RECENT THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 100, 30 April 1938, Page 11

RECENT THEATRE

“RIDING ON AIR," AND DAN FOLEY (ON STAGE)

Two fine productions, combining comedy and thrills, are the offering at the Regent Theatre to-day, with that happy, wide-mouthed Joe E. Brown heading the programme in "Riding on Air.” Joe has tried many parts in his career as funmaker, but it is doubtful if he has done better than this reporter-flyer combination, with an aerial duel thrown in for good measure. At Claremont, Wisconsin, he fills all positions from managing director to delivery boy, and is getting along quite happily with his usual number of mistakes; then he wins a 500-dollar radio essay contest and runs into crooked and genial Guy Kibbee, "financier” ordered out of Chicago by the police. The dealings with valueless stock have a rich vein of humour, but the real rib-tickling starts when Joe is appointed correspondent to the Chicago Star, in opposition to the Daily Blade. The fulllength supporting feature is an action-full dramatic portrayal of a man's fight to regain his former position of wealth and power, accomplished through his love for a girl whose life he is ultimately called upon to save when she is accused of murder. This is the exciting theme of Columbia's new drama, "The Final Hour." Heading the cast are Ralph Bellamy and Margaret Churchill. One of the most popular singers New Zealand has ever taken to its heart is Dan Foley, lhe Irish tenor, and patrons of the Regent Theatre will doubtless be delighted to learn that he is to make personal appearances on lhe stage commencing to-day. Dan Foley has been well described as "New Zealand's John McCormack." His repertoire includes the famous "Rebel Song,” "Smiling Irish Eyes,” "Did Your Mother Come from Ireland?" “Father O'Flynn,” etc. The singer Is making a farewell tour of New Zealand prior to departing for South Africa where he will undoubtedly achieve fresh triumphs.