ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21167, 17 July 1940, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

TONIGHT’S PROGRAMMES STATE THEATRE “The Life of the Party” is an intriguing title, and the film lives up to it. It is a very amusing comedy, with some melodious songs introduced, and a charming romance. Joe Penner, one of the cleverest players of the screen, has the leading role, and he is well supported by Parkyarkus, the funny comedian, and the popular Gene Raymond. The story I hold the close interest of the audience throughout. “Convict 99” is an equally entertaining film, with the famous English comedian Will Hay leading the funmaking. The laughable situations and the witty dialogue keep the audience chuckling throughout. Moore Marriott and Graham Moffatt, two clever character actors, head the strong supporting cast. CIVIC THEATRE “Isle of Destiny” goes to the South j Pacific for adventure between the 5 United States Marines and international gun-runners, and for romance between a glamour girl flier and two dare-devil Marines. William Gargan and Wallace Ford are featured as the two fighting Marines who have been complaining about the dullness of life at the Air Base on the island of Palo Pango. Then along comes the beautiful dare-devil pilot (played by June Lang). Before she is rescued the girl wrecks her plane on a jungle island, becomes the prisoner of an international gunrunner. and nearly loses her life from | poisoned darts. “REBECCA” “Rebecca,” the screen version of the widely-read book, will be screened on Friday. Lawrence Olivier and Joan Fontaine head the cast. ROXY THEATRE “The Story of Alexander Graham ! Bell,” featuring Don Ameche, Loretta i Young and Henry Fonda, is the thrilI ling story of the invention of the i telephone. It brings out of the stir- [ ring past a drama of accomplishment and a great romance. It is the story i of an obscure young scientist, his dis- | couraging struggles, his invention of ! the telephone, his desperate battle i against public ridicule and powerful i opponents and his ultimate triumph ■ —the flame of his genius kept alight j by the love and faith of a girl, l “Diana Churchill, one of Britain's i foremost actresses is the star of • “Jane Steps Out.” In the situations ! which arise in her conflict with her i sister (played by Jean Muir), whose i boy friend she* has determined tc • she portrays three widely j differing personalities. Judy Kelly | and Peter Hill are prominent in the | development of the story. REGENT THEATRE “Come On, George,” is a very tunny comedy, telling the advenlures of George Formby as an icecream vendor accused ot theft. A : a sequel to his pursuit, he finds a

job in the stables kept by his accuser. George’s astonishing control over a notoriously savage racehorse known as Maneater, his fear complex which besets him when he discovers the animal’s real identity (which has been kept from him so that he can ride it in an important race), his reactions to a psychiatrist’s treatment, his enforced appearance as a flying phantom in a carnival sideshow, his frantic driving to the racecourse, after outwitting the criminals who have kidnapped him, and his riding in the great classic, all go to make up a good, and often uproarious film. “RULERS OF THE SEA” “Rulers of the Sea,” a mighty sea drama, will be screened on Friday. Will Fyffe, Margaret Lochwood and Douglas Fairbanks head the cast. THEATRE ROYAL “Our Fighting Navy” is comprehensive and authentic because the Navy League and the Admiralty for the first time granted the fullest possible co-operation, allowing the mighty battleships of the fleet to appear as actors, and lending liaison officers to Herbert Wilcom to facilitate shooting. A complete production unit was taken to Scapa Flow by Director Norman Walker, and the autumn manoeuvres of the Atlantic Fleet were filmed, cameras and sound crews being placed on board H.M.S. Nelson, the flagship of the Fleet; H.M.S. Express and H.M.S. Oregon. In all some 15 ships participated in the filming of “Our Fighting Navy.” “Father O’Flynn” is a very appealing musical romance, with a wide repertoire covering the field from sacred music to syncopation. All the numbers are finely rendered by Tom Burke, Jean Adrienne and Robert Chisholm.