ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20693, 31 December 1938, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES “DAD” IN TOWN AT THE REGENT THEATRE MR BERT BAILEY IN PERSON Many years ago Mr Bert Bailey originated the character of “ Dad ’’ in '• On Our Selection,” and has played it periodically on stage and screen ever since—in fact, his name lias become definitely associated with the loveable old Australian pioneer. The appearance of Mr Bailey “in the flesh ” at the Regent last night therefore of great interest, and it is little wonder that it drew a very large audience, i Mr Bailey has a very likeable personality, and quickly got on g'ood terms with the audience. He told how Steele Rudd's “ Dad ’’ came into being, and then told some very funny “ Dad ” and “ Eave ” stories that kept his audience in roars of laughter. Mr Bailey's appearance was a very pleasant interlude in the picture programme, lie will appear for the rest of the week, and many people will enjoy meeting him. Some years ago the Cinesound studios decided to make their first fulllength talking picture, and chose as their story a popular Australian comedy, “On our Selection.” This film, which proved one of the most successful to be shown in Australia and New Zealand, dealt with the adventures of a family living in the backblocks, the Rudds. In “Dad and Dave Come to Town” the members of this family are once again the chief characters. The Rudds are living happily on their isolated station, after enjoying a successful season, when news comes that “Dad" Mr Ileri Bailey) has inherited a ladies’ lingerie salon in Sydney. He has almost decided to sell his newly-acquired business when his daughter Jill, who has been want toff to visit the city for some time, persuades her father' to go to Sydney and manage the shop. So “Dad.” Dave (Mr Fred MacDonald) and all the family desert their farm and join the life of the city. “Dad" becomes involved in a feud with the manager of a rival business, Dave makes love to Ihe mannequins, an 1 Jill falls in love with a man regarded by her father as a weakling. The story continues with many amusing scenes until their troubles are over and “Mum” and “Dad” return to the home farm, leaving .Till with her husband to manage the city business. Good supporting performances are given uv Shirley Ann Richards, Alec Kellaway and Marshall Crosby. “ALWAYS GOODBYE” AT THE CIVIC THEATRE . There have been a number of films in which the main theme has been mother-love, but in few has it been treated so skilfully as in “Always Goodbye.” As Margot Weston, the central figure in the drama, Barbara Stanwyck has a part not unlike that which she played in “Stella Dallas," and she gives an equally fine interpretation. A fine supporting cast, including Herbert Marshall, lan Hunter, Lynn Bari and Binnie Barnes, also gives splendid characterisations. Of particular interest is the appearance of a new boy actor, John Russell, who acts with polished ease and naturalness. The story commences when Margot witnesses an accident to which her husband is killed. The tragedv overwhelms her and she is discovered bv a doctor attempting to commit suicide, lie brings her to her senses and, when a child is born, arranges for it to he adopted by wealthy friends on condition that the mother never attempts to see it again. Margot secures a position in a fashionable gown shop, and as the years go by prospers. It is while she is returning from a trip to Paris that she meets her son. now about six years old. and learns that her son's guardian is about to marry a selfish type of woman who will take no interest in her child. She is faced with the problem of marrying the doctor who saved her life and whom she lox’es, and accepting an offer of marriage from her son's foster-father, knowing that only then will her child be properly cared for. Her decision brings the film to a dramatic climax.

j ‘‘IT’S A GRAND OLD WORLD" AT THE THEATRE ROYAL Sandy Powell, Britain’s inimil- | able comedian of radio, stafre, 1 an d screen, is very furinv in I ‘■lt'S a i I rand Old World." in which Ihe is seen with Cyril Ritchard, so

popular with theatre-goers in this country, and Gina Malo. The picture, which is a mixture of music, mirth and melody, brings Sandy to the screen as i football fan, a radio star, a stage hand, a lion tamer, and a gambler—in fact, just the sort of situations that his fans expect him to get into. Three new song hits are featured in the film, ihese being titled “It's a Grand Old World,” “Bouncing Ball” and “Signing On." Sparkling with unexpected comedy ituations, which relieve the gripping drama and eerie mystery scenes in the production, “Danger on the Air” is given a most unusual setting, depicting the interior of a great national broadcasting headquarters, where the intricate plot is developed to its amazng finish. The film deals with the mysterious murder of Mr Kluck, softirink radio advertising magnate, who meets death in a control room of the building by a method which seemingly leaves no clue. Although the head of ihe radio company makes every effort to suppress the fact that Kluck was murdered, Benjamin Butts, a clever sound engineer, finally succeeds in proving how he was slain.

“BACK IN CIRCULATION** AT THE STATE THEATRE Pat O'Brien and Joan Blondell have Ihe main roles in “Back to Circulation.'’ which tells an exciting and romantic story. Mr O’Brien is cast as the editor of a New York newspaper which is noted for its sensational crime stories. When a millionaire dies under suspicious circumstances a girl reporter (Miss Blondell) is sent to investigate. and the paper publishes a series •f reports which point to the millionaire’s widow as being responsible for his death. The woman is brought to trial and convicted, but the reporter realises that she is not guilty, but is shielding someone else. There are many exciting scenes before the mystery is solved. George O'Brien, returning home from location with his new picture, “The Renegade Ranger,” saved the ’ives of two young deer, but to doing deliberately smashed his automobile and risked his own life. “It was either my car or the lives of those two beautiful creatures,” said the popular outdoors star. “I knew my automobile could be repaired, but the lives of those fawns couldn’t.” O’Brien was travelling at a moderate rate of speed on a roadway leading to his ranch, when as he rounded a curve the two fawns suddenly decided to cross the road. The actor swerved his car to avoid hitting them. He ran off the

highway, into a narrow' ditch, and smashed his car into a heavy wire fence. He was unhurt, but had to walk several miles to reach his ranch home. That is the spirit which tie puts into his work in "The Renegade Ranger.” “HAPPY LANDING” AT THE ROXY THEATRE “Happy Landing." featuring Sonia Henie and Don Amcche, and “Hunted Men.” with Mary Carlisle and Lloyd Nolan, will he screened to-day. Sonja Henie appears in a sumptuous superlative musical film. “Happy Landing." Winging its way from the Norseland’s gay festivals to New York's winter spectacles, the new show- brings a radiant Sonja to the arms of Don Amerhe. .loan Hersholf, Ethel Merman and Cesar Romero are featured in Ihe cast which includes Billy Gilbert. Ihe Raymond Scott Quintet. Wally Vernon and Leah'Ray. ~ Roy Del Ruth directed. In “Hunted Men” Lloyd Nelson is seen as a swaggering big-time gangster who takes refuge in Overman’s home when he is driven by the police from his customary underworld haunts. Mary Carlisle is seen as Lynn overman’s daughter while Carroll Na-ish portrays the part of Nolan’s unscrupulous lawyer who turns against him when the police get too close for comfort. There will he the usual newsreel session to-night at 7.30.