AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20763, 25 June 1937, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS

REGENT THEATRE DOUBLE PROGRAMME The double programme at the Regent featuring “The Mystery of the Marie Celeste’’ and “Cheer Up’’ will conclude to-day. The former concerns one of the most remarkable mysteries in history; the complete disappearance of a ship and the crew, while "Cheer Up” gives Stanley Lupino full scope for his fine comedy talent.

"Show Boat” To-morrow

“Show Boat,” when first produced on the screen in Timaru, proved amazingly popular, although technically it was elementary and it Yiad little of the polish given a modern film. A marked Improvement has been made in the version to commence a return season to-morrow at the Regent. Tire songs, always the first attraction, have been perfectly reproduced, and the singers are experienced in screen work. Expense has not been spared in prepared colourful and authentic backgrounds, and the unusual photography will be found intriguing. "Show Boat” will never be a failure on stage or screen.. because it contains the principles of true entertainment, none of them over-emphasised, none underemphasised. There is romance which earlier stage plays captured equally as well as the modern screen; comedy, which has been specially brought out In this version; pathos, which so many films ignore, and action and drama in judicious quantity. Tire songs in "Show Boat” are so well known that they seem older than the show itself. "Make Believe,” "Why Do I Love You,” “Ol’ Man River,” and a new song, “Ah Still Suits Me,” each has its peculiar appeal. The singing o£ "Ol’ Man River” by Paul Robeson has never been surpassed; only a negro could supply the sentiment necessary to the song without sounding insincere. Irene Dunne has sung in operatic, comic and romantic roles, but has never before had the opportunity she is given in “Shqw Boat.” Allan Jones, another fine

singer who is making his way to the higher recognition, displays a voice well up to standard.

STATE THEATRE

"BANJO ON MY KNEE” Generally, “Banjo on My Knee,” which opens at the State to-day may be said to possess the locale of "Tobacco Road” and the atmosphere of "Steamboat ’Round the Bend.” In casting the picture Mr Zanuck was literally inspired in his decision to star Barbara Stanwyck and Joel McCrea in the leading roles, as well as in his selection of supporting players, a roster which includes such prominent and talented artists as Helen Westley, Buddy Ebsen, Walter Brennan, Walter Catlett, Anthony Martin and Katherine de Mille. Happy, too, was his designation of John Cromwell as director. In the Interests of realism Mr Zanuck, quite wisely, determined to reproduce as nearly as possible the individual music, peculiarities of speech, and the unconscious and, sometimes, nearrowdy humour of the true shantyboaters; their distrust and open dislike of “land-folks,” whom they regarded as outsiders; their rigid adherence to their own standards of conduct and their hallowed traditions. Also on the programme Is a technicolour film of the Coronation. It is divided into two sections, the first of which is in remarkably true colour and shows all the pageantry associated with the occasion. It includes scenes of the several processions, preceded by a survey of some of the magnificent Royal palaces and residences. The Royal coaqh is shown leaving Buckingham Palace and passing through the greatest crowd that has ever assembled for a single event. Sound film conveys the cheering and tumult of the countless thousands at every vantage point, and closely packed along the route. In watching all this historic ceremony and colcgtrful pageantry one feels for the time that one is not in New Zealand, but actually viewing the procession and being present in the Abbey, for the second section of the film, although In black and white, is devoted entirely to the actual ceremonial there. The King and Queen are prominent throughout the film, and another outstanding figure is Queen Mary, who is shown with the two little Princesses. Nothing of the minutes preceding and following the actual crowning is lost, and the processions slowly leave the Abbey on their return.

THEATRE ROYAL

“ONE MORE SPRING” AND "THE MAN I MARRY” A deftly contrived blend of irony, pathos, adventure and romance makes “One More Spring” to be screened at the Theatre Royal to-night, one of the most delightful pictures of the year. This screen play, in which glamorous Janet Gaynor and dashing Warner Baxter co-star, is based on the Robert Nathan best-seller of the same name which created a sensation in book forrp. The story concerns a quartet, three men and a girl, who take refuge in an old park toolhouse and winter there, hoping that by Spring their luck will turn. All are destitute, but find that life can be strange and entertaining, if only they decide to look it bravely in the face.

A girl who runs away from her own wedding and a playwright who runs away from all women, discover, after many excruciatingly funny conflicts, that they cannot escape love, in the thoroughly enjoyable Universal romantic comedy, “Tire Man I Marry.” Doris Nolan, a brilliant new screen personality, is the capable star and her leading man is Michael Whalen. The humour of the picture rises from the situations and from the quick flashing dialogue. The laughs start when Doris Nolan, as the prospective bride, goes A.W.O.L. just before her marriage.

MAJESTIC THEATRE

"BORN TO DANCE” Eleanor Powell clinches her title of the world’s greatest feminine tap dancer In "Bom to Dance,” opening at

the Majestic to-day, is a delight to behold, a pleasure to listen to, and a tremendous treat to lovers of dancing in any form. In "Bom to Dance” she introduces a bewildering array of routines, including even an original version of the current popular "swing” tempo. In its music, production value, and dazzling array of supporting talent, "Born to Dance” in ever*y way lives up to the high standards set by its brilliant dancing star. In its magnificent settings, eye-filling ensembles, every one of whose dancers must be a beauty-prize winner, the interesting naval backgrounds and the general luxury of the proceedings, the picture Is definitely in the tradition of "The Great Ziegfeld.” Dave Gould did a brilliant job of supervising the dances, and the direction of Roy Del Ruth adds immeasurably to the success of the whole. The story of "Bom to Dance” involves the romance of a small-town girl who falls in love with a navy man and almost loses him to a show girl. The personable James Stewart is the navy man, and Virginia Bruce gives an outstanding portrayal as the temperamental show girl. Also scoring In a top-notch supporting cast are Una Merkel and Sid Silvers.