ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19453, 18 December 1934, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES. REGENT THEATRE. With its entire absence of “hokum,” “As the Earth Turns” is very appealing. The novel was straightforward, simple, frank and uncompromising in its presentation of a story of real life. The picture has been brought to tne screen in the same way. It would have been easy to “jazz it up,” in the Hollywood phrase; to put in false and glaring highlights, pseudo-dramatic situations, the many tricks and twists that are so often employed to “give the public what it wants” or wnat it is supposed to want. But the Warner studios, with Jean Muir, Donald Woods, Emily Lowry, William Janney 'and other talented players in the cast, chose to give a true picture of the life of people on the land. “20TH CENTURY." John Barrymore’s latest starring production, the hilarious “20th Century,” will be screened to-morrow. For an entire season this riotous comedy, in its stage form, kept New York shaking with laughter when it was presented at the Broadhurst Theatre. Carole Lombard has the chief feminine role. “BLOSSOM TIME." The glorious melodies of Schubert as rendered in “Blossom Time” by the celebrated German tenor Richard Tauber, are a treat to all musiclovers. He sings eight of the composer’s best-known songs, including “Thine Is My Heart,” “Hark, Hark, the Lark," and “March Militaire.” The chief romantic interest is supplied by the English actress Jean Baxter, and Carl Esmond. THEATRE ROYAL. “Among the Missing" concerns an aged waif (Henrietta Crosman) who (unwittingly falls in with a gentlemanly jewel thief and his guileless accomplice. Acting as their cook and housekeeper in the rear of an old antique shop, where stolen loot is remade into “antique" jewellery, the old woman learns that the boy (Richard Cromwell) is in love with a sweet girl (Billie Seward), but is bound to the illicit profession by the domination of his older associate. Relentlessly she persists in her efforts to regenerate the boy, and the climax is one of poignant pathos and dramatic intensity. “HAVE A HEART." A tender romance is offered in “Have a Heart,” to be screened tomorrow. As “Sally,” the crippled doll maker, who finds love in spite of her handicap, Jean Parker is very appealing, and James Dunn as Jimmie Flaherty, vendor of ice cream, is warmly sympathetic:;’' 1 8 ' <s ‘ u t -/> . “WONDER BAR.” • “Wonder Bar;" to be screened onSaturday, is not "just another musical.” Warner Brothers say that it far surpasses the “Gold Diggers” and “Footlight Parade.” The cast is probably the greatest assembled for any musical film, including Kay Francis, Dick Powell, A 1 Jolson, Dolores del Rio,' Ricardo Cortez, Hal le Roy, Guy Kibbee, Louise Fazenda, Fill D’Orsay and others.

CIVIC THEATRE. Little Shirley Temple wins all hearts with her winsome charm in “Little Miss Marker,” which brings to life the famous character in Damon Rynyon’s celebrated story. Adolphe Menjou, Dorothy Dell and Charles Bickford are also featured. Runyon has written a delightful story, and 'Producer B. P. Schulberg, with the aid of director Alexander Hall and a .great cast of players, has made a thrilling production of it, full of laughs, tears and delightful surprises. The picture -tells how Menjou, embittered, friendless and mean, is forced to adopt a little girl originally left with him as security for a bet. As time goes the curly-haired little tot teaches him to win back Ills self-respect and honour. In a startling rapid-lire climax bo sacrillces a fortune to save the child from 'death, and wins the love of Dorothy Dell, whom he has been worshipping from a distance for years. The supporting cast includes Lynne Overman, Frank McGlynn, sen., and Sam Hardy. “AFTER TO-NIGHT.” “After To-night,” which will head the new programme to-morrow, is a tense and romantic drama, with excitement maintained at fever heat and the interest of the audience held until the excilifg climax is reached. Con.slance Bennett gives a very tine performance in the leading role, and handsome Don Alvarado and others give good support. (Continued m next oolumn.)

STATE THEATRE. Reproducing the stage success of the same title, the Him version of “Two Hearts in Waltz Time” is a romantic musical comedy possessing all the factors of popular entertainment light-hearted humour, beautiful girls, lilting.; melodies, novel dances, and spectacular settings. A delightful story concerns a young composer’s romantic adventures with 'his leading lady. Heading the cast is Carl Brisson, who excels not only in the provision of romance but also displays his vocal talents to a high degree. Frances Day (a newcomer to the screen) is the heroine. Assisting, tho stars are Oscar Asche, Bert Goote and Peter Gawthorne. Calculated to send patrons away humming their refrains are several melodious songs, which include “For Love of You,” “Give Her a Little Kiss,” “We Hate the Men," and the theme song, “Two Hearts in Waltz Time.” “LITTLE FRIEND.” “Little Friend," starring Nova Pilbeam, Britain’s latest screen prodigy, will be shown to-morrow. It would be as well to'.'.-say first-", that/.(this talented child 'is' not the precocious type of prodigy. Her chief charm lies in her simplicity and lack of affectation or artificial stage mannerisms. As Felicity Hughes, the daughter of parents contemplating divorce, she lives the part instead of acting it. The scene in which she has to give evidence in the Divorce Court proceedings is particularly line. Tho film has a notable cast, with Matheson Lang and Lydia Sherwood as Mr and Mrs Hughes respectively, Jean Cadell as the nurse, and Arthur Margetson as the actor.

A private screening of this film the other day greatly impressed the clergy of Hamilton.