ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23767, 15 March 1939, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE ? “WOLF’S CLOTHING” “Wolf’s Clothing” the featured picture at the Majestic today, is a story of espionage in the British secret service and is reminiscent of the “39 Steps” type. Claude Hulbert is costarred with Gordon Harker. Hulbert being the secret service agent and Harker his faithful valet and assistant. Others prominently cast are beautiful Lilli Palmer, Gordon Graves and Peter Gawthorne. Breath-taking thrills in Paris are mingled with moments of hilarious comedy provided by the two comedians Hulbert and Harker who have been brought together for the first time. In the picture Hulbert is sent on an important mission of great danger which has already been attempted by four secret service men who have failed and paid with their lives. The use of unethical and unusual tactics is responsible for the success of our two heroes in their apparently impossible task. One of the highlights of the show is a desperate escape by them through the famous sewers of Paris and their prevention of an assassination through holding up a political procession when they appear through a man-hole in the street immediately in front of the parade. The other picture “Wallaby Jim of the Islands,” stars the popular baritone John Houston with Ruth Coleman, Mamo Clark and Syd Saylor in support. It is a story of adventure among pearling men in the tropical South Seas. Plenty of action is seen as pearling pirates attempt to usurp legitimate pearling grounds and Houston sings three songs of the islands. “Moon over the Islands,” “The Lady with the Two Left Feet” and “la-Orana-Hi-Ho-Hum.”

This programme in both pictures has not one dull moment from start to finish and action fans are in for plenty of thrills if they choose the Majestic when selecting their picture programme for tomorrow’ or Thursday. Latest news reels will also be presented. BIG FEATURES ON FRIDAY W. C. Fields, Dorothy Lamour, Marthe Raye, Ben Blue, Bob Hope, Lynne Overman and Shirley Ross are among the featured players in Paramount’s “Big Broadcast of 1938” which is double-featured with the Paramount musical romance, “Romance in . the Dark” on Friday next. “Romance in the Dark” stars John Boles, Gladys Swarthout and John Barrymore. Plans are now on view at H. and J. Smith’s departmental store box office, Rice’s Majestic Theatre confectionery or Majestic Theatre, telephone 738. STATE THEATRE “MR MOTO’S GAMBLE” Murder before 20,000 witnesses—and nobody knew who did it! At the stroke of 10, death was to strike Mr Moto himself! In this situation a different, astounding crime-detecting champion of fiction and film faces his most baffling murder mystery when “Mr Moto’s Gamble” opens today at 2.0 and 8.0 at the State Theatre. This 20th Cen-tury-Fox thriller, starring Peter Lorre, offers an unusual feature in its supporting cast. Keye Luke, famous as Charlie Chan’s Number One Son, becomes a student under the mystery master Mr Moto, who has turned from the intrigue of the Orient to teaching criminology at an American university. Mr Moto is called into the case that rocked America’s sports world. Guns without bullets! Silent! Invisible! Deadly! They strike during a thrilling championship bout. The famous Saturday Evening Post detective braves a

sinister threat. If he wins, Mr Moto will trap a phantom killer. If he loses, he himself will be killed. “Mr Moto s Gamble” features Keye Luke, Dick Baldwin, Lynn Bari, Douglas Fowley. Jayne Regan, Harold Huber and Maxie Rosenbloom in the cast. Directed by James Tinling, with John Stone associate producer, the 20th Century-Fox mystery thriller is an original screen play by Charles Belden and Jerry Cady, based on the character created by J. P. Marquand. Selected supports are also screening. Plans are at Begg’s or State Theatre, telephone 645. CIVIC THEATRE 6d AND 9d TONIGHT TWO LAUGHTER SPECIALS The most brilliant comedy with the biggest cast of stage and screen revue personalities ever turned out from Briish studios shows at the Civic at 7.45 tonight. The film is “Okay For Sound” a G.-8.-D. attraction starring the unsurpassable comic team—the Crazy Gang composed of three of London’s most celebrated humour duos — Nervo and Knox, Flanagan and Allen and Naughton and Gold, all of whom have entertained you per medium of radio and recordings. In “Okay For Sound” they run through the most hilarious set of situations in which they are supported by an all-star cast of top-notch musical and comic artists The second feature on this popular half-price programme is “On Again— Off Again,” starring Wheeler and Woolsey. The story shows the two comics as the pixilated partners, in a pill business whose constant battling results in their staging a wrestling match to decide who shall run the company, with the loser having to serve as the winner’s personal valet for one year. Beautiful girls, songs and dances are highlights of the comedy, with Marjorie Lord, Patricia Wilder,- Esther Muir, Paul Harvey and Russell Hicks heading

the cast in support of the two funsters. Prices for tonight and Thursday are 6d and 9d. REGENT THEATRE GEORGE FORMBY’S FUNNIEST “TS IN THE AIR” George Formby is involved in another series of hilarious adventures in “It’s In the Air,” which is continuing as a very popular attraction at the Regent Theatre. On this occasion the popular British comedian takes to the air, after having apparently exhausted the possibilities of other means of transport in his earlier pictures, but followers of his comedies should be quite prepared for the information that his aeronautical exploits are accidental rathe : than intentional. He endeavours to get himself accepted as a recruit for the Royal Air Force, but finds come | difficulty in meeting the customary requirements as he is quite incapable cf distinguishing between his right and his left hand. However, he dons a borrowed uniform, and out of pure kindness of heart agrees to deliver a letter for an Air Force man, only to discover that he has unwittingly let himself in for a series of misadventures from which there ’; no escape. He is mistaken for a fully-qualified flyer, and is detained at headquarters, where his extraordinary blundering nearly turns the sergeant-major’s hair grey. The climax to a series of ludicrous events arrives when Formby is placed in the cockpit of a plane which he has not the slightest idea how to handle, and zooms and somersaults across the sky, discharging bombs and machine-gun bullets at random. Supporting the principal player are Garry Marsh, Frank Leighton, Julien Mitchell and Polly Ward. Box plans are at H. and J. Smith’s and Rice’s Regent shop.

RUSSIAN BALLET IN INVERCARGILL HEAVY BOOKINGS FOR EVENING PERFORMANCE As all the seats in the dress circle and stalls have been- booked up for the appearance here of the Covent Garden Russian Ballet on Monday night, March 20, theatre-goers are now devoting attention to the matinee, which takes place on Monday afternoon, beginning at 2 o’clock, and the famous dancers will probably be greeted by two capacity houses. Tickets for the gallery may be' purchased at Matheson’s fruit shop, next to the Civic Theatre, plus tax. All the principal dancers of the Covent Garden Russian Ballet are visiting New Zealand for the first time. The most outstanding of the feminine ranks are Tatiana Riabouchinska and Irina Baronova, two of the bright and beautiful artists who contributed so much to the establishment of the fame of the Covent Garden Russian Ballet. From the very first Riabouchinska was hailed as a dancer of remarkable attainments, but in the last season at the Royal Opera, Covent Garden, London, she has taken a great step forward and has come to be recognized as one of the really great dancers of all time. Baronova is another ballerina who has contributed equally with Riabouchinska. THE EMPIRE, RIVERTON Another of those masterpieces of motion picture art will be shown at Riverton tonight. Based on the life of Jim Fisk “The Toast of New York” is a gripping and entertaining dramatic romance, its high emotional appeal being in its love theme—the flambuoyant courtship of fascinating Josie Mansfield by the financier. Edward Arnold, Frances Farmer, Cary Grant and Jack Oakie are included in the cast.