ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 24163, 27 June 1940, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE “LADY OF THE TROPICS” “Lady of The Tropics,” which opened at the Regent Theatre yesterday, is being acclaimed as “a natural,” not only for Hedy Lamarr, but also for Robert Taylor. It is the exciting story of a beautiful girl of Indo-China who, because she is a half-caste, meets insurmountable barriers in her struggles to escape the Orient and seek her father’s people in France. The most beautiful woman in Saigon, she is sought by numerous influential men who could assist in her escape, but she rejects them all to become the wife of a romantic young American. In this romantic setting, young Bill Carey, penniless American (played by Robert Taylor) meets and is attracted to Manon, a beautiful half-caste (portrayed by Miss Lamarr), and their interest in each other ripens into love within the mystifying ruins of the great emigmatic temple of Angkor Wat, shrine of a forgotten' race only recently torn out of the jungle by French explorers. Manon’s dream is to break the bonds of birth which bind her and flee from Indo-China, where no race recognizes her, and become a white woman. But Delaroch (Joseph Schildkraut) throws every obstacle in her path, because he also loves her; and even her marriage to Carey by Father Antoine (played by Cossart) fails to thwart Delaroch in keeping her bound to Indo-China. Manon, after her husband has voiced distrust in her, finds the solution in a tensely dramatic climax.

“THE STAR MAKER” THE HAPPINESS SHOW Full of bright, happy and tuneful melodies, both of today and days gone by, “The Star Maker,” which is to come to the Regent Theatre on Saturday, has an appeal to all classes of theatregoer. Waiter Damrosch and his Philharmonic Orchestra of 100 players playing Tschaikowsky’s “Waltz of the Flowers” and Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony give a touch of distinction to an extraordinarily pleasant entertainment. The old-time songs—l 4 of s them—include such favourites as “I Can’t Tell Why I Love You,” “I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now,” “School Days,” “Sunbonnet Blue” and the modern melodies featured are the hit of the day, “An Apple For The Teacher,” also “GqFly a Kite,,” “A Man and His Dream” and “Still the Blue Bird Sings.” One of the big surprises of the film is a 14-year-old girl, Linda Ware, an orphan with a remarkable voice and a refreshing personality. There are also many young people in the cast who are likely to be stars of tomorrow. Bing Crosby gives a fine performance as Gus Edwards, who came to be known as the doyen of American vaudeville. Louise Campbell is his wife and Ted Sparks his Press T ' , o< v , een them all they present 90 minutes of truly delightful enter--vnich thoroughly merits the description of “The Happiness Show.”

STATE THEATRE “I WAS A SPY” FINALLY “I Was A Spy,” the famous British true-life spy story by Martha McKenna and starring Madeline Carroll, Conrad Veidt, Herbert Marshall and Edmund Gwenn, screens finally today at 2.0 and P.O at the State Theatre. The second feature, “The Mind of Mr Reeder,” is an Edgar Wallace thriller starring Will Fyffe. “OVER THE MOON” ' COMEDY AND ROMANCE — Comedy, romance, technicolour — those are the principal ingredients of “Over The Moon,” Alexander Korda s latest world-release production, which opens at 2.0 and 8.0 tomorrow, Friday, at the State Theatre. Delayed for six months as a result of the outbreak of war, the film carries Merle Oberon, one of the lovieliest of Britain’s stars, across a kaleidoscope of action in Venice, St. Moritz and Monte Carlp. The story is light, yet interesting enough to hold attention, but the film depends for its appeal not on its story value—which is only a peg on which to hang its more imposing features—but on its brilliant dialogue, its romantic situations, its splendid acting by a wellchosen cast of players, its colour photography. Robert Sherwood, author of “The. Road to Rome,” “The Guardsman” and many other famous stories and plays, wrote “Over the Moon.” The picture revolves round the adventures of Jane Benson (Miss Oberon), who inherits £15,000,000. The usual plethora of penny-parasites comes to the fore, but Jane’s interest lies principally in a young doctor who consistently refuses to become “Mr Jane Benson”— in the best Hollywood style. The radiant star of “Wuthering Heights” will delight state audiences in this rhythm of hilarious comedy, exciting adventures and gay romantic escapades—all in natural colour. Special featurettes will introduce the feature picture. Box plans are at Begg’s or State.

MAJESTIC THEATRE

“SECRETS OF AN ACTRESS” Kay Francis, lan Hunter and George Brent are the stars of Warner Brothersclever drama “Secrets of an Actress,” which will conclude at the Majestic Theatre today. The associate feature British Empire Filins bright comedy “Cheer, Boys, Cheer,” has Nova Philbeam, Edmund Gwenn, Jimmy O’Dea and Graham Moffett in the leading roles. SANDY POWELL TOMORROW The English screen, radio and stage comedian Sandy Powell is starred tomorrow at the Majestic in British Empire Films’ rollicking comedy farce “Home From Home.” Sandy Powell has gladdened the hearts of many of British and American screen, radio and stage audiences with his happy slogans “Can you hear me, mother,” and “It’s turned out nice again, hasn't it?” The repetition of these slogans throughout his performances which he brings in at exactly the right moment always provokes prolonged laughter. In “Home From Home” The associate feature “Private Detective” is one of the gayest, snappiest,

murder mysteries we have had the pleasure of presenting for many a moon. This new Warner Brothers’ mystery thriller features Jane Wyman, Dick Foran, Gloria Dickson and Maxie Rosenbloom. Jane Wyman is featured as the girl private detective with Dick Foran a detective sergeant in the force ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BABY CONTEST . The district competition of the St. John baby contest now in progress at the Majestic Theatre is getting more interesting every day with a Dunedin baby slightly ahead of one of the locals, with several others close at hand. Invercargill people should support local entries and help them win the handsome prize. Plans are now <?n view at H. and J. Smith’s, Rice’s Majestic sweet shop and the theatre.