ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19052, 16 September 1933, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMMES. THEATRE ROYAL. It is hard to restrain one’s mirth at the mere thought of Claude Hulbert, the screen's “chump-de-luxe" as “something in the city,” but this is the humorous truth concerning his latest role in “Their Night Out,” which comes to the Theatre Royal tonight. In this Him Claude will be seen as the less efficient half of Messrs Tubbs and Oliphant, Ltd., textile manufacturers, and sinoo he is lacking in business acumen his job is confined to entertaining the firm s customers. It is, of course, due to bis efforts to “show life” to a lady buyer, that trouble troubles Claude and leads onwards to many humorous situations in the picture. A realistic setting of a modern business office provided the background for the scenes Hughes filmed for this part of the story. In order to accentuate the inefficiency of Claude, the latest thing in equipment was introduced, In fact so advanced were some adding-subtractlng-dlvlding and totalling machines that operators from the manufacturers were called in to work them in front of the camera. It was a foregone conclusion that Hulbert, who has a passion for gadgets, would manipulate these between scenes. He actually made such progress, that he contemplates installing one at home for working out his petty cash. Many amusing situations arise throughout and much clever fooling entertains.

STRAND THEATRE.

r Good, bad or indifferent, a Maurice Chevalier picture Is always sure of success, for the reason that, however poor the material of the story and sometimes the flimsier the better his amazing personality is supreme. This at any rate has been true in the past, but with the advent of “A Bedtime Story,” now In the course of screening at the Strand Theatre, he Is acted right off the screen by at least one member of the cast. Everyone will agree that Baby Leroy walks away with the honours In every scene in whloh he takes part. Maurice is still as charming as ever, perhaps more so, but the irrepressible smiles, chuckles and tears of this amazing infant are the sensation of the film. Maurice is seen as a rich French vicomte whose engagement, to a girl of his own social standing does not prevent him from pursuing lighthearted affairs with other women. Returning from a jouriaey he is dismayed to be informed by his valet that a baby has been left among his luggage. The child is produced, wrapped in , shabby garments, and Maurice’s consternation increases as the valet, admirably played by Edward Everett Horton, solemnly points first to his master’s protruding under lip and then to the immature mouth of the baby, which quite plainly possesses the same characteristic. The comic double entendre thus struck at the beginning is the keynote of the rest of the film. Situation and dialogue throughout the production tend toward maintaining this angle, and film-goers will thoroughly enjoy the whole film.

CIVIC THEATRE.

Drama to thrill the world is the keynote of the latest production which opened at the Civic Theatre yesterday and is drawing large audiences, is "The First Mrs Fraser,’’ the picturisatton of St. John Ervlne’s world famous stage play, which has been played on practically every stage 'n the world, from Finland to Australia. Concerning a domestic drama that embroils in the strangest action, lives that fate seems to treat like puppets, that act In the strangest play, supplies the material from which one of the most thoroughly absorbing Talkies have ever been produced. Harold Huth and Joan Barry occupy the starring roles in the production, bringing to them as they do more than just acting. They realistically live the parts as two artists of their calibre only are capable of. Additions to the big cast include Henry Ainley, Richard Gibb McLaughlin, and Dorothy Dlx. They undoubtedly present one of the greatest arrays of screen talent ever seen in one film.

Sinclair Hill’s direction of the production, is very fine. It is one of the most perfect productions ever produced. Not the least of "The First Mrs Fraser’s” high lights is the unusual and ‘bizarre night club in which a great deal of the action of the film develops.

ARLISS IN "THE WORKING MAN."

George Arliss, probably the greatest of stage and screen luminaries of the present day, and beloved toy theatre-goers the world over, has found the perfect role In his latest picture, "The Working Titan,” a Warner Bros, feature which opens Friday next at the Civic Theatre. The picture is delightfully entertaining and presents Mr Arliss in the type of picture with which he has had his greatest successes on the screen. "The Working Man” is of similar pattern to “The Millionaire,” his most popular hit, although it is entirely different in plot, It is a highly spiced comedy drama of American business and youthful folly in which the star appears as a short-tempered, soft hearted champion of "big business” who steals time from his own affairs to straighten out the lives of the orphaned children of his former strongest competitor. The story by Edgar Franklin and adapted by Charles Kenyon and Maude T. Howell, Is (Hied with hilarious and tense drama, the kind in which Mr Arliss has been most popular. The supporting cast Includes Reltc Davis, Hardie Albright., Gordon Westcott, Theodore Newton and J. Farrell McDonald. As Arliss pictures are very popular with Hamilton audiences Civic patrons are advised to make their reservations early.

ROXY.

Randolph Scott, Sally Rlanc and .1. Farrell .MacDonald head the cast appearing hi Paramount’s movie version of Zone Grey’s action romance of the west, “Heritage of the Desert,” which opens to-night at the Roxy Theatre. In the second feature Irene Richards, one of London’s most popular operatic singers, appears in the Paramount British picture, "Money Means Nothing."

'“BRIGHT SIDE UP."

The box plans will be opened on Monday morning at the Bristol Piano Co., at nine o'clock for the two representations here of Ernest C. Rolls’ stupendous musical comedy extravanganza “Bright Side Up," which is to he. staged under the direction of .1. C. Williamson, Ltd., at the Theatre Royal on Wednesday afternoon at 2.:i0 and on Wednesday evening at S o’clock. There are one hundred features in “Bright Side Up,” outstanding being the introduction of the famous number “Trees' which is presented by the noted Australian soprano. Miss Thelma i roll, and tin, Pallet, with wonderful stage setting and costumes. Another feature is ‘•The Pearl of the Pueblo” which is 11 isl of all sung by the brilliant baritone, Mr Colin Crane, and then from all over the stage, a number of llm beautiful show girls in dresses which synchronise with the wonderful scenic effects, and then the ballet makes its appearance also effectively costumed. This tableau Is most beautiful. The

principals are all well known artists from England, America, and Australia. Miss Jennie Benson has been one of London’s favourite musical comedy artists for several years, and she is now an established favourite with Australian and New Zealand audiences. Mr Charles Norman, the leading comedian, has achieved his best success in “Bright Side Up." Miss Reno Riano, a talented American comedienne, will present her famous characterisation of blue Beard’s Eighth wife, also a very humourous sketch "Hiking." Miss Maie Baird, Archie Thompson and Harry Simmons are clever in a “Spanish Tango," burlesque, and L'Etoile .and Laurance are daring aerobatic. dancers. Miss Maria Doran is a singer of note, Hilly Kershaw and Miss Audrey Lewis, brilliant dancers, and Mr Cecil Scott will he remembered in the talking picture “The Sentimental Bloke." Chic Arnold is a noted London comedienne. The beautiful Australian show girls are a great attraction in "Bright Side Up” and so is the talented Australian Ballet. The scenic splendours and the wonderful frocking fltbe.E features.