ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23254, 17 July 1937, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE “STOLEN HOLIDAY” Kay Francis, Warner Bros.’ beautiful star, appears in the role of a French mannequin in “Stolen Holiday,” which will begin its Invercargill season tonight Wearing clothes magnificent even for her, Kay Francis (as Nicole Picot) rises to the heights of fashion dictator for the world in this sophisticated drama. Nicole’s rise from the ranks of mannequins begins when she meets Stephen Orloff (Claude Rains). He comes to the modiste’s shop where she is working and tells the manager that he has been delegated to select a model and some costumes to exhibit in Paris society. Nicole is his selection, but when they are alone he reveals to her that what he-really wants is a dinner companion with whom he can impress a rich banker. If he succeeds in borrowing money from the banker he promises to set her up in a modiste’s shop of her own. Thus begins a partnership that endures for eight years, and Kay has risen to the top of her profession unaware that her backer is involved in nefarious financial deals. When inevitably the swindles in which he is involved begin to come to light, she does all she can to help prove his innocence. She even consents to marry him, she has already fallen in love with a young English diplomat, Anthony Wayne (portrayed by lan Hunter). It is to Wayne she turns when death removes Orloff from the situation. Alison Skipworth, as Suzanne, lends a light touch of comedy to the production, while Betty Lawford, Walter Kingford, Alexander D’Arcy, Frank Reicher, Frank Conroy and Robert Strange complete a wellselected cast A strong supporting programme is headed by "Echo Mountain, ’ a two-reel technicolour musical revue. “Whale Ho!” depicts in vivid manner the thrilling business of capturing the gigantic mammals of the deep. “Porky the Wrestler” is a most amusing Looney Tune cartoon, and the Regent Air Mail Service rounds off the programme with the latest topical events of the day. The box plans are at H. and J. Smith’s, Rice’s Regent Shop and the Theatre (telephone 1938). MAJESTIC THEATRE “ROSE MARIE” SONG AND ROMANCE In a production sweeping with song and scented with romance, Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, those celebrated co-stars of “Naughty Marietta,” come to the screen of the Majestic Theatre today in the well-known characters of the light opera, “Rose Marie.” Under their magic spell the full beauty of “The Indian Love Call,” “Rose Marie, I Love You,” “Sing of the Mounties," and other classics from the Herbert Stothart-Rudolf Friml score, live again. More charming even than the record-breaking “Naughty Marietta,” “Rose Marie” is a Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer triumph. Filmed almost entirely out-of-doors, in the mountainlike country of the Sierra Nevadas, the production is a pictorial sensation. It was given full benefit of W. S. Van Dyke’s proven talents, and magnificently mounted by producer Hunt Stromberg, the successful collaborators of “Naughty Marietta.” One of the outstanding sequences is the Totem Pole Indian Dance, the grotesque set mounted on a sandpit extending into a broad lake. Peopled by more than a thousand dancers, lavish in costume, with music thrillingly beautiful, it sets a new height for effective photography and spectacular direction. STATE THEATRE RALPH LYNN IN “ALL IN” FINE ENGLISH COMEDY A packed house at the State Theatre last evening found “All In” the best picture Ralph Lynn has ever made and one of the most humorous pictures of the year. It is a splendid example of the best type of English comedy and sparkles with brilliant dialogue. The story is admirably suited to the inimitable talents of Ralph Lynn.' He is early seen as the manager of a troupe of bulky, brutal wrestlers and from this stage the story moves gaily from one uproarious situation to another. The tale begins when Ralph Lynn’s reprobate uncle leaves him a legacy of a racing stable, with a horse entered to run in the Derby. The young man is mildly pleased until the maiden aunt who has brought him up decides that he will spend the money on setting up a holiday home for working girls. She, however, makes the mistake of sending her nephew down to inspect the place; he returns slightly intoxicated, rowdy and disobedient, having in a few hours fallen in love and into a duck pond, and bought a bankrupt wrestling stadium with a team of unpaid and aggressive fighters. Claud Dampier, with his projecting teeth and absurdly vacuous laugh, has some glorious moments. Gina Malo and Sydney Fairbrother are also in the cast. There is also a splendid supporting programme. GLADYS MONCRIEFF’S REAPPEARANCE “THE MERRY WIDOW” AND “THE MAID OF THE MOUNTAINS” It is some years since audiences last enjoyed Miss Gladys Moncrieff on the legitimate stage, so the announcement by J. C. Williamson, Ltd. that they are to present the famous soprano, together with a specially selected comic opera company, numbering 100 artists, in “The Merry Widow” and “The Maid of the Mountains” at the Civic Theatre on Monday and Tuesday August 2 and 3 will be received with pleasure by playgoers. The recent revivals of these two operas in Sydney, with Miss Moncrieff in the leading roles, created a furore of enthusiasm and the Williamson theatres were filled at every performance. In each Instance, the seasons had to be considerably lengthened, and even then the operas were withdrawn while they were still attracting I record audiences. Australian critics were unanimous in declaring that Gladys Moncrieff is singing better at present than at any time during her triumphant career. It is safe to state that Gladys Moncrieff is the best and most popular comic opera artist the Australian and New Zealand stage has known for many years, and Invercargill theatre-goers may congratulate themselves on the fact that they are to be given the opportunity to enjoy the brilliant prima donna in two of her outstanding successes The Williamson management has surrounded Miss Moncrieff with a talented company of popular favourites, including the inimitable comedian, Cecil Kellaway, who has delighted audiences with a number of clever characterizations, Don Nicol, who will be best known for his humorous interpretation of the waiter in “White Horse Inn,” Eric Bush who, on a former occasion portrayed the part of Prince Danilo in “The Merry Widow,” Isobel Cue, a dainty and clever young Australian soubrette, Arthur Clarke, Carmen Mascagny, Leslie Crane, Gerald Commolly, Cecil Pawley, Peter Dawson, Geoff Colledge and other favour-

He artists. A feature of each of the operas will be the work of' the operatic chorus and orchestra, and of the talented Australian ballet. “The Merry Widow,” which will be staged on Monday August 2, and ‘‘The Maid of the Mountains,” which will be presented on Tuesday, August 3, will both be staged with new and magnificent scenery and dresses. The box plans will be opened at Begg s on Friday, July 30. EMPIRE PICTURES, RIVERTON Again a golden voice rings out to thrill the world in Grace Moore’s starring vehicle “The King Steps Out,” which is to be screened at the Empire Pictures, Riverton, tonight. It is a glorious entertainment of song, romance, comedy and drama, each element dexteriously .blended with the other. It is the grandest musical love drama of the year. Franchot Tone, Victor Jory, Walter Connolly and Thurston Hall make a fine cast. CONCERT TOMORROW EVENING Tomorrow evening another fine programme will be given in the Civic Theatre by the popular Civic Band. A feature of the band numbers will be the medley “A Melodious Revue.” This is a very popular arrangement by the late Mr W. Rimner. The revue contains 30 excerpts from classical and popular melodies so interwoven that the listener is taken from the “Roast Beef of Old England” to the “Caliph of Baghdad," from “The Death of Nelson" to “Handel’s Largo," from “Blue Bells of Scotland” to “Il Trouvatore” and and from “Faust” to the “Miller of Dee" and so on, making. a wonderful selection. The other number by the band “Pat O’McGregor” must be heard to be appreciated. The assisting artists are Mr H. Thornley, a newcomer who will give a humorous sketch, and the Maori singer, Mr Rura Waipiiti. The Hill Billys, the Harmonica Band and Mr and Mrs Matthews and Miss McGruer are wellknown artists.