ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19564, 1 May 1935, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

[ CURRENT PROGRAMMES. REGENT THEATRE. It is no light task to attempt the transference to the screen of a Dickens novel, particularly a classic of such breadth as “The Old Curiosity Shop," the lovely tale of Little Nell, •and it is to the credit of British studios that they have produced a film capable of proving to the present generation that Dickens was not a somewhat fusty old gentleman, with a pronounced Victorian outlook. “The Old Curiosity Shop,” as much as any of his novels, shows his unerring human touch and his genius in .creating figures of comedy and tragedy. The Dickensian atmosphere is there. The ■tory loses none of its charm and at least halt - a dozen of the great characters of the book are gloriously ali^e. The triumph of the film Is scored by Petrie, who makes Quilp the Snarling, loathsome ogre that tradition demands. Marvellously made up, and with countless tricks of body., and voice to aid him, he dominates the film in a role of unrelieved villainy. Little Nell and her pathetic old grandfather wander through the film, two perfect 'character types. Ben Webster is ideal as the grandfather, and little Elaine Benson, acts with delightful placidity. 'Gibb McLaughlin, one of the .soundest and most versatile of British film actors, gives an excellent study as Brass, the scheming lawyer. Other figures known to countless readers—Kit, Dick Swiveller, the 'Marchioness, Mrs' Jarley and Codlin and Short—flit across the screen in momentary glimpses of character, and the whole film shows that the director, Thomas Bentley, has all the love of Dickens necessary for the making of such a/film. He has captured the background perfectly—the days when ooachcs swept into town'—and he has also provided some glorious glimpses of English countryside. With its blend of poignancy and rich humour, the film is one which should make a strong appeal. “ THE MERRY WIDOW.’’ Maurice 'Chevalier steps into the spirit of “The Merry Widow," to toe' screened on Friday, as if he had been moulded for the part of 'Count Danilo, of Matasovia. The picture’s atmosphere is one of gaiety and afbandou. The highlights of the play demand an exquisite philanderer, at home Jn the giddiest whirl of Parisian nightlife and IChevaller plays the part to perfection. The .foil for this l'reelover is the beautiful Jeannette Macdonald, gifted with a perfect voice, which makes Sonia’s balcony song a lovely thing that gives new grace tc the story. "The Merry Widow ” is essentially melodious, but it is also highly dramatic.

BTATE THEATRE. Sixteen million people of all types and ages -have read the fascinating Harold Beil Wright classic, “When'A Man’s A Man." 'From.all indications, at least three times this-number will enjoy the film adaptation of this masterpiece. The stereotyped version of the West as peopled by desert rats lurking through the sage brush of the dry lands is abandoned; in place is ’a vibrant story of modern youth involved in a vital romance. The setting is an Arizona ranch, to which comes a mysterious Easterner, short of money, obviously the gentleman, but silent on his past. He is befriended by a hardened Westerner, changes from playboy to a rugged '“man’s man," and finds himself in the dilemma of his lifetime when he realises that his 'best friend and himself are rivals for the hand of the same girl. Into "When a Manjs A Man" Harold Bell Wright poured his rich knowledge of the West and of the conflicts and romance that arise, far from urban artificialities. Around George O’Brien are featured Dorothy Wilson and .'Paul Kelly, in a cast including Harry Woods, Jimmy Butler, Richard Carlisle, Clarence Wilson and Edgar Norton. “DIRTY WORK." The return of Ralph Lynn, the popular London “silly-ass" comedian, In a Ben Travers farce, will he a popular event at the State Theatre on Saturday. -In ‘Dirty Work” he has full scope for the display of his unique gifts as a funmaker, and he is well supported by Gordon Marker and Robertson Mare. The efforts of the three comedians keep the audience in hilarious mood. CIVIC THEATRE. The plot of “Face In the Sky" concerns a travelling -sign-painter, always dreaming of his glorious future. He meets a little country girl who Is likewise a dreamer. With the aid of his clumsy helper, the painter assists her in escaping from her drab existence on a Vermont faring only to fall in lovo with her. Tliev ara separated when the farmer overtakes them, but meet again under unique circumstances in New York 'City, and iiie story lakes an exciting and romantic twist, leading ( 0 an unusual climax. Spencer Tracey, hitherto famous for his "hard-boiled" portrayals in pictures, is cast in an entirely different type 0 f role, in "Face In the bky, and makes a great success of il. Marian Nixon is Ibc New England girl whose dreams lead her far beyond (lie confines of Min farm and whose dainty features become flic “face in (lie sky." Stuart Erwin returns to the “dumb" roles Hint originally made him. famous. While “Strangers of the Evenins" Is primarily a mystery dnalins- witli the substitution or bodies and Hie final accounting of Hie missing bodv. the situations provide plenty of laughter. Zasu PiUs and melon Lit110field cause much* amusemenl. and the. excellent east also includes Tullv Marshall. Eugene Palette. Miriam Seegar, Theodor von Ellz. Warner Richmond, Alan Roseoc, Mahler; Hamilton and James Burl is. THEATRE ROYAL. “The Old-fashioned Way.” which has for its theme the adventures and mishaps of an old-lime vaudeville troupe, presents W. G. Fields as (lie manager, romantic lead and chief support of a hungry troupe of players.

