AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 64, 17 March 1930, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

CIVIC THEATRE.

A picture well out of the ordinary ia the Fox talking drama "Love, Live and Laugh," which commenced a season at the Civic Theatre on Saturday night. It is not a special or an "epic" film, but a simple story, quite pathetic and remarkable for the fine acting by the principals, particularly George Jessel, as the Italian immigrant in America, who will be remembered as the stage star in "The Jazz Singer" and "The ■ War Song." "Love, Live and Laugh" is a poignant drama, with many light touches of comedy, in which Mr. Jessel, as Luigi, shows his wonderful versatility. Lila Lee, playing opposite Jessel, is seen in one of her best roles as Margharita. David Rollins, the young star, as Pasquale Gallupi, is another who gives a most effective characterisation. George Jessel has the role of an Italian immigrant who leaves his sweetheart in her uncle's music shop to return to Italy to see his father, who is ill. He reaches Italy only to find that his father has died; he joins up with the Italian Army, and goes to the Trentino to fight the Austrians. Luigi is seriously wounded and becomes blind as the result of a shell explosion. When his sweetheart hears that his entire company is wiped out she marries a doctor who is working in a hospital where she is employed as a nurse. Luigi and Pasquale return to America, the former becoming a hurdygurdy man who plays his accordion in the public parks. Although he seeks ■ his Margharita, he fails to find her until" many months have elapsed. Quite by chance he discovers her in a great house, happily married, having gone there to thank the doctor for restoring his eyesight. Although his heart is broken at the blow fate has dealt him, he sings a gay .farewell and leaves with Pasquale. "Love, Live and Laugh" is a fine picture, presented with dash and colour, and contains some beautiful music and songs characteristic of the Italian settings. The secondary subjects on this new bill are well up to the usual high standard set by the Civic. There is a sound gazette depicting recent happenings abroad and an all-talking Pathe comedy of the rollicking type, "His Birthday Suit," while one of the brightest units of the whole entertainment is the singing of the old Irish ballad "That Old Irish Mother of Mine" bv Master Desmond Casey, who sat on the organ presided over oy Mr. Fred Scholl. Mr. Ted HenkeFs orchestra, as the overture, played a selection of Irish airs. There is also a most effective stage tableau. MUNICIPAL CONCERTS. Before a numerous attendance in the Town Hall last evening the Municipal Band, directed by Mr. Christopher Smith, presented an attractive programme from the works of Handel. Friedmann, Ord Hume, Godfrey, Tobani, Windram and Keteiby. The next concert in the Town Hall by the band will be on Saturday evening, for which an entirely new programme will be presented. Yesterday afternoon Mr. Maughan Barnett gave a free organ recital on the Town Hall instrument, and was heard in pieces by Bach, Hollins, Gigout, Goldmark, Guilmant and Lemmens.