ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 24012, 30 December 1939, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE THREE SESSIONS TODAY “THE HARDYS RIDE HIGH”

To give those who are going away over the week-end a further opportunity of seeing an outstanding programme there will be another midnight matinee at the Regent Theatre tonight in addition to the usual matinee and evening sessions, at 2 p.m. and 7.45. Box plans are at H. and J. Smith’s and Rice’s Regent shop for today and on Monday will be at the theatre. The main feature, “The Hardys Ride High” is one of the best and most hilarious of the Hardy series, good as all the others were. It has some pathos, too, and the sympathies of the spectators are keenly invited. Judge Hardy is apprised that he has inherited 2,000,000 dollars and takes his family, Cecilia Parker, Mickey Rooney, Fay Holden, and Aunt Sara Haden, from their humble home-town to a magnificent mansion in Detroit, where they meet John King; who was the adopted son of the late owner and had naturally expected to get the property, but he shows Mickey round • the night-clubs and introduces him to his own girl, Virginia Grey. Mickey produces gales qf laughter in his antics on becoming a moneyed “man about town.” The judge becomes uneasy and suspicious that there is something phoney about this business of a huge fortune, so .he returns to the home town to again look into his papers, and finds among them evidence that he was not born but only adopted into the family of the lately deceased man, so that he cannot rightfuly inherit the estate. For the sake of his family he is. tempted—even as you or I—to destroy the evidence, lay low and “say nuffin.” But his family just naturally don’t care about crooked money, so the temptation is resisted. We have come to look on the Hardy Family pictures as good entertainment, and this one is no exception. The sensational novelty of the cinema world arrives with “Audioscopiks,” the second of the series, which is claimed to be far funnier and more bewildering than the previous unit. Also included in the list of outstanding “shorts” is Robert Benchley’s latest success “A Day of Rest,” another of those favourite Crime Doesn’t Pay .series,, entitled “Think First,” and-more outstanding newsreels, the whole building up another of those great entertainments always provided by the Regent, men-, agement. ■

MAJESTIC THEATRE “MAN OF CONQUEST” / Republic’s thrill packed “Man of Conquest,” the life story of Sam Houston, soldier of fortune, statesman, adventurer beyond daring, ■ has been lavished with praise by the critics of the world with all. the adjectives at their command. Smith’s Weekly gives it A.A. and acclaim it “One of the pictures of this year, or any year.” This picture will conclude its season at the Majestic Theatre today. The story is replete with characters whose names are etched in history’s most thrilling pages. Richard Dix gives an unforgettable portrayal of Houston; Gail Patrick and Joan Fontaine are lovely and capable. Such outstanding character performers as Edward Ellis, C. Henry Gordon, Victor Jory, Robert Armstrong, George Hayes, Max Terhune, Robert Barrat, Ralph Morgan, William Benedict and Janet Beecher enrich every scene with realism. The story traces Houston’s life from the time he left the Cherokee Indian tribe with whom he had been living-for a year, to fight with General Jackson in the war' in 1812. A most attractive array of featurettes will support “Man of Conquest” including Max Fleischer’s 3000 ft threedimensional technicolor cartoon, “Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp,” featuring the popular animated char, acters, Popeye the Sailor, Olive Oyl and Barnacle Bill. The first chapter of the new western serial, “The Oregon Trail,” which stars Johnny Mack Brown, will open at the matinee today. Plans for these outstanding attractions are on view at H. and J. Smith’s, Rice’s Majestic Theatre shop or at the theatre, telephone 738.

“MR WONG IN CHINATOWN” AND “JANE STEPS OUT”

A complete change of programme has been arranged for screening on Monday, New Year’s Day. Fred Ernney, Diana Churchill and Jean Muir are the stars of B.E.F.’s “Jane Steps Out.” A bright comedy farce which is reminiscent of the famous English comedy, “My Wife’s Family.” One laugh follows another in this farcial comedy and with the talented artists mentioned it is not necessary to draw on one’s imagination to realize how tremendously funny this British comedy will be. A farce comedy has always been the prerogative of the English stage and with the advent of the talking picture this has been extended to the talking screen and “Jane Steps Out” is a prime example of a British farce.

The associate feature, “Mr Wong in Chinatown” has Boris Karloff and Grant Withers starred, with Boris KarIqff as the charming oriental detective. This time he is faced with a Chinese murder committed in the heart of Chinatown. It is a case of oriental criminology verses oriental crime and Mr Wong’s astute brain is taxed to its utmost in bringing the Chinese criminals to bay in this the most exciting of the Mr Wong series. Plans are on view at the Majestic Theatre from 1.30 p.m. on Monday, New Year’s Day. STATE THEATRE “THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK” Love, war, sword-play, a King’s wickedness, and all the glamour of the France of Louis XIV adorn the United Artists picture “The Man in the Iron Mask,” which screens at 2,0. and 8.0 today and a special late session at 10.15 at the State Theatre. When the Infanta Maria Therese (Joan Bennett) came to Paris from the Court of her

