AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21361, 2 June 1939, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS

THE REGENT “THE MURDER MAN”—"FLIRTING WITH FATE” Reluctantly the management of the Regent Theatre has to advise patrons that to-day and to-night mark the final screenings of the splendid dual feature programme, “The Murder Man” starring Spencer Tracy and Virginia Bruce, and “Flirting With Fate” starring Joe E. Brown. Without a doubt this programme is one out of the entertainment box and stamped with the hall mark of excellence. “The Ware Case’’ Clive Brook has probably never registered a better performance in his considerable career than he does in “The Ware Case,” the coming attraction at the Regent Theatre to-morrow. Brook, although he has made only four pictures in the last your years, is still a popular star with - the great majority of theatre-goers, and his portrayal of Sir Hubert Ware, the spendthrift baronet, is masterly. The story of the film is of a casual and extravagant Englishman who loses his wife and his possessions through his own mercurial inconsequence. It tells of his trial for the murder of a vexatious brother-in-law, of his acquittal and his supreme gesture to clear the way for his wife and her lover’s future. It is when the narrative comes to the courts that the drama excels, with apt timing at the dramatic moments and a rising peak of tragedy towards the close. It is an arresting performance, but especially so for Brook’s brilliant acting, for his easy powers of nervous expression and his mastery of significant dialogue. The part of Lady Ware is taken by Jane Baxter, who gives a superlative performance. She is in love with Barry K. Barnes, a young barrister, but despite this she remains faithful to Brook, although he does not do the same for her. The trial scenes are as flawless in accuracy as they are compelling in atmosphere and the climax comes as an almost complete surprise. MAJESTIC THEATRE 'PARIS HONEYMOON” Four new hit tunes destined for high positions on tlie "most played’’ lists, are heard for the first time in “Paris Honeymoon,” Paramount’s new Bing Crosby comedy, which will show finally at the Majestic to-day. All four are from the pens of the celebrated song writing team, Leo Robin and Ralph Rainger, a pair of gentlemen who are responsible for some of fllmdom’s greatest hits. The songs are "The Funny old Hills,” “I Have Eyes,” “You're A Sweet Little Headache” and “Joobalai.” Besides Bing, the singing is done by Shirley Ross and Franciska Gaal, while Akim Tamiroff, Edward Everett Horton and Ben Blue are on hand to see that the comedy runs continuously and smoothly. “Stablemates” A stirring story of the friendship between a stableboy and a once famous veterinary surgeon who spends his time at racetracks is brought to the screen in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production “Stablemates,” which was enthusiastically received by large audiences at the Majestic Theatre yesterday. The picture introduces a new screen team in Wallace Beery and Mickey Rooney, and these two bring back memories of the days when Beery and Jackie Cooper were delighting theatre-goers with such films as “The Champ.” Mickey (Rooney) accepts an injured horse from his employer instead of wages and then Induces Tom Terry (Beery), a convict who was formerly a well-known veterinary surgeon, to operate on the animal. Although Terry is drunk at the time of the operation, it proves successful and the two decide to tour the country together With the horse. Ladybird is entered for an important race, but Mickey learns from a racecourse detective that Terry is an escaped convict. In order to keep Terry away from the course, where he is certain to be recaptured, Mickey is forced to insult him, but eventually Terry arrives and is captured by the police. In a thrilling race, Mickey and Ladybird are successful and events move swiftly to a successful conclusion. Wallace Berry is as entertaining as ever in the role of a kind-hearted wastrel, while Rooney proves that his previous fine performances can be repeated. Among the supporting players are Arthur Hohl, Margaret Hamilton and Oscar O’Shea. Other features include ‘ le latest newsreels, a bright musical comedy, "Once over Lightly,” in which Johnny Downs and Dixie Dunbar appear, and a spectacular Pete Smith novelty, "Double Diving.” The popular “Our Gang” give one of their most entertaining performances in “Practical Jokers.” STATE THEATRE BERNARD SHAW’S “PYGMALION” When film studio publicity experts avoid the use of glowing superlatives to advertise an attraction it can usually be depended upon that they have a production which will reach the heights of success without exaggerating its qualities. Admittedly such productions are ra re, but “Pygmalion,” now showing at the State Theatre, must be classed among them. Pygmalion of mythology fashioned a statue of his ideal woman so wonderfully that he fell in love with it, and prayed the gods to breathe life into the marble. The gods were kind and did so. The ancient legend was transmitted into a farce under the title of “Niobe.” Shaw made his theme one for an Intensely human play. He does not deal in wet clay or cold marble. His Professor Higgins is a phonetic expert who seizes upon Eliza Doolittle, a flower girl in Covent Garden, and for a wager with a friend transforms her into a Duchess. After many headaches for both Professor and pupil, Eliza learns the niceties of English as spoken in Park Lane. Purely an automaton, Eliza sails through the severest of tests—an Ambassadorial reception. Having won his wager, by turning out the perfect specimen from the roughest of raw material, how does Professor Higgins treat the clay he had moulded? This

