ENTERTAINMENTS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 26, 10 November 1936, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

ST. JAMES THEATRE. “FORGET ME NOT.” An entertaining and magnificently produced film starring one of the leading tenors is to be seen 'to-night and to-morrow at the St. James Theatre. The film is “Forget Me Not,” and the singer is Beniamino Gigli, held by many to be the greatest tenor. In addition to his wonderful voice, Gigli brings to bear a powerful personality and reveals himself as a first-class actor in a story written especially for him. The result is a grand) performance in an exceptionally fine picture. Gigli plays the role of Enze Curti, an internationally famous singer. He is a widower with a small boy, who is the cause of his marriage to Helen Carlton, secretary to a business man. There is a whirlwind courtship and the pair marry and embark upon a world cruise. Arrived in London, memories of a former romance are revived when Helen meets Hugh Anderson, a young ship’s officer. He is leaving for Australia, and foolishly tells Irene, who is in love with him, that he is taking Helen. Alexander Korda’s beautiful discovery, Joan Gardner, makes an appealing figure of Helen, and fully justifies the confidence shown in casting her for this difficult role. An exceptionally strong supporting cast includes Ivan Brandt, Jeanne Stuart and a delightful child Richard Gofe.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. A pretty girl faints in a Pullman car, and two strong men measure each other with hostile glances. Thus begins ‘Damon Runyon’s “The Three Wise Guys,” new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture which will show to-night and tomorrow at'the Majestic Theatre. Betty Furness plays the girl, a gangster’s sweetheart, who goes straight when love brushes by. Robert Young is a rich man’s son who “manages to live it down,” and Bruce Cabot plays “Blackie” Swanson, a rival in the story’s romance. Latest of Runyon’s stories to reach the screen, “The Three Wise Guys” was ably directed by George Seitz and produced by Harry Rapf. It was chosen by the Stokes Publishing Company as one of the year’s best stories, and was honoured in the “Blue Plate Special,” a collection of stories by various authors. Primarily a comedy, the dramatic thread of its theme follows the regeneration through love of two characters —a young wastrel and a beautiful girl who has turned to crime for livelihood. Contributing excellent work in the supporting case are Raymond Walburn, Thurston Hall, Donald Meek, Herman Bing, Harvey Stephens and Harry Tyler. SALVATION ARMY CONCERT. A .varied and interesting entertainment was given at the Salvation Army Citadel, last evening, by a party of boys from the Bramwell Booth Home, Temuka. The proceeds will be devoted to the work of the hoihe. Brigadier G. (Dry (men’s social secretary for New Zealand) presided. The programme, which included two items by tho . Ashburton Salvation Army, Band, under Bandmaster G. E. Argyle, was as follows:—Opening company song, “King of Kings,” the boys; march, “Robes of White,” Ashburton Band; action song, “Morning on the Farm,” small boys; dumb-bell drill, big boys; cornet solo, “The Lost Chord,” Harold Sowerby; dialogue, “We Bobby Barefoot”; action song, “Come Here and Wash Your Dirty Face”; selection, “Fullness of Joy,” Ashburton Band; dialogue, “The Revenge” ; recitation, “Somebody’s Mother,” Douglas Sowerby; rod drill, big boys; humorous reading, Adjutant Eliot; orchestral item, “Londonderry Air,” six boys; dialogue, “New Wireless Set”; recitation, “At the Photographer’s,” Paul Atkinson; humorous band item, “Macnamaras” ; Pyramid display; company song, “Lamp Lighting Time.”

CHILDREN’S OPERA The opera “Golden Hair and the Three Bears” which will be staged at the Majestic Theatre on November 17 and 18, is now in the last stages of production and promises to be the most spectacular to date. Produced under the direction of Mrs Alfred Smith, the opera will be to music composed by Aston Broard, which is of a very high standard and makes demands of every member o'f the company. The principal characters are entrusted to capable performers who with the assistance of a happy, laughing band of children live their parts and carry with them an audience into the realms of Fairyland. The principal character, Golden Hair, is portrayed by Noeline Parsons, a little girl aged 10, who sings her way through the opera in solos, recitations and duets, giving a most remarkable performance for one' so young. The Silver Bard is Miss Betty Millichamp, and Fairy Queen, May Allen. Miss Gladys Busliell has arranged a barefoot dance at the opening of the opera. 'Dr. N. E. H. Fulton has charge of the music and Mr N'. Salmon of the scenery.