ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 9817, 22 February 1936, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES. REGENT THEATRE. “Escapade” is a very entertaining and interesting film. The wife of a well-known citizen poses for a fashionable artist attired in only mask and muff, and the portrait is published on the cover of a popular periodical. The artist is invited to avoid a disagreeable scandal by selecting a woman—any woman other than the actual sitter-—as the lady of mask and muff. He picks a name at random from a telephone directory, and • the girl turns out to be a companion help, Miss Leopoldine Major, played, of course, by Luise Rainer. The resulting plot is delightful—especially the by-play between Luise Rainer and William Powell —and the melodramatic olimax is effectively handled. Miss Rainer makes a late entry, hut from the moment she appears there is no doubt whatever that it is her picture. William Powell, as the artist, acts as suavely a 3 ever. CIVIC THEATRE. Shirley Temple, the most popular of all child actresses, gives another winning performance in “The Littlest Rebel.” The versatility of a child who acts feelingly, sings delightfully and performs intricate tapdances with surprising success may only be described as remarkable. Whether pleading with President Lincoln for her father’s life or singing such, songs as “Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms” and “Polly Wolly Doodle,” Shirley is wholly captivating. The story tells how Shirley, as the “littlest rebel,” saved her father (John Boles), an officer of the Confederate Army during the American Civil War from ignominious death. Boles is captured as he attempts to carry his child through the lines of the Union Army to safety. Released by a kindly officer, the father is recaptured and he and his conniving friend are sentenced to death. But Shirley pleads with President Lincoln and the story ends on a happy note. Some of the most enjoyable scenes of “The Littlest Rebel” are those in which Shirley and Bill Robinson dance together. THEATRE ROYAL. “Moscow Nights” is a colourful picture having an exoiting and unusual story of espionage in Russia. It provides three notable performances—that of Harry Baur, one of the leading Continental actors, as Brioukow, a rich Russian peasant and a war-time profiteer; Laurence Olivier, in the*role of Ignatoff, a wounded officer; and Penelope Dudley Ward, as Natacha, a hospital nurse. Natacha is engaged to Brioukow, but the marriage is interrupted when Ignatoff begins a love affair with Natacha, his nurse in a hospital. Ignatoff later becomes trapped in the meshes of a war-time espionage organisation, and is court-martialled His fate depends upon a single word from Brioukow, a hostile witness... This scene provides a stirring climax to strong drama in which Baur gives a remarkable display of the dramatic ability that has made him famous on the Continent. A spectacular background of great depth and beauty and a delightful musical accompaniment, vocal and instrumental, are provided with brilliant effect. Athene Seyler plays the role of a spy. BTATE THEATRE. When a rich man’s son sets out to prove that he is the match of nis father, things are bound to happen, and they do in the thrilling George O’Brien picture, “Whispering Smith Speaks.” A red-blooded, actionfilled story of railroading, “Whispering Smith Speaks” stars O’Brien, with Frank Sheridan as his father, Irene Ware as his romantic leading lady, and Kenneth Thomson as his rival. The story calls for one scene in which the star is seen leaping from a speeding locomotive into the open door of a freight car, an extremely hazardous stunt. Pathos, laughs, tense drama and romance are oombined In the human, sincere story of a girl candy maker and a man who is employed in an automobile assembly plant who want to fall in love but cannot find a partner —“The Affair of Susan,” costarring Zasu Pitts and Hugh O’Connell. Zasu and Hugh find romance on a roller coaster, love in V plunge, thrills in a “prop” coal mine, and understanding among the clowns of Coney Island. ROXY THEATRE. “Lady Tubbs” has a rollicking, dashing quality about it that makes a picture of rare delight. Alice Brady is happily cast as the plain-spoken cook in a railway construction camp who inherits a fortune and adopts the spurious title of “Lady Tubbs” in order to further the romance of her niece (Anita Louise) with Douglas Montgomery, -son of title-worshipping social lights who have previously looked with disdain on the girl because she lacks acceptable family connections. “People Will Talk” brings Charlie Ruggles and Mary Boland back to the screen In one of the pleasantest and funniest pictures they have ever made. The film tells of Ruggles’ and Mary Boland’s attempt to straighten out the marital affairs of their daughter and son-in-law, with laughable results. ____________