ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 43, 14 November 1932, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

« REGENT THEATRE. “Mayfair Nights, now at the Regent Theatre, has practically all of its action in one of those intimate little London night clubs that periodically leap into the news when their hostesses come before the court charged with selling liquor after hours. Such a fate overtakes the leading woman of “Mayfair Nights.” Years before, her husband, a drunkard and a gambler, had deserted her, and she, determined that drink and gambling should give back to her what it had taken away, had opened a night club where after-hour drinking and almost open gambling went on every night, With the money she made, her daughters were given the best of education. And then the blow fell. The club was raided and its owner sent to gaol. What follows then leads up to a dramatic and thoroughly unexpected climax. The role of the night club queen, one of whose daughters marries into the English nobility, is taken by Isobel Elsom, a handsome London actress with a West End reputation. Her two daughters are played by Miss Clarke Smith and Margot Graham, who sings some catchy songs. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Strang mystery is found in “The Blonde Captive,” the feature film now at the Paramount Theatre. In the vast northwest of Australia, explorers reach a tribe of aboriginals whose history is believed to go back anything from 25,000 to 50,000 . years. On arriving there the travellers were astounded to see what they surmised to be an Albino boy, with fair skin and hair. They followed the* father to his cave—they were real cavemen—and there, to their amazement, found his wife was a white woman. She was able to recall a little English and they gathered that she was the widow of a trading captain from Thursday- Island. “War Correspondent.” 1 “War Correspondent,” a Columbia release, commencing at the Paramount next Friday, has a new slant which proves refreshing, namely, that of glorifying the heretofore unglorified newspaper correspondent who goes forth to risk his life in an unofficial broncli of the military service in order that the public may read up-to-tbe-minute news fi'om the battle front, . Other features that make this picture particularly worthwhile are’ the bringing together once more of those two highly popular stars, Jack Holt and Ralph Graves, and the reappearance of Lila Lee, that comely player, who pleased so many when she appeared with Holt and Graves in that never-to-be forgotten film, “Flight.” MAJESTIC THEATRE. Grade Fields, who is well known as England’s most popular revue and musichall star, is making her reappearance at the Majestic Theatre in “Sally in Our Alley,” a British R.K.O. production that has been voted one of the year’s most successful films. Miss Fields carries the bulk of the show on her own shoulders, and gives a performance that it would be hard to beat. She is seen as Sally, a waitress in a restaurant, who entertains all the natrons by singing while she works. One day the daughter of a duchess hears ' her, and engages her to sing at an At , Home. Grade’s entry into society is one , of the highlights of this entertaining show. , During the picture Miss Fields is. heard in several of her popular numbers, including “Sallv,” “Fred ' Fanacapan,” and “Follow the Band.” There are excellent supports.

DE LUXE THEATRE. Janet Gaynor’s and Charles Farrell’s latest film, “The First Year.” Fox pictunsation of Frank Craven’s hilarious comedy drama directed by William K. Howard, is now at the De Luxe. Theatre. In it, Janet and Charlie are paired as youthful jjioderns out to defy the age-old superstition that “the first year is the hardest.’ Through their romantic engagement period into the heartaches and joys .of their first twelve months the plot carries them into a 1 number of surprising, always hilarious and entertaining situations, to the only conduson that there can be for a Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell romance. ST. JAMES THEATRE. The management of the St. James Theatre did well to extend the season of “His Royal Highness” to a second week. A crowded house on Saturday night laughed heartily at the antics and sallies of George Wallace, who is suddenly taken from the counter of a pie stall to the throne of a kingdom. Sir. Wallace undoubtedly makes the picture, but the finish is provided by a fine cast, which brands the talkie as a brilliant production. and fit to b.e ranked among the most famous films of the year. There is vitality in the actors, especially among the girls of the ballet, and finish in the scenes which are equal to the pictures of older countries. Singing of a high standard and cultured speech are all there, and future films will be awaited with eagerness and interest. Australians provide items in a well selected programme of “shorts.” They are an entertainment in themselves. “Mr. Bill—The Conqueror.” No matter What the title might suggest, there are only two features in any way "historical” about “Mr. Bill —the Conqueror,” the English picture that will be the next attraction at St. James Theatre. One is the "lovely land of Sussex,” so steeped in legend and story of the past, wherein the play is aet; the other is the indomitable spirit of the Norman King that inspires our modern “Bill” to get to work aud solve his problems with the tenacity and daring that marked the rule of the ancient monarch. Otherwise, in “Mr. Bill —the Conqueror,” there is the sort of delightfully different and refreshing entertainment relished so completely because its kind is seen all so rarely. The story and the settings breathe the very charm and beauty of the actual little villages of romantic Sussex, in which the film was made. They are so perfectly portrayed that they transport those who see them into the very heart of glorious rural England. POPULAR MATINEE. The matinee performances of the Imperial Grand Opera Company of "Cavalleria Rusticana” (Mascagni), and“l Pagliacci” " (Leoncavallo), at the Graud Oi>eru House on Saturday were popular events. Both were repeat Slumbers. In the former Missl Molly de Gunst’s portrayal of the role of Sautuzza was a most satisfying performance both vocally aud histrionically. Signorina Lina Bianche’ voice was perhaps a little light for the part of Lola, but the balance was more than compensated by the thoroughness and artistry of her work. Carlo Altieri, as Turiddu, Ilio del Chiaro as Altio, Eve Lynch as Lucia, completed an adequate cast of principals. "I Pagliacci,” an opera of much greater distinction, was a memorable treat for those who were present. The famous “Prologue” was splendidly sung by Signor Apollo Granforte, whose singing and acting as Tonio, the clown, throughout was most enjoyable; signor Pedro Mirassou as Cania, the jealous husband, was, as ’-n all. his appearences heretofore, the finished artist. As Nedda, the faithless wife, Carmencita Mascagni, gave a conscientious performance. Signor Ilio Del Chiaro sook tlie part of Silvio, the lover, aud Mr. Roy Glasheen that of Beppo, the harlequin. The performance was highly successful, and left nothing to be desired. Signor Aldrovandi conducted both operas.