ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21218, 14 September 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

TONIGHT’S PROGRAMMES “DAD RUDD, M.P.” AT THE REGENT THEATRE “Dad Rudd, M.P., is one of the funniest films seen in Hamilton for a long time, and the audience laughed uproariously. There is also a very fine peroration at the end by Bert Bailey that is a gem of its kind. The film is a modernised story of the adventures of the popular Rudd family, made to make audiences laugh, just when they need a laugh most. But whilst comedy is the predominant note of the film, it is also rich in real Australian sentiment, with delightful romance and drama introduced as part of the political angle which revolves around a great national necessity, water conservation. The cast was carefully chosen and, for the most part, the Rudd Family remain identical to the former series. Under the paternal wing of the be-whiskered Bert Bailey there are Mum (Connie Martyn); Dave (Fred McDonald); Joe (Ossie Wenham); Sally (Valerie Scanlan) and his eldest daughter, Ann, played by Yvonne East, the Melbourne actress who makes her screen debut in the film. The comedy character of “Cedric Entwistle” is again played in uproarious manner by Alec Kellaway, while Grant Taylor is the romantic “Jim Webster,” who finally unites the two families by marrying “Dad’s” daughter. Grant Taylor’s screen “father” is Frank Harvey, stage and screen veteran, who also wrote the scenario. A notable newcomer is Barbara Weeks, Hollywood, actress with some 40 American films to her credit. The supporting programme includes the British Air Mail News, with aviation thrills; the Cinesound Review, showing Diggers on the March; “Peru,” travelogue in colour; “These Children Are Safe,” and the Pathe Weekly Variety.

“TURNABOUT” AT THE CIVIC THEATRE “Turnabout” is a very merry comedy retaining a rich flavouring of the Thorne Smith brand of wit. Adolphe Menjou, that sleek, debonair actor of the silent days, heads the players; he has all the old grace but is vastly more entertaining. John Hubbard and Carole Landis are the bright young couple responsible for the title. They have the usual discontent with their lot; he wants to sleep-in in the morning and idle away at bridge in the afternoon, and she thinks she could take the office work in her stride. But when their wish is mysteriously granted cartloads of trouble start. A sweet young thing with throaty, masculine voice, is enough to startle the best of maidservants, and a strapping young man with a girlish soprano and just the right idea about the texture of stockings, and other things can wreck the balance of a busy office. The result is great entertainment for the audience, keeping it chuckling throughout. A March of Time dealing with the Philippines is a very interesting feature of the supporting programme.

“DOUBLE ALIBI” AT THE STATE THEATRE The exciting drama “Double Alibi,” is a different kind of mystery film in which clues defy solution until the final scenes. The film presents Wayne Morris as a young engineer fighting to clear himself of murder, Margaret Lindsay, as a girl reporter, and William Gargan as the “hard-boiled” city editor with an eye for both beauty and headlines. How a girl-author’s embryonic career is shattered by the amazing Broadway success of her amateurish play is the paradoxical theme of “Curtain Call.” Barbara Read, Alan Mowbray and Helen Vinson head the notable cast in this film which depicts the experiences of a small-town girl, whose burning ambition to write leads her to New York. When a big Broadway producer purchases her first literary effort she forsakes home and sweetheart to seek fame and fortune. What she doesn’t know is that her brain child is so imbecilic that the theatrical firm buys it as a means of intimidating a temperamental star into signing a new contract.

“THE STARMAKER” AT THE ROXY THEATRE “The Star-maker,” featuring Bing Crosby, Louise Campbell, Linda Ware and Ned Sparks, combines sentiment, humour and music very entertainingly. Bing Crosby has a very human role as the showman who turned the children of yesterday into the stars of today, and Linda Ware, a 14-year-old “discovery,” sings delightfully and acts very naturally. Among the songs introduced are “School Days,” “Sunbonnet Blue,” “If I was a Millionaire,” “In My Merry Oldsmobile,” “I Can't Tell You why I Love You But I Do,” “I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now,” “Go Fly a Kite,” “A Man and His Dream,” “An Apple for the Teacher” and “Still the Bluebird Sings.” In addition, Walter Damrosch and the Philharmonic Orchestra of Los Angles presents Tschaikowsky’s “Waltz of the Flowers” and Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. Fourth Movement. “Code of the Secret Service” is an exciting drama, proving that the code is to be dauntless in the face of danger, to be fearless in the face of death. Ronald Reagan, Rosella Tonne and Eddie Foy, junr., head the very strong cast.

“SCARFACE” AT THE THEATRE ROYAL “Scarface” is a thrilling melodrama showing that a gangster shows no mercy and none must be extended to him. The law must wipe out the racketeer, down with the gunman and show no mercy whatever to the mobsmen who are responsible for the loss of millions of dollars in property every year, and he taking of innumerable lives. Scarface” tells of the rise and fail of Tony Camonte, and the leading role is played by Paul Muni, famous character actor, Ann Dvorak, William Boyd, Karen Morley and other players of importance are in the cast. “Danger Flight” deals with gaspowered model aeroplanes and dramatises how a model aeroplane enthusiast can be a help to real pilots and that his hobby is helping in the advance of aviation. “Danger Flight” is the story of Whitey, a youngster who finds inspiration and regeneration through his study of

model aeroplanes. Whitey saves several lives in a thrilling air chase as a result of his study of models. A chapter of the thrilling serial, “Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe,” is also screened. HAMILTON PLAYBOX “YOU NEVER CAN TELL” “You Never Can Tell,” to be staged by the Hamilton Playbox at the Civic Theatre on Wednesday and Thursday, September 25 and 26, is Bernard Shaw at his wittiest, and should draw large audiences, especially as the proceeds are to be handed over to patriotic funds. The situations are diverting, and the dialogue very amusing, with those unexpected twists for which Bernard Shaw is famous. Under the direction of Mrs Zelda Fahey a strong cast is rehearsing assiduously, and should give a good account of itself in the production.

He bolted into the backblocks general store, and glared at the proprietor. “Wh-what’s wrong?” timidly ventured the storekeeper. “Remember me coming in yesterday for a tin of toasted Cut Plug No. 10?” bawled the stranger angrily. The storekeeper nodded. “Then what the” (profane expression) “d’ye mean by giving me this rubbish?”— and pitching a tin on to the counter he “paused for a reply.” The storekeeper looked silly. He had sold a tin of something no more like the genuine “toasted” than a bit of glass is like a diamond. Without a word he passed over another tin in exchange for the rejected one. Snatching it up and scrutinising the label the indignant customer hurried away. Moral: When you ask for “toasted” see that you get it. There are only five genuine toasted brands, Cut Plug No. 10 (Bullshead), Navy Cut No. 3 (Bulldog), Cavendish, Riverhead Gold and Desert Gold. • Famed for their splendid quality j and exquisite purity these beautiful j tobaccos (the nicotine in which has i been eliminated by toasting) are! made safe for the smoker.