RIVAL QUEENS

Evening Star, Issue 21510, 7 September 1933, Page 11

RIVAL QUEENS

WHITE FLAG TOP AGAIN SPORTS DROPS TO SEGOKD PLAGE The positions of the various flags at noon to-day were:—

Once again the white pennant of the Civic Queen (Miss Billie Mitchell) appears at the top of the staff at the Town Hall. The civic supporters ■ are evidently determined to keep their choice on top, despite the strong challenges from the other candidates. The Sports Queen (Mrs R. Hudson) has now dropped bach to second place, with Cinema (Mrs R. S. Black) and Services (Mrs Norah Ros) representatives in the third and fourth positions respectively. The arrangements for the final promenade concert on September 16 are completed, and tho object which - the organisers have in view—namely, the creation of a supreme carnival atmosphere as a wind-up to a particularly interesting contest—appears to be assured. It only remains for the financial result of this competition to realise expectations for the whole effort to be deemed a worthy one. Inquiries are already being made regarding the reserving of seats for the coronation ceremony, and this will undoubtedly be a “ crowning ” attraction. Well-known citizens are being approached with a view to obtaining their assistance as leading 'officials at the ceremony, which, as those who remember the big occasion in 1915 will recall, is an imposing one. FORTHCOMING ATTRACTIONS September 7.—Services ball, Town Hall. September 8. Amusement Park, Town Hall basement (services queen). September 9.—Hunt Clu 1 ’ wala, Tahuna Park (sports queen). Tennis and athletic clubs’ carnival, Logan Park (sports queen). Miniature Rifle Tournament, Drill Hall (civic queen). Concert, Town Hall (civic queen). September 12.—Euchre party, South Dunedin Town Hall (civic queen). September 13.—Coster ball, Town Hall (civic queen). Afternoon concert (sports queen). September 14 . Children’s fancy dress dance (civic queen). September 10.—Otago Eootball Association’s gala dav. Caledonian Ground (sports queen). Final demonstration, Town Hail and Concert Chamber. September 51. Coronation ceremony, Town Hall.

CIVIC QUEEN COSTER BALL, In connection with the coster hall, a series of spectacular dances is being arranged, and prizes are to be given for the best exponents of novelty dances, as well as for the best representation of male and female coster. The scheme of decoration in connection with this ball is on entirely different Hnes from any previously attempted, and, this' should be a brilliant feature. ‘The display of coster costumes in the window of Messrs ; Arthur Barnett Ltd. represents models of the type of costume which will bo used for this occasion. Already the public are manifesting considerable interest in the event, and there is a steady booking of circle seats. The box plan is at the D.I.C. CHILDREN’S DANCE. The decoration and the other appurtenances to be used in connection with the Coster ball will also be in evidence at the children’s fancy dress dance on the following evening. The juveniles will be catered for by the addition of a number of special and novel attractions, and numbers of prizes will be offered in connection with competitions suitable for the occasion. Needless to say the supper will also be one which will appeal to juvenile tastes. The low price of admission will enable almost, any child who_ desires to “ dress up " and participate in the fun. The gallery will also be open to the public, and the box plan is on view at the D.I.C. MIDNIGHT MOVIE MATINEE CINEMA QUEEN FUND TO BENEFIT, Primarily a comedy, secondly a fantasy, and lastly a drama, ‘ The Guardsman,’ which was presented to a large audience at a midnight matinee at the Regent Theatre last night, in aid of the cinema queen fund, was one of the most delightful comedies of manners ever screened in Dunedin. The drama concerned a temperamental husband’s anxiety over the faithfulness of his wife, of the means he used to test her,, and of the ultimate answer. The fantasy was that fairy-like part of the story in which the husband, disguised as a Cossack guardsman, made ardent Jove to his own wife. The humour was the whole picture. Every word, every action, every expression called for risible response, not necessarily audible, but none the less genuine. Subtlety characterised almost every snatch of humour. The dialogue was unusually witty and subtle and was enhanced by the facial expressions of the players. Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontaine, of the New York Theatre Guild, were incomparable as the wedded couple. Lunt revealed himself as an accomplished actor as the jealous actor-husband, and a master of his art as the Cossack officer. Miss Fontaine, as the wife, also gave a brilliant performance. The manner in. which she unmasked the identity of the guardsman and left open to the audience, the' question “ Did she know all the time? ” was a veritable masterpiece. The story was one that was quite worthy of being the starring vehicle, of two veterans of the stage and newcomers to the screen. Freshness was the keynote, but that was only to be expected of their efforts. Roland Young was tho best member of the supporting cast—one worthy of the principals. Zasu Pitts, as the weary maid invariably caught listening at doors, and Maude Eburne, as Lnnt’s domineering mother-in-law, also gave splendid portrayals. Herman Bing contributed a fine study of a pressing creditor. Preceding 1 The Guardsman ’ an Australian Cinesound News and Laurel and Hardy’s latest farce, entitled ‘ Any Old Port,’ were screened. The popular “ funsters ” were never more rediculous or more genuinