ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18927, 22 April 1933, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

AN ENTERTAINING FILM. “HE LEARNED ABOUT WOMEN." AT THE THEATRE ROYAL, "He Learned About Women" brings back to the local screen Alison Skipworth, an actress who has won much popularity. The idea of a New Aork youth, long confined to the world of bocks, suddenly inheriting a vast fortune, lends Itself to the developing of intriguing situations, and these are -brightly handled. As the millionaire youth, Peter Potter Kendall 111., Stuart Erwin cleverly depicts his rapid development under the pressure of the influences that gather about him. Alison Skipworth gives an cutstanding characterisation -of the old actress fallen on evil days. To begin with she Is not averse to taking some advantage of the inexperienced Peter, but when danger threatens him her heart .softens and she becomes his loyal friend. Susan Fleming is charming as Joan Allen, the pretty young typist, who is so fortunate as to find a position in the imposing mansion of the kind-hearted Peter. The parts of Wilson, the perfect valet, of Eddie Clifford, the scheming criminal, and his less unscrupulous associate are all cleverly and convincingly drawn. The manner in which the old actress, Madame Polidor (Alison SkipworDl), takes charge of the Kendall mansion and dominates those about her is excedingly ludicrous. The story ends with, a free-for-all fight behind the scenes and in front of them in a New York theatre. When Joan is threatened in this scene Peter finds his manhood and lays about him to good and satisfying purpose. " r - "

CIVIO THEATRE. Richard Barthelmess can always be relied upon to give a sincere performance, therefore his return to th& screen after a long absence in "Alias the Doctor," at the Civic Theatre yesterday, proved very popular. Mr Barthelmess plays the role of Karl, an orphan, brought up by Mjother Brenner on a farm in Bavaria, with her other two children, Lottie (Marian Marsh), and Stephen (Norman Foster). He and Lottie are deeply In love. Karl also loves the -fields and the farm lands, but ,Mother. Brenner has an overpowering ambition to get away from the farm. She -sends her son, Stephen, and Karl, whom she loves as a son, to the University at Munich tc study surgery. At the University Karl is the star student, Stephen an Indifferent one. Just before graduation Stephen becomes involved with Anna (Adrienne Dore), a barmaid, performs an operation, and, when she is dying, tells Karl.' To save Stephen, Karl -says lie performed the operation and is sent tc prison. Stephen Is graduated and does -some •desultory practice, but, developing lung trouble, dies. On the day of.his funeral Karl returns home. A child is injured in an automobile accident just outside the house. Seeing the case is critical, Karl performs an operation and -saves the child’s life. A great surgeon from Vienna pronounces Karl as a genius and insists that he go with him to Vienna. Mother Brenner, her hopes of greatness revived, tells the surgeon that Karl Is Stephen, with the most dramatic results. flow Karl and Lottie solve their problem supplies the picture with a sensational finish.

STRAND THEATRE. What happens when a charming young woman -detective sets out to use her feminine wiles to ensnare a sanve crook is the centrA theme of "Dangerously Yours," which was screened at the Strand Theatre yesterday. Warner Baxter is starred in the role of the society thief, and the beautiful Miriam Jordan, a recent recruit from the Broadway and London stage, has the part of the girl sleuth employed by an insurance company to protect the jewels of its -clients. What happens provides the audience with splendid entertainment, for there are thrills, romance, and comedy touches to lighten the tension. Herbert Mundin, popular comedian, as Baxter’s partner in crime, contributes greatly to the hilarity of this fastmoving comedy drama. Other important roles are beautifully handled by Florence Roberts, Florence Eidridge, Nella Walker, Mischa* Auer, Arthur Hoyt, Will Davidson and Tyrell Davis. The screen play is the work of Horace Jackson who adapted the popular novel of the same title by Paul Hervey Fox. Frank Tuttle's direction is without a flaw. He keeps his picture moving at all times, and maintains a snappy tempo. “Dangerously Yours” gives a pleasant evening at the theatre. ROXY THEATRE. A double-feature programme—"Air (Mail,”-and "Spirit of Notre Dame”— will be presented at the Roxy Theatre to-day, and should prove a very popular attraction for the week-end. “Air Mail" provides many thrills, while the aerial views are among the finest, brought to the screen. The story tells of the romance, the drama, and the humour of the maintenance of an air service, and the interest of the audience is maintained throughout. “Spirit yf Notre Dame” is equally entertaining. ORATORIO “ELIJAH.” Mendelssohn’s Oratorio, “Elijah,” will be rendered in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on Anzac Day, afternoon and evening, by a choir of 50 voices, under the baton of Mr E. 11. Aplhorp. The soloists will bo Mrs G. Boyes, Mrs N. Anderson, Mrs A. Lonsdale, Mr Barry Coney and Air J. T. Battersby. Road deaths in Great Britain showed a slight decrease in 1932, but there are si ill eighteen every day throughout the country.