ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19633, 20 July 1935, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES. REGENT THEATRE. One Maurice Chevalier is usually enough io make the success of any film, but when there are two Chevaliers in the one production that is pleasure brimming over for the admirers of the French screen star. In “Folies Bergere” Chevalier plays the dual roles of a famous stage entertainer and an important banker and sooial leader. He makes the parts entirely different, but each provides m/uch amusement. The fun begins when the Baron Cassini is forced to make a hurried and secret trip to London to obtain financial aid for his bank, and Charlie of the “Folies Bergere” revue is hired by the banker’s partners to impersonate him. One of Charlie’s star turns in the revue is the imitation of the baron, and when he is given the chance of playing the role in real life he enters on a period of wild comedy. This •culminates in the return of the husband, unknown to his wife, and a series of complications, at the end of which the Baron does not know what to think of his wife’s love’affair with Charlie, who is impersonating the Baron, and with the Baron, who is impersonating Charlie, while the Baroness, played by Merle Oberon, is completely bewildered. There is rich comedy in the situations which develop after the Baron receives a hint ■that his wife has been revealing interest in the entertainer during the time of the London visit, and the most is made of them by Chevalier, by Miss Oberon, and by the sprightly Ann Sothern, who plays the part of a comedienne in the "Folies Bergere and the sweetheart of Charlie. The song numbers are attractive, with Chevalier at his best in “Rhythm in the Rain,” the great “Straw Hat number, “the witty “Au Revoir L’Amour” and “Singing a Happy Song." A talented cast of dancers and singers supports the stars. The supporting bill is of excellent quality, including the latest Mickey Mouse cartoon, a coloured musical cartoon, interesting newsreels, and “Perfectly Mismated," a oomedy featuring Leon Errol. THEATRE ROYAL. Jackie Coogah, now grown to manhood, makes his re-appearanoe on the screen in “Home on the Range,” in which Evelyn Brent, another former favourite, also re-appears. Featured In the supporting cast are Randolph Scott, Dean Jagger, Fuzzy Knight and Ann Sheridan. “Home on the Range" deals with the efforts of a band of orlminals to swindle Randolph Scott and his brother (Jackie Coogan) out of their ranch and racehorses. With the money from the sale of his cattle stolen, and the mortgage on his ranch in the hands of the ringleader, Scott seems to be in an unenviable position. But the girl accomplice of the criminals (Evelyn Brent) falls in love with him and turns the tables on them. With her aid Scott recovers the money stolen from him, although their lives are threatened by a forest fire set by the criminals. In the final dramatio scene Jaokie Coogan rides their prize horse to victory in the big race, while Scott and Evelyn celebrate the event by announcing their forthcoming marriage. Joe Morrison, the possessor of a delightful tenor voice, sings the theme song throughout the picture. „ „ “Here Comes the Groom,” the gay story of a piccolo player who becomes i burglar and then (inds himself impersonating a radio celebrity and honeymooning with a lady he has never seen before, is also screened.

