ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20918, 25 September 1939, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMMES REGENT THEATRE “Calling Dr. Kildare,” which is a sequel to the highly sucessful “Young Dr. Kildare,” is very entertaining. The film is again concerned with the life of the young physician, all the main players who appeared in the former repeating their portrayals in the new one. 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 fight 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. Lionel Barrymore again appears as the kindly old Dr. Gillespie, and the strong supporting cast includes Nat Pendleton, Larraine 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 Parade series; the Cinesound Review .and the British Air Mail News. ROXY THEATRE High adventure along one of the world’s last frontiers is thrillingly depicted in “Heart of the North,” the picturisation in technicolour of a tale of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Authentic in every detail, the picture “debunks” many a widespread misconception of the operation and daily existence of the Canadian “Mounties,” but the 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, and there are three girls who could ea«h be nominated as heroine. They are Gloria Dickson, Gale Page, and little Janet Chapman. “Peck’s Bad Boy With the Circus” is the modem picturisation of the innocent activities of Bill Peck which always evolve into misadventures. Bill is en route to a summer camp when he is mulcted of his railroad fare. He is forced to hitch-hike with a travelling circus and becomes implicated in a series of delightful pranks. STATE THEATRE “Mr Moto Takes a Vacation” is a thrilling film. Peter Lorre once more appears in the title role, and his masterly acting heightens the dramatic value of the exciting picture. As the title implies, Mr Moto is given a well-earned 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 facketeers. Prominent in the cast are the Colorado Hillbillies, famed singing band, and Herman Brix. THEATRE ROYAL “Rootin,’ Tootin’ Rhythm” is an exciting Western story, in which Gene Autry and his stooge-friend-comedian, 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 are 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. CIVIC THEATRE Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers are very successful in “The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle,” based on the colourful lives of the couples who enjoyed the reputation as the world’s foremost dance team during the period just prior to the World War. The fascinating story is a tale of the persistence, perseverance and ultimate reward of two people who had faith in themselves and in each other. 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 film. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers exhibit their dancing talents in such famous numbers as the Castle Walk, the Texas Tommy, the Castle Waltz, the Tango and the Maxixe —and many other noted dances. “Donald’s Golf Game” is a very amusing Walt Disney cartoon. RED CROSS CONCERT Considerable interest is being taken in the concert to be given in the Theatre Royal on Thursday night on behalf of the funds of the Red Cress —A very worthy cause, particularly at this juncture. The first appearance here of Ivlr and Mrs Torn Harvey, the former a lenor and the latter a mezzo contralto, will add to the interest, for they have been acclaimed in the South Island and etsev/here as singers of distinction. Mrs Harvey will be heard in an aria irom “La Favorita,” the popular “Goin’ Kerne” theme from the New World Symphony, the negro spirituals “I Got a Robe” and “Gospel Train/' the fine English song “O Peaceful England,” and some lighter numbers. Mr Harvey’s items will include an aria from “La Tosca,” “The Portrait,” “Bonny Earl of Moran,” “Lord Randal,” and “Home to Our Mountains.” The two singers will combine in the i Miserere scene from “II Trovatore”

and the charming “Trot Here and There” from “Veronique.” Miss Cecilia McLaughlan, violinist, will play a Serenade by Sarasate, and Mr William Whitehead, pianist, will play “La Campanella” and a fantasia of British airs. The box plans are open.