree,” which will be presented tonight and tomorrow, and by “Broadway Vanities,” which will be given for the final performance on Friday night. It is difficult to single out any particular performers, although some do certainly deserve credit. In Ben McAtee, the Marcus Show has a comedian who can raise a higher pressure of fun a square minute than many other artists of his particular type. There is also Les Sechrist, a brilliant and immensely popular accordionist or “squeeze box virtuoso” as he is billed, and virtuoso is the right word. Another clever artist is Fid Gordon, a trick violinist, who uses his teeth to pluck the strings pizzicato, and so extracts music from the instrument by unorthodox and, possibly, unpleasant means. A dancer “whose legs run away with him,” is Al Ricker, and Art Stanley, a superb tap dancer, rivals Al for popularity in this art. Sofia Alvarez, a Mexican soubrette, stands out in the show as a great artist. . Although the first spectacle m La Vie Paree”—“Black and White”—is really beautiful and breath-taking, it is surpassed by “Fantasia Parisienne.” Rough-house in a low-down cabaret gives scope for clever ana lively movement with a tragic sequel and a Mexican festive scene affords opportunity for some clever dancing, including the national dance on the broad brim of a sombrero. _ In this scene that incomparable artist, Sofia Alvarez, plays a distinguished part. Not ouite the last scene of all, but one of the greatest, is the so-called Palais d’Argent.” A complete change of scenery, costumes and effects will be seen in “Broadway Vanities, which will be played for one night only, Friday. , . . o . The tour is under the auspices ot bir Benjamin Fuller, in association with Messrs L. S. Snider and G. B. Dean.

EMPIRE, RIVERTON

Jack Hylton and his band will be seen in “She Shall Have Music,” which is to be screened at Riverton tonight. Many popular British stage, variety and radio artists will appear in this picture, which is something original. The cast includes June Clyde, Marjorife Brooks, Claude Dampier and Gwen Farrar. It is referred to as Britain’s musical hit.