ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18849, 20 January 1933, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMMES.

THEATRE ROYAL. Tuneful music and a charming story are the ingredients of "Looking on the Bright Side," which will he screened at the Theatre Royal to-daj. Gracie Fields, popular a.ctress of the English stage, appears as a manicurist who is in love wrUi a.- hairdresser, played charmingly. bwlUbhard Dolinin. The hairdresser is runltai.fio u , s to succeed as a song-wrifer’iarid so successfully does Gracie r Fields sing his compositions that he ( attracts the notice, of a theatrical projuceiy’; The hairdresser eventually wjijleves'fame, but he forgets the manicurist who helped him to success. The methods adopted by the girl to bring her lover to his senses provide an interesting denouement. Charming songs sung by Gracie Fields are a feature of ‘‘Looking on the Bright Side." Included In the songs in which the 111 m abounds are the amusing "He’s Dead, But He Won’t Lie Down,” and the appealing “Looking On the Bright Side.”

OIVIO THEATRE. The return of Joe E. Brown, the popular “ big-mouthed " comedian, to the local screen will doubtless he a popular event at the Civic Theatre today, and large audiences are assured. Mr Brown Is a very clever journalist, and always keeps audiences in hilarious mood. In 11 Fireman, Save My Child,” he nas good scope for his talents. It is a very merry concoction, with the fun fast and furious, a story full of Interest and plot and dialogue very ingenious. There is much romance,, too. Mr Brown gives a great performance in the leading role, and has the support of an excellent cast. “ Fireman, Save My Child ” is one. of the films that should not he missed. There Js an entertaining supporting programme.

STRAND THEATRE. True of many motion pictures —of novels and stage plays as well—the title of “A Bill of Divorcement" does not fittingly describe the nature of the story. “A Bill of Divorcement" is not a divorce problem play, neither does it touch upon the tragic results of a sudden marital discord. Rather the picture ascends to heights of sheer sacrificial drama, the drama of woman’s courage, man’s dependency, and a young girl’s tragic disillusionment. Divorce is incidental to the theme. The film stars John Barrymore in what is perhaps his greatest role. Playing in featured support are Katharine Hepburn, a talented newcomer to the screen, and .Billie Burke, one of the greatest actresses of, the American stage. KINGSFORD SMITH’S FLIGHT.

The arrival of the Southern Cross at New Plymouth after the Tasman flight will be shown at the Strand Theatre to-morrow, and is sure to be a tremendous attraction. A Mickey Mouse cartoon will be another popular feature of the programme. The four Marx Brothers first won popularity in that hilarious comedv “The Cocoanuts.” In their latest picture, “Horse Feathers,” they are seen at their maddest and merriest. Grouoho is cast as a college president whose only object is lo get Zeppo, his son, who has been a freshman for 12 years, out of school. Chico, as the village bootlegger, and Ilarpo, the local dog-catcher, aid him in his efforts.

ROXY THEATRE. That the romantic troubles of young love during the first year are mostly tleeting is the dramatic thesis of the latest ‘Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell comedy drama, “The First Year." it presents Janet and Charlie as two entirely understandable young people of the present day. Miss Gaynor, as the charming marriageable young daughter of average American parents in an average American town, combines her characteristic wistfulness with a deep understanding' of dramatic values. Charles Farrell is her lover again, but Ibis time lie marries her and starts an era of hilarious strife.

“PLEASURE BOUND.” WILLIAMSON REVUE COMPANY. To-morrow morning at 9 o’clock the box plans will be opened for the production of the musical extravaganza “Pleasure Bound,” which is to be staged by Frank Nell’s vaudeville revue company, under tlio direction of J. c. Williamson, Ltd., at the Theatre Royal, Hamilton, on Wednesday night. It is a long while since a revue company has come along this way, and the phenomenal success it achieved m Auckland showed that the music-hall type of entertainment is as welcome to-day as ever it was. Playgoers will be glad to welcome back Miss Ella Shields, who is making her second visit to New Zealand after a long absence. It is said that -Miss Shields retains all her artistry. One is used to thinking of her in male evening dress, but when she appears just before the close of the performance in a gorgeous frock as her rightful self and dances like a ballet, girl, she is, it is said, perfectly delightful. George Wallace, tHe low comedian ol’ Hie company, lias a distinct style of liis own. He is full of humour, ami the laughter he creates the. whole lime lie is on the stage shows that lie gauges the tastes of the audience to a nicety. Four of the cleverest, people seen en a New Zealand stage are Hie Four Daring Dialtoios. There are three men and one dainty girl. . The latter is an accomplished dancer and aeroj hat. She is thrown by her three male companions in a hair-raising manner, and Hie act thoroughly deserves Hie cheers with which it is always received. One of the outstanding features of the revue is Hie brilliant | work of the. ten bnll-.T girls. Miriam I Hester and Maggie Buckley are, the. outstanding soloists, and .Murray and ! Walton created a furore in Auckland lin their original dance creations. The j scenery and the mountings are op the j highest J. C. W illiamson, Ltd., slandi ard.