ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21157, 5 July 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

TONIGHT’S PROGRAMMES CIVIC THEATRE When the war news is grim and the enemy gains a few points on the great world chequer board we are inclined to forget the achievements of our own side. There is a film which shows at the Civic Theatre today which will help to jolt us into a realisation that there are two sides to Hitler’s bid for world power. It is called “For Freedom,” and it stars the Battle of the River Plate, with New Zealanders participating, and the rescue by H.M.S. Cossack of the British prisoners on the German hell-ship Altmark. “For Freedom” is not a newsreel, nor a “March of Time” film. It surpasses even the best of these. It might be called a

cavalcade of great world events—the events directly leading to the present war—told in a dramatic and intensely expiting manner. The high light is the Battle ol the River Plate, followed by the capture of the Altmark and the release of the British prisoners. These two incidents are most impressively told, and the comment by Vice-Admiral J. E. T. Harper, the New Zealander, with the actual men of the Exeter, Achilles and Ajax participating, gives the film a special significance in this country. The work of the British Navy, as shown in this film is inspiring. REGENT THEATRE With the war filling the front pages of newspapers, the dramatic recreation of a memorable incident of the last World War when Russian and Austrian soldiers faced each other across No Man’s Land on Christmas Night and sang the hymn, “Silent I Night,” is one of the most effective ' sequences in “Balalaika,” the spectacular musical which stars Nelson Eddy and Ilona Massey. The war | incident was reproduced with absoauthenticity under the technical ' guidance of Cjunt Andrey Tolstoy, ' a former officer of the Czar who fought with the Russian troops. “Balalaika” is a story of Old Russia before, during and after the Revolution. It is based on the London stage musical success by Eric Maschwitz and is one of the most elaborate productions in which -Nelson Eddy has appeared. Nine numbers are included in the picture’s impressive musical score, with Eddy singing “Flow, Flow, White Wine.” “Ride, Cossack, Ride,” “Paris Balalaika,” “Come This Holy Night of Christmas” and “Volga Boat Song”; Miss Massey offering three solo numbers in “Tanya,” “Scheherezade” and “At the Balalaika’; and the two singing stars presenWig “Magic of Your Love” in a duet. Charlie Ruggles, Frank Morgan, Lionel Atwill, C. Aubrey Smith and Joyce Compton head the supporting cast. STATE THEATRE Sandy Powell’s funniest film to date, “All at Sea,” was produced with the full co-operation of the Admiralty. It is a rare distinction for a British film company to be given permission to take films of the Fleet at sea—and the strength of the Navy makes an imposing background for the comedy antics of Sandy Powell who plays the part of an ordinary A.B. seaman, always in some kind |of trouble. The story concerns the j efforts of a pair of enemy agents who ! are trying to steal a new explosive ; from Sandy Powell —but Sandy is ! more than a match for them. One of the first great Naval war-time songs, “Oh, Ain’t It Grand To Be In the Navy,” sung by Sandy Powell, is featured. One of the most dramatic scenes in “SOS-Tidal Wave,” is the one showing New York’s skyscrapers crashing to the ground as the result of a combination tidal wave and earthquake. Ralph Byrd and Kay Sutton have the leads. THEATRE ROYAL A vigorous portrayal of an enemy agent is given by Bruce Cabot in “Traitor Spy,” a lively espionage drama of the activity of a gang of Nazis in England who attempt to obtain valuable naval secrets. Bruce Cabot as Healey, the Nazi agent, is employed as a bench hand in a factory producing anti-submarine motor ; patrol boats fitted with a secret tori pedo device. His wife, Freyda I (played by Marta Labarr) wants him ! to quit and leave the country, but j Healey’s aim is to make a fortune I quickly. | “Let’s Be Famous,” the sparkling 1 comedy romance which gives audi- | ences an opportunity of seeing once | more those two delightful comedians, 1 Jimmy O’Dea and Sonnie Hale, addied to whom is vivacious Betty I Driver, who sings her way merrily ! through the picture to the tune of I attractive new numbers by Noel Gay, I popular composer of “The Lambeth | Walk.” The story concerns Jimmy Houlihan, an Irish grocer and local prize-winning singer who thinks his chance for fame has come when he is invited by the 8.8. C. to broadcast. His hopes are dashed when he finds he is not required to sing : but to take part in a spelling bee and i he turns the broadcast into chaos. ROXY THEATRE “Rose of Washington Square,” featuring Tyrone Power and Alice Faye, and “Legion of Lost Fliers” will be screened today. In “Rose of Washington Square” Tyrone Power and Alice Faye, the romantic stars of Irving. Berlin's “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” are costarred with A 1 Jolson, singing again in his inimitable way his song hits : of yesterday. The story of a woman ■ who loved her man and kept on lov- ! ing him although he tricked her and j brought heart-break upon them both i is thrillingly told in the milestones ! of melody "of the last two decades, i “Legion of Lost Flyers” opens with \ a United States transport plane ; crash and continues in the same j thrilling fashion.