ENTERTAINMENTS

Waipa Post, Volume 45, Issue 3212, 4 August 1932, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

AT THE REGENT. TO-NIGHT AND FRIDAY. "STEPPING SISTERS." Sparkling with wit and exhilarating in mirth-provoking situations, " Steppng Sisters," hilarious Fox comedy, opens its engagement at the Regent Theatre to-night. An all star cast romps through a series of side-split-ting episodes. There is not a dull moment. Twenty years have elapsed since a trio of buxom beauties sang and danced in tights for the entertainment of those who liked the burlesque shows of earlier days. Two have gone in for culture, one being the proud chatelaine of a lavish Long Island home, while the other has become a noted exponent of Shakespeare. The third has persevered in burlesque and has accumulated wealth and worldly wisdom. Their meeting at a charity fete brings gaiety tinged with embarrassment. Although they recall the good old days when they were billed as the "Three Stepping Sisters,'' with sentiment that is, at times, almost ribald, each continues to act the character she has created and advanced during the intervening years. The zestful and delightful portrayals of Louise Dresser, Minna Gombell and Jobyna Howland stimulate the ensuing action to a high pitch. Among the highlights of the production is the rehearsal for the allegory which is to be given at the benefit for homeless cats and dogs. And let it be admitted here that nothing more laughprovoking has ever been seen and heard on the screen. "William Collier, Sm\, Howard Phillips and Ferdinand Munier give outstanding performances. ' The picture was directed by Seymour Felix, who has proved himself a master of comedy situations. SATURDAY AND MONDAY. " PEACH-O'-RENO." If you thought " Caught Plastered " or "The Cuckoos" were good vehicles for the comedy favourites, Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey (and, of course Dorothy Lee) you should see " Peach-O'-Reno," at the Regent Theatre on Saturday and Monday. In " Peach-O'-Reno ' the comedians and the producers, RKO-Radio Pictures, have done a difficult thing. They have " topped " a long succession of comedy mirthquakes by a wide margin. " Peach-O'-Reno" will probably stand long as the funniest picture Wheeler and Woolsey have produced. One excellent reason for it is the superlative supporting cast which contains such favourites as Joseph Cawthorn. Zelma O'Neal, Cora Witherspoon and Mitchell Harris of the stage fame, Sam Hardy, and Arthur Hoyt. All top-flight comedians, they have distinct characters unusual in comedies and every one of them is at his best. As for the story. Tim Whelan. famous playwright, screen writer and humorist, wrote it, and Ralph Spence dean of the great old aggregation of silent movie title writers, wrote the adaptation and dialogue. It is hard to say just who is responsible for the fine sense of comedy, the nice balance between burlesque and realism maintained; perhaps it's just ideal teamwork.

EMPIRE THEATRE.

"SIDE SHOW."

TO-NIGHT AND FRIDAY

' Show" will prove a popular , attraction at the Empire Theatre. It is a story of circus life that has distinctly novel features. The peak of comedy is reached by matching the vivacious Winnie Lightner with Charles Butterworth. Either of these alone would be sufficient to make the picture an hilarious evening's fun. Freaks, stunts and animals are there in plenty, but the story never loses itself in the colourful background, Evelyn Knapp and Donald Cook pro? vide the love interest. Cook gives a splendid performance of Winnie Lightner's lover until her sister, Evelyn Knapp, steps into the picture. Between her moments of clowning, in which Miss Lightner substitutes her humorous show freaks —such as huia girl, fire diver and cannibal—she demonstrates sher versatility.. It is she who is torn between love for her fiance and for her sister, who also loves him. The large supporting- cast includes, besides the circus' freaks, several jtalented players who ' contribute much to the comedy and dramatic interests. Matthew Betz makes a fine villain. Guy Kibbee portrays : the circus owner, and Louis Carver arid Edward Morgan do good work in minor parts.

SATURDAY AND MONDAY.

"A NIGHT LIKE THIS."

Te Awamutu film-goers will be eagerly awaiting the latest of the Aldwych Theatre farces, "A Night Like This," which will open a season at the Empire Theatre on Saturday night. Few have not laughed at the superbly funny team of laugh provokers at one time or another in "Rookery Nook," "Plunder," "Chance of a Night Time," or any other of the numerous farces which have from time •to time convulsed local audiences. The latest of - the series is said to be the funniest of all. Ralph Lynn, Tom Walls, Robertson Hare, .Winifred Shotter and Mary Brough, all contribute their quota of fun to the piece. A British critic writes: "I yield to nobody in my admiration for the Aldwych; Theatre comedians. I have only to see the slow cunning of Mr Walls, the intelligence of Mr Lynn missing the mark like lightning the outraged respectability of Miss Brough, virtue sorely beset in the pe.rsoifqf Mr Hare, and I begin laughing automaticaly." "The film is really uproarious," says, another writer. "The spectacle of Mr Lynn and Mr Walls;- deciding, from the highest of motives, that' Mr Robertson Hare musjfc be detained in a woman's .flat, even if they have to, remove his -trousers,/.#s indescribably .funny, and when Mr Lynn and Mr Walls dance from ~ his apartment, bearing in triumph "the garment in

question, with a jacket and waistcoat as added loot then we are lefc as help'ess with laughter as Mr Hare without his armour of respectability. Since robus't, rollicking humour is the best thing the cinema can provide to-day, I regard 'A Night Like This' as a film in a thousand." One of the most gripping and thrilling of detective adventure p'ctures ever filmed will be offered to the patrons of the Empire Theatre with the opening of Universale ten episode serial, "Finger Prints," the first chapter of which is titled "The Dance of Dea'th." The story is by Arthur B. Reeve and was adapted for the screen by George P ympton and Basil Dickey and directed by Ray Taylor. The plot is constructed around the activities of a powerful band of smugglers, whose headquarters are located in the spectacular amusement place, "The Chinese Village."