is perhaps the most Shavian incident in this deliciously whimsical screen play, so very reasonably produced, so rationally acted. Leslie Howard has never been seen to such advantage as in the part of Professor Higgins; Wendy Hiller, as Eliza Doolittle, is a treasurable discovery as an actress (apart from her natural charm as a woman); and Wilfred Lawson, as Doolittle, the reputed father of Eliza, goes close to stealing the honours in a character study treacly with unction. THEATRE ROYAL CRIME MYSTERY THRILLERS A new series of detective stories is introduced at the Theatre Royal tonight as “James Lee Wong,” in the person of Boris Karloff, makes his bow in Monogram’s “Mr Wong, Detective.” James Lee Wong is a native of San Francisco, an educated, cultured Chinese. He is a scientific “test tube” detective, who revels in intricate cases. The more baffling the mystery, the more intrigued is Mr Wong. “Mr Wong, Detective,” is the story of a rare poison gas, and the murder of three men who tried to steal its formula. Outstanding in the cast are Evelyn Brent, Grant Withers, and John St. Polis. “The Vampire Bat,” the associate feature* at the Royal, is a thrilling mystery film, in which there is told an amazing story of adventure in a litlte Austrian village, where for centuries has existed the story of vampires—dread beings that can be humans by day and bloodsucking bats by night. To such a village comes Melvyn Douglas as a detective endeavouring to trace a series of ghastly murders. He is told of the vampire, but does not believe such a far-fetched story, until irreputable proof is given him. A plague of bats Infests the village, and terror walks by night as the mysterious being seeks its prey—attacking men and women in their sleep, strangling them, and draining the blood from their lifeless bodies. A more sensational narrative than this tale by Edward T. Lowe could scarce be found, and it has been made into a really gripping motion picture. Supporting the star, Melvyn Douglas are Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray, and George E. Stone, “A TRIP TO HADES” UNUSUAL REVUE “A Trip to Hades,” with Chang as the presiding genius, will provide a vastly entertaming experience for Timaru audiences at the Theatre Royal on Monday, June 12. A magical, musical revue, presented in a novel and entertaining fashion, with a background of music and strange barbaric scenes, and a setting of beauteous nymphs, will make the descent to Avernus pleasant as well as easy. Enigmatic, but ever in character as a bland, ingenious Oriental with an engaging personality, Chang dominates the show with a benevolent Satanic power which keeps the atmosphere electric with interest as he causes quaint and incredible things to happen to cards, eggs, hats and women. His repertoire of tricks, deceptions and illusions range from the simplest to the most spectacular feats associated with the names of master magicians, and they are performed in an easy way and with natural charm of setting which gives them a special attraction. Novel ballet dances with phosphorescent efforts produce artistic stage pictures, and generally “A Trip to Hades” is beautifully produced. Not the least of its attractiveness is contributed to by the music of the Cuban Marimba Orchestra, with marimba, piano, harp and violin. Joanna Claire, principal dancer, Walton and Murray, Ross Buchanan and a host of Chinese artists are included in this unusu ,1 revue. HOUSE CROWDED AGAIN BOYS’ CONCERT PROVES POPULAR That the large crowd attending the Timaru Boys’ High School on the first night on Wednesday had no hesitation in recommending the entertainment to others was shown by the fact that again last night the Theatre Royal was crowded to the doors. For many years now the school concert has been an outstanding feature of the local entertainment provided at Timaru and this year's function was no exception. Profiting by their experience on the first night the cast of the comic opera "Les Cloches De Corneville’’ gave an even better performance and the abridged version met with the approval of the audience. In the first, half of the programme the singing of hundreds of boys was pleasing, the part singing being a feature. The band was responsible for some spirited selections, and the tap dancing provided a change from the musical side. The preparatorv boys were delightful in their playlet, and were by no means shaded by the later acting of the older boys. “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” was well done with Dopey as silly as the dopiest could be and with a rare facility for doing the wrong thing. Again in this item local topics were given an airing, and local organisations came for their Shareef friendly banter.

The concert was a tribute to the ability of the boys and to the work of the staff and the helpers who were responsible for the preparation and production.