ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23389, 22 December 1937, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE “PICK A STAR” The furious fun and melodious music in the Hal Roach-M.G.M. feature comedy, “Pick a Star,” furnishes full entertainment for every audience. Romantic and human interest interludes of Jack Haley and Rosina Lawrence — aided and hampered by Patsy Kelly and Mischa Auer—as the home-town boy and girl making the trek from Waterloo, Kansas, to Hollywood, California, vied with the rib-tickling episodes of Laurel and Hardy making a movie and the glamour and times of Lyda Roberti in a hot-cha film opera to reveal close-ups and behind-the-scenes of the studios. The galaxy of stellar comedians in “Pick a Star” giye outstanding performances. Hoydenish Patsy Kelly in the role of Rosina Lawrence’s wise-cracking sister scores brilliantly with delivery of witty gags. Beautiful Rosina Lawrence’s pleasing voice and skilful acting heralds her appearance as a newcomer. Wistful Jack Haley is effective in a difficult part. Versatile Mischa Auer as the faking, girl-crazy picture star, adds materially to his comedy triumphs. Hilarious comedy highlights are those inimitable stars—Laurel and Hardy—who enact several unusually funny and original sequences. Exotic Lyda Roberti as the foreign star is well cast with exceptionally fine supporting players. The screen play is fast moving with spectacular musical numbers, intimate details of studio life before and behind the cameras, and girls and gags galore. Rosina Lawrence wins an on-to-Holly-wood contest about three minutes after the promoter absconds with the receipts and her prize money. Jack Haley, as the boy friend, knows she can make good so he sells his garage and heads west to pave the way. Jack runs into the usual Hollywood resistance and is working as a bus boy in an exclusive night club when Rosina and Patsy Kelly follow by air. The supporting programme includes an air mail news, coloured cartoon, one of the popular “Crime Doesn’t Pay” series and “Pacific Paradise.”

STATE THEATRE

DRAMA IN “CRACK UP” “HOLLYWOOD COWBOY” A thrilling and exciting drama of the air is “Crack Up,” the main feature on a brilliant double-feature action programme now showing at the State Theatre. The plot of the story centres around a foreign spy organization endeavouring to secure from the American Government the formula of a valuable aeroplane appliance. Peter Lorre has the role of the leader of the spies, and gives a magnificent portrayal both as the merciless baron and as the apparently harmless halfwit who is frequently seen around the aerodrome grounds. Brian Donlevey enacts the role of the famous pilot who is to pioneer the flight over the Atlantic, and also that of a spy in the service of Peter Lorre. The love interest is supplied by Helen Wood and Thomas Beck. The former is a secretary at the airport from which the plans are stolen, and the latter is a mechanic who makes the flight with Donlevey. Also on the plane which makes a secret get-away are Frank Morgan, inventor of the plane, and Peter Lorre, who has hidden himself on board. It is on the plane during a blinding storm that the mystery becomes unravelled, in what is the most breathtaking climax ever screened. Described by many as one of his finest action roles in years, George O’Brien, virile outdoor star, has a colourful cowboy part in “Hollywood Cowboy,” which is the associate feature. In this story of the Wyoming plains O’Brien is given the opportunity to show his skill as a

roper and a spectacular rider. Not only is he seen in the saddle on his famous horse Mike, but he uses an aeroplane as a means of rounding up and capturing a gang of cut-throats who have moved into the range from the city to carry on their strong-arm tactics. The supporting cast, headed by Cecilia Parker, includes Maude Ebume, Joe Caits, Charles Middleton, and Frank Milan. “SHALL WE DANCE” FRIDAY Acclaimed everywhere as Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers’s greatest dancing-musical-comedy-romantic-drama yet is “Shall We Dance,” which screens as the State Theatre’s special Christmas attraction, commencing on Friday, when three sessions will be held, including a gala midnight matinee. Plans are now open at Begg’s.

MAJESTIC THEATRE

THRILLS IN “UNCIVILIZED” SEARCH FOR NATIVE TRIBE Thrills are piled upon thrills in “Uncivilized,” which begins a three-day season at the Majestic Theatre today, but there is a leavening of romance and the whole is blended into admirablescreen entertainment. Dennis Hoey and Margot Rhys play the leading roles and are said to give outstanding performances. Margot Rhys provides a strong feminine interest in “Uncivilized.” She plays the part of Beatrice Lynn, a successful young authoress, whose publisher (played by Victor Fitzherbert) suggests that she go to Central Australia to obtain material for her new novel. He suggests also that she investigate the story of the wild Arunta native tribe, whose leader “Mara” (played by Dennis Hoey) is a white man. With adequate protection promised her, and realizing the tremendous benefit to be gained through the publicity of the trip, Beatrice sets out. Her journey is perilous, but cf unfailing interest. Wonderful scenic shots are seen, dark secrets unearthed, and unusual flashes of native life shown for the first time on the screen, as her party advances further into Central Australia. It is against this intense life that Beatrice fights, while being irresistibly drawn by the powerful influence of “Mara.” Civilization and all that it typifies stand as a barrier between her and the man she loves. Her emotional battle is wonderfully portrayed, and could only be done . iccessfully by a true actress. On the same programme is “Song of the Bush,” a featurette showing the beauties of Australia’s timberlands.

CIVIC THEATRE

DOUBLE PROGRAMME EDMOND LOWE, GORDON HARKER The proof of the popularity of the pictures screened in mid-week at the Civic Theatre is found in the large response from local picture-goers. The double-feature programme provided tonight consists firstly of “Black Sheep” described in the Showman’s Trade Review as “the best ship story yet to reach the screen.” It is composed of raging adventure punctured with laughter, and the action takes place on a luxurious trans-Atlantic liner, as it speeds to port. The leading characters are played by Edmond Lowe and Claire Trevor.

The second feature on the programme is “Phantom Light,” a comedy drama of the lighthouse played by Gordon Harker, Binnie Hale, lan Hunter, and Alice O’Day. It is a story of a haunted lighthouse, a lunatic and a gang of wreckers who plot for the destruction of ships. Their experiences thrilling and suspenseful make a most entertaining picture.

THE EMPIRE, RIVERTON

Tonight at Riverton Robert Kent and Gloria Stuart will be co-starred in the thrilling drama “The Crime of Dr Forbes.’.’ It is a drama on the burning question of today—Did the doctor violate the sacred oath?

On Tuesday night the great love drama of the Great War “The Road to Glory” fired with inspired acting of the year’s most impressive cast, Fredric March, Warner Baxter, Lionel Barrymore and June Lang, will be screened.