AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21156, 1 October 1938, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE “LET GEORGE DO IT” The last visit in person to Timaru of that inimitable Australian comedian, George Wallace, is too recent to make it necessary to enlarge on his entertainment abilities; it is sufficient to say that in “Let George Do It.” which commences to-day at the Majestic Theatre, he has reached a new peak of delightful foolery. The plot has greater variety and depth than one would expect, and from a technical viewpoint it is difficult to find fault. George is Joe Blake, a name that is hard to reconcile with the title. At the start he is in full cry as a theatre’s biggest liability; everything he touches goes wrong, but the fun is pleasantlydivorced from the old slapstick variety. He plays havoc with the star conjuror’s turn, wrecks the equipment, and hurtles his way out of a job. When he comes up for air he is a waiter, and lasts for almost a night; no work, no money, and a girl friend who is large enough to be a one-man mob scene. He attempts to assuage his anguish in liquor, and then hits upon the brilliant scheme of suicide. A mixture of potent poisons merely makes his breath inflammable, so he engages the chief of a gang to “bump him off” when he is not looking, making his will in the gangster's favour for the service. He is not taken seriously, but when he comes into £30,000 overnight things start to move and so does George. To get the inheritance he has to sign a paper at 4 p.m. on a certain day, but he is kidnapped by the gangsters. His escape by cart-horse and speed-boat, accompanied by the fat lady, is an excellent brand of fast-moving comedy. George Wallace’s main supporters are Letty Cradon and Joe Valli, and other bright players on the cast are Alec Kellaway, Gwen Munro, George Lloyd, Harry Abdy, and Neil Carlton. The supporting programme has been especially selected. STATE THEATRE “CHARLIE CHAN AT MONTE CARLO” Charlie Chan is himself arrested for murder in “Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo,” the latest of the thrilling films featuring the Chinese sleuth, which is showing at the State Theatre. It is murder for a million when Death deals a hand at the gaming tables. And Chan takes a million-to-one chance to solve a triple murder. This time the Prefect of Police, played by Harold Huber, greets the sleuth at the Casino de Monte Carlo, wljere Death deals a hand at the gaming tables. It's a million to one chance but Chan plays it to solve a murder for a million. The picture shows that behind all of the gaiety and gambling, financial intrigues in the Bourse play for still higher stakes—a million dollars in bonds which will ruin one man and make another powerful. A bank messenger and his chauffeur are slain. A Casino bartender who holds a blackmail grip'on one banker’s wife, dies with the loot in a valise near his body. “Cherchez la femme," says the prefect of police, and through an intricate web involving a mysterious English girl, Chan achieves his most brilliant case to give the fans their best mystery yet. There are laughs in profusion, especially as Charlie sets forth in a taxicab to accompany his son ’o a Parisian art exhibit. All in all, a splendid cast helps Messrs. Gland and Huber through the mystery maze. It includes Keye Luke, Virginia Field, Sidney Blackmer, Kay Linaker and Robert Kent. “Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo” was directed by Eugene Forde from a screen adaptation by Charles Belden and Jerry Cady of an original story by Robert Ellis and Helen Logan. Sol Wurtzel is producer. REGENT THEATRE “BULLDOG DRUMMOND’S PERIL” Man’s age-old search for synthetic diamonds forms the plot background of the latest H. C. (Sapper) McNeile adventure story to be brought to the screen by Paramount, “Bulldog Drummond's Peril,” which is showing at the Regent Theatre. When a great English chemist discovers a way to manufacture perfect diamonds in his laboratory, the world’s largest diamond trust makes desperate and criminal efforts to save its skin. The trust’s henchmen kidnap the chemist and try to pry his secret from him, but their plans are foiled when one of the professor’s close friends enters the case. In a series of exciting adventures, during which both he and his beautiful fiancee are captured by the gang, Drummond, aided by Colonel Nielson of Scotland Yard, tracks down the criminals and prevents their campaign of intrigue and murder from spreading. Seasoned players of previous “Bulldog Drummond” stories, John Howard, John Barrymore, Louise Campbell, Reginald Denny, Nydia Westman and E. E. Clive, head the cast, while newcomers include Porter Hall, Elizabeth Patterson and Michael •Brooke. College life set to music and packed with comedy furnished by Bums and Allen, Martha Raye, Bob Hope, Edward Everett Horton and a dozen others, forms the background for the looney new Paramount production, “College Swing,” which is. the associate feature at the Regent Theatre. When the College she attends tries to throw Gracie Allen out, she turns around, takes over the place and runs it to suit her own taste. THEATRE ROYAL FINE DOUBLE PROGRAMME Packed with thrills, adventure and romance, Grand National’s new series, “Renfrew of the Royal Mounted,” a screen adaptation of the famous radio, fiction and cartoon character is showing at the Theatre r.oyal. Marking his first important film

role, James Newill, heretofore noted for his magnificent singing voice on the radio, establishes himself as a new and dashing type of film leading man. Artless story of villainous plot by village squire to steal small orphan girl’s fortune, “Little Miss Somebody,” is also showing at the Theatre Royal. Tie film shows the talent In song, dance and roguish appeal of Binkie Stuart, engaging four-year-old youngster. Straightforward direction, appealing stellar portrayal, competent support, charming village settings. Capable production qualities make it a fine film the whole family can enjoy. "BALALAIKA” AND “DESERT SONG” WILLIAMSON’S OPERA COMPANY J. C. Williamson’s New Royal Comic Opera Company, which is to make its appearance here, in the musical operetta “Balalaika” at the Theatre Royal on Tuesday night next, and in the deliciously musical comic opera “The Desert Song” on Wednesday evening, is regarded as being the best organisation of singers, dancers, comedians and specialists that has ever appeared here in any one production. Miss Violet Carlson, a dashing comedienne, is one of the idols of New York theatregoers and the instantaneous success she achieved in Australia is without parallel in the Commonwealth. Mr George Hancock, who takes the leading baritone roles, comes with a big reputation from the principal London theatres. Miss Diana Ducane, the possessor of a glorious soprano voice, is also a clever dancer and a charming actress, Mr Don Nicol is regarded as Australia’s best musical comedy comedian. Mr Gaston Merivale, who will be making his reappearance after an absence of many years, is one of the finest character actors the Australian and New Zealand stage has known. Miss Yvonne Banvard is said to be at her very best in “Balalaika.” Other principals in the company include Charles Zoli, Dorothy Dunckley, Clifford Cowley, Sidney Wheeler, Douglas Herald, Hori Thomas, Lan Devereux and Tim Blackman. Quite a sensation was created in Australia by the brilllr_nt dancing of Hicky Taylor and Gwen Brown and a big feature of "Balalaika” and “Desert Song” are the ballets. The box plans are now open at Begg’s music shop.