ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19463, 31 December 1934, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

SPLENDID PROGRAMMES. AT HAMILTON THEATRES. Film-lovers in Hamilton have been well catered tor during the holiday period. The programmes presented, on Saturday maintained the high standard, appealing to all tastes with their mix■lure of romance, drama, comedy and melody. Business, as a consequence, was excellent. “MERRY WIVES OF RENO.” V AT THE THEATRE ROYAL. Hilarious comedy and appealing sentiment are provided in "The Merry Wives of Reno,”a diverting story of the divorce mill. Frank and Madge Hammond are as 1 ideally married on their first anniversary as on their honeymoon. Frank, a salesman for a boat company, is sent to Colonel Fitch's home, to find that the colonel is away and his wife, Bunny, is flirtatiously ■ inclined. Frank is loyal to Madge, but before he can get away a knock at the door sends him through the window, leaving his coat behind. It is trom Frazer, one of Bunny’s flames, but not her husband. While he is there the colonel returns, and Tom follows Frank through the window, also leaving his coat behind. Frank tells Madge he gave his coat to a'beggar, the almost believes him. Next day at the beauty parlour she overhears Bunny tell the story, and is sure Frank has been 1 trifling. She leaves a note for him explaining she is bpund for Reno. Tom and Lois Frazer have also decided to part. That is the beginning of some most intriguing situations. Margaret Lindsay'plays the part of the young wife whose marital complications take her to Reno, and her emotional -work - is a fine contrast, to her lighter, moments.- -Donald Woods plays opposite, her; with success. Much of the comedy is provided by Glenda .Farrell -(Bunny)' and Hugh Herbert (Colonel Fitch.),, and excellent work is also Gone by Guy Kibbee, Ruth Donnelly, Roscoe Ates and Frank McHugh. ; • ■ i ' The entertaining “shorts” include “Picture'Palaces," a sparkling revue; “Devil’s Cabaret,” a musical comedy In. technlcolour; “Spanish America,” a fascinating travelogue; and “Just Concentrate,” an amusing, comedy. • “CAPTAIN HATES THE SEA.” “The Captain Hates the Sea,” to be screened .on Wednesday, will set the New; Year’oil on a hilarious note, for it is a-.very .funny comedy of intrigue qii.shipboard,.with the development.of an appealing romance. The cast in~eludes such clever players as Victor McLaglen, Alison Skipworlh, Walter /Connelly, John Gilbert, Leon Errol. Wynne Gibson and Tala Birell.

“THE LAST GENTLEMAN.” '.. .. AT THE REGENT THEATRE. , “Tho Last Gentleman” Is one of the most delightful comedies the talking screen has produced. George Arllss --—'gives full reign to his talent In a role which suits him to perfection. He is a croohety old millionaire who resorts: to ingenious and remarkable plans to choose an heir from the ranks of his many relations. He rushes through a storm of temperamental outbursts, equally delightful in each turn of mood —irresistible when lie Is ■whimsical, aggravating when he is mysterious, and a thoroughly alarming ~ old man when ho is annoyed, but always entertaining. He lakes the roie of Cabot Barr; a very rich old man of Massachusetts,' whose family annoys, irritates and disappoints him. On an impulse lie sends for the various members of his family, and his greeting to < them is a mixture of instills and (caustic humour, lo which they react with varying'degrees of caution, having iii view the old man’s will. Although the picture is dominated by Mr Arliss the supporting cast is ■strong. Edna May Oliver provides many amusing moments and Janet Beecher, Charlotte ("Alice in Wonderland”) Henry, Ralph Morgan, Donald Meek and Frank Albertson are all excellent. , “The Flying Mouse," one of; tho . charming, spectacular and amusing Walt Disney cartoons in' colour, is a popular feature of the supporting gramme."MADAME DUBARRY.”

, An outstanding attraction will bo provided at the Regent Theatre on New Year’s Day (to-morrow), when “Madame Dubarry" will be screened This is the story of the great courtesan, who from obscurity became the power behind the French throne. The production is very lavish, and is filled with life and movement. Dolores del Rio lakes the title role, to which her exotic beauty Is well suited, and she * Is supported bly a very strong cast.

