ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20715, 27 January 1939, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES I i STATE THEATRE A Western special “Lawless Valley” gives that accomplished portrayer of strong outdoor roles, George O’Brien, jan excellent character study. Typical j of the early days the story is stark and ! unpolished, dealing out death and jusJ tlce in quick decisions. It is a splen- ! did film and the settings of the picture j show some grand scenic effects. I The second film “Love is on the Air” brings to the screen a new personality, | Ronald Reagan (who is starred in Sergeant Murphy), in a comedy hit. The humorous love theme around which the story is written makes for much entertainment of the kind to give the filmlover much enjoyment. The supporting artists are June Travis, Eddie Acuff, Robert Barrat and Raymond Hatton. CIVIC THEATRE When a personality such as Sonja Henie achieves overnight stardom with one picture—as she did less than two years ago with “One In A Million”—the temptation is strong on the part of Hollywood's movie makers to be satisfied with merely repeating the picture formula which won such sensational acclaim. Far from being satisfied, with that first brilliant success, the miraculous skating star set about to surpass it in every way—and did —with “Thin Ice” and “Happy Landing.” And so it is easy to understand the wildly enthusiastic advance -reports concerning Sonja's newest 20th Century-Fox triumph, “My 'Lucky Star,” which opens to-night at the Civic Theatre. “My Lucky Star” presents Sonja in an entirely new setting, far removed from Switzerland's Alpine peaks and Norway’s remote peasant villages. A radiant modern girl, having a modern good time on a co-ed campus, wearing swank clothes, having swell dates—that’s Sonja as you’ll see her now. against a background as American as a college yell. Sharing star honours with her is Richard Greene, handsome young British actor while Joan Davis, Cesar Romero and Buddy Ebsen promise much in the way of comedy in their featured roles. THEATRE ROYAL A prison story of unusual promise, Columbia’s “Penitentiary,” is scheduled to open to-night at the Theatre Royal. This is the dramatic tale of a politically amnitiuus warden who finds that life inside a Slate penitentiary goes deeper than mere individual desires. Walter Connolly, John Howard, Jean Parker and Robert Barrat play the leading roles in the picture, while Marc Lawrence, Dick Curtis, Ann Doran and Arthur Hohl are seen in lesser parts. Connolly has lately been seen in “Nothing Sacred’’; Howard has been playing in the “Bulldog Drummond” pictures, and Miss Parker has recently been seen in “Life Begins with Love.” The story concerns William Jordan, who is sent to prison by a district attorney aiming for the governor’s mansion. Jordan accidentally killed the son of the State’s most influential citizen because of an insult to a girl. So Thomas , Mathews sends Jordan to the penitentiary. The subsequent happenings make a most telling story.

Bobby Howes in “Please, Teacher” is the supporting film. This is a farce comedy played in the inimitable manner of Howes, who has Vera Pearce, Wylie Watson and Rene Ray in support.

REGF.NT THEATRE The splendid comedy-drama, “The Boy from Barnardo’s ” is drawing large houses at the Regent Theatre. In this story Freddie Bartholomew appears as an orphan boy who acts as a decoy of jewel thieves while posing as a member of the British nobility. Later ho is arrested by the police, but the Judge treats him leniently and sends him to the Barnardo homes, where he is assigned to the Mercantile Marine Department. Here he becomes unpopular with all his companions because of his conceited attitude, and one of the boys (portrayed by Mickey Rooney) does his best to reform the ex-jewel thief. The picture gives a splendid insight into the work of Dr. Barnardo’s Homes. The supporting programme includes ‘‘Opening Day,” a Robert Benchley Oddity; “Aladdin’s Lantern,” an Our Gang comedy; "Mystery of Salt Lake,” a travelogue; the Ginesound Review «uid the British Air Mail News. “THAT CERTAIN AGF.” On Saturday “That Certain Age,” starring Deanna Durbin, will be screened ROXY THEATRE The powerful story “Lady Doctor, Woman Spy,” which is screened under the title of “Mademoiselle Docteur,” heads the programme at the Roxy Theatre to-night. The story is very gripping in its presentation of the activities of a beautiful woman who, under the guise of a doctor, is enabled to find out many secrets, which are divulged to a certain Power. The acting is splendid and the whole story is developed to a strong climax. The supporting film, “Cocoanut Grove,” is a gorgeous musical, featuring many world-famous stars in a most spectacular presentation of dancing and singing. The staging is remarkable, while the colour sequences are very beautiful.