ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18928, 24 April 1933, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMMES. ROXY THEATRE. "Air Mail" la the first screen dramatisation of the little publicised but intrepid men who wing theij- way "through wind, through rain, through sleet, through snow," to put through the mail. Adventurous, romantio, thrilling, the film gives an authentic insight into the colourful lives of the mail pilots. Ralf Bellamy, Pat O'Brien, Russell Hopton and Slim Summerville are the flying quartet who provide the thrills. The second attraction, “The Spirit of Notre Dame," shows Lew Ayres as a country boy just entering Notre Dame University, and later, in his junior year, becoming the ball-carrying hero of the football team.

STRAND THEATRE. Warner Baxter and Miriam Jordan head the cast in “Dangerously Yours," and also prominent are Herbert Mundin, popular comedian, Florence Eldridge, Florence Roberts, Nella Walker, Will Davidson, Arthur Hoyt, Tyrell Davis and Mischa Auer. "Dangerously Yours" revolves around the adventures of Baxter in the role of a suave soo'iety crook and Miss Jordan as a deteotive employed by an insurance company to protect its clients’ jewels from such men as Baxter. The girl sleuth sets a clever trap for the wily thief, only to be outwitted and shanghaied aboard his yacht, in which he puts out to sea. Eventually, she falls in love with the man she is supposed to bring to justice, and her solution of the problem supplies a surprising denouement to this fastmoving story.

CIVIC THEATRE. “Alias the Doctor," which brings back popular Richard Barthelmess to the screen, tells an interesting and entertaining story. Karl, an orphan, is brought up by Mother Brenner on a Bavarian farm with her own children, Stephan and Lottl. Karl loves the farmlands and Lottl. He reluctantly leaves for Munich with Stephan where both study surgery to satisfy Mother Brenner’s ambition. Just before graduation Stephan in a drunken moment gets into a fight with Anna, a barmaid, and she gets seriously hurt, requiring an operation which he performs Illegally. In desperation he calls Karl, just in time to see the girl die. For the sake of Mother Brenner and Lotti Karl takes the blame for Stephan’s crime and goes to prison. He is debarred fi/om graduation. There is much tribulation l'or Karl and Lotti before they lind happiness.

GEORGE ARLISS ON FRIDAY. “The King’s Vacation,” to be screened at the Civic Theatre on Friday, is said to set the seal on George Arliss’ distinguished screen. “The King’s Vacation" recounts the experiences of a king who tires of the pomp and vanity of his position, abdicates and returns to civil life. After a happy re-union with his wife and daughter, he finds that happiness is still elusive, for his wife is eager for social conquest. The king is tired of society. From this > point the interest is admirably sustained.

THEATRE ROYAL. The manner in which Alison Skipworth, as the old actress, Madame Polidor, takes charge of the Kendall mansion in “lie Learned About Women” and dominates those about her is exceedingly ludicrous. Kendall himself is a very amusing figure, though there is a touch or pathos about his simplicity. Stuart lid win cleverly depicts his rapid development under the pressure of the influences that gather about him. Susan Fleming is charming as Joan Allen, the pretty young typtste. The parts of Wilson, the perfect valet, of liddm Clifford, the scheming criminal, and his less unscrupulous associate are ail cleverly and convincingly drawn. The story ends with an exciting fight in a New York theatre. When Joan is threatened in this scene, Peter the recluse lays about him to good purpose. •