ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 24165, 29 June 1940, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

KEGENT THEATRE “THE STAR MAKER” BING CROSBY LINDA WARE Full of bright, happy and tuneful melodies, both of today and days gone by, “The Star Maker,” which is now at the Regent Theatre has an appeal to all classes of theatregoers. Walter 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. Bing Crosby, a new discovery in child singers—Linda Ware—who will surprise you, Louise Campbell and Ned Sparks, have the leading roles. And there is a happy crowd of talented juveniles in the background adding melody and charm to a very pleasing picture. The play is based on the life of the American composer-showman, Gus Edwards. Bing Crosby fits the role perfectly as a dreamer of dreams, whose hit songs are refused again and again by the publishers. He sings many numbers, both solo and with background of the children’s voices, making tuneful melody. There are both old and new songs to please everybody woven into the story. Crosby is married to lovely Louise Campbell who, when Crosby conceives an act for himself and children but cannot get a hearing, arranges it with Thurston Hall, famous owner of theatres, and so the act gets across successfully. Crosby, crammed with ideas for expansion, starts, off with Louise and Ned Sparks, Press agent, on a tour across country on the search for child talent, in which he is so successful that he forms several road companies, but is checked when the Children’s Welfare Society force him to close up on his opening night on Broadway. Crosby turns contract and Linda Ware, star pupil, over to Walter Damrosch with whom she makes a hit, but naturally he is depressed over the apparent utter failure of his career. Then suddenly, radio revives him and his,, ideas, for children are allowed to be ori the air, aad he is once again a star maker. The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra is conducted by Dr Damrosch neai- the end when some fine classical selections are played to the great enjoyment of the audience as accompaniment to Linda Ware’s remarkable singing. The child is real—possibly the most outstanding of the young singers of today —her mother in the picture, Laura Hope Crews, says she takes the “e above the High C,” —her notes are evenly beautiful, full and melodious, while she can as easily rattle off a jazz or “popular” song as the classics. Laura H. Crews incidentally is very entertaining in a bit part as the faded operatic singer, and New Sparks’ comedy is the best he has yet given us. The supporting first half is also exceptionally good, making the whole programme an outstanding one.

MAJESTIC THEATRE SANDY POWELL TODAY The English screen, radio and stagb comedian Sandy Powell is starred today at the Majestic in British Empire Films’ rollicking comedy farce “Home From Home.” Sandy Powell has gladdened the hearts of many millions 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?”

“Home From Home,” will be shown this afternoon with shorts which include the final chapter of the mystery serial, “The Phanton Creeps”, chapter 5 of the Western serial, “The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok,” a cartoon, “Stranger Than Fiction,” and newsreel. Tonight it will be supported by the Warner Bros.’ film, “Private Detective,” a thrill-packed-mystery comedy featuring Jane Wyman, Dick Foran and Maxie Rosenbloom.

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. Plans are now on view at H. and J. Smith’s, Rice’s Majestic sweet shop and the theatre. STATE THEATRE “OVER THE MOON” COMEDY AND ROMANCE Comedy, romance, technicolour—those are the principal ingredients of “Over The Moon,” Alexander Kordas latest world-release production, which is screening at 2 and 8 daily at the State Theatre. Delayed for six months as a result of the outbreak of war, the film carries Merle Oberon, one of the loveliest of Britain’s stars, across a kaleidoscope of action in Venice, St. Moritz and Monte Carlo. 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. Special featurettes will introduce the feature picture. Box plans are at Begg’s or State.

\ CIVIC THEATRE

“THOSE HIGH GREY WALLS” “MOTHER BY PROXY” Columbia’s novel and unusual prison drama. “Those High Grey Walls,” is the first attraction at the Civic at 2 and 7.45 today. Walter Connolly is featured in the tense tale of a beloved country doctor who is sentenced to gaol for a humanitarian act. Onslow Stevens, a young prison surgeon, and Iris Meredith, the country doctor’s daughter, are also featured. “Mother By Proxy,” the Civic’s second feature, is the story of a sideshow girl who tried to side-step love. Knowing only the beast in men . she vowed never to give her heart to a man to break. And then love came to her. Civic prices tonight are I/- and 1/6, and children half price at matinee. Plans are at Begg’s, Mathieson’s (next Civic) or Civic.

THE EMPIRE, RIVERTON “The Beachcomber,” featuring Charles Laughton and Elsa Lanchester, will be screened at Riverton tonight. It is a tropical hurricane of laughter, a typhoon of romance, based on a story by W. Somerset Maugham, of the conflict between a liberty-loving wastrel (Laughton) and a plain woman missionary on one of the islands of the Dutch East Indies. “The Beachcomber” is an outstanding comedy-romance, and has won unusual praise from both critics and public. Laughton has never played a greater role, and that is praise indeed.