“FRIDAY, THE 13TH.’’ AT THE STATE THEATRE. “Friday, the ldth” is an intriguing title, suggesting all kinds of strange happenings, and the him certianly lives up to its title, for it provides thrills, romance, drama and comedy, with some delightful music as good measure. U is a very unusual picture, dealing with the fallacy of superstition,, and maintains the interest of the audience throughout. Opening in startling manner with the crash of a motor bus in which two people are killed, the climax of Hie story is presented early. The accident occurred on a Friday, Hie 13th of the month, and the audience is taken back and the reasons l'cfr the travelling of the passengers arc traced. Through skilful production and direction the Him makes splendid entertainment as it outlines tlie experiences of each member of Hie party involved*in the accident. Their lives are cleverly contrasted, and the audience follows Hie varying fortunes of each with the ; greatest interest. The working of Fate, even in the most trivial incidents, is shown in striking fashion. Tlie cast includes some of the most talented players on Hie London stage ■ Jessie Matthews, Sonnie Hale, Gonlon Marker, Ursula Jeans, Donald Cal- , rhrop ar.d Robertson Hare. Each gives . a very fine performance. The supporting programme includes interesting Gazelles, a funny comedy, - and several entertaining novelty films. "“WALTZES FROM VIENNA.” “Waltzes from Vienna," the spectacular musical play lbat was recently presented on ttie stage in New Zealand by a Williamson company and created a deep impression, lias been brought to the screen with all its glamour, its melodious music, its beautiful sellings,

its gay humour, and Its sweet romance, and will be screened at the State Theatre .shortly. It tells the story of the life of the composer Strauss, and introduces many of his melodies, culminating with the “Blue Danube” waltz. COMING ATTRACTIONS. On Wednesday “ She Learned about Sailors," an amusing comedy featuring Alice Faye and Lew Ayres, and “ Waltzes from Vienna," the spectacular musical play, will be screened. The latter has a cast headed by Jessie Matthews, Fay Compton, Edmund Gwenn and Frank Vosper. it lias some very tuneful Strauss melodies. On Saturday popular Janet Gaynor and Lew Ayres will be seen in “ Servants’ Entrance."

. “THE BROKEN MELODY.” AT THE CIVIC THEATRE. "The Broken Melody” is as appealing as its title, with its romance, its drama and its music. The first part of the action takes place in a Paris garret where Paul Verlaine (John Garrick) is living as a lodger with the father of Germaine (played by Merle Oberon)'. The director has finely recaptured the picturesqueness of the artistic-quarter in Paris and contrasted it skilfully, with the later scenes In the opera singer’s luxurious flat where Paul Verlaine lives after his marriage to Simone SI. Cloud (Margot Grahame). The plot concerns a young composer, Paul Verlaine, who falls in love and marries Simone St. Cloud, a Parisian opera singer, lie in turn is loved by Germaine, a cafe singer, who feeds him when he is starving and finds a job for him as a singer. Paul is jealous of his wife and kills her lover (a theatre impresario, played by Austin Trevor); For lliis- he is sentenced lo life imprisonment on Devil’s Island, but makes a spectacular escape and returns to Paris lo make tiis fortune under another name. His wife is now dead, and Germaine, herself famous, is looking after his child. At an opera which Paul lias composed, and in which Paul and Germaine are singing, the px-'Govcrnor of Devil’s Island recognises him through a song .■he composed during his imprisonment, and. an exciting climax follows. Among Hie tuneful musical numbers are "Sorrow and Tears” (Broken Melody), sung by John Garrick; “Just Gall Me Clierie,” sung by Merle ■Oberon; “Unless I'm With You," sung by John Garrick; “Devil’s Isle,” sung by convict chorus of voices; “Sea' Shanty,” sung by male chorus; “My Heart’s Song,” sung by Merle Oberon; ‘‘.The Broken Melody,” operatic finale and; full chorus.”

The' "shorts” preceding the main film . coyer a wide range, including comedy, Gazettes, and other films of topical interest. :• ' “ THE PRINCE OF ARCADIA.’’ "The Prince of Arcadia,” to be screened on Wednesday, will bring back hniidsomc Carl Brissoh to Hie local screen. It combines - romance, comedy, and melody very entertainingly. ’• . ROXY THEATRE. An excellent mixture of comedy, melody and beauty, “Melody in Spring," features that reliable comedy learn of Charlie lUiggles and Mary Boland, a new fontanlic singing personality, Danny Boss, and the beautiful Ann Solhcrn. “Melody in Spring,” “Ending With a Kiss” and “The Open Road" arc Hie three songs Boss sings. Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy are at their f.uninesit in "Sons of the Desert." In order to attend a convention they arc forced lo resort lo subterfuge. Skilfully they devise a plot and with equal deftness win their wives’ belief in their plans. All goes well until Ilieir deception is discovered, and llien the fun begins! “Hello, Pop," is a gorgeous musical comedy in fechnieolour, with tuneful melodies, spectacular ensembles, merry comedy and crowds of lovely girls. MIDNIGHT MATINEE. A midnight matinee will ho hold to-night, when a specially attractive programme will he presented.