ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19945, 23 July 1936, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMMES. STATE THEATRE. Katharine Hepburn is one of the most fascinating personalities of the screen, and in "Spitfire” she has a congenial role. It is a drama of a semi-barbaric girl of the Carolina mountains, Trigger Hicks, who -seems to perform miracles of healing by means of her childlike faith in God, ? yet who is a veritable spitfire of temp pestuousness, at odds with the com- : munity. The role is undoubtedly P Miss Hepburn’s most difficult role to date, calling for lightning-like changes 1 of mood and emotion, from love to s hatred and from faith to jealousy and r unreasoning rage. Ralph Bellamy and Robert Young play opposite the star q with success. s "The Right to Romance,” starring Ann Harding, is a drama woven around s a plastic surgeon’s desire for more 1 emotional excitement than she finds in t - her profession of making other women beautiful. Robert Young and Nils Aether support Miss Harding in this v very interesting story. 3 REGENT THEATRE. 3 "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine,” ' the all-colour film version of the ’ popular book by John Fox, jun., . was filmed on a location L almost exactly like the Cumberland j mountain country in which the novel . was set. Sylvia Sidney and Henry ; l Fonda are seen as members of the Tolliver clan, continually "feuding” with their neighbours the Falins. Their first contact with the civilisation of the outside world comes when a young engineer l Fred Mac Murray) arrives to build a railroad line through their hills. The girl is immediately fascinated by the stranger. The climax brings the film to an exciting conclusion. CHARLES CHAPLIN. The return of Charlie Chaplin to the screen in a remarkable film, "Modern Times,” will be a popular event on Saturday. Remarkable because the comedian is presented as the same old lovable tramp, in an up-to-date setting, which provides a big scope for his unique characterisations. THEATRE ROYAL. "It Happened One Night,” featuring Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable, is being revived with great success. The story tells of the things whioh happen to two young people on a long journey, the witty dialogue and the intriguing situations keeping the audience entertained. There is a constant chuckle from the onlookers as the story proceeds, and the climax comes all too soon. An unusual romance is developed, and the theme has dramatic touches, but it will be mainly for its delightful humour that it is remembered. Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable are well supported by Walter Connolly, Roscoe Karns and others. "ROBIN HOOD OF EL DORADO.” All the colourful romance of southern California in the days when it was still more Mexican than American has been admirably recaptured in the swiftly-moving film "Robin Hood of Eldorado,” which will be screened tomorrow. As the dashing brigand, Joaquin Murietta, Warner Baxter gives a convincing performance. CIVIC THEATRE. "The Private Secretary” concerns the amusing adventures of the Rev, Robert Spalding (Edward Everett Horton), an inoffensive clergyman, who Is engaged as privaLo secretary. He is prevented from taking up his post by his employer’s nephew (Michael Shepley), who has come up to London to meet him, and who intends that his best friend (Barry Mackay), who is trying to hide from an unknown and irascible uncle (Oscar Asche), shall have the job. Spalding’s many adventures when in London and in his employer’s house, when he is mistaken for someone else, provide entertainment of the most joyous sort. Mr Horton is very amusing in the title role, and a first-rate supporting cast is headed by Barry Mackay, Judy Gunn and Oscar Asche. "COLLEEN.” "Colleen,” the great dancing romance, featuring Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler and Paul Draper (the dancing sensation of London), will be screened to-morrow. ROXY THEATRE. "Kid Millions” is a funny comedy, featuring the inimitable oomedlan Eddie Cantor as a Sheik. The amusing dialogue and situations keep the audience in hilarious mood, while the tuneful melodies, clever dances and spe-ota ole's, and the lovely girls add to the enjoyment of tlie onlookers. Presenting a true-life problem that is certain to arouse a deep feeling of •sympathy in any audience for the central characters, the roinantio drama, "Lady of Seoret6,” Is an entertaining film. One ol' the reasons for the picture’s quality is Ruth Chatterton, who returns after a regrettable absence. She is one of the finest - dramatic actresses. The producers have given her an excellent support- ] Ing cast. There is Otto Kruger, Lionel Atwill, Marian Marsh, 'Lloyd Nolan and Robert Allen, among others.