AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 170, 20 July 1934, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

"RED WAGON" AT ST. JAMES'. Illuminated by glorious settings afforded in countryside scenes of England, contrasting rival traditions and conventions of two once great but now disappearing nomadic tribes of Britain, and featuring a red-blooded romance which prevails over natural and human obstacles, '"Red Wagon" is not only great entertairment, but is in addition a strangely intriguing revival of a phase of life almost gone froni the Old Country. The appearance of this tilm at St. James' Theatre last night came as a surprise in the wide character of its appeal. Round camp fires of the gipsies and iu tents and wagons of the circus are bred strange loyalties and tieice jealousies. In lives that are a constant fight for survival, with the necessity to fight enduring after success by the need for continual training, with danger of various kinds as a daily companion, the folk who make the fascinating talc of "Red Wagon" find the petty refinements of modern life unimportant, but they display a sturdy loyalty to the clan. Their honest code and wholesome, if rather forthright, romances and comedies, unexpected lapses to family tenderness, and instant response to the call for action, make an enthralling study, and a story enshrining characters as brave and picturesque as ever came out oil the "wild and woolly West." To the genius of Lady Eleanor Smith in crystalising the -Jxed characters of these nomadic gipsy and cirus folk of Britain in her book "Red Wagon" is due the appeal of the characterisation, but the picture take* a wider canvas for its setting, and adapts the action with special scenes and added figures to give happier touches to the romance than in the original. Charles Bickford is highly convincing as a "heman" who fights his way through rivalries and difficulties which he cannot understand, and holds the loyalty of his companions in trouble. Greta Nissen heads the feminine side of the cast, as the "catwoman" in a tiger-training act, who can take a scratch and give it with the best of them. There arc plenty of thrills when she and her tigers get into action, especially in a big fight scene. Raquel Torres appears in a typical gipsy role, ready to take any of the good things of life that come her way, so long as she has not to work for them. Paul Graetz (Schultz), Amv Veness (Petal), Frank Pettingell fMeGinty), and Alexander Field (Cronk) feature in some of the quaint characterisations that give distinction to the picture. An excellent supporting programme embraces two news reels of topical and sporting items in America, Europe and Australia, including a glimpse at the recent snowfall iu Otago. There are also some entertaining and artistic items from the Pathe studios, featuring the singing of a famous old Londonderryair by the New Zealand baritone LanesFairfax. A "comi-colour" cartoon com* pletes the programme. CITY SHOWS. In addition to the new Clem Dawe show at His Majesty's Theatre, entitled "So Long, Folks," entertainment-seekers in the city to-night may choose from the following programmes:—St. James, Red Wagon," Britain's lavish and spectacular romance, based on Lady Eleanor Smith s novel; Regent. "Men In White," a Glavk Gable-Mvrna Lev vehicle; Civic, 'Morning Glorv," Katharine Hepburn's magni-ficently-portrayed starring film; Roxyand Tivoli, "Song of Kong." and Dark Hazard" (Edward G. Robinson); Plaza, "Murder In Trinidad," a gripping new mystery drama; Strand, "You're Telling Me " a new W. C. Fields farce; Majestic, "Son-ell and Son," H. B. Warner's classic dramatic role in talkie form; and National, "The Bowery," in an extended season. CLEM DAWE REVUE. ■\ novel note was struck by Clem. Dawe and his company of entertainers in last night's show, when the first half of the programme, entitled The Music Box of 1934." was supplemented by a hilarious collection of impersonations ot other members of the company in a most ridiculous and heartily amusing fashion. Clem Dawe was happily impersonated by ■ both Dorothy White and Cliff O'Xeefe, who "took off" his mannerismsperfectly. The show was without doubt thoroughly onioved by a "house" packed to the ■ doors. To-nieht's new presentation will bo entitled "So Long, Folks," and. will consist of a batch of new items. It is to be presented again to-morrow afternoon and evening. On Monday the company will conduct its final farewell performance in a general hodge-podge of 110 most popular turns provided during the seven-week season. The .company will make its way through Hamilton, Palmers- ' ton North, etc., to Wellington, where it : hopes to do another season of several ' weeks' duration. A return, season will in all probability be made in this city.