ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19461, 28 December 1934, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES. REGENT THEATRE. The art of George Arliss never fails, whether it is in the role of a famous man of history or in a lighter and more modern role. In “The Last Gentleman” Mr Arliss forsakes history, but retains his marvellous gift for characterisation. He is as powerful and convincing as a crabbed, cantankerous but very human old ihan of to-day as he is as the Baron Rothschild the Disraeli of generations past. “The Last Gentleman” is comedy from start to finish, and it furnishes _ Arliss with plenty of scope for his inimitable gift of repartee. He takes the role of Cabot Barr, a very rich old man of Massachusetts, whose family annoys, irritates and disappoints him. He is imbued t \vith immense pride of family, and his greatest disappointment lies in the fact that his daughter’s child is a girl. On an impulse he sends for the members of his family, and his greeting of them is a mixture of insults and caustic humour, to which they react with varying degrees of caution, having in view the old man’s will. His son reveals himself as a scoundrel, and the old man’s hopes for carrying, on the line then centre on the despised young girl and an adopted nephew. The young people, however, meet the old man’s' commands with a lively spirit of opposition, and it is in the battle of wills with these two products of the young generation that Arliss is seen at his best.’ Affronted and amazed at this flouting of his dignity, and at heart secretly admiring the young people's independence, Arliss invests in his acting an exceedingly clever two-facedness of expression, a gift which before this had earned him the plaudits of thousands of screenlovers. Supporting Arliss is Edna May Oliver, who provides an admirable foil for her cantankerous brother; Janet Beecher, Ralph Morgan and Charlotte Henry. The supporting programme includes "The Flying Mouse,” a spectacular and charming coloured cartoon; melodious organlogues, “Home” and “Sing a Song of Spain”; and Interesting Gazettes. THEATRE ROYAL,

“Family Night" will bring “Renegades of the West," a story in which romance and adventure are well mixed, to the Theatre Royal. Handsome Tom Keene has the principal role, and Roscoe Ates provides much of the comedy. Gorgeous spectacles and lavish ensembles, bright songs and delightful comedy situations, interwoven with a refreshing story, make “Dames” entertainment of a high standard. The story has the familiar background of a struggling playwright endeavouring to stage his “show.” The "tunnel of living beauty” number is a triumph of screen photography. Another scene which is remarkable for its spectacular lavishness is the “tapestry of living girls.” In one scene the whole chorus appears as a garden of living waterlilies, and in another a series of clever designs is formed by the bevy of attractive girls. “MERRY WIVES OF RENO.” “Merry Wives of Reno,” to be screened to-morrow, is an uproarious comedy of the divorce mill. Glenda Farrell plays the part of a flirtatious wife of a wealthy and middle-aged man. She has a penchant l'or other women’s husbands. Hugh Herbert is her husband, while others in the cast include Margaret Lindsay, one of the unhappy wives; Donald Woods, Guy Kibbee, Frank McHugh and Roscoe Ates.

CIVIC THEATRE. Few films of recent years have presented such fine entertainment as “Marie Galante.” The story deals with the efforts of international secret service agents to combat a sinister plot to wreck the Panama Canal during the passage through it of the United States fleet, and there is a thrilling climax. By her portrayal in the leading feminine role Ketti Galllan, a French actress popular in her own , country, will undoubtedly achieve fame. Her beauty and charm, combined "with acting ability, made a deep impression. Spencer Tracy ,is cast as a United States secret service agent who masquerades as a doctor studying tropical, diseases. His glib tongue provides much of the humour in which the film abounds. He is ably sup(Conunued lrj next column.)

ported in this direction by Ned Sparks. Other good performances are given by Leslie Fenton, Siegfried Rumann and Helen Morgan. “THE BROKEN MELODY.” “The Broken Melody,” starring Merle Oberon and John Garrick, will be screened to-morrow. In addition to realistic convict ' sequences and an original musical score, it features a story which is full of colour and romance. The acting is on a high standard. / STATE THEATRE. Two of the screen’s most popular stars, Madge Evans and Spencer Tracy, have the leads in “The Showoff.” This is- a most amusing film, with Mr Tracy giving a great performance as the man who knew everything and was always bragging—until something happened to bring him to his senses. He boasted of his social position and his large estates; he told magnates how to run their businesses, and talked himself out of a job; he told a girl he loved her, and she married him; and then —but people must see the picture for themselves. It is a riotous comedy that touches a deeper note with its sentiment. Madge Evans, beautiful as ever, makes the romance very real, and Spencer Tracy gives a very fine performance in the title role. Strong support is given by Clara Blandick, Lois Wilson, Alan Edwards, Claude Gillingwater and Henry Wadsworth.

' ROXY THEATRE. “Sing and Like It” has Zasu Pitts and Edward Everett Horton, two of the greatest funmakers of the screen, in the ■ principal roles, and the audience is kept in hilarious mood throughout'with the amusing situations and the witty dialogue. Zasu Pitts as an opera singer is one of the funniest things seen on the screen, and she is well backed/ip by Mr Horton and the rest of the cast. “The Red Rider,” a sensational and romantic Western thriller, with popular Buck Jones in the lead, is also on the programme.