ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20784, 20 April 1939, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES STATE THEATRE “Down the Stretch” is the story built around a boy who is unable to get a job with any stable because his father, a famous jockey, had thrown a race, but is finally taken under the wing of a woman owner of a famous Kentucky racing stable. Even then he is given no opportunity to ride because of the prejudices of the trainer. He has made friends with a colt considered bad. but pleads in vain to race it. But when the horse depended on to win the Derby has been injured, a chance is taken on the youthful jockey and the horse. “The Case of the Black Cat" is a mystery thriller, with Ricardo Cortez in the role of the famous lawyer-de-tective, Perry Mason, and June Travis as Della Street, his secretary. “ALWAYS IN TROUBLE” “Always in Trouble,” a title that promises much when associated with the name of little Jane Withers, will be screened to-morrow. REGENT THEATRE “Say It In French” commences when Richard Carrington (Ray Milland) returns from a golf tournament in Paris with a charming French hride Julie (Olympe Bradna). On his arrival his father announces that his shipping business is on the verge of ruin and the only way in which it can be saved is for the son to become engaged to a carefree heiress and thus win the support of the girl's wealthy grandfather. Julie takes a position as housemaid in her mother-in-law's household while her distressed husband attempts to make love to the heiress. Carrington goes with the girl to Hollywood to secure her grandfather’s support and, while he is away, he sends a telegram which is misinterpreted as meaning that he has eloped with the heiress, leading to some exciting happenings. “THE SHINING HOUR” "The Shining Hour,” the film version of the great stage success, will be screened on Saturday. Joan Crawford, Melvyn Douglas. Margaret Sullavan and Robert Young head the cast. CIVIC THEATRE Sabu, the talented Indian boy, is seen again in “The Drum.” which heads the current programme. Sabu won a host of admirers in his first film, “ Elephant Boy,” and by his work in “The Drum" he is likely to become even more firmly entrenched in the affections of filmgoers. “The Drum” is a thrilling picture, one of the finest yet produced by British industry. Its colossal production, the immensity of its scenic situations in technicolour and its gripping tale of the Indian North-West Frontier holds the audience spellbound. "The Drum” is a glowing tribute to the unknown heroes and keepers of the King’s peace in the forgotten outposts of the Empire and makes every heart beat faster. Sabu is supported by an excellent cast. A supporting news reel shows Defaulter beating Spear Chief, also scenes of the Sydney Royal Show and the Ngaruawahia Regatta. ROXY THEATRE In “ Fit For a King ” Joe E. Brown, the popular comedian, has another exciting and mirth-provoking day as a foreign news correspondent who covers the story of a political piot in a mythical European kingdom. Kelly appears as Brown’s rival, the correspondent for a competitive service, and until Joe learns the tricks he is continually beaten by his more experienced contemporary. What happens to human nature, when men and women are cut off from all contact with civilisation without a minute’s warning and lost on an uncharted island? That is the question answered in dramatic terms in “Sinners In Paradise,” the spectacular film of elemental conflict, with Madge Evans, John Boles and Bruce Cabot in the principal roles. “THE GOLDWYN FOLLIES” “The Goldwyn 'Follies,” a sparkling musical comedy, and “City Streets,” an exciting drama, will be screened to-morrow. FAMOUS VIENNA CHOIR Hamilton music-lovers will not be slow to take advantage of the opportunity of hearing the celebrated Mozart Boys’ Choir of Vienna in one or other of their concerts in the Theatre Royal next Monday. The special feature of the programme lo be presented on .Monday afternoon and night will be the one-act play, “Tales from the Vienna Woods,” based on the waltztunes of Johann Strauss, arranged by the Choir's conductor, Dr. Georg Gruber. Garbed in the costumes of the fashionable world of 19th century Vienna, these remarkably talented young choristers display all the finesse and polish of experienced actors, singing the while the melodious Strauss airs with unrivalled purity of tone and charm of expression. In the more serious field of sacred music they sing eight-part motets, sequences and polyphinic numbers of the greatest difficulty with astounding precision, and, what is hardly to be expected, understanding. About a third of the programme is devoted to popular Viennese music, arrangements of Austrian folk songs and national songs of many countries. Plans are filling rapidly.

At li o’clock on Monday morning a Mayoral reception will be accorded the visitors at the Theatre Royal, when the Mayor, Mr H. D. Caro, will welcome them to Hamilton.