ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20523, 13 June 1938, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES ROXY THEATRE Machine guns blaze death from roaring planes as Border Patro] officers, in swift pursuit ships, battla a desperate gang of border smugglers in “Guaridans of the Air.” Charles Quigley, as the under-cover Government officer who camouflages his secret service work by posing as a commercial pilot of a trans-border ‘’honeymoon plane,” Is splendid in the leading role. Rosalind Keith scores a triumph in her clever blend of swift action and gentle romance as the young newspaper woman who falls in love with Quigley in spite of the fact that she suspects him of being Involved in the smuggling. The colourful Mexican border setting of the story, with its romantic elements of runaway marriages and picturesque cafe life, is enhanced by musical and dancing sequences. “Way Out West” shows Laurel and Hardy at their funniest, and “Sunday Night at the Trocadero” gives intimate glimpses of Hollywood stars.

BTATE THEATRE “Rawhide” Is a thrilling l story of adventure on the range. Lou Gehrig and his sister take up ranching near the town of Rawhide in Arizona, and here became friendly with a young law officer ?niith Ballew. . When they refuse to join the cattlemen’s protective association, which is run by a gang of racketeers, they have to defend themselves against the criminals. After several exciting battles the gang is defeated. ‘•Condemned Women” is a thrilling drama in which Sally' Ellers is cast as a girl who has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment for shoplifting. On her way to the prison she attempts to commit suicide by jumping off the ferryboat on which she is travelling, but *is rescued by a young doctor (Paul Lukas . Later Lukas is transferred to the prison hospital and engages Sally, who was formerly a nurse, to assist him in his work. The two fall in love, but their romance is shorMived, as the matron tells the girl that Lukas's career will be spoiled if she marries him. Sally escapes, and is recaptured, but the film is brought to an exciting climax in the final court scene.

THEATRE ROYAL | ‘‘Bulldog Drummond’s Revenue" U j flip latest of the exciting Bulldog 1 i Urummond series. .1 oliu Howard I -ives an excellent characters,i- ---: ti-m of the adventure seeking hem ! ~f Sapper's" novels. The secret u» In new explosive lias come irt•» the j lMissession "f a gang of criminals, ami I S'njtlaud > ;ir<i decides h> enlist tim I help ui' Drummond lo capture the

gang. After many thrilling adventures Drummond is successful, and the secret papers are returned to the police. John Barrymore gives a clever portrayal as Colonel Nielson, the chief of Scotland Yard. The second attraction is the musical comedy “Thrill of a Lifetime,” which offers excellent entertainment. The Yacht Club Boys give their usual versatile performance and introduce several new songs in their inimitable manner. Dorothy Lamour, Betty Grable and Leif Erlkson are also in the cast of this enjoyable film, which introduces several songs, including “Thrill of a Lifetime,” “Sweetheart Time” “Paris in Swing.” “It’s Been a Whole Y'ear” and “if We Could Run the Country for a Day.”

REGENT THEATRE 1 “Broadway Melody of 1938“ Is ? I sparkling and spectacular production j It brings some outstanding person- ! alities in an outstanding musica ! comedy Him. Among the features are ! brilliant dancing, amusing comedy, [ tuneful melodies and clever dance j numbers. “Broadway Melody oi I 1938“ begins on the racecourse and | ends with a typical successful night ! of a show brought to the stage against fearful odds. In between there are excellent dance numbers by Eleanor Powell and George Murphy, the amusing antics of that lanky, shuffling comedian Buddy Ebsen. and the singing of the vital Sophie Tucker, and Judy Garland, a 14-year-old girl who almost steals the honours of the film. Eleanor Powell is as attractive as ever, while Robert, Taylor is appealing as the romantic lead. There is an out- ; standing radio singer in Charles Igor Gorin, and such clever comedians as Raymond Walburn and Robert Bench- ' ley. Robert W'ildhack, the snoring j specialist of “Broadway Melody of j 1930," changes over to sneezing in j this picture, and Helen Troy and Willie : Howard do good work.

CIVIC THEATRE “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" was a popular book, and the screen version Is very entertaining-. Shirley Temple is as charming- as ever, and shines again as a talented youngster who becomes “Miss America” of a celebrated radio programme. She escapes from tlie machinations of a rascally stepfather to her Aunt Miranda, of Sunnybrook Farm, creates a sensation with her singing in a radio broadcast, and then is hauled hack to the city life under a court order. But she escapes by the simple trick of pretending her voice j is gone, and returns to her farm, ; helped by the interest of her cousin , gloria Stuart and the man in the case Randolph Scott . Shirley's J charm is much in evidence and the story moves briskly, with good comedy from Slim Summerville and Jack Haley. The songs include "An old j Straw Hat." "Alone With You.” "Happy Endings.” “Crack ly Oram Flakes.” "Come and Get Your Happi- j ness" and "Toy Trumpet.” In addition Shirley sings a medley of all her liits of tiie past, ajid iiiil Robinson 1 danceb cleverly.