ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23650, 27 October 1938, Page 16

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE “A YANK AT OXFORD” Cheerful undergraduate, humour, excellent acting, and a convincing story played against the background of Oxford University, makes “A Yank At Oxford,” now playing to capacity houses at the Regent Theatre, one of the most entertaining pictures to be seen in Invercargill. The way the boastful and energetic Lee Sheridan is forced to obtain a proper perspective of his new surroundings is detailed in a number of well-produced and hilarious scenes. He is made the butt of a faked reception, and instead of taking it in good spirit, retaliates and kicks his Dean in mistake. He wins an important relay race by an impulsive gesture, and for his display of “bad form” is greeted with stony silence by an amazed and outraged crowd which accepts his action purely as grandstand play. For this he gets “debagged,” and caps the ceremony by a brawl in a tavern. By now, of course, he has fallen in love with the sister of the undergraduate who heartily detests him for his conceit. Defying anything to daunt the spirit of his unconquerable self-assurance, he wins a heat in his cap and gown, when invited to a “try-out.” But he strokes his boat to victory in the bumping races; and is soon well on the way to losing his conceit and to winning the esteem of his fellow students. The “Yank” scores with his physical prowess and a heroic gesture in the typical British tradition, and the English undergraduates show their democratic spirit and win most of the verbal bouts.

' CIVIC THEATRE

TWO GRAND COMEDIES “LADY TUBBS” Two comedy features form the current programme at the Civic Theatre. The first of these is “Lady Tubbs,” a hilarious farce which relates the adventures of a washer-woman, who .comes into a fortune and attempts to break into exclusive “society.” The title role is taken by Alice Brady, who extracts from the part every ounce of humour. The cast also includes Alan Mowbray, Anita Louise and Douglas Montgomery. You have seen films that have as their theme the activities of a high-class boxer who falls from the top rung of success when his head starts to turn, and his conceit takes the upper hand. In “Two-Fisted Gentleman,” this type of theme has been much more effectively treated, .making for entertainment that will find an appreciative audience. The film moves along at a pace that is fast and well-timed, the various incidents popping up at the most appropriate moments, and in the most delightful manner.

MAJESTIC THEATRE

DEANNA DURBIN FINALLY Today will be the last opportunity afforded to Deanna Durbin fans to see this charming little singing actress in “100 Men and a Girl,” which also features the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra under the direction of the famous Leopold Stokowski. Intending patrons are advised to reserve.

“BULLDOG DRUMMOND’S PERIL” THRILLER TOMORROW

One of the most entertaining variety programmes which has been offered by the Majestic Theatre will commence a three-day season tomorrow, Friday. Colonel (Sapper) McNeile’s “The Third Round” has been brought to the screen as “Bulldog Drummond’s Peril” and is complete with the same popular cast that has been featured in the famous Bulldog Drummond series—John Barrymore as Colonel Standish of Scotland Yard, John Howard as Bulldog Louise Campbell as his fiancee, Reginald Denny as Algie and E. E. Clive as Peters, Drummond’s butler, while Porter. Hall has also been added to the cast. A dangerous discovery is made by an eminent London scientist, in that he has perfected the manufacture of a synthetic diamond. Executives of the various diamond trusts endeavour, first by fair means and, failing this, by foul, to induce the sale of the scientist’s formula. Drummond and his friends are brought into the case along with Scotland Yard and, after breathless adventures and hairraising escapes, succeed in. exposing the plot against the scientist, which provides the theme for the most thrilling of the exciting Bulldog Drummond series to date. George Burns and Gracie Allen, supported by Edward Everett Horton, Bob Hope, Betty Grable, Jackie Coogan and Martha Raye, make up the star-stud-ded cast of “College Swing,” the fast moving comedy musical which is the supporting feature at the Majestic tomorrow. When the college which Gracie Allen is attending, tries to throw her out, she retaliates by buying out the establishment and runs the institution to suit her own tastes, which mainly consists of a good time for all, in the form of swing music, dancing and general comedy entertainment instead of practical education. Specialty dance numbers are executed by Betty Grable and Jackie Coogan who were recently married in Hollywood; while the Burns-Allen, Horton-Raye combinations provide some of the smartest and funniest comedy seen this year. Both of these pictures come from the Paramount Studio. In addition the latest Cinesound News will be presented. It would be wise for intending patrons to make the earliest reservations possible, as a programme of this magnitude is bound to tax the theatre’s capacity to the utmost. For booking, H. & J. Smith’s Department Store box office, or Rice’s Majestic Theatre confectionery. Telephone 738.

STATE THEATRE

SHIRLEY TEMPLE TOMORROW “REBECCA OF SUNNYBROOK FARM” Final showings take place at the State Theatre at 2.0 and 7.45 today of Ernst Lubitsch’s production “Angel,” starring Marlene Dietrich, Herbert Marshall, Melvyn Douglas, Edward Everett Horton, Herbert Mundin and Laura Hope Crews. In “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm,” which is to begin tomorrow at 2.0 and 7.45 at the State Theatre, Shirley Temple has a part perfectly adapted to her versatility. Playing the title role in the film, she is cast as a young singer, Rebecca Winstead, who has impressed a radio sponsor, Anthony Kent Kent (Randolph Scott) features her in his programme, but unfortunately Rebecca is discharged by Smithers, Kent’s interfering assistant. Smithers is given the task of searching for the young singer, who has in the meantime disappeared. Eventually Rebecca is discovered at

Surinybrook Farm, but objections are raised by her aunt to proposals regarding a broadcast However, Kent arranges a broadcast to take place from the farm, which has been transformed into a studio. Complications ensue when Rebecca’s step-father signs a contract for her with a rival sponsor, but the contract lapses when Rebecca pretends to lose her voice. Finally, Kent adopts the child, and the story is brought to a happy conclusion. Throughout the film there is a pleasmg romantic interest between Kent and Rebecca’s cousin (Gloria Stuart). Helen Westley gives an excellent performance as Rebecca’s dour aunt, while with such accomplished comedians as Slim Summerville and Jack Haley the film is not lacking in humour. Bill Robinson, the negro dancer, gives an outstanding display of tap-dancing, appearing in several enjoyable dances with Shirley Temple. Exceptionally good supports include, “Hooray for Hooligan,” a two-reel comedy, “Bugs Bettie and his Orchestra,” a Terry Toon cartoon, “Filming Modem Youth, a Camera Thrill, and latest overseas and Australasian newsreels. Tn order that children will not be turned away from the picture as has invariably been the case with past Shirley Temple pictures, arrangements have been made to screen “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm” at both the State, and Civic on Saturday afternoon, when, beautiful coloured photos of Shirley Temple will be given to the first 200 children attending either theatre. Plans are at Begg’s or the State Theatre, telephone 645.

ST. JAMES THEATRE, GORE

“Ready, Willing and Able,” a comedy with music from the story of the same name, will be presented as the feature attraction of the St. James Theatre, Gore, today. Co-starred are Ruby Keeler and the famous young eccentric dancer, Lee Dixon.

REGENT THEATRE, GORE

Smith Ballew, outdoor star of Zane Grey’s “Roll Along, Cowboy,” which begins at the Regent Theatre, Gore, today, has top honours in more ways than one. Aside from being the tallest leading man in pictures, six feet five inches, he achieved film stardom before he had been in Hollywood a year. Those past-masters in the fine art of fun-making, Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey, add to their long list of stellar attractions with “High Flyers,” their latest comedy, co-starring the famous team, the associate feature.