ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20917, 23 September 1939, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

STORY OF THE CASTLES FAMOUS DANCING COUPLE FRED ASTAIRE—GINGER ROGERS Marking their eighth co-starring appearance in a musical lilm, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers are again very successful in their latest film, “The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle,” based on the colourful lives of the couple who enjoyed the reputation as the world’s foremost dance team during the period just prior to the World War. The fascinating story m a tale of the persistence, perseverance and ultimate reward of two people who had faith in themselves and in each other. Too, it is a story of a boy and a girl who made the world dance-conscious, who set the tempo for to-day’s modern dances. Such delightful melodies of yesterday as ’“By the Light of the Silvery Moon,” “Waiting for the Robert E. Lee,” “Oh, You Beautiful Doll” and “The Castle Walk” in addition to a score of other old-time lilting songs, provide the musical background for the trim. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers exhibit their dancing talents in sucli famous numbers as the Castle Walk, the Texas Tommy, the Castle Waltz, the Tango and the Maxixe —and many other noted dances popularised by Vernon and Irene Castle. “ROOTIN’ TOOTIN’ RHYTHM” AT THE THEATRE ROYAL “Rootin’ Tootin’ Rhythm” has a typical Gene Autry plot—gay, full of thrills and surprises, and featuring pleasant musical interludes. Gene and his stooge-friend-come-dian, Smiley Burnette, become mixed up in a comedy of errors when they don the clothes of two dead outlaws, only to learn that the outlaws are really dead sheriffs, dressed in outlaws’ clothes. The real outlaws are very much alive, and aTe roaming the countryside at large under the protection of the Sheriff’s clothes. The cattlemen mistake Gene and “Frog” for the bandits, with sensational results. Gangsters whose crimes led to international wholesale murder are exposed in “Homicide Bureau,” with Bruce Cabot and Rita Hayworth featured. “Homicide Bureau” presents Cabot as a police lieutenant assigned to the “murder detail,” which is under heavy fire for its inability to solve a series of baffling crimes. “MR MOTO’S VACATION” AT THE STATE THEATRE A further desperate battle is waged against crime by the astute Japanese detective Mr Moto in the latest film of the series, “Mr Moto Takes a Vacation.” Peter Lorre once more appears in the title role, and his masterly acting heightens the dramatic value of the exciting picture. As the litle implies, Mr Moto is given a wellearned holiday, but it is not until the end of the film, after a series of thrilling adventures in which he is called upon to solve two brutal murders. The detective is assigned to safeguard the precious find of an archaeological expedition, the crown jewels of the Queen of Sheba. He is thus involved in a conflict with the head of a gang of notorious international jewel thieves. The identity of the leader baffles the authorities until he is exposed by one of Mr Moto’s brilliant schemes. “Land of Fighting Men” concerns a crusading cowboy, played by Jack Randall, who comes to the rescue of desperate home owners in their fight against ruthless racketeers. Prominent in the cast are the Colorado Hillbillies famed singing band, and Herman Brix. “CALLING DR. KILDARE” AT THE REGENT THEATRE Lew Ayres again gives a performance which maintains him at the peak of modern screen players in “Calling Dr. Kildare.” A sequel to the highly successful “Young Dr. Kildare,” the film is again concerned with the life of the young physician, all the main players who appeared in the former picture repeating their portrayals in the new production. The film takes an unusual turn by showing how a doctor becomes an amateur detective after his professional duty has led him into a mysterious intrigue which threatens to ruin his career. Around the light for an innocent man’s life which develops out of these strange circumstances is woven a delightful intermixture of humour and romance, so that in every respect the entertainment is of the highest order. Ollier prominent roles in the film are taken by Lionel 'Barrymore, who again appears as the kindly old Dr. Gillespie, Nat Pendleton, Lorraine Day and Lana Turner, who will be remembered as the vamp in “Love Finds Andy Hardy.” The supporting programme* includes “Penny’s Picnic,” a coloured Pete Smith speciality; “Giant of Norway,” a Passing Parade series; the Cinesound Review and the British Air Mail News. “HEART OF THE NORTH” AT THE ROXY THEATRE “Heart of the North,” a fTlm in coloi/? telling of the exciting doings of the Canadian Mounted Police, and “Peek's Bad Boy with the Circus,” an amusinb comedy, bead the new programme. Uligh adventure along one of the world s last frontiers is thrillingly depicted in "Heart of the North,” the picturisalion in Technieolour of a tale of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Authentic in every detail, the picture "debunks” many a wide-spread misconception of the operations and daily existence of the Canadian “Mounties,” but llie actuality, as vividly portrayed in “Heart of the North,” turns out to be even more thrilling and certainly more interesting than the popular delusions. The hero is Dick Foran, big, red-headed star, who is most effective in outdoor pictures, and there are three girls who could each be nominated as heroine. They are Gloria Dickson, Gale Page, and little Janet I Chapman, six-year-old starlet who re-

ccntly captured the hearts of a host of fans in '"Broadway .Musketeers." RED CROSS CONCERT MR AND MRS TOM HARVEY A concert with a double attraction on behalf of ihc funds of the Red Cross and introducing two new singers to Hamilton —will be held at the Theatre Royal on Thursday night, and should draw a large audience. Marguerite and Tom Harvey are tho singers, the former a mezzo-contralto and the latter a tenor, both with excellent credentials from the South Island and elsewhere, where they have been very prominent in music circles. A very attractive programme has been arranged, of a standard to suit all tastes. Melody will be the keynote. There will be operatio arias, ballads, negro spirituals, stirring declamatory numbers, etc., in which the fine voices and artistry of Mr and Mrs Harvey will be well displayed. Items will also be given by Miss Cecilia McLaughlan, violinist, and Mr \V. Whitehead, pianist. The box plan is now open and seats should be reserved at once.