ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23948, 14 October 1939, Page 17

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE “NAUGHTY MARIETTA” The most popular musical romance ever presented, “Naughty Marietta,” is to play a short encore engagement at the Regent Theatre beginning at the matinee today. With Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy in the leading roles and directed by W. S. Van Dyke, it tells a graphic story of the settlement of New Orleans by the French in the days of Louis XV, and of the love of a disguised French princess, seeking escape from a marriage of state, and an English officer. The dramatic side of the adventure, thrills and perils of the period is stressed as a thundering background for the glamorous music. Such song hits as “Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life,” “I’m Falling in Love with Someone,” “Tramp, Tramp, Tramp,” “The Italian Street Song,” and all the original music of the operetta is retained with new lyrics by Gus Kahn, of the famous song team of Donaldson and Kahn. Prominent in a large cast in support of Miss MacDonald and Nelson Eddy are Frank Morgan as Governor D’Annard, Elsa Lanchester (Mrs Charles Laughton) as Madame D’Annard, Douglas Dumbrille, Joseph Cawthome, Cecilia Parker, Walter

Kingsford, Greta Meyere, Akim Tamiroff, Harold Huber and Edward Brophy. Spectacular reproductions of New Orleans and Paris of the period, gorgeous costumes, and elaborate staging mark the new production. Among the dramatic highlights are the flight from Paris, the battle with the pirates at sea, the capture of the Casquette Girls, the march of the scouts through the Everglades, the routing of the pirates, the New Orleans marriage market where the girls are sold, in marriage, the sensational “confession” of the princess, and the disillusionment of her officer lover. Other dramatic punches are the discovery of her identity when the emissaries of the king come, battles with Natchez Indians, the marionette show episode, and finally, the flight of the lovers from the long arm of the French crown. An unusual detail is the bevy of 40 Casquette Girls, picked from among the most beautiful of the younger players of Hollywood. Quaint and romantic costumes of the old New Orleans and other lavish details are interspersed with comedy episodes, through which the central thread of romance runs. The demand for seats is again heavy and reservations should be made early. MAJESTIC THEATRE “RENEGADE TRAIL” HOPALONG CASSIDY AGAIN William Boyd as Hopaiong Cassidy, Clarence E Mulford’s favourite hero of the wide open spaces, is the star of that author’s “Renegade Trail” which is now showing at the Majestice Theatre. Supporting “Hoppy” are his saddle mates Lucky Jenkins and Windy Hayes. Charlotte Wynters has the role of a courageous woman rancher, who calls in the help of Hoppy and his pals against devastating cattle rustling on her ranch. “Renegade Trail” also presents the popular male quartette “The King’s Men” who are heard in swingy western melodies. The associate feature “Never Say Die” is a fast moving comedy starring Martha Raye, Bob Hope, Andy Devine and Alan Mowbray, while the second chapter of the Buck Roger serial and latest Cinesound News will also be shown. A large autographed photograph of Clarence E. Mulford’s popular western characters, Hopaiong Cassidy, Lucky Jenkins and Windy Hayes will be given to everybody attending today’s matinee at the Majestic. Popeye the Sailor, Betty Boop Cartoon, a comedy, chapter 2, “Buck Rogers,” serial featuring Larry “Buster” Crabbe and a newsreel will be screened this afternoon in conjunction with Hoppy, Windy and Lucky in “Renegade Trail.” Plans are now on view at H. and J. Smith’s department store box office, Rice’s Majestic Theatre confectionery or Majestic Theatre. Telephone 738. STATE THEATRE “SO THIS IS LONDON” RIOTOUS COMEDY FARCE A lively and entertaining theme—the ; extreme animosity between an Ameri- : can and an Englishman—is developed . in “So This Is London,” starring Rob- \ ertson Hare and Alfred Drayton, be- j ginning at the State Theatre at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. today. Sparkling with humour and alive with action, “So This 1 Is London” is a triumph for Hare and Drayton as a comedy team. The film is based on the play of the same name by George M. Cohan, and provides unlimited and joyous fun. Berton Churchill is portrayed as the irate S American who is forced to leave the I United States and visit England for < business reasons. His subtle comments 1 about “those Englishers” are an enter- e tainment in themselves. Hare takes 5 the part of a solicitor for a concern in- i