01VIC THEATRE. In the weird and thrilling Him, “Werewolf of London,” Is seen an entire valley carpeted with what looks like orystallised moonlight. In reality It Is a valley carpeted with shimmering phosphorescent flowers which bloom only In the light of the moon, and seem to refleot it. This flower Is a “wolf flower,” a flower that mythology says was used by men in olden days who had been bitten by a werewolf. A werewolf is a creature that is half-man and half-wolf, and each month during the full of the moon turns Into the savage animal that wreaks its vengeance (upon innocent people. Plunging the thorn of. one of theso mystic flowers into a vein of the afflicted man was supposed to prevent him from Ipecoming a wolf. It is around this fabled werewolf and wolf flower that the weird story of “Werewolf in London” is laid. A scientist is seeking the wolf flower when he is bitten by a werewolf in the mountains of far-off Tibet. When ho returns to England with his precious wolf flowers his task is to keep them alive, for it is only by means of these flowers that ho can prevent himself from being transformed into a wolf each month during the full of the moon, but the blossoms are stolen and he falls victim to the disease of wcrcwolfery. He turns into a savage animal and roams the darkened strccis of London, killing innocent women in his efforts to satiate his blood lust. For sheer horror and thrills this 111 m outdoes anything placed on the screen. Henry Hull gives a striking pciformance as the scientist, Valeric Hobson has the chief feminine role, and Warner Oland appears in a clever characterisation. The supporting programme includes “Doing the Town,” a sparkling revue; "Spring Antics," an amusing cartoon; pcwsreels, scenics and travelogues. STATE THEATRE. “The Dictator" is a magnificent spectacular drama. livery setting, every scene, is a thing of beauty. Clive Brook and .Madeleine Carroll present tin- central characters, Dr. tjtruonsoe and ijuoen Caroline respectively. Tile locale of the story is tho Court of Denmark, and the period 1766, when Princess Caroline, sister of George 111. of England, was sent to tho Danish Court to marry Christian VII., whom she had never previously seen. Repelled by the vacillating character, no less than by the viciousness of her drink-sodden husband, sho rebelled, and in her loneliness turned to Struensoo, an obscure physician bvit a clever opportunist who bad climbed to diclalorial power over (Continued in next column.)

the King by the ladder of flattery. Sympathy soon ripens into love between the Queen and the Dictator, and their lives in this association make a superbly dramatio story, rising to a ■poignant climax. Other players are Emlyn Williams as the King; Helen Hayes, Alfred Drayton, Nicholas Hannen, Isabel Jeans and Frank Cellier. More than a thousand people were engaged for ensembles and small parts, 200 took part in the riot scene, while in the investiture scene more than 500 had places. There is an entertaining supporting programme.

ROXY THEATRE. Several entertaining films will be soreened to-morrow. “Fashions of 1934” is a spectacular production, with lovely girls, striking gowns, tuneful music and a charming romance. William Powell gives a fine performance in the principal role, and has good support from Bette Davis, Hugh Herbert, Verree Teasdale and others. “Pursuit of Happiness” is a romantio and amusing comedy, with Joan .Bennett and Francis Lederer; while “Come to Dinner” is a very ' funny burlesque of the great drama “Dinner at Eight.”

CAMBRIDGE CINEMA. “The Painted Veil,” featuring the glamorous Greta Garbo, is an adaptation of Somerset Maiugham’s domestic drama of marital discord in the seething centre of China’s plague-ravished regions, and tells the story of a modern woman married to a medical scientist who thinks first of his work before thinking of his wife. the husband discovered his wife's infidelity he drags her into the plague country. The role of the wife is made a memorable one In the performance of the incomparable Garbo. As Dr. Fane, the’husband of Garbo, Herbert Marshall contributes one of tho'finest performances of his career. Tile outstanding impression left by “My Heart is Calling,” starring. Jan Kiepiura, is one of beauty. Beauty of music, vocal and instrumental; beauty of personality and graceful selfexpression; beauty of scene. The tine voice of Jan Kiepura was never used lo belter advantage. There is no doiubt about Bella Donna” being one of the most popular stories written. Mary Ellis gives a splendid performance as “Bella Donna” As Mahmoud Baroudi, Hie evil Egvptiau who fascinates the while woman, Conrad Vcidt is a sinis-ter-figure. _____ “ALADDIN AND OUT.” Three performances of- the comic opera, "Aladdin and Out” will be given bv Hie girls of the Hamilton High School next week, commencing on Thursday night, in the School Assembly Hall. Under the direction of Mr E.' H. Aplhorp, the girls have been rehearsing this tuneful and merry production for some months, and successful performances arc assured. The fiances have been arranged by Miss K. M. Gordon, and there will lie. very effective scenery by Mr 11. Morion and lighting by Mr F. Mason. A strong orchestra will assist. The comic opera is an entertaining version of the old fable of Aladdin, and keeps the audience interested and amused. Prior lo the performance the boys will sing some stirring choruses.