ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21035, 10 February 1940, Page 18 (Supplement)

ENTERTAINMENTS

TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMMES "THE LION HAS WINGS’* AT THE CIVIC THEATRE Alexander Korda’s latest production ‘The Lion Has Wings,” sponsored by the British Government, dramatises with a stirring personal story the great organisation and achievements of the Royal Air Force, and how Great Britain gradually awoke to the menace of Hitlerism and the threat to the life and liberties of Europe, which the German war machine proclaimed. It is particularly inspiring in its thrilling panoramas of British fliers and planes engaged in defence and attack. After putting the war guilt on Hitler’s shoulders, the film shows England's vast preparation to fight, not because she wants to, but because she must repel Nazi bombers and give the Nazis a taste of their own aggression. It graphically shows how a great nation devoted to the pursuits of peace and progress is suddenly transformed into a people mightily armed to resist aggression. In a series of fascinating shots the picture contrasts the spirit of the British, devoted to sport and progress, with the spirit of Nazi Germany preparing night and day for one purpose and one purpose only—war! One of the most interesting episodes of the film shows shots of the daring raid on the Kiel Canal. Step by step the flight is followed from the first instruction of the fliers to the take off, the conversation during the flight, the bombs being released, the explosions on German warships. The final shots show the return flight of the air squardon and the men who actually carried out the raid. Merle Oberon, Ralph Richardson, June Duprez and Flora Robson play prominent roles in this most impressive film which should be seen by every New Zealander.

“ANDY HARDY GETS SPRING FEVER” AT THE REGENT THEATRE “Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever” proves that the Hardy Family series grow stronger with each picture. Never before has the family appeared more human, more appealing. In this latest of the Hardy saga the family gets a taste of romance and drama. The Judge, portrayed by Lewis Stone, becomes involved in a crooked promotion stunt which threatens the savings of the Hardys as well as of their friends. The irrepressible Andy (Micky Rooney) quarrels with his girl friend Polly Benedict, and falls in love with his beautiful dramatics teacher. The latter role is played by a newcomer, Helen Gilbert, who shows definite ability. To win the esteem of his teacher Andy writes a play for his class show and wins the leading role in it. The young teacher in a moment of loneliness listens to Andy’s boyish declaration of love and finds herself suddenly being asked in marriage by the lad. The Judge, despite his own worries, tries to talk Andy out of his infatuation but the latter won’t listen. Finally, on the day of the play, the Judge turns a wise trick which saves all the money mulcted by the promoters and Andy discovers that his teacher is engaged to someone else. Only then does he come to his senses to realise that Polly is still, as always, his girl. ‘BULLDOG DRUMMOND’S BRIDE’ AT THE THEATRE ROYAL With John Howard, as the noted amateur sleuth, “Bulldog Drummond”; Heather Angel, as the lovely “Phyllis Clavering” who is making a final desperate attempt to marry him; H. B. Warner, Reginald Denny, E. E. Clive, and Elizabeth Patterson in supporting roles. “Bulldog Drummond’s Bride,” will be screened tonight. The story gets under way when “Drummond,” against the wishes of his fiancee and of Scotland Yard, attempts to track down the daring perpetrator of a bank robbery. The thief conceals the money in a portable radio belonging to Drummond’s financee. When she departs for the honeymoon cottage in France to await “Drummond’s” arrival for the wedding, she forgets the radio. “Drummond” sends it to her, then learns that the money was concealed in it, and exciting events follow.

A romance between the daughter of a small town newspaper owner and the scapegrace son of the local mayor forms the love story of “The Arkansas Traveller,” Paramount’s home town drama. Athough the young man, played by John Beal, has always been regarded as a ne,er-do-well, he shows up his father when the local newspaper editor, Bob Bums, helps him clean up town politics. Jean Parker is the girl in the case, and others in the cast are Fay Bainter, Irvin S. Cobb and Porter Hall. “CHICKEN WAGON FAMILY” AT THE STATE THEATRE “Chicken Wagon Family,” the famous Barry Benefield novel, comes to the screen with Jane Withers in the role of the adventurous younger daughter. Leo Carrillo is Jane’s Daddy, Marjorie Weaver is her big sister, Spring Byington, the famous Jones Family Mother, is her mother, while Kane Richmond plays the handsome policeman who falls in love with Marjorie when the family hits the big city. “Chicken Wagon Family” is the story of a gay little family who toss their cares into a bright red bandanna and with Jane and Carrillo in the driver’s seat, hit the open road, trading any and everything for chickens which they market when they reach the big city. The Jones Family's latest film is “Quick Millions,” and every Jones is good for a million laughs. The film takes the family to the Grand Canyon to claim a gold mine they have inherited* but it costs them ten

for every dollar they get out of the mine. Jed Prouty, Spring Byington, Ken Howell, George Ernest, June Carlson, Florence Roberts and Billy Mahan are featured. “THE LAMBETH WALK” AT THE ROXY THEATRE The film, “The Lambeth Walk,” is one of the gayest musicals yet brought to the screen. The story is of a young Cockney bookmaker, who suddenly finds himself the heir to an earldom. His efforts to adjust himself to his new surroundings, and the reaction of his newly found relatives provide some of the funniest situatione imaginable. ! Lupino Lane, as Bill Snibsen, the hero, gives some idea of why he is I regarded as England’s No. 1 come- } dian. His encounters with his aunt, the duchess, provide many of ; the comedy highlights of the show, i . Sally Gray, as his Lambeth girl friend, and Seymour Hicks, as Sir | John, one of his new relations, do 1 their share towards making the show j the big success that it undoubtedly is. i Set amid the brilliance and gaiety i of Washington night life, “The Lone ! Wolf Spy Hunt” tells of an enemy i of the Lone Wolf, who has his eye J on certain War Department plans. A I spy steals them and implicates the j Lone Wolf, thus plunging events into

a thrill-jammed channel. Warren William and Ida Lupino are starred and a large supporting cast includes Ralph Morgan, Rita Hayworth, Virginia Weidler, Marc Lawrence and Leonard Carey.