terested in a revolutionary formula for a new type of bread, which is the pivot on which the story turns. Hare is delegated to represent his company on a mission to America. He comes in contact with Churchill as the head of the American firm, with which he has to deal. Churchill immediately expresses his disapproval of visiting England, but the efficient Hare uses, his persuasive powers with surprising effects. Special supports include “Inside Europe” and “1939 English Derby.” Box plans are at Begg’s or State. Telephone 645.

x CIVIC THEATRE “RETURN OF CISCO KID” “NEWS IS MADE AT NIGHT’ Warner Baxter brings back to the screen. at the Civic Theatre at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. today O. Henry’s lovable outlaw, whom he created in “In Old Arizona," in the 20th CenturyFox production “The Return of the Cisco Kid.” The immortal Robin Hood of the Rio Grande inspires new actionpacked legends of the old south-west in this fast-paced, fun-filled film. Lynn Bari has her most important role to date as the girl for whom the romantic bandit sighs, while a thousand senoritas sigh for him. Production Chief Darryl F. Zanuck also cast the remaining roles with great care and the result is a sterling line-up, including Cesar Romero, Henry Hull, Kane Richmond, C. Henry Gordon and Robert Barrat. / “News Is Made at Night,” the second feature, is a thrilling new crime mystery. Preston Foster as a crusading editor and Lynn Bari as a brilliant girl reporter head the cast which also features Russell Gleason, George Barbier, Betty Compson and Paul Guilfoyle. Alfred Werker directed the film, a 20th Century-Fox release. Plans are at Begg’s or Civic, telephone 1744. “TORCH OF ST. DUNSTAN’S” Residents of Riverton and Otautau and districts will be pleased to know that the film, “The Torch of St. Dunstan’s” will be screened in both towns this evening. This film, which is a short story of the training of a blind man at St. Dunstan’s Hostel, England, has become extremely popular and is most interesting in so far as it depicts the wonderful modem methods whereby blind persons may be trained in a profession or a trade. Blindness has always been looked upon as a terrible affliction; so it is, but with the facilities obtainable at the New Zealand Institute for the Blind much of the dread which invariably follows when a person first loses his sight, has, in a great measure been overcome. Mr J. E. Broadfoot, director and secretary of the New Zealand Institute for the Blind, and Mr Packman, workshops manager, will appear and speak briefly on the film. Peter Morelatos, commonly known as “Blind Pete,” will also appear in a short display of basketwork. Other goods produced by the blind will also be shown. Peter is well known to followers of wrestling, and he attends all matches held in Auckland with Mr Gordon Hutter, sports announcer for IYA.

Residents of Riverton and Otautau and districts are urged not to miss this wonderful opportunity of seeing “The Torch of St. Dunstan’s,” which will be screened at both centres this evening. The screening has been made possible through the courtesy of Mr Eccleton, Empire Pictures, Riverton, and the Riverton Borough Council, and Messrs Wesney and McMillan, Otautau Picture Company and the Otautau Town Board. A collection in aid of the funds of the New Zealand Institute for the Blind will be taken up at the conclusion of the programme. ST. JAMES THEATRE, GORE The attraction at the St. James Theatre, Gore, tonight, is “The Citadel,” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s notable drama, produced from the book of the same name. It is the story of a doctor in the Welsh collieries and stars Robert Donat and Rosalind Russell. Others in the cast are Ralph Richardson, Rex Harrison and Emlyn Williams. REGENT THEATRE, GORE “No Parking,” starring Gordon Harker, is the feature attraction at the Regent Theatre, Gore, tonight. The picture is produced by Herbert Wilcox and others in the cast are Leslie Perrins, Irene Ware and George Hayes. The supporting film is “Pacific Liner,” R.K.O. Radio’s latest production starring Victor McLaglen.