ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23840, 10 June 1939, Page 19

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE “TOO HOT TO HANDLE” In “Too Hot To Handle.” now at the Regent, there is not an inch of film that does not earn the absorbing and often extremely hilarious interest of the audience. This is probably the best picture of its kind ever made. Filled to the hilt with rapid action events of a dynamic and keenly poignant nature, many scenes are breath-taking in their urgency and suspenseful content. At the same time the softer emotional moments are not overdone, but combine with the more virile and stern occurrences as a satisfactory relaxation. Gable gives; a vital performance as the intrepid cameraman who goes to any lengths, daring or unscrupulous, to get his pictures. Myrna Loy plays the heroine with cusI tomary charm. Walter Pidgeon is good as the rival cameraman, Walter Connolly is excellent as the irascible newsreel chief. Leo Carillo registers well in the principal comedy role, and capable support comes from Henry Kolker and Marjorie Main. Chris. Hunter and Bill Dennis, two rival newsreel men, pit their wits against each other to be first with the news. Each thinks he is smart; both cook up faked events for sensationalism. In doing so Chris involves Alma Harding, a plucky young flyer, who is endeavouring to make a record flight to get backing'-to make an expedition to find her missing brother, believed to have crashed in a remote part of South America. Both Chris and Bill get into hot water with their chiefs and are fired, but in the end they redeem themselves by assisting Alma to locate the missing man and return with real and startling shots. The jungle sequences are not only full of thrills, but of comedy, which brings prolonged laughter from patrons, with Leo Carrillo, sound assistant, proving a rich mine of humour of the kind which he has made so thoroughly his own. The greatest piece of dramatic action and spectacular vividness lies in the burning and final exploding of a ship loaded with munitions, round and over which Miss Loy circles in her aeroplane, with Gable shooting it from every angle possible—this is extraordinary and marvellously done. The supporting programme is excellent and includes scenes of the departure of the King and Queen on their trip to Canada, a glorious coloured scenic of Sydney, and a demonstration of straight shooting with bow and arrow. Box plans are at H. and J. Smith’s, Rice’s Regent shop and the theatre. CIVIC THEATRE MR MOTO TODAY “MEET THE GIRLS” Facing a weird wilderness of mystic temples and nameless terrors, the famous Saturday Evening Post master of mystery meets his most sensational adventure as Peter Lorre brings to the screen the character created by J. P. Marquand. "Mr Moto Takes A Chance,” thrilling 20th Century-Fox mystery-adventure storv. screening at the Civic at 2 p.m. and 7.45 p.m. today, with Rochelle Hudson, Robert Kent and J. Edward Bromberg featured in the supporting cast, is the latest in the series. The amazing Mr Moto, mild-mannered, nimble-witted detective, fights poisoned blow-dart guns with hypnotism, jiu jitsu, swords, burning oil, machine guns and magic in a drama motivated by mystery, teeming with thrills and alive with adventure. In the mysterious jungles of IndoChina, British intelligence officers strongly suspect that an uprising is being fomented by a native rajah. Into this scene comes Rochelle Hudson, a round-the-world flyer, who had landed via parachute from her flaming aeroplane. An American newsreel cameraman, his assistant and the mysterious Mr Moto, posing as a Japanese archaeologist, join her. Again Peter Lorre delights with his highly individual characterization of the famed slueth Meeting threats of death with his apologetic, deprecating smile, Lorre makes a, Mr Moto who has been highly praised by the creator of that character. The second feature, “Meet The Girls,” is the first of a new series of pictures Lynn Bari and June Lang as ■ “The Big Town Girls” ready for an un- ! limited amount of eventful adventures and starting off by being involved in a robbery of diamonds which takes place on board a ship hailing from Honolulu. Both girls are well cast for their jobs. They have a fine backing cast in Ruth Donnelly presenting a fine character act, Gene Lockhart, Wally Vernon, frequently seen just now, in the role of a drunken sailor, and Erik Rhodes, Harlan Briggs and others. Box plans are at Begg’s or Civic, telephone 1744. MAJESTIC THEATRE “ARREST BULLDOG DRUMMOND” “PIRATES OF THE SKIES” A double-feature programme of a high entertainment standard began at the Majestic Theatre last night when “Arrest Bulldog Drummond” and “Pirates of the Skies” were screened. Both films were based on stories filled with action and the quick succession of events in each was almost bewildering. The latest Colonel “Sapper” McNeil thriller, “Arrest Bulldog Drummond,” is more exciting than any of its predecessors. The scene of action in this film of deadly rays and sinister doctors races from London to the French coast, and halfway round the world in a luxury liner before Drummond is able to wind up an intricate case. John Howard plays Drummond, the suave London society detective, who has a knack of discovering and causing trouble. Heather Angel shows up well in her role of the girl whom Drummond hopes to marry when he can find the time. Each effort at a ceremony has been a failure because of some mysterious crime being discovered and it is just at the failure of one of these efforts that the film begins. A ray with great destructive powers has been invented by a scientist, but before he can turn it over to the British authorities it is stolen by “The Stinger,” a man who hopes to turn the invention to his own purpose. The plot is foiled at the moment of fruition by Drummond, however, but not before the audience has seen some fast and exhilarating action. E. E. Clive and Reginald Denny, as Drummond’s butler and friend, supply the necessary humour. Kent Taylor, Regis Toomey and Rochelle Hudson are starred in the associate feature, "Pirates of the Skies.” Gang robbers take to the skies in this original film and it is only after a long and exciting chase by the state air force that they are apprehended. CHILDREN S MATINEE An excellent array of featurettes will be screened this afternoon in conjunction with “Arrest Bulldog Drummond,” land the thrilling air drama, “Pirates of the Skies.” Another episode of the smashing G-man serial, “Red Valley,” will be shown, “Popeye the Sailor” in “Let’s Get Movin’,” Betty Boop in “Grampy’s Indoor Outing,’’ Oswald Rabbit in “Rabbit Hunt” and the Cinesound News make up the matinee pro-

