ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23392, 27 December 1937, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE “SAID O’REILLY TO McNAB” “A surprise comedy which has hit Australia and now New Zealand on the funny-bone," is the way in which a northern critic describes Sald O’Reilly to McNab," with Will Fyffe, the famous Scottish comedian, in the leading role which is at the \ 1 Y 1C Theatre. What O’Reilly said to McNab and what McNab had to say to O’Reilly provides material for one of the funniest films ever produced in Britain. This film is written especially to suit the outstanding talents of two famous humorists, Will Mahoney ana Will Fyffe, who co-starred in this, their first full-length film appearance. On the same programme is the picture based on Baroness Orczy’s story, Spy of Napoleon,” which features Richard Barthelmess. REGENT THEATRE “LOVE ON THE RUN.” BRIGHT COMEDY TEAM As a comedy team, Clark Gable, Joan Crawford and Franchot Tone are probably without equal on the screen, and as a director W. S. Van has achieved exceptional fame with The Thin Man” and its successor. That these four are mainly responsible for the gay comedy in “Love On The Run, now showing at the Regent Theatre, is sufficient recommendation for the film. Obviously the producer, Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer, has attempted to create another film of the type of “It Happened One Night,” Frank Capra’s outstanding comedy classic. Again Clark Gable appears as a newspaper reporter who becomes acquainted with a runaway millionairess and again there are the same half-crazy situations that keep the audience in constant merriment. Although it cannot be claimed that the plot is new, the story is perfectly acted and the film flawlessly directed, to make it one of the finest comedies of the year. Gable’s versatility has long been recognized, but it is certain that never before has Franchot Tone given a comedy performance to equal his portrayal of Barnabas Pells, the rival reporter, who is constantly being double-crossed by Mike Anthony (Clark Gable). His growing suspicions about his rival’s motives, his apprehensions and finally his practically speechless rage are marvellously shown by brilliant facial acting. Joan ’ Crawford plays an American heiress who leaves her titled fiance at the altar and flees with Anthony in a stolen aeroplane. In addition to the main feature, a Pete Smith novelty, a coloured cartoon and a coloured musical .with Charlie Chase and Elissa Tandi starred are shown with the latest newsreels.

STATE THEATRE “SHALL WE DANCE?” ASTAIRE AND GINGER ROGERS “The greatest Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers picture yet’-’ stated advance reports, a few days ago, of “Shall We Dance,” which is the current attraction at the State Theatre, and the huge crowds who have already seen this' great film unanimously agree with this report. Accenting-the plot and the merriment to a greater degree than in any of the Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers former hits, “Shall We Dance” offers a ■ wealth of novelties. The story deals with, a tempestuous love affair between a famous ballet dancer (Astaire) and a celebrated revue artiste (Miss Rogers). Just as the romance reaches a satisfactory point, rumours hint that the two are secretly married, and a series of mirthful complications follows. With catchy song numbers composed by George and Ira Gershwin, and featuring some of the most spectacular dances the two stars have ever presented, the new picture is said to be a tuneful triumph. Harriet Hoctor, America’s greatest ballerina, is seen in two numbers —one of them a duet with Astaire—and Astaire has two solo dances as well as three numbers with Ginger Rodgers. These dances include a unique roller-skating dance and a remarkable Astaire solo in the engine room of an ocean liner, in which he performs his. terpsichorean feats in time 'to the beat of the ship’s machinery. Edward Everett Horton and Eric Blore, both of whom have added much to the merriment of previous Astaire-Rogers vehicles, have important roles..

MAJESTIC THEATRE “WHEN LOVE IS YOUNG” “WOMAN IN DISTRESS” Virginia Bruce dances—and dances well—for the first time in her film career in “When Love Is Young ” which is now showing at the Majestic Theatre. This film is excellent entertainment and has a strong story. Miss Bruce is a young college girl madly in love with a dashing young student who completely ignores her. The humour with which the film is liberally supplied is furnished by Walter Brennan. . Miss Bruce gets an opportunity to train for the stage when a Broadway Press agent, a part played by the debonair Kent Taylor, discovers her capabilities and launches a Press campaign on her behalf, but her type does not suit her parts, and she fails. Taylor takes a more lively interest in her when she changes her type and becomes a jazz singer, instead of an operatic singer, and she is an overnight success. On the same programme May Robson has the leading role in “Woman In Distress” and is cast as an old woman who has in her possession an original Rembrandt and does not realize its value to herself or to the world. Two n val reporters find out that the paintin? is an original and the chase begins. The parts of the reporters are ably played by Irene Hervey and Dean Jagger. Two thieves go after the painting and aided by the reporters the old woman searches out the art thieves and in a thrilling climax turns the tables or. the culprits. Supporting parts are played by Douglas Dumbril, George McKay, Gene Morgan, Arthur Loft and Charles Wilson. Edwin Olmstead wrote the original story.