ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20249, 8 May 1929, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE WRECKER."

At His Majesty's Theatre this evening the J. C. Williamson, Limited, management, in conjunction with E. J. and Dan Carroll, will present for the first time to playgoers of Now Zealand the latest mystery drama, " The Wrecker," which is by Arnold Ridley, the author of "The Ghost Train." The company arrived yesterday and last evening a full lighting and scenic rehearsal took place under the direction of Mr. Clayton Greene, the producer of the play. It is said that tho booking is excellent for the brief season which is only for six nights. " The Wrecker" will bo interpreted by a brilliant new English company, headed by the well-known London dramatic stars Miss Josephine Wilson and Mr. Clavto:> Greene. Like " The Ghost Train," "The Wrecker" has behind it ai sinister figure, whose identity is not revealed until a few minutes before the final curtain. One of the most wonderful effects ever attempted on the stage is that when a signalman is knocked insensible by the " wrecker," who then sets the signal against the onrushing express, to provide yet another of the mysterious railway smashes. The audience hears the engine thundering along to what looks like its doom, when the hero dashes into the signal-box with the heroine. Mr. Clayton Greene, besides playing the hero, also produced " The Wrecker." He was specially selected by the author of the play for the part 'of Roger Doyle. Outstanding features oi the production are the wonderful mechancial effects, which will be worked by an army of specialty mechanics from the J. C. Williamson, Limited, Sydney Theatres.

MAJESTIC THEATRE

The fascinating Chinese actress, Anna May Wong, reveals unusual dramatic ability in her first really big role in "Show Life/' the British International picture which is being presented at the Majestic Theatre. Although the film is set in the heart of a Western city, she suffuses a certain element of the Orient into her acting, and her type of beauty is seen to advantage against the squalor of her surroundings. As Song, a piquant little Malay wanderer, she dominates the film, arid her varying moods are a play in themselves. Henry George appears in the leading male role, and the subordinate roles are played by Mary Kidd and A. S. von Schlettow. An excellent supporting programme includes the appearance on the stage of Wilfred Scott and Agnes Sterling, the Melodie Musical Comedy Duo, who present a series of entertaining numbers. The progi amine to be presented on Friday will include "Q Ships" and "True Heaven," in which are featured George O'Brien and Lois Moran. It is a drama which has an incident of i the war for its theme. There is no fighting, and there are no actual battle scenes, but the plot is said to be full of action. A girl who is a spy for Germany meets a young British officer behind his own lines and receives from him some valuable information Soon the officer, clad in Ge.rman uniform, is despatched on a similar mission to the enemy country. The girl is responsible for his capture, and is torn between the desire to save him and the feeling that it is hsr duty to surrender him to be shot as a spy. Her decision and resulting action are claimed to make a remarkable climax. There is a splendid supporting cast, and the picture is one which should be well worth seeing.

REGENT THEATRE. "White Shadows in the Sbuth Seas," a sound synchronised and distinctly artistic picture, is the main feature of a splendid programme showing at the Regent Theatre. It was taken from Fiederick O'Brien's book of the same name, yet in reality the only thing taken was the name itself. Of course, there is the same basic theme underlying both works, the theme of the effects of white man s civil* isation in the South Seas. This is portrayed graphically in the film. The story concerns a doctor, Matthew Lloyd, a dishevelled beach-comber, living precariously on a tropic island where white traders drive the natives remorselessly in quest of pearls. Lloyd argues vehemently against this state' of affairs, irking in particular one trader of obnoxious type. He is lured aboard a plague-ridden schooner, and eventually finds himself in a previously unknown portion of the southern atolis and islands. By saying the chief's son from death, he is idolised by the tribe, and weds the sister of the boy he won back from death. The same trader, however, chances upon the island, and in a desperate attempt to hold off the harsh measures of the white man Lloyd is fatally wounded. The combination of scenery, •story, sound and colourful characters makes "White Shadows in the South Seas'' a remarkable production. There is an excellent programme of short "talkie" subjects and a newsreel dealing with the circumstances surrounding the death of Lee Bible, the speed motorist, is without equal for thrills.

PLAZA THEATRE. Al Johnson, one of the most popular entertainers in America, plays the leading role in "The Singing Fool," the successful "talkie" now being presented at the Plaza Theatre. One of the most realistic scenes in the film is the representation of New Year's Eve in a fashionable cabaret, where the audience can hear the strains of a jazz band, the songs and exclamations of the patrons and screaming of sirens and whistles as midnight sounds. The film concerns a vaudeville artist who marries an actress and later finds her unfaithful. For the sake of their only son. the hero establishes a reputation as a clever entertainer, but the child dies, leaving him in despair. The supporting programme of shorter "talkie" features includes excerpts from the operas '"I Pagliacci" and "Aida," sung by Martinelli, the leading tenor of the Metropolitan Opera Company, and a number of well-known songs by other leading artists. The world-famous violinist, Elman, plays "Humoresque," and the overture from "Tannhauser" is played by the Isew York Philharmonic Orchestra of 80 members.

TIVOLI AND EVERYBODY'S. Two attractive films of widely different interest will be presented at theTivoli and Everybody's Theatres to-morrow. The principal feature is ''lhe Ware Case, claimed to be one ot the most thrilling mystery stories ever screened. The leading roles are played by Stewart Rome, Betty Carter and lan Fleming, and the supporting cast includes Wellington Briggs Patrick Stewart, Cynthia Murtagfi, Cameron Carr, Syd Ellery, Patrick Ludlow. John Valentine and Bob Abel. The story concerns Sir Hubert Ware, who is charaed with the murder of his brother-in-law, and the dramatic unfolding oi the truth The second attraction is "Honeymoon Flats," a comedy-drama of married life. George Lewis and Dorothy Gulliver play the leading roles, and the story concerns the lives of a young husband and wife who quarrel over financial matters. A full supporting programme will also be screened.

