ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19563, 30 April 1935, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES.

THEATRE ROYAL. Two feature films “The Oldfashioned Way” and “The Witching Hour,” will be screened to-day, making interesting and well-contrasted entertainment such as is always enjoyed by picture-lovers. The firstnamed film is a very amusing production, dealing with old-fashioned stage people, whose joys and sorrows and varied experiences make splendid screen fare. There are romance, sentiment and laughter, with song and dance numbers. The cast is headed by W. C. Fields, Baby Leroy, and Joe Morrison.

“The Witching Hour” is an attraction of a totally different character, but equally absorbing. It provides plenty of drama and sensation, with a pleasing love story, and humour to relieve the tension. An excellent cast is engaged, including such convincing players as Sir Guy Standing, Judith Allan, John Ilalliday and Tom Brown.

CIVIC THEATRE. Spencer Tracy, Marian Nixon and Stuart Erwin have the leading roles In “Face in the Sky,” a tale of a travelling young signboard artist whose dreams of marrying an heiress fade when he falls in love with a little country girl. Whimsically handled details of farm life, a free-for-all fight, between the painter and his helper against the farmer and his son, a kidnapping unawares, the “rescue” of the girl by a vengeful bridegroom, her escape and desperate search through New York for her lover, and a unique reunion punctuate the progress of the story.

"Strangers of the Evening" has the unusual twist in plot of a murder mystery in which no member of the cast Is implicated In the final explanation. In addition, its comedy treatment is “different,” and stamps this a highly diverting story. The cast is headed by Zasu Pitts, Eugene Pallette and Lucien Littlefield.

RECENT THEATRE. The brilliant screen version of Charles Dickens’ celebrated novel, "The Old Curosity Shop,” will be shown to-day. Those who read Dickens for his intense sympathies, his puckish humour, his unerring insight into human character and the wide sweep of canvas on which he paiqted the comic and eccentric figures of his novels will find much to admire in the production. Again, for those theatre-goers who go in search of light entertainment, there are 'brilliant and witty antics of his highlyamusing characters. Their quaint humour.strikes an original and refreshing note in screen humour. The Immortal Little Nell, that delightful yet pathetic figure, achieves a poignancy which is an ideal foil to the majority of other characters that are essentially humorous in nature. Of the latter there are the comical ■wastrel, Dick Swiveller, the fiendish Qullp, Sampson Brass, with his cringing flattery, and Mrs Jarley and her inimitable waxworks. A performance which has been acclaimed by overseas critics as one which will rank as one of the most brilliant character sketches

on the screen is that of Hay Petrie, who appears as Quilp.

“THE MERRY WIDOW.”

Not many musical comedies have had such a long and happy life as “The Merry Widow,” to be screened on Friday. * It made its first appearance in English in 1907. Since that time it has been revived countless times and has proved unfailingly bright and reliable entertainment. The film is a good deal different from the original Viennese play, but its embellishments •will be all to the modern taste. “The Merry Widow” must be viewed as an entirely, new artistic creation, with graceful and brilliant scenes, dialogue clever and sometimes daring, and the lilting music of Franz Lehar. The cast is headed by two very popular stars, Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette Macdonald.

STATE THEATRE. “The Little Minister," - the film version of Sir James M. Barrie’s delightful story, will he screened again to-day. It is obvious that great pains have been taken to capture the Barrie spirit, and that considerable care lias been exercised in selecting actors for the Scottish types portrayed. 'Undoubtedly the finest performance is that of Katharine Hepburn, who, as Babbie, the mysterious gipsy girl betrothed to a lord, has a role very different from any in which siie has previously appeared. The fey, whimsical impulsive spirit of the girl is perfectly captured, and her performance is an appealing and charming one. John Beal gives a restrained hut powerful performance as the earnest young minister, anxious to make a good on the congregation and the very upright elders of his kirk. The dawning of bis love for Babbie, and his gradual realisation that it is a more important thing than the good opinion of the village, is skilfully handled, and the courtship •scenes are sincerely and beautifully treated. Another good characterisation is given by Alan Hale as a drunkard who is reformed by the Little Minister, and becomes one of his most loyal supporters and the one who feels most acutely his apparent fall from grace.

ROXY THEATRE. With office rents high, and the necessity for an office urgent, Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey demonstrate how to escape rent in their musical extravaganza. “Hips, Hips, Hooray” is mirthful, mad and merry in its story. Ruth Etting sings the current popular songs “Tired of It All” and “Keep Romance Alive” in "Hips, Hips, Hooray;” while Dot Lee and Thelma Todd harmonise on ‘Keep on Doin’ What You’re Doin’.” “THE WIND AND THE RAIN.” © There was a large demand for seats this morning when the plans were opened for Lhe first and only production here at the Theatre Royal on Thursday night, by the J. U. Williamson,'Ltd., London-dramatic company, of the brilliantly clever and very entertaining comedy-drama, "The Wind and the Rain.” “Once again,” wrote a Sydney critic, “a play has come to Sydney which combines sparkling dialogue, comedy sentiment and charm, to provide an evening of delightful entertainment.” At last night’s gala premiere “The Wind and the Rain” blew and showered all those essential ingredients of true comedy into a packed auditorium, which showed its appreciation with a succession of laughs. Dr. Merton Hodge, the

young New Zealander, who based the play upon his experiences of University life at Edinburgh, gained his first knowledge of the stage through amateur work, some of it during the various capping ceremonies during the years he studied at the Otago University, Dunedin. George Thirlwell, who will appear as Charles Tritton, is a brilliant young London actor. Janet Johnson is said to be the ideal person for the role of Anne Hargreaves, and Arundel Nixon, a talented young Englsh actor, is happily cast as Dr Paul Duhamel. Tommy Jay plays the comedy part of Gilbert. R. L. Atholwood, Nay Taylor, G'w.en Munro, Richard Fair, Ron Roberts, Frederick Hughes are also in tlie cast.

HEALTH RESTORER. HARVEY’S MINERAL TONIC,

Vitalising: mineral salts essential to the human body are concentrated In HARVEY’S MINERAL TONIC, rioted Tor Its restorative ell'ect in cases or anaemia, debility, nerves and general depression. If you are run-down or below par, lack vitality and Interest in life, get a Jar or Harvey’s Mineral Tonic. 3/6 rronj Chemists. (i)