ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18797, 19 November 1932, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

“ON OUR SELECTION.” ENTERTAINING AUSTRALIAN FILIVi. AT THE THEATRE ROYAL. ‘‘On Our Selection," Steele Rudd s entertaining story of life on an Australian station, was very successful as a book, and later proved a great stage attraction. Now it has been brough to the talking screen, In which form judging by the manner in which It was received by large audiences at th Theatre Royal yesterday, it should appeal to an even wider public. In “On Our Selection" the roughhewn but delightful characters so graphically drawn in Steele Rudd s story, are faithfully presented—the be whiskered Uad, the buxom Mum, the swaggering of Dave, the more refined Kate, and the candid young Joe, all shown against the traditional background of great spaces. They are se&n in the spirited struggle with adversity known only to the pioneer, In courageous endeavour prosecuted in spite of misfortune and disaster, and In the triumph of grit and perseverance. But while trial and tribulation provide the groundwork of the story the dominant note Is. one of happy contempt for hardship and disappointment. , , , , Bert Bailey transfers his original stage characterisation of Dad Rudd to the screen with conspicuous success. He is truly and sincerely the Irascible, determined but thoroughly . likeable old chap whose vigour of mind and limb is equalled perhaps only by his remarkable penchant for opproblous comment. Four other players who participate with the perfection gained in similar stage roles are Fred Macdonald, who plays the part of Dave; Alfreda Bevan, as Mrs Rudd; William Driscoll, as the uncle; and Lilias Adeson, as Lily While, Dave’s llancee. : The courtship of Dave and Lily pro- : vides some of the most uproariously funny episodes in t lie picture. On Molly Raynor (an Auckland girl), who makes a charming figure in the role of Kate Rudd, and Dick Fair (who was in Hamilton in “The Barretts of Wimpole Street”), who plays the part of her sweetheart, Sandy Graham, falls the, development of a pretty romance, which has Its climax when the latter is accused of the murder of a rival suitor. The serious theme lends excellent balance to the train of lighter Incident. “A?Symphony in Steel" features the Sydney Harbour Bridge, close-up and distant views providing a splendid conception of its magnitude and beauty, Mr Frank Hurley’s running commentary, in poetic vein, adding greatly to the enjoyment of a film which depicts many of the panoramic beauties of the New South Wales capital. CIVIC THEATRE. All''the scintillating humour for which the popular artists Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey have become renowned is incorporated in the screamingly funny farce “Girl Crazy.” It is a hilarious comedy set amid the gay abandon' of a “dude" ranch, where a gambling concession forms an Irresistible lure for many tourists. Wheeler, who gives a typioally comic study as a specious gambler, sets out for Arizona in a taxi-cab driven by his more diminutive foil. Adventures of the most ludicrous description befall the ( travellers. The somewhat boastful gambler incurs the displeasure of the local bandit with aspirations .as a sheriff, and the ensuing political contest is an uproarious piece of comedy. Not only has “Girl Crazy" Wheeler and Woolsey in parts in which they revel, but there Is a particularly ac-

complished supporting cast. Moreover, there is entrancing music by George Gershwin, who composed the lyric in “Delicious” and other screen successes. The subsidiary artists include such well-known players as Eddie Quillan, Dorothy Lee, and Mitzi Green, the latter giving some strikingly clever impersonations of other well-known screen players. The supporting programme was particularly good. There was a very Interesting travelogue of the island of Hayti, that fascinating land of Voodoo, a “Sportlight” showing the importance of timing in all branches of sport, an amusing cartoon, and a Gazette showing the running of the Melbourne Cup and the English cricketers in action. STRAND .THEATRE. An uncommonly Imposing array of English artists interprets “Life Goes On," an excellent British comedydrama, to begin a season at the Strand Theatre to-day. There are Betty Stockfleld, the refreshingly charming actress of "City of Song” and "Money for Nothing”; Hugh Wakefield, well known on the London stage; Warwick Ward, seen in a number of English films; Wallace Geoffrey, an accomplished screen villain; Jeanne Stuart and Dennis Hoey. A particularly fine performance comes from Elsie Handolph. An Australian critic remarks: “ 'Life Goes On' is an eillciently presented mystery story which, in spite of a supposed murder, maintains a keynote of comedy as its chief motif. It provides another good role for Hugh Wakefield and establishes Elsie Randolph as a clever actress about whom a great deal more is likely to be heard. Containing mystery, comedy, and a faint strain of romance, 'Life Goes On’ Is a picture that will bo enjoyed by anyone." ROXY THEATRE. "Private Lives," to be screened at the Boxy Theatre to-day, is the screen version of Noel Coward’s successful comedy, with Norma Shearer, Robert Montgomery and Reginald Denny in the leads. It tells of a merry matrimonial mix-up, and all the funny things which happen on a double honeymoon. The dialogue is sophisticated and very amusing, while the situations keep the. audience in a simmer of merriment. The players do exceptionally good work.