father, the King of Spain, to become betrothed (and eventually married) to the King of France, she was mystified to find that the French King was at one meeting a licentious reprobate, and, at another meeting, a model of Kingship and of manly dignity. To the Infanta it almost seemed that the King must be two Kings. And so, in fact, he was. The King’s twin brother Philippe (stolen since birth, to prevent succession difficulties) had suddenly arrived at the Royal Court, and the King had asked his long-lost brother to “double for him at a public ceremony. Poor Philippe did not know, but the reprobate King knew, that the Paris mob had planned an attack during the ceremony on the King’s life. But when the row started Philippe used his sword so well that he beat off the attackers, captured their admiration, and angered the real king by forgiving them. Then Philippe “doubled” for the benefit of the. Infanta, who found him as magnetic as the real king was repellent; but their likeness as twins prevented her detect-, ing the substitution. Of course, the real king could not tolerate all this virtue in a twin brother, and the latter was put in prison (the Bastille). with his head permanently enclosed in a heavy iron mask. After that, swords got busy again, Philippe was rescued, and the iron mask was put on the king himself, who then took Philippe’s place in the Bastille, but escaped. The fighting that followed almost defies description. Louis Hayward makes a magnificent success of the knightly leading role, and Joan Bennett has never before been so Spanishly beautiful. Special supports include the latest “March of Time,” “Japan—Master of the Orient?” Box plans are at the State Theatre, telephone 645.

CIVIC THEATRE “SCARLET PIMPERNEL” , “MOONLIGHT SONATA” Music as has never been heard in the cinema before is provided by Ignace Jan Paderewski, the worldfamous pianist who at the age of 75 makes his debut in “Moonlight Sonata,” which will be shown at the Civic Theatre today at 2.0 and 7.45. Charm is the keynote-of “Moonlight Sonata” with Paderewski as the chief charmer. There have been more exciting films, but none more beautiful or: so completely satisfying. The picture opens with the pianist giving a recital in a crowded concert hall. Attention is drawn to a happy young couple and their baby daughter. Later in his club, Paderewski tells the story of their romance, how it was nearly broken and how his music brought them together, again. Of more than ordinary interest is the appearance of Marie Tempest, beloved figure of the English stage, as the imperious but kindly Baroness. Other fine portrayals are given by Charles Farrell, best remembered as •Janet Gaynor’s leading man in “Seventh Heaven.” Based on Baroness Orczy’s bestselling novel, “The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel” is the Civic’s second attraction today with Barry K. Barnes in the title role. Barnes, is seen as Sir Percy Blakeney, an intrepid young Englishman, whose main occupation is snatching French aristocrats from under the guillotine. Box plans for today and Monday are at the Civic Theatre, telephone 1744.

CELEBRITY COMPANY TWO EXCELLENT COMEDIES Commencing on Wednesday the Celebrity Comedy Company offers as a New Year attraction two of the funniest comedies ever written “Charlie’s Aunt,” and “Up in Mabels Room.” Both these comedies proved an instantaneous success in the North Island where this bright company had a most encouraging season. It is many years since Invercargill has had a flesh and blood show at the festive season and no doubt this brilliant company will receive the patronage it deserves. It would be difficult to get together a troupe of more experienced players. Don Nicol, who has appeared here with many recent successes, is the leading comedian and plays the part of the aunt in a manner that will have the audience in constant laughter from the rise to the fall of the curtain; his versatility is remarkable. Playing opposite him as the leading lady is the well-known and popular Australian film star, Shirley Ann Richards, who is making her first personal appearance in New Zealand. Shirley Ann is just as sweet on stage as in her films and no doubt everyone will be glad to see this charming personality in person. Shirley Ann’s most recent picture was “Dad and Dave Come to Town,” with that loveable old character Bert Bailey as Dad. Phil Smith is another well-known performer who needs little _ introduction, having toured New Zealand on many occasions as principal comedian with the Royal Comic Opera Company, “The Arcadians” and with Gladys Moncrief in “The Maid of the Mountains.” Mary Duncan, Leal Douglas and Alathea Siddons apart from their respective brilliant stage careers will be remembered as having toured with Irene Purcell in The Women Company. Maisie Wallace, another outstanding performer has had experience with the Gilbert and Sullivan Company and the Hollywood Hotel Company. Charlie Albert, who, by the way, is responsible for the producing, is a well-known figure on the Australasian stage and was a member of the famous Pollards Juveniles. Norman Barrington and Lane Patterson are newcomers to New Zealand but have had considerable experience on the London stage playing opposite such well-known names as Matheson Lang, Dame Sibyl Thorndyke, and Sir Seymour Hicks. John Fleeting is the juvenile lead and one that you are going to like. John has had experience on both stage and screen his last picture being opposite George Wallace in “Gone to The Dogs.” Make up your mind to usher in the New Year with laughter by seeing this bright company. Make sure of your seats now by reserving at Begg’s. THE EMPIRE, RIVERTON Drama, romance, thrills and the gorgeous music of Victor Herbert’s greatest operetta are blended in “Naughty Marietta,” . Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s spectacular picture which will be presented at Riverton on New Year’s night. Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy were never seen to better advantage. Its haunting melodies will live forever, and you will never forget its enchanting romance and thrilling ad-

venture. It is unforgettable., and is considered the greatest musical ever produced. Frank Morgan, Elsa Lanchester, Cecelia Parker and Douglas Dumbrille are included in the cast. REGENT THEATRE, GORE “Mutiny on the Black Hawk” is the feature attraction at the Regent Theatre, Gore, tonight. The stars are Richard Arlen and Andy Devine. The supporting picture is “Comet Over Broadway,” which stars Kay Francis and lan Hunter. ST. JAMES THEATRE, GORE Lionel Barrymore, Nelson Eddy and Victor McLaglen are the stars in “Song of the Plains,” which is now showing at the St. James Theatre, Gore. There is also a good selection of shorts and news, including another of the “March of Time” series.