who are always one jump ahead of the sheriff and three weeks behind in their pay. Baby Leßoy acts the role of the infant son of the town’s wealthiest widow, a lady who becomes infatuated with Fields. She furnishes enough financial support for him to put on one final performance. It ends with his leaving town followed by the' sheriff in hot pursuit. Joe Morrison, whose « tenor voice was responsible for popularising the song, “The Last 'Round-up” in America, is in a featured role, together with Judith Allen and Jack Mul hall.

“The Witching Hour," a famous romance, tells of the memory of a beautiful love and how it returns to save the romance of a boy and a girl of a new generation. Featured in the cast arc Sir Guy Standing, John Halliday, Judith Allen, Tom Brown, Gertrude Michael and William Frawley. ROXY THEATRE. In “Hips, Hips, Hooray” the popular comedians Wheeler and Woolsey are high-pressure super-salesmen of flavoured lipsticks and oilier beauty preparations. Working- .for ,Thelma Todd and Dorothy Lee, Ihe boys arc successful in marketing their beauty creams and lotions much lo Hie harassment of the menacing George Meeker. Consequently, Meeker manipulates a 10,000 dollar theft into their innocent hands, and they flee (be country in a racing car in Hie laugh-packed surprise climax. Ruth Filing is 'featured in Wheeler and Woolsey’s supporl, singing “Tired of II Ail” and “Keep Romance Alive.”

There are sonic spectacular soup and dance numbers.

“THE WIND AND THE RAIN.”

To-morrow night n f the Tlicalre I loyal. Ill" j. C. Williamson, Lid., Now London .Company will presold lor the lirsl and only occasion here dhi' brdlinnlly clever and very enlerlaining eonieily iriumph, "The Wind and the llain.” which was wrilIcu by Ihe New Zealand playwriglil. Id'. ’Merlon llodge. and which has been running Continuously in London for over lb months. There has boon a large demand for seals at the box cilice, and 10-niorrow night promises |o prove one of Ihe most memorable in ihe Ihealrical lilstory of Ihe town. New Zealanders are proud of the. lad. Ih a I a New Zealander has made a name for himself among Ihe world’s besl known wrilers of plays, ‘Uid that I here is oulslandirig’ merit in "The Wind and Ihe llain" has been proved hy !|,e successes it lias achieved not only j n England, Auslvalia and New Zealand, bid in France, (Continued m next column..'

America. Germany and Belgium. The aclion is even in tempo and the dialogue is brilliant, clever bright and highly amusing. George Thirlwell is Ihe typical English juvenile, and Ihe ,1. Williamson management was I'ui’limale In procuring him for Ihe Ihe leading role in “The Wind and Ihe, Haiti.” Miss Janet Johnson is said lo he delightful as Anne Hargreaves, and Arundel Nixon. Tommy Jay, It. L. Alliol’wood, Nan Taylor. Gwen Munro, llielianl Fair. Ronald Roberts were all specially selecled for their roles. M he staging ami lighting effects are I'ealures of the production. The box plans are now open.