ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23378, 9 December 1937, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE TWO EXCELLENT PICTURES Preston Foster and Jean Muir are starred in R.K.O. Radio’s fine picturization of Bret Harte’s “The Outcasts of Poker Flat,” a stirring action-packal story of California’s gold-rush days, which concludes a season at the State Theatre today. In addition is screened “Behind The Headlines,” a newspaper thriller starring Lee Tracy and Diana Gibson. BEGINNING TOMORROW “WAIKIKI WEDDING” Romance, hilarity and music are provided in Paramount’s “Waikiki Wedding,” a comedy of love in the pineapple groves with Bing Crosby, Bob Bums, Martha Raye and Shirley Ross, which will be shown at the State Theatre tomorrow. The romance is between Crosby and Miss Ross and, in fighter vein, Burns and Miss Raye. Crosby is a Press agent whose job it is to keep Miss Ross, who won .a trip to Waikiki in a contest, properly thrilled with the glamour of the place. He has to resort to considerable trickery to accomplish this, but, being a resourceful Press agent, he is not short of ideas, He falls in love with the girl, and is reduced to the necessity of undoing his trickery with honest romancing to win her. And he has to do it pretty quickly for a steamer is ready to whisk her away from him for ever. The direction is by Frank Tuttle, who is thoroughly at home with this type of comedy. The photography is beautiful, and there are a number of native ceremonial dances which, it is said, will be long remembered. In particular there is a native wedding and a barbaric drum dance performed by Miri Rei, the Tahitian dancer who proved the sensation of the Ziegfeld Follies several years ago, which, it is claimed, can be classed among the most effective motion picture scenes captured by the camera. The music includes “Blue Hawaii,” “Sweet Is the Word for You,” “In a Little Hula Heaven” and “Okolehao,” by the celebrated pair, Robin and Rainger. Included in the fine supporting programme is the latest Popeye the Sailor cartoon. MAJESTIC THEATRE “CRAIG’S WIFE” FINE DRAMATIC FILM TODAY In bold, unflinching strokes, Columbia Pictures has painted on the screen the story of Harriet Craig, one of the most fascinating characters of modern literature or drama. When “Craig’s

Wife” was first shown as a Broadway play, it was enthusiastically received and ended its long run by winning the famous American Pulitzer Prize. The film is now showing at the Majestic Theatre. Rosalind Russell, who up to now has appeared only as a comedienne, and a charming one, plays the highly dramatic title role. Film audiences have known Miss Russell since the middle of 1935, when she made her first screen appearance in the comedy success, “No More Ladies.” She has subsequently been seen in light roles in “Forsaking All Others,” “China Seas,” “Rendezvous,” “It Had to Happen,” and “Under Two Flags.” Craig, the abused husband, is portrayed by John Boles with unfailing skill. He shows, in one of his finest roles to date, exactly what it means to be the husband of Harriet Craig. Harriet Craig’s marriage was a means towards an end. She married Walter Craig because he could give her what she had planned for all her life—absolute independence. Her home is her symbol; it represents to her the one definite thing she has acquired, and she guards it with vicious intensity. An imposing supporting cast aids materially -in the enactment of this sensitive and moving story. Billie Burke, Jane Darwell, Dorothy Wilson, Alma Kruger, Thomas Mitchell, Raymond Walbum, Robert Allen, Elizabeth Risdon, Nydia Westman, and Kathleen Burke contribute fine performances. The associate feature, “Escape from Devil’s Island,” featuring Victor Jory, Norman Foster and Florence Rice is a thrilling drama of a daring escape from France’s famous penal settlement. ‘SARATOGA” SATURDAY Jean Harlow’s last picture “Saratoga” in which she was co-starred with Clark Gable will be shown at the Majestic on Saturday. It tells of the thrilling exploits of the famous Saratoga race track business and is probably one of the most exciting stories of this type ever presented. Lionel Barrymore, Cliff Edwards, Una Merkel and Walter Pidgeon are also in the cast. REGENT THEATRE “BRIDES ARE LIKE THAT” “DRAEGERMAN COURAGE” “Draegerman Courage” is the title of the exciting and dramatic Warner Brothers’ production which heads the current programme at the Regent Theatre. Set against the background of a Western American gold-mining town, the film concerns the activities of Andre Beaupre, who is in charge of the rescue operations. The title is taken from the name of the German scientist, Dr Draeger, who invented rescue equipment that has minimized losses of life in mine disasters. Barton Mac Lane takes the role of the “Draegerman” Andre Beaupre. The second fulllength production is “Brides Are

Like That,” based on the play, “Applesauce,” by Barry Conners, which was one of the hits of the stage. It carries a unique and most unusual plot, and concerns the love affair of a presentable young college man with a great gift of flattery, but who much prefers sponging on his uncle to doing any hard work. There is an exceptionally talented cast which is headed by Ross Alexander, Anita Louise, Joseph Cawtbom, Gene and Kathleen Lockhart and Richard Purcell. SATURDAY’S ATTRACTION A new star, with a genius for quiet comedy and fast-moving romance, appears in “Romance in Paris,” the Warner Bros.’ production, which will be shown at the Regent Theatre on Saturday. He is Fernand Gravet, screen idol of the Continent, in his first American picture. In “Romance in Paris,” M. Gravet plays the role of a wealthy spendthrift, and a former king, who falls madly in love with an independent little American chorus girl, who is not at all impressed by his attentions. But the former king loves her, and his courtship provides the merriest of fun. Edward Everett Horton is magnificently humorous as the worried uncle of the king, as also is Mary Nash, the veteran comedienne, as his aunt. The cast is studded with noted names —Luis Alberni, Alan Mowbray, Jane Wyman, Kenny Baker, and many others. Norman Krasna, author of several screen hits, and Groucho Marx, the comedian, wrote the script. Werner R. Heymann and Ted Koehler composed the two song hits—“ For You” and “On the Rue de la Paix”—that are sung in the Folies Bergere scene. The swift and humorous romance is punctuated by delightful singing and dancing sequences; and included in the latter are the exciting and peculiar Can-Can dance, and a languid and graceful Spanish Bolero, executed by Bobby Connelley’s gorgeous dancing girls. CIVIC THEATRE TWO GOOD PICTURES MONA BARRIE—JAMES DUNN The big crowds which have thronged the Civic during the last two nights have heartily agreed that the programme which features a very laughable comedy of the O. Henry gentle grafters type entitled “Welcome Home,” with James Dunn and Arline Judge, is very funny indeed. The associate mystery comedy, “Ladies In Danger,” is also excellent. Mona Barrie, Gilbert Roland and Herbert Mundin play excellent parts in this well-plotted film. The programme finishes tonight. Tomorrow two most laughable and entertaining films will be shown. Firstly Will Hays, well-known comedian of radio and film, gives of his best in the picture, “Windbag The Sailor.” There

are many hilarious sequences. On the same programme is the film “In Town Tonight” which features Stanley Holloway and the best artists of the British Broadcasting Studios. There are thirty of the best English vaudeville acts including Arthur Prince and Jim, The Dynamites, Tessa Deane, Dave Appolloa and bis band, Billy Merrin and his Commanders, the Radio Rogues, the famous Tiller Girls, the Seven Thunderbolts and a number of dancing acts. The picture has been most successful everywhere.