ENTERTAINMENTS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 291, 21 September 1935, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

ST. JAMES THEATRE.

“DAVID COPPERFIELD.” Taking its place among the truly great pictures of all time, “David Copperfield” comes to the St. James Theatre to-niight and on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. To say that it is at once one of the most pretentious and one of the most intimate photoplays ever made is to say too little; it is a picture that has more than bigness and more than intimacy; it has a soul. As it develops its absorbing story it runs the full gamut of entertainment qualities. There is a wealth of romance, a wealth of pathos, a wealth of comedy. There are spectacle and thrills and tragedy and beauty. But when you leave the theatre “David G’opperfield” remains with you. For it “does something” to the heart that ’baffles description. More than a year, we hear, was spent in preparation and filming. If it hadi taken ten years :t would have been worth the effort. It is a ‘ picture, no man or woman, no boy or girl should! miss seeing, It sets a new high standard in entertainment quality. Of the actors, and. there are no less than 65 stars and featured players, perhaps the most spectacular achievement of “David Copperfield” is the development of the sensational new child star, f Freddie Bartholomew. Playing the juvenile David, he gives a performance never surpassed on the screen.

MAJESTIC THEATRE Bing Crosby, as Dixie’s fiercest fighter and sweetest singer-, heads the comedy, singing and romantic cast of “Mississippi,” which will be shown at the Majestic Theatre to-night and on Monday night. It stars Crosby with VV. C. Fields andi Joan Bennett, while Queenie Smith, John Miljan, Gail Patrick and the Cabin 'Kids are prominently featured in the supporting cast. The plot of “Mississippi” revolves about a youth, unfamiliar with the ways of the Old South, who declines to duel for his sweetheart’s hand. Branded! as a coward, he finds refuge with old Commodore Jackson’s troupe of actors as a singing attraction. Under the Commodore’s tutelage, he becomes the most feared' gun-fighter on the river, and, just as he is “about to return to the girl, he finds that he is in love with another lady who detests duelling.

CHORAL FESTIVAL. Preparations are now well in hand for the second musical festival of the season to be held in the Majestio Theatre on October 9 by tl\e Ashburton Choral Society. Patrons will recollect the very fine concert given last June, and for the second festival of the season the society hope to excel anything previously done. Three wellknown soloists have lipen engaged, Miss Mary Pratt (Dunedin), Miss Ellis Fraser and Mr W. E. Crews (Wellington). An excellent programme of part songs has been arranged for the large choir, while special features will be rendered by the orchestra under Dr. N. E. H. Fulton, and by a newly-formed male octette, the whole being under the baton of Mr Victor O. Peters. The yery large increase in the numbers of subscribing members and the keen inquiry for tickets should assure the society once more of the splendid support of residents.

A FAIRY OPERA. , The fairy opera, “Snow-white and the Seven Dwarfs,” to be presented in the Majestic Theatre on Wednesday , and Thursday, October 2 and 3, gives opportunity to young and old to take a peep into Fairyland and 1 listen to the beautiful stoi’y of Princess Sncwwhite and the seven kindly old men of the woods, as told by 20 young performers amid the whispering woods of Fairyland, made spectacular by beautiful frocking and accompanied by the singing of the tuneful solos, merry ehoruses and plaintive lullabys. By permission of the headmaster, the Ashburton High School oi'chestra will assist , in the production, and will also play popular numbers during the intervals. The opera should attract large houses when it is presented.

DANCE AT ALLENTON. The Allenton Old Girls’ Basketball Club held a dance recently to entertain the third grade team, which won both the third grade and knock-out competitions. Trophies for the most promising players were presented by Mrs Horsey to Miss Jean Moodie (junior), and to Misses Noeline Freeman and Nell Pollock (equal, third grade). A small token of appreciation was also given to Mrs Chambers (president) by members of the club. A Monte Carlo dance was won by Miss Pavoka and Mr J. McDonald, and a lucky spot was won by Miss O. Sparrow and Mr Bryant. The function proved most successful, over 60 couples being present. Mr Dabourn provided the music and Mr J. Lysaght was M.O.