AMUSEMENTS

Wairarapa Daily Times, 23 May 1936, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS

STATE THEATRE. “FOREIGN AFFAIRES. ’' Walls-Lynn pictures have been renowned for amusing situations, but surely nothing has ever exceeded the absurdities of the French Assize Court trying the two for theft in “Foreign Affaires,” a Gaumont-British picture at the State to-night. They are bewildered by the whole proceedings. Ignorant of the language, unfamiliar with criminal court procedure, they writhe under the restraint. Saddled with an interpreter who adds to the confusion, Captain the Hon. Archibald Gore (Tom Walls) and Jefferson Darby (Ralph Lynn), listen impatiently to the gabble. The only thing that is at all clear to them is that they are prisoners, and the captain passes rude remarks which the court understands. Everything is growing very black when a truthful witness tells the real story. Even she is misled by the attitude of the court, and bings a reproach. Did the court know that it was being decided? That was enough! The case quickly finished, and the prisoners acquitted. Reserves at F. J. Adcock's, 'phone 1275. THE REGENT. “THE GHOST GOES WEST.” Alexander Korda’s gay new romantic comedy, “The Ghost Goes West,” will be shown at the Regent Theatre this evening at 7.45 o’clock. The brilliant Robert Donat, who rose to world fame over-night as “The Count of Monte Cristo,” and recently scored in “The 39 Steps,” plays a dual role. He is seen both as Donald Glourie, an impoverished young Scottish Highlander, who is forced to sell his haunted ancestral castle to an American millionaire, and also as the personable shade who strolls the castle halls. The story takes an hilarious turn when the millionaire, played by Eugene Pallette, dismantles and transports the castle to America, and the ghost goes along.' When the shade of his ancestor begins walking the transatlantic luxury liner, his marked resemblance to Donald gets the latter into some side-splitting entanglements. But when his sweetheart Peggy, played by Jean Parker, begins mistaking the ghost for him, Donald realises the time for action has come. The story has a knock-out surprise comedy ending. “The Ghost Goes West” marks the first English-speak-ing production to be directed by the famous French director, Rene Clair. Reserves at W. G. Perry's, 'phone 2496.

COSY THEATRE. MYRNA LOY IN “WHIPSAW.” Adventure and romance, drama and comedy, are deftly blended in “Whipsaw,” which comes to the Cosy Theatre this evening. The picture brings Myrna Loy to the screen in a new hit with Spencer Tracy as her co-star,. “Whipsaw” is a story of “angles.” Not only does the locale shift with lightning rapidity from London to New York and thence throughout many midwestern cities, but the mood and the direction of the story shift almost as rapidly. The plot concerns itself with smuggled jewels, which Miss Loy, as a member of an international ring of jewel thieves, is presumed to have in her possession. Tracy is a secret service man, who attempts to trap her through romantic intrigue. He manoeuvres her into a situation in which she must pass as his wife, and the story moves swiftly through a chain of events which keep excitement and suspense at fever heat. A,n excellent supporting cast appears with the stars. Supporting attractions include an amusing Laurel and Hardy comedy. Seats may be reserved at Perry’s, ’phone 2496. LONG TACK SAM.

Long Tack Sam, said to be the world’s greatest entertainer, with his troupe of twenty Oriental wonders, and seven English and Continental vaudeville specialties, is to give a onenight performance in the Regent Theatre, Masterton, on Friday,. 29tli May. Audiences the world over have been fascinated by the clever, lively performances. The men are highly trained acrobats,, balancers,, and trick contortionists. They are exceptionally well made stubby ’little fellows with marvellously flexible limbs and bodies:, and their work generally is characterised by high speed and finish. Prominent in the maze of items, which go on and off with lightning-like rapidity, was the exceptionally versatile work of Miss Nee Sa Long, who, besides being a gifted vocalist, excels in instrumental ■work and dancing. An ensemble in which male members of the troupe go through their gyrations on a horizontal bar, and at the same time another member of the company thrills, the audience. The Sydney Sunday '‘Sun” says: “A wonderfully well-built Oriental, suspended by a strap from the ceiling, was beautiful to watch; the man who did it seemed at times to be nothing human—just a wriggliug mass at the end of a strap. There were few in the theatre who did not start at the deftly checked tumblers, which were followed by round after round of applause. The rapidity with which the ‘stunts’ are put through is not the least amazing part of the entertainment. Long Tacic Sam as the humorist of the party, burlesquel all nationalities —French, English, Australian, Scotch and German alike.” Pox plans open at W. G. Perry’s on Monday, 25th May,, at 9 a.m.