gramme. Parents are advised that this is an ideal programme for children and they should have no hesitation in sending the children along for a splendid afternoon’s entertainment. Plans are on view at H. and J. Smith’s Departmental Store box office. Rice’s Majestic confectionery or Maj’estic Theatre, telephone 738. STATE THEATRE “THE YOUNG IN HEART” Add to the host of other screen families that have flitted across the screen in the past, the latest, and perhaps, most likeable of all—the Carletons. Southlanders will be introduced to this charming domestic circle at 2 and 8 today at the State Theatre in the film The Young in Heart,” with Janet Gaynor, Douglas Fairbanks, jun., Paulette Goddard, Roland Young, Billie Burke, and Richard Carlson. At first, the members hardly appear quite genteel. They are in fact, little more than a glorified gang of confidence tricksters who have been forcibly ejected from all “the best places” from London to Monte Carlo. The head of the household makes most of his money by cheating at cards and his offspring are just as unscrupulous in their methods of earning their bread and butter. However, just as they have all things arranged to pull off one of their most lucrative deals—that of consummating a marriage between the son and a wealthy heiress they are told by the police to leave London. Under unusual circumstances they meet a lovable wealthy old lady who offers them hospitality. They soon make plans to fleece her, too, but their better natures get the upper hand, and the unfolding of die plot sees them turning aside from their old pursuits, and settling down to honest work. Even when they are crooks, however, there is something appealing about all the members of the family that wins them the sympathy of their audiences. Highest praise is due' to all members of the cast for excellent all-round performances. Janet Gaynor and Douglas Fairbanks, jun., portray the children, and Roland Young and Billie Burke the mother and father. It is hard to select one of these for special praise, for they all act sincerely and with true sense of the characters they are portraying. Paulette Goddard shows that her performance in “Modern Times” was no “flash in the pan” by doing fine acting in another of the principal roles, while Minnie Dupree, an old stage favourite, is excellent as the old lady who effects the regeneration of the irrepressible family. 'Special supports include “Rome in Symphony,” the second of the new “World Window” series in technicolour. This short feature includes views of the interior of the Vatican in colour. Box plans are at Begg’s or State Theatre, telephone 645. CHINESE MYSTIC REVUE STAGE PRODUCTION The box plans will be opened next Thursday at Begg’s for Chang’s “A Trip to Hades,” the Chinese magical, musical revue, which will be presented by arrangement with J. C. Williamson Ltd. at the Civic Theatre for a season of two nights commencing on Tuesday week, June 20. The amazing magic of Chang, recognized as one of the world’s greatest illusionists, has a most suitable background in this unusual production. In “A Trip to Hades” there are 28 scenes, all set in lavish Chinese tapestries, which bring the glory of ancient China, and the lighting effects are entirely new to New Zealand. In the large suporting company are a number of internationally famous artists, notably Joanna Claire, the Broadway dancer who, in addition to her solo presentation, introduces Chang’s imported ballet. Walton and Murray, direct from the Berlin Wintergarden, present an amazing act. Balancing acrobatic wizards, they invariably draw great applause from audiences. The Cuban Marimba Orchestra presents a novel musical act as well as playing the incidental music for the show, and Ross Buchanan, from the Drury Lane Theatre, London, has a fine baritone voice. These artists work in association with a host of talented Chinese assistants who, in the words of Chang, “bring you many strange things from many strange lands.” Chang does not present the magic of the past. Instead of producing rabbits he produces “ghosts,” weird fantastics figures that cavort around among the audience. These ghostly apparitions actually talk, yet one can see right through them—“even feel their icy fingers near your throat.” Chang’s tour of New Zealand is limited to eight weeks because he has signed a contract to return to Portugal. Theatregoers who like musical comedy, revue, magic,' drama or pantomime are all catered for in this unusual production. THE EMPIRE, RIVERTON “King Solomon’s Mines,” featuring Paul Robeson and Anna Lee, supported by Roland Young, John Loder and Cedric Hardwicke, will be screened at Riverton tonight. It brings the grandest adventure and most imaginative romance of Rider Haggard to the screen in the full outdoor grandeur of South Africa’s mysterious regions. This is a picture for everybody. No film-goer, play-goer, or adventure-lover should miss “King Solomon’s Mines” for sheer entertainment. The story has thrilled two generations. ST. JAMES, GORE Freddie Bartholomew’s new screen role sees him as a juvenile confidence man. It is as such that he appears in the first sequences of “The Boy From Barnado’s,” a drama of childhood regeneration and the Barnardo Home, British institution for the reclamation of youth. The film comes to the St. James, Gore, today.

REGENT THEATRE, GORE

With Beverly Roberts once again enacting the part of a business woman —this time as a head of a passenger bus company—a Warner Bros, melodrama called “The Daredevil Drivers,” opens at the Regent Theatre, Gore, tonight. “Stepping Toes,” introducing a clever nine-year-old star, Hazel Ascot, will be the supporting feature.