ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20463, 1 April 1938, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES STATE THEATRE “Everybody’s Doing It” centres on the present American craze for picturepuzzle contests, and gives a clever Mend of action and comedy. Preston Foster and Sally Ellers arc cast as Commercial artists who ore romantically interested in each other. They conceive and perfect the idea of advertising by means of the picture-puzzles, and sell the scheme to the manager of an advertising concern, a part played by the Australian stage and screen actor, Cecil Kellaway. The story quickens "when Foster is kidnapped by criminals who hope to win the prizes by extorting the correct answers from him. The climax is reached when the artist starts inserting clues as to his whereabouts in the pictures he is forced to send to his employer, and Miss Filers, by solving those, is able to lead the police to his rescue. When a girl with a past steps into the spotlight of fame anything can happen, and for Claire Trevor it happens all at once in "Big-Town Girl.” Three men—Donald Woods. Alan Dinehart and Alan Baxter —provide the background for Claire’s adventures. THEATRE ROYAL “Texas Trail" is the latest story by Clarence Mulford to have reached the screen with Ilopalong Cassidy portrayed by William Boyd. Cassidy and his horse Smoky have been seen in' a number of pictures which have almost become the standard for Western films, and this picture maintains the excellence of its predesessors. Cassidy, with his friends (again played by Russell Hayden and "Windy” Hayes) is commissioned by the United States Army to round up a herd of wild horses" which are urgently needed for the Spanish-American War. A rustler learns of the plan, and makes a plot to steal the horses after Cassidy and his friends have done all the work. The scenes depicting the herding of the horses and the methods by which they are driven into a canyon which is a natural corral, gain in interest from their realism. There is an exciting climax when the rustlers overpower Cassidy and steal the horses, but with the help of a young hoy Cassidy gains the victory. The film ends with Cassidy delivering the horses to the army depot and leaving for Cuba to join the lighting forces. CIVIC THEATRE Successfully blending the talents of Loretta Young, Warner Baxter and Virginia Bruce, “Wife, Doctor and Nurse” is an entertaining comedydraina. The film opens with a wedding between Dr. Judd Lewis and. lna (parts taken by Mr Baxter and Miss Young . Dr. Lewis is a prominent member of the medical profession who has lit 1 Ir time for anything outside liis work, but who is attracted by oue

of his patiente, a charming society girl. Following the doctor’s marriage, liis nurse (Miss Bruce) discovers that a strong attachment has grown up between them in the years ol' their association, and which on her part has ripened into love. Realising that in such circumstances she cannot continue as his nurse, she resigns from her position. Dr. Lewis is restless and irritable in her absence, and his wife, noticing the change, arranges a meeting with the nurse, when they discuss the man with whom they are both in love. The ensuing complications are brilliantly treated. The wife plans a divorce, but before she takes delinite steps a sparkling solution is found in a dramatic yet humorous compromise. REGENT THEATRE “Jericho.” with Paul Robeson singing delightfully and acting convincingly, is an exciting story, full of romance, adventure and thrills, and with many touches of humour to lighten the tension. Excitement mounts as the story works up to its climax. Paul Robeson gives a splendid performance in the leading role, and sings the incidental songs as only he can sing them. He is supported by an excellent east. The settings are very effective, some of Ihe outside "shots" being magnificent. N.Z. DEANNA DURBIN June Barson, winner of the Deanna Durbin contest in New Zealand, will open a season to-morrow, when she

will sing several numbers. She Is a charming girl, and her voice has been greatly praised everywhere. Hilarious comedy and catchy song* are successfully blended In "You’re a Sweetheart,” the latest musical production, starring Alice Faye and George Murphy, which will head the film portion of the programme tomorrow. ROXY THEATRE One of the most stirring moment* In British history is re-enacted amidst the glorious scenery of a private park in "Fire Over England." The scene is that of Queen Elizabeth addressing her troops at Tilbury while the great Spanisii Armada is sailing up the Channel to invade England. Flore, Robson (playing Die role of Queen Elizabeth) makes a most inspiring figure as she addresses an army of mounted and foot rnen. Laurence Olivia, as Michael Ingolby, the hero, stands by the Queen's feet. “Fire Over England” was recently awarded the League of Nations gold medal for 1937. Also featured in this outstanding production are Vivien Leigh, Leslie Banks, Raymond Massey, Morton Selten and Tamara Desni. “Love in a Bungalow," with Nan Grey (one of Die "Three Smart Girls") and Kent Taylor in the romantic leads, is an amusing farce concerning the adventures of a beautiful hostess in a model home and a young super-salesman out of a joh. Th« picture is a light, fast-moving comedydrama