MOULIN ROUGE, REMUERA. The usual popular programme of pictures, followed by dancing,' will be presented at the Moulin Rouge, Remuera. this evening. The principal picturo will be "Name the Woman," starring Anita Stewart. In addition to this film there will be a varied supporting programme. Dancing will follow until midnight in the pleasant surroundings furnished by the theatre as a cabaret. Tho Moulin Rouce Super Sis Orchestra will provide suitable music. GRAMOPHONE RECITAL. A public gramophone recital, entitled "Our Debt to the Gramophone," and illustrated with selected records, will be given by Mr. Karl Atkinson in the Theosophical Society's Hall, Upper Queen Street, this evening. Miss Veda Hutchinson will sing.

"IN OLD ARIZONA." The first Fox Films feature production to bo made wholly in Fox movietone, "In Old • Arizona," the first outdoor "talkie," will be presented at the Strand Theatre on Friday. 'Warner Baxter, who appears in tho leading male role, camo to the screen after several years' experience on the stage, where one of his chief assets was his voice. It is claimed that one sees and hears not only every. important- character in tho story but tho' minor players as well. A reward of 5000 dollars is offered for the capture, dead or alive, of "The Cisco Kid," a handsome man but a notorious bandit, who has eluded every attempt at his capture. The serene and undisturbed existence he led caused the colonel of a regiment of cavalry to despatch somo sarcastic lines to the sergeant in command of a squad camped at a water-hole, with the result that Sergeant Mickey Dunn saddled his _ horse and rode to the settlement at Wolf's Crossing, 20 miles away, to get "The Cisco Kid" and the reward. The part of Sergeant Dunn is played by Eddie Lowe, who will be remembered for his role as Sergeant Quirt in "What Price Glory." Wolf's Crossing was his objective because it was there that Tonia Maria, the girl "The Cisco Kid" loved, had her home. From the man who kept a store Sergeant' Dunn learned of the periodic calls of "The Cisco Kid" on the girl, a beautiful half-Mexican. The sergeant met the girl, and a romance developed. He persuaded her to betray "The Cisco Kid," mainly bv the promise of the reward, but it proved the undoing of both. "The Cisco Kid" worked vengeance on them in his characteristic way. The role of Tonia Maria is played by Dorothy Burgess, and included in the cast are Farrell McDonald, Ivan Linow, Roy Stewart and James Marcus. "In Old Arizona" promises to lie one of the best pictures of the year. There are no sub-titles in the pictured and it is claimed that every word of the pjayers comes as clearly as from the mouths of the speakers. There will also be an all-"t.alkie" programme of Fox movietone celebrities. SUBURBAN THEATRES. A variety of screen entertainment will be presented at the Fuller-Hay ward theatres in the suburbs this evenings " Captain Lash " and "Drums of Love" will be shown at the Prince Edward Theatre. The orchestra will be. con. ducted by Miss Eve Bentley. "Th» Camaraman," starring Buster Kenton, and " Naughty Baby," with Alice White, will be screened at the Capital, and "Nona But the Brave" and " Man, Woman and Wife " at the Empire Theatre. "Tho Cameraman " and " Golf Widows " are tho principal pictures at the Edendale Cinema. The Grey Lynn Cinema will show "The Desert Bride" and " Outcast," while " Riley (he Cop " and "Tho Fighting Heart " will be shown at the Parish Hall, Devonport.

CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Rex Beach's story of adventure " Tho Michigan Kid" will bo presented as a film, with Conrad Nagel and Renee Adoree, at the Crystal Palace Theatre this evening. The supporting programme is headed by " After the Storm," featuring Hobart Bosworth. Dancing will be held at the Crystal Winter Garden this evening.

"THE KING OF KAWAU." The Auckland University Students' Association has chosen a topical musical farce, " The King of Kawau," for its annual production. The play will follow the George Wallace Revue Company at St.. James' Theatre on May 17. The alternative title to the play, "Seventy Millions," gives a clue to the plot, which concerns a small monarchy beset by financial difficulties, and its ruler employs a wizard to restore the monarchy's finances to order. Booking arrangements are advertised. >

CHORAL SOCIETY CONCERT. The Auckland Choral Society has chosen for presentation at its opening concert in the Town Hall on Thursday, May 16, Wallace's beautiful Australian opera " Maritana." Although the wording of the songs is simple they are set to such delightful music that they cannot foil to appeal. Particularly excellent is the welhknown number, " There Is a Flower That Bloometh." The soloists for the production will be: Soprano. Miss Kate Campion; contralto. Miss Madge Clague; tenor, Mr. Lambert. Harvey; baritone, Mr. Geoffrey Colledge, and bass, Mr. Ernest, Thomas. In addition there will be a full chorus and the orchestra, conducted by Mr. Colin Muston. "Details, of subscriptions for the three concerts of the season are advertised. AEOLIAN ORCHESTRA. The first concert of its eighth season will be presented by the Aeolian Orchestra in the Lewis Eady Hall, Queen Stieet,; next Tuesday evening. Mr. H. Hollinrake will conduct the orchestra. Solos will be given by Mr. William Gemmcll, vocalist, and Mr. N. Walker, violinist.