ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19600, 12 June 1935, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

HAMILTON THEATRES.

CIVIC THEATRE. Thrill is a by-word to Hollywood stunt men. Courageously they brave every conceivable hazard, risking life and limb to crash automobiles into plateglass, fight on foot-wide prison walls, swing across buildings, fight on burning roofs, and tumble 50 feet to earth through a skylight. In “Lucky Devils" Bill Boyd employs his virile physique and personality with realism in a convincing portrayal. As Skipper, head stunt man, he saves an “extra” girl from suicide. Upsetting his theory that stuntrqanship and romance do not mix, he marries her. He acquires a fear of death and loses his nerve. He works as a day labourer, and eventually becomes despondent when his wife anticipates a baby. He is penniless. A stunting job is available. He undertakes the execution of a death ride in a canoe acress tumultuous rapids in a tense dramatic climax. Dorothy Wilson gives an able dramatio portrayal as Skipper’s wife, and William Gargan is well cast as a member of the “Lucky Devils” club. Rosco Ates is conventionally hilarious with his stuttering humour. ■“Rock-a-bye,” the second feature film, is an entertaining comedy-drama, featuring the popular players Constance Bennett and Joel McGrea.

THEATRE ROYAL. One of the most virile actors on the screen, Victpr McLaglen, gives a flne performance in the leading role of “Wharf Angel.” Cast as a rough hut good-natured stoker, he has a part which admirably suits his distinctive typo of acting. The story is one of compelling interest set against the background of the San Francisco waterfront. It 'deals with the complications which ensue when two men discover that they are in love with the same girl. The manner in whioh the problem is worked out makes an absorbing tale. The supporting cast, a particularly strong one, includes Alison Skipworth in one of her clever characterisations, and Dorothy Dell and Preston Foster in the romantic leads. “You’re Telling Me” is a film of a totally different kind, the contrast making for good entertainment. It is a very_amusing and romantic comedy of a tipsy inventor whose contraptions solve everything except his own difficulties, which, however, keep the audience in hilarious mood. A charming romance is entwined with the main theme.. W. G. Fields, who impersonates “drunks” so realistically, oreates muoh merriment and a little pathos, and Adrienne Ames, Joan Marsh, Larry (“Buster”) Crabbe (the swimming champion who has made a success in films), and others. REGENT THEATRE. “(Living on Velvet” is an unusual romance with a background of modern aviation. The story concerns a well-to-do young airmail pilot who is flying his" parents and his sister on a holiday, when he is lost in the fog and is forced to descend- In the resulting crash all aro killed save himself, and he develops the ourious complex that he, too, is really dead, and that nothing he does matters. There follows a series of crazy, breath-taking adventures in the air and on the ground, until he meets an old friend. The friend takes him to a party, at which he meets Amy, to whom the friend is about to be engaged. A wild and crazy courtship, in whioh the young ex-pilot appears to be doing his best to get rid of the girl, ends after two days in marriage. The girl then sets out to rid her husband of his illusions, but he remains hopelessly extravagant in fancy and devoid of responsibility. After she has acceded to his oftrepeated request that she leave him, however, things begin to happen with

startling rapidity, and there is a happy ending. George Brent, Kay Francis and Warren William are the stars. “AFTER OFFICE HOURS.”

“After Office Hours,” to be screened on Saturday, is a fine achievement. It is essentially a romantic drama, but such a .strain of original humour has been introduced that it can be classed among the great sophisticated comedies of the year. There is a notable cast. Clark Gable as an energetic news editor of a city paper shows unlusual artistry, and uses his virile personality to great effect. While in search of inside information about a sensational society scandal he unearths a murder mystery, .which he endeavours to solve, with the assistance of Constance Bennett as a society reporter, and Stuart Erwin as a photographer.

STATE THEATRE. In “Murder on a Honeymoon” the murder is committed on an airplane while flying from the mainland to Catalina Island- Aboard the ’plane are a honeymoon couple, a movie director, a retired runner, a lady of easy virtue, two pilots, and Miss Withers, the school teacher amateur detective. The dead man is identified as the missing witness of a New York Grand Jury investigation, which brings Inspector Oscar Piper into the case. The body is stolen before an autopsy can be performed, and two other characters meet their deaths before the case is solved. Edna May Oliver contributes her familiar performance, as does James 'Gleason as Inspector Piper. In “Princess O’Hara” Jean Parker is so-starred with Chester Morris, portraying the appealing role of the little “Princess,” whom fate thrust into one of the most harrowing experiences of her life. She is accused of the theft of a famous racehorse which is to run against the horse belonging to the man she loves. The horse is recovered, but unless he wins the race she goes to gaol. The climax of this exciting story is thrilling and amazing. “ROBERTA.” “Roberta” is a fashion cocktail in celluloid and sound, with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, the pair with the crazy feet, supplying the pep, and Irene Dunne and others the softer ingredients. The -story is _of an American football player who inherits from his old Aunt Minnie the very fashionable “Roberta" gown salon in Paris, to which the best people go. In the salon is Stephanie, really a Russian countess, and with Aunt Minnie’s nephew she provides the romantic touch so necessary in a musical romance. There are some tuneful musical numbers and some extraordinarily clever dancing. ROXV THEATRE. To-night six vaudeville acts will be presented, including Jack Tapp and Robbie Rhythm, tap dancers, and should provide very entertaining items. Thrills and laughter are provided in “Murder in the - Private Gar” with Charlie Ruggles. Adapted from the successful stage thriller, the picture is a comedy-mystery story crammed with laughs and action. Much of the picture is played on a runaway pullman car speeding down a mountain grade, with five human beings locked inside. Besides Ruggles the cast includes Una Merkel, Mary Carlisle, Russell Ilardie and other notables. “Policy Girl” and “The Blue Squadron,” will also be screened. They are outstanding attractions.