ENTERTAINMENTS

Waipa Post, Volume 44, Issue 3190, 14 June 1932, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

AT THE REGENT. "TOM SAWYER." TO-NIGHT AND TO-MORROW. Injun Joe ! If ever there was a deep-dyed villain to chill the marrows of boy readers of classic fiction, Injun Joe is that villain. In Mavk Twain's immortal masterpiece of boyhood adventures, "Tom Sawyer," Injun Joe is the half-breed whom Tom and Huck Finn see in the act of killing Dr Robinson, and later in the treachery of blaming the crime 6n Muff Potter. It is Injun Joe who subsequently pursues Tom in the cave because of the boys' revelation of his guilt. Paramount has produced "Tom Sawyer' fa thfully as to action and most of die dialogue, and the Regent Theatre presents this talking classic to-night and to-morrow. Jackie Coogan plays Tom. Mitzi Green is Becky Thatcher, Junior Durkin is Huck, Clara Blandick is Aunt Polly, and Charles Stevens, a veteran in " menace " parts in silents and talkies, is Injun Joe. There's material for Ripley's " Believe It or Not" in a study of the lives of Hollywood's four most amazing children, Jackie Coogan, Mitzi Green, Junior Durkin, and Dick Winslow. Coogan played the title role in a Charlie Chaplin comedy classic, " The Kid," when he was but four and a half years old. Now, at the age of 15 years, he has played in a total of 15 pictures. Several years ago Jackie was interviewed by a 1-year-old reporter,, by name Dick Winslow. Dick, who is riot yet 15 years old, has attracted attention by his write-ups oi Hollywood celeb.'ities. He began work in films at the age of 7 years. He has also done interviews on the radio. In addition he is a pen-and-ink artist. Mitzi Green is 9 years old. She is one of the est mimics in screenland. In "Paramount on Parade " she did imitations of Charlie Mack and Maurice Chevalier. She has been a featured character comedienne in a number of Paramount pictures. She is the only child to be placed on a. " long-term contract," similar to the contracts of the big stars, by the Paramount company. She trouped in vaudeville, and made her film debut in "The Marriage Background." Junior Durkin is, of the four child marvels, the latest to become a Hollywoodite. He became the Broadway stage's premier child actor when he appeared for a long run in Janet Beecher's famous play, "Courage," and his film debut was in "The Santa Fe Trail" as Mitzi's boy friend. Jackie, Mitzi, Junior, and Dick play the leading roles in " Tom Sawyeir."

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY. " DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE." Robert Louis Stevenson dreamed "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde," which is considered to-day one of the leading mystery thrillers of all time. This interesting fact was brought to light in research into the spirit of the story at the Paramount studios where Fredric March filmed the famous dual-per-sonality role. Investigation shows that Stevenson had been seeking a story in which to embody his theory of the quality of man's nature. Mrs Stevenson herself, described tire occasion. "In the small hours of one morning," she said, " I was awakened by cries of horror from Louis. Thinking he had a nightmare, I awakened him. He said angrily, ' Why did you wake me up ? I was dreaming a fine bogey tale.' I had awakened him at the first transformation scene." After his dream,; complete in every detail even to the powders. Stevenson wrote at red heat, just as the story had presented itself to him in his sleep. Within a year after the publication of the book, the story was dramatised for Richard Mansfield, who first produced it in Boston in 1887. Now "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde " is the feature at the Regent Theatre for two days, on Thursday and Friday next. There is also a remarkably fine programme of supports. , AT THE EMPIRE. "THE SECRET SIX." THURSDAY AND FRIDAY. Audiences will find much to interest them in the amazing story of " The Secret Six," unfolded before them at the Empire Theatre. Built on actual fact, it bares the inner causes for political • corruption and the rise of bangland in America. It presents a veritable slice of lift garnered in the invisible city within a city. ' Wallace Beery, as the sinister Scorpio, rules by his death-dealing horde. He guides politics, elects officials, and stifles business, but in the end pays his penalty to the law. It is undoubtedly one of Beery's greatest roles, comparable only with his Butch in 14 The Big House." Incidentally, it v/as directed by, and written by, the combination that gave the world that picture and also " Min and Bill " , George Hill and Frances Marion. The play traces the rise and downfall of an underworld czar. It presents gangsters in the raw, killing, double-crossing, and strangling citizenship. The picture lays bare this phase of American life, as well as the devious ways of city politics—and suggests a potent (remedy in the dramatic climax for all good citizens. The cast is one of the largest in years. Besides Beery there are Lewis Stone, in the role of the crooked lawyer guiding the " mobs " of the underworld; Paul Hurst, as the crooked mayor, and John Miljan as the smiling but deadly Colimo. Marjorie Rambeau, as the " gunman's girl," is superb. Jean Harlow has the love interest, with John Mack Brown and Clark Gable playing the two newspaper reporters. De Witt Jennings plays a bulldog of the law in the role of Inspector Donlan. TO-NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY, j SPECIAL MATINEE THURSDAY. " CARNIVAL." " Carnival " is . the most brilliant talking picture of the year, and the thrill Of its presentation rests with the

fact that it is British enterprise from beginning to end. The News of the World, commenting on " Carnival," says it is a British film triumph. Without the slightest hesitation it can be dubbed a mastGTpiGCG. Playing the leading role of Silvio Steno in this magnetic dramatic extravaganza is Matheson Lang, a figure in the world of dramatics even more famous and traditional than Arliss. Lang has been associated with practically every English presentation of " Carnival" since he adapted the piece from the Loatin over a decade ago. Dorothy Bouchier,, a new star sensation, and Joseph Schildkraut, the hero of " Show Boat" and Judas of "The King of Kings," are also, in the cast, and the inspiring music is rendered by Alfred Rode and his Hungarian Tzigane Band. •