ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20995, 23 December 1939, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMMES i "GOING PLACES” AT THE STATE THEATRE j Musical pictures have progressed a long way since the old backstage days when every song and dance number was presented on a theatre setting. Novelty in background, as well as in routine, is the order today. A new record in this respect is set by “Going Places,” featuring Dick Powell and Anita Louise. Four new musical numbers are introduced, “Say It With a Kiss,” “Mutiny in the Nursery,” “Oh What a Horse was Charley,” and “Jeepers Creepers.” “Going Places” is taken from the well-known stage play, “The Hottentot.” How a resolute young Westerner deliberately allies himself with two rival factions in an effort to establish the innocence of an accused murderer about to be led to the noose, and saves a large Texas rancho for its rightful owner, forms the theme of “The Fighting Gringo.” George O’Brien again hits the trail in a fastpaced, action-packed outdoor drama, which presents the virile star in a role somewhat different from his usual characterisations.

“OUR FIGHTING NAVY” AT THE THEATRE ROYAL “Our Fighting Navy” is as timely as the moment. For this action-pack-ed story which thrillingly depicts the triumph of right over the cause of might, also powerfully demonstrates the strength and preparedness of the Empire’s safeguard—“ Our Fighting Navy.” The film depicts the invaluable work which the British Navy 1 does in peace time—safeguarding trade routes, going to the aid of those in need, upholding the prestige of the nation. The plot is set in a mythical South American Republic where revolt breaks out, compelling the President to take refuge in the British Consulate. The British Consul refuses to hand over the President to the rebels who station a battleship in the harbour and are threatening to blow the Consulate to pieces. A British cruiser dashes to the scene and goes into action to protect the Consulate, which it does in a thrilling denouement. The big cast is headed by H. B. Warner, Richard Cromwell, Robert Douglas, Hazel Terry and Noah Beery. “Mickey the Kid” is a very appealing human-interest story, with Bruce Cabot, Tommy Ryan and Zasu Pitts. A chapter of the thrilling serial, “The Lone Ranger Rides Again,” will be screened tonight at 7.30.

“THE SISTERS” AT THE CIVIC THEATRE The screen version of Myron Brinig’s best-selling novel “The Sisters,” is a fine production. Leading roles are taken by Bette Davis and Errol Flynn. Three sisters grow up together. One elopes, one marries for money, and the third makes a good smalltown match. They live their divergent lives for a while until a crisis brings them together, displaying the influence circumstances have had upon them and the change in their characters. The admirer who later becomes the husband with whom Louise (Bette Davis) elopes, is played by Errol Flynn. It is easily the most sincere piece of work Mr Flynn has done for a long time. Gone are the self-satisfied rollickings of “Robin Hood” and the slick gaiety of sophisticated comedy. In their place is a penetrating portrait of a character in decay. The young man loves freedom. His life so far has been a procession of adventures and affairs. So, much as he loves his wife, and manfully as he struggles against the hard facts of the case, he feels that domestic life cramps and confines him. Other players include Dick Foran, Alan Hale, Jane Bryan, Anita Louise, Beulah Bondi and lan Hunter.

“PYGMALION” AT THE ROXY THEATRE “Pygmalion,” the screen version of Bernard Shaw’s brilliant comedy, is an equally brilliant film, with Wendy Hiller and Leslie Howard in the leading roles. Bernard Shaw’s story, it will be remembered, tells of a Cockney flower girl, who becomes the subject of an experiment to a professor of phonetics—a role which gives Leslie Howard one of the greatest opportunities of his career to display his histrionic power. The idea, from the phonetic expert’s point of view, is to prove that it is possible to take a girl out of the gutter and transform her into a society lady of fine speech and exquisite manners. The experiment is a brilliant success, but has some unexpected results. “Naughty Marietta,” with Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy singing delightfully and acting convincingly, blends drama, romance, thrills, and the music of Victor Herbert’s great operetta. It tells a graphic story of the settlement of New Orleans by the French in the days of Louis XV and of the love of a disguised French princess, seeking escape from a marriage of state, and an English officer.

“GONE TO THE DOGS” AT THE REGENT THEATRE “Gone to the Dogs,” starring popular George Wallace, is a screamingly funny comedy. Telling of a pleasant little man who accidentally discovers a miraculous speeding-up tonic for racing greyhounds, “Gone to the Dogs” portrays his antics as the formula disappears, the champion dog is kidnapped, he loses his girl, and gets trapped in a haunted house.

The film is notable in that it introduces to the screen petite Lois Green, blonde star from the J. C. Williamson stage. Prominent in the cast, both literally and metaphorically, is 23-stone John Dobbie, foil for the whimsicalities of George Wallace. He has acted as stooge to the comedian on stage and screen for years, but according to John, “Gone to the Dogs” supplied by far the best material upon which he has ever worked. Others in the cast include John Fleeting, who was in Hamilton with the “Charley’s Aunt” company, Alec Kellaway, Letty Craydon, Howard Craven, Cathleen Esler, Ronald Whelan and Harry Abdy. The supporting programme includes the British Air Mail News (with the latest war news), the Pathe Pictorial and the Cinesound Review.