ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19604, 17 June 1935, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

HAMILTON THEATRES.

ENJOYABLE PROGRAMMES.

AT HAMILTON THEATRES. The programmes presented at the Hamilton theatres on Saturday gave enjoyable entertainment for fllmlovers, and drew the usual lai’ge audiences. Drama, comedy, romance and sentiment —something to suit all tastes were provided in the feature films, while the gazettes, novelty “shorts,” and views of the King’s Jubilee 'celebrations completed very attractive programmes.

“AFTER OFFICE HOURS.”

AT THE REGENT THEATRE. “After Office Hours” is a gay comedy romance with a stimulating touch of melodrama, and has a number of distinguished artists included in its cast. The central character .is an energetic news editor, played by Clarke Gable, who is seeking inside information about a sensational society scandal, and in doing so unearths a murder mystery. With the assistance of a staff photographer (Stuart Erwin) and his social reporter (Constance Bennett) he turns his efforts to fastening the blame on the guilty person. Actually it is not a mystery story, as the audience knows from the start who the guilty person is, but it forms a very strong plot, around which is built an excellent romance. In proving his theories to be correct Clark Gable risks the displeasure of his fiancee, and although the story has a satisfactory ending, some of the scenes, even the most humorous, are very dramatic. The outstanding feature of the film is the delightful comedy constantly appearing, even in the most serious scenes. Almost all of the long series of thrilling incidents making up the story end unexpectedly in this way. In spite of this the director has kept his picture free from misplaced anti-climax, and it nuns smoothly to a well-planned ending. The dialogue and the acting are unusually good. Clark Gable shows great artistry in a role calling for a virile personality, and is excellently cast opposite the charming Constance Bennett. Billie Burke, Henry Travel's and Henry Armetla have the main supporting roles. Intensely interesting views of the King’s Jubilee celebrations in 'London, Thelma Todd and Patsy Kelly in the amusing comedy "One Horse Farmers,” the coloured revue “Gipsy Nights,” the Pete Smith oddity “Donkay Baseball,” and a Cinesound Review complete the programme.

“LET’S LIVE TO-NIGHT.”

AT THE STATE THEATRE. In “One Night of Love,” the highly successful picture, Tullio Garminati played opposite Grace . 'Moore and scored a triumph. In “Let’s Live Tonight ” he plays a different type of role, but the result is just the same. He assists Lilian Harvey to make it very good entertainment. There is oolour and buoyancy in the picture from beginning to end. In the first place, it is set against the Riviera, the happy hunting ground of romance, and from the scene, a thrilling outboard motor boat race which serves to introduce the principal characters, it moves along in exhilarating fashion. There Is gaiety in plenty, but there is a poignant story to it too. The beautiful American girl who goes to the south of France in search of romance finds it with a vengeance, but the lover whom she thinks to bo “poor but honest” proves to be anything but poor. His honesty, too, is in doubt for a time. He is very much a man of the world, believing in women as a means of whiling away pleasant hours, then to be forgotten. He follows his customary policy in this instance, and leaves a brokenhearted girl to fall into the arms of his brother. Then he realises his blunder. Fortunately for everybody concerned, exoept perhaps the unfortunate brother, who finds solace in undertaking a mighty engineering work, all ends well. Lilian Harvey is the ideal type for the picture, and in Garminati she 1s provided with a splendid, foil. His singing of the theme song, “Love Passes By/’ is one of the most enjoyable Incidents of the film. Luis Alberni, as the disappointed brother, forms the third of a very well cast trio. The supporting cast is first rate. A thrilling film of the Jubilee celebrations in London, a “Medbury in Africa” travelogue, the spectacular

coloured rhapsody “The Shoemaker and the Elves,” the “Rowing Rhythm” sports thrill, and the Fox Aussie News complete .the programme.

“SHADOW OF DOUBT.”

AT THE THEATRE ROYAL. One of the best of the year’is detective films, “Shadow of Doubt,” is delighting audiences at the Theatre Royal- This film is particularly notable for the brilliant performance of Constance Collier, who has’ the part of an extremely wealthy woman recluse who leaves her home for the first time for 20 years in order to solve the mystery of a murder of which her nephew’s fiancee is suspected. Emerging to turn detective to aid loved ones in a murder case, she is literally at the mercy of a great city. How she overcomes her difficulties adds drama and comedy to the mystery story. _ The character is one Ojr the most original in modern fiction, and Miss Collier invests it with great sincerity and strikes a note of comedy which places the picture in a class above the usual mystery film. The -story is good and full -of much thrilling incident, while the mystery should baffle even the ■sharpest audience. One of the outstanding features of the film is the singing of “Beyond the Shadow of Doubt" by Isabel Jewell, in a cabaret scene. The picture is well produced and excellently cast, others besides Miss Collier who give fine performances being Ricardo -Cortez, as the’ nephew, Virginia Bruce, the fiancee, and Edward ißrophy, a rough-man-nered detective. There is an entertaining supporting programme, including “Hey Hey Fever,” a gorgeou-s cartoon in colour, “You Bring the Ducks,” an amusing oddity, and interesting gazettes.

TWO FEATURE FILMS. AT THE CIVIC THEATRE. “ Life Begins at 40 ” relates the romance of a young school teacher and a youth “railroaded” to prison. A shrewd editor (Will Rogers) Brings to light facts that clear the boy and stirs .up a hornet’s nest of fun in the process. Among the high spots in the picture Is Will's pistol duel, which he wins through wisecracking. America’s popular humorist uncorks a brand new vintage ol' laughs. The supporting cast includes Rochelle Hudson and Richard Cromwell in the romantic leads, George Barbier, Jane Harwell, Slim Summerville, Sterling Holloway, Thomas Beck, Roger lmhof, Charles Sellon, John Bradford and Ruth Gillette. “My Song for You” is a medley of song, comedy and romance- Jan Kicpura sings not only the leading theme song, but excerpts from grand opera, and the “Ave Maria," which is a feature of the concluding scenes. In support of lviepura are Sonnie Hale and Emlyn Williams —in the picture an ambitious pianist who over-estimates his ability —Ailccn Marson, as the heroine, with whom Galti, the singer, falls in love; Gina Malo, as a party girl, who causes much bother; 'Muriel George, Reginald Smith and George ■Merritt. The outdoor locations are picturesque and the settings are on a sumptuous scale.

ROXY THEATRE. “Wagon Wheels" gives a dramatic and historical account of the romance, adventure and perils encountered by Ihe hardy pioneers who were first to bring civilisation to Ihe untamed wilderness of the West. Randolph Scott, (tail Patrick and Monte. Blue head the cast. Other outstanding attractions are “Tune Up and Sing,” featuring Ihe radio star Lanny Ross; “The. Human Side,” a comedy-drama; “Oh, What a Business,” sparkling revue: and the. striking pictures of the King’s Jubilee celebrations in London. JUBILEE CELEERATIONS. The film of the King’s Jubilee celebrations in Loudon is intensely inleresling. The procession through the streets from Buckingham Pa I are I' l Westminster Abbey is shown —its spectacular decora lions, its cheering crowds, its glimpses of historic spots, ils display of the people's love for I lie Grown. Many “close-ups" are seen of the King and Queen (Her Majesty looking very regal), and members of the Royal Family, including Ihe little Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. The photography is marvellous, everything standing out witli stereoscopic rl’frrl. The Him closes with Ihe presentation of addresses from Ihe House of Lords and the House of Commons, and the King’s reply, everything being heard as though the onlookers were actually in Westminster Hall. The whole Him is calculated to stir the blood of every Britisher.