ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 27 May 1933, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. “THE LOVE RACE” MATINEE. If laugh and grow fat is a true axiom, everyone who sees “The Love Race,” which commences a return season at The Regent, New Plymouth, to-day at 2 and 7.45 p.m,., will have to let out their clothes. Never has so much laughter been packed into so small a space. From the opening back-chat between Reggie Powley, played by Stanley Lupino, and his stem father (Frank Perfitt) to the last uproarious scene in court where the judge and jury alike sway to the rhythm of Lupino’s catchy song “Just Dance,” there is not a dull moment. The effervescent Stanley is ably supported by Jack Hobbs, who gets him every minute into a fresh scrape while telling facile lies to extract him from the last, and during the course of the evening Rita Payne, who has arrived on the scene to collect her suitcase, misappropriated by Reggie at Victoria, is described in turn as Reggie’s sister, Reggie’s wife and Bobbie’s fiancee. Further merriment is also supplied by Arty Ashe as Eustace, an inebriated taxi-driver- who slouches in and out of the house at intervals in search of “an ’at with a white top” and is advised by the butler to “take more soda with it and he wouldn’t be seeing such insects.” An excellent supporting programme will include Pathe Gazette, Pathe Varieties and “Ugly Duckling” (Silly Symphony Cartoon). The second chapter of “The Jungle Mystery” will be screened at the matinee only. EVERYBODY’S TO-DAY. GEORGE WALLACE. COMEDY. , i . George Wallace, the popular Australian comedian who has been appearing in person at the New Plymouth Opera House, comes to Everybody’s Theatre today at 2'and 7.45 p.m. in , “Harmony Row,” his second talking picture success. George, through his remarkable performance in Efftee’s first musical production, “His Royal Highness,” has been acclaimed by press and public as one of the greatest comedians so far discovered by the talking-picture screen. In “Harmony Row” he has a lively comedy, role as a policeman on beat duty. The supporting cast includes many well-known players, among them being Thelma Scott, Phyllis Baker, Gertrude Boswell, Bebe Scott, Marshall Crosby, and Billy Kerr, a clever boy actor. The associate programme is superb and will include Universal News, selections from “Carmen” (orchestral), Peter Bernstein (violin solo), “Songs at the Piano,” Byri Walkley (vocal number), and Paramount British News. NEW PLYMOUTH OPERA HOUSE. “SMILIN’' THROUGH.” The story of “Smilin’ Through,” the charming romance unfolded at the New Plymouth Opera House last night, is that of a man who cannot forget the memory of tragedy when the fulfilment of his love is blighted on his wedding day. Fifty years afterwards the son of the man who caused his bitterness returns and falls in love with the niece of the girl whom this man has loved. Out of the bitterness in his heart he at first endeavours to keep the young lovers apart, and only when the spirit of his departed one warns him of the harm he is causing does he relent. There are poignant moments of partings and enduring suffering by the young lovers when they are separated by the call of war, but the radiant personality of Norma Shearer supplies a colour and charm to the scenes which delight the audience. Norma Shearer returns to the screen as a changed personality, and wins more hearts with her charming and romantic acting than_she has ever done in her more sophisticated performances. In a dual role as Moonyeen Clare, and, later, as Moonyeen’s sister’s child, Kathleen, she lives through the loves and sadnesses of two ages in a spirit of unaffected and romantic sincerity. INGLEWOOD THEATRE. “LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE.” “Looking on the Bright Side” will show finally to-night at the Inglewood Theatre, the inimitable Gracie Fields being the star. The film is another British triumph. Gracie Fields is irresistible. She sings and laughs her way right into your heart and then gives you an outing of sunshine and happiness you thoroughly enjoy and long remember. For years Gracie has been the acknowledged Queen of British stage entertainers and her talents are such that after only one screen appearance in “Sally in Our Alley,” she easily topped the poll in a star popularity contest recently conducted by the English Daily Mafi.