AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21090, 16 July 1938, Page 19

AMUSEMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE “ BROADWAY MELODY OF 1938 ” The last "Broadway Melody” production brought to the entertainment world more than half a dozen new screen personalities. "Broadway Melody of 1938,’ which starts at the Majestic to-day, brings the same personalities to the screen again in an outstanding musical comedy film, which is even better than its predecessors. Among the features of the picture are briliant dancing by the world s finest feminine tap dancer, amusing comedy interludes by some of Hollywood’s most accomplished comedians, and tuneful melodies and spectacular dance numbers which made the film one of the best musical productions ever presented on the screen. “Broadway Melody of 1938” begins on the racecourse and ends with a typical successful night of a show brought to the stage against fearful odds. In between there are excellent dance numbers by Eleanor Powell and George Murphy, the amusing antics of that lanky shuffling comedian Buddy Ebsen, and the singing of that vital personality Sophie Tucker, and amazing young Judy Garland, a 14-year-old girl who almost steals the honours of the film. Eleanor Powell, who had the leading role in the last "Broadway Melody” is as attractive as ever in her latest picture, while Robert Taylor, who had his first big part in the last production, is equally appealing as the romantic lead. For a dancing partner. Miss Powell has George Murphy, an international stage favourite, while Buddy Ebsen provides the dancing comedy. The supporting cast is one of the finest ever put into any picture. There is an outstanding radio singer in Charles Igor Gorin, and such fine comedians as Raymond Walburn and Robert Benchley. Other favourites are Robert Wildhack, the snoring specialist of "Broadway Melody of 1936,” who changes over to sneezing in this picture. The supporting programme is of an equally high standard. STATE THEATRE "DINNER AT THE RITZ” Romance, mystery, lavish frocking and the winsome charm of the young French actress Annabella are the outstanding features of "Dinner at the Ritz,’ a Twentieth Century-Fox film which is being presented at tire State Theatre. The story tells of a young girl’s efforts to discover the murderer of her father her adventurous mission taking her from the brilliant salons of Paris through the fabulous gaming rooms of Monte Carlo, and on to a luxurious private yacht in the Mediterranean. Her jewels and beautiful gowns are the envy of the women in the gaming rooms while her gambling excites the awed attention of everybody. But the young girl has more at stake than money in her efforts to find her father's slayer and from France she goes to London where the astounding clim .x is enacted in a Thames-side hotel. Throughout the whole picture it is noticeable to what extreme care the producer, Robert T. Kane, has gone to obtain the exactly correct settings and backgrounds lor each scene. Excitement, mystery, romance and a portion of comedy introduced by Romney Brent and David Niven, follow Annabelle, as she proceeds on her dangerous mission, accompanied by these two men, the former as an American detective whose quest coincides with her own, the latter as a debonaii young Frenchman who imparts the romantic interest. For excellence of acting, lavishness of presentation and efficiency of production this picture stands high among recent releases. Admirably supporting Annabella in the cast are Pml Lukas, David Niven and Romney Brent. The supporting programme is also of a very high standard. REGENT THEATRE “BEG, BORROW OR STEAL” A caravan of comedy with lavish backgrounds moves across the screen at the Regent Theatre with excellent results. It is called "Beg, Borrow or Steal”, and features Frank Morgan, Florence Rice and John Beal. Serving to give Morgan top billing for the first time under the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer banner, it is swell entertainment that ranks with "Libelled Lady” and “My Man Godfrey” in humorous propensities. “Beg, Borrow or Steal” is the story of an American tourist guide who promotes a chataeau on the Riviera to carry out a bluff to his family in America. The idea is to use the place for his daughter’s wedding and he calls on his crook pals to pose as nobility. With one eye on the police, Morgan manages the plan all right up to a certain point. But the daughter. being a chip off the old block, upsets things by marrying the wrong man. The picture is filled with laughs, furnished by a cast of experts. Morgan is excellent as usual in the featured role. Miss Rice and Beal again display their flair for comedy that was evidenced L “Double Wedding.” Others in the cast are Reginald Denny, George Givot, E. E. Clive. Cora Witherspoon, Herman Bing, Vladimir Sokoloff, Janet Beecher, Tom Rutherfurd and Harlan Briggs.

THEATRE ROYAL DOUBLE BILL “The House of a Thousand Candles” and "Carnival Queen” are ’he attractions at the Theatre Royal. Hollywood tragedies have been often in the news, but Hollywood also has its lucky breaks. One such break put Irving Plchel, noted stage and screen actor, into one of his best and most important roles, that of “Sebastian,” the master-spy in “The House of a Thousand Candles,” with Phillips Holmes and Mae Clarke in the adventurous romantic leads. A brave and beautiful girl fights alone against the world! Her father gone! Her fortune lost in the depression. Her future depending on the Income from a carnival, which a dangerous band of crooks is trying to steal away from her. That is the dramatic situation in 'Jniversal’s romantic comedy drama, “Carnival Queen.” Dorothea Kent portrays the heioine who takes personal charge of her carnival and wage., a fight to the finish with the thieves.