ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21034, 9 February 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

TONIGHTS PROGRAMMES ROXY THEATRE “The Lambeth Walk” is as gay as the famous dance from which it takes its title. Of course, the Lambeth Walk is the high-light of tiie show, and it is introduced in a sequence which captures the true spirit of the tune and dance that has pervaded every ballroom in the world. Lupino Lane, as the Cockney bookmaker who suddenly finds himself a nobleman, with a title, and huge estates, is very funny. His encounters with Ncrah Howard, who plays the part of his aunt, the tyrannical duchess, provide some very rich comedy. Sally Gray, as his Lambeth girl friend, gives a fine performance, and Seymour Hicks, a London stage celebrity, is inimitable in the part of Sir John. “The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt” is a film of a totally different kind but equally entertaining. One of the cleverest rascals of fiction turns spysmasher, with exciting results. Popular Warren William and Ida Lupino head the strong cast. CIVIC THEATRE Revealed for the first time on the screen in Alexander Korda’s “The Lion Has Wings,” is England’s famous “Central Control Room,” from which all aerial war manoeuvres are directed. This room, which may be said to be one of the focal points in England’s war with Geimany, is equipped with two giant maps of the military terrain on which all plane positions, including those of the enemy, are plotted. Military experts radio directions to planes in action from glass-enclosed compartments is this room. “The Lion Has Wings,” which features in its cast Merle Oberon, Ralph Richardson, June Duprez and Derrick de Marney, dramatises the behind-the-scenes story of the Royal Air Force in Europe’s new World War. In contrasts in a sequence of faccinating shots the spirit of this country, devoted to sport, seeking education, concerned with progress, with the spirit of Nazi Germany, drilling, marching, organising, preparing day and night for one purpose and one purpose only—War!

REGENT THEATRE

Bright, racy dialogue and humorous situations, made particularly interesting by a fine mystery story, make “It’s a Wonderful World” a clever and thrilling comedy-mystery film, in which James Stewart and Claudette Colbert take the leading roles. Starring Mickey Rooney, “Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever,” will start tomorrow night. In the newest Hardy picture, Lewis Stone becomes involved with a pair of swindlers and by a deft legal twist extricates himself and fellow townsmen from their plot. Meantimes, Mickey Rooney as his son, Andy, writes a high school play, stars in it, falls in love with the pretty dramatics teacher and proposes to her, to come to a dramatic awakening when his dream of love bursts.

THEATRE ROYAL

Bob Burns, the man who put Van Buren, Arkansas, on the map, plays a character from his native state for the first time in his latest film, “The Arkansas Traveller.” Burns, America’s outstanding homespun humorist, will be seen as a happy-go-lucky wandering printer who causes a political revolution in a small town when he takes over the editorship of the local newspaper. In his new picture he is teamed with Fay Bainter, who charmed audiences everywhere in “White Banners,” and with another great native humorist, Irvin S. Cobb. The supporting cast includes Jean Parker, John Beal, Porter Hall, Lyle Talbot and Dickie Moore.

In “Bulldog Drummond’s Bride” John Howard again plays Drummond and Heather Angel appears as his fiancee, Phyllis Clavering. The H. C. (Sapper) McNeile story tells of the famed amateur sleuth’s efforts to recover a portable radio in which the thief has secreted £IO,OOO in stolen money. Drummond has inadvertently sent the radio to his fiancee, and realising that the thief will attempt to gain possession of the radio, he hurries to a small town in France where his fiancee is awaiting his arrival for their long-delayed wedding. In a thrilling climax Drummond attempts to capture the thief, as his fiancee pursues him in an effort to consummate their marriage. The familiar cast includes H. B. Warner, Reginald Denny, E. E. Clive, Elizabeth Patterson, and Eduardo Cinnelli. James Hogan directed.

STATE THEATRE

The screen’s first family go prospecting for gold and dig up Indian ghosts, a gun-girl, bank-robbers and one gold nugget (lost from a miner’s watch-chain!) in their latest 20th Century-Fox picture. The Jones Family in “Quick Millions.” It is a fine comedy which tells how the Joneses, just return from their trailer trip to the West Coast, pack up for the West again when they receive word that a gold mine has been bequeathed them by a long-lost uncle. That is the beginning of the excitement and hilarity that reigns all during the film. Jed Prouty, Spring Byington, Ken Howell, George Ernest, June Carlson, Florence Roberts and Billy Mahan are featured in their familiar roles, with Eddie Collins, Robert Shaw and Helen Ericson included. Jane Withers gets into mischief again as the adventurous little daughter of the “Chicken Wagon Family” the new 20th Century-Fox production. Leo Carrillo is with her again as the carefree Daddy who shares the driver’s seat with her as the gay little family amble through the country, trading trinkets for chickens.