ROMANCE IN AUSTRIA.

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 144, 14 December 1940, Page 14

ROMANCE IN AUSTRIA.

Deanna Durban.

More deeply in love than ever before, Deanna Durbin will delight all her admirers in "Spring Parade," which will be the Christmas attraction at the St. James Theatre. At a recent private screening. "Spring Parade" won golden opinions. This time —under the guidance of Joe Pasternak and Universal Pictures, Ltd.—the girl star is in Austria, a buxom peasant maiden of the nineties. She leads to the village, for sale, a tethered goat; has a madcap dance with Mischa Aver; falls asleep on a hay-wagon, and is carried by ■mistake to gay Vienna. The picture is therefore partly a story of naive Austrians country life, and partly a romantic dash into more sophisticated circles, culminating in the Emperor Franz Josef's grand ball. Robert Cummings, as a musical young officer of the Emperor's Guard, is the cause of Deanna's wading so deeply into love; and all her many admirers will watch her progress through loveland with the same zest as they have watched her adolescence. The gaiety and charm of the picture should make it a Christmas favourite in Wellington. As usual, Universal Pictures have provided a splendid team of supporting artists to give the girl star her opportunities, especially in the line of wholesome comedy; and "Spring Parade," after the manner of Deanna Durbin pictures, should prove to be a notable success.

CHRISTMAS CAROLS AT PETONE.

Hutt Valley music lovers are promised a special treat tomorrow afternoon when, as a patriotic effort, the combined Petone choirs, under the baton of Mr. F. Bryant, will give a programme of Christmas carols on the Petone Recreation Ground. The band of the Royal Air Force will not only accompany the choir but will give cornet, xylophone, and piccolo duos and solos, overtures, marches, waltzes, and marching exhibitions. An entrance and grandstand charge will be made, and the whole proceeds will go to the patriotic fund.

ST. ANDREW BURNS CLUB.

On Monday evening the St. Andrew Burns Club will hold its members' night and musical evening. There is no set speaker, but members will contribute short talks on matters of Scottish interest. The meeting will be held in the Rechabite Hall (oposite V.M.C.A.), Willis Street. All interested are invited to be present.

SHAKESPEARE SOCIETY,

The Wellingtqn Shakespeare Society recently gave its final miscellaneous programme for the year. A feature was a presentation of three scenes from "Romeo and Juliet." In the moonlit bower scene Mrs. W. G. Ross artistically portrayed Juliet, while Mr. W. O. Phillips played the part of Romeo. Mr. E. C. Harvie was effective as Friar Laurence in the cell scene.

Other items were songs by Miss Mary McKeowen and Miss Janet Stirling and recitations by Miss R. Carte. Miss Sybil Williams recited an epilogue from "As You Like It," and Mr. Peter Sellers gave two humorous recitations. A well-trained choir from the Wellingtqn South School, under the conductorship of Mr. J. K. Edie, sang several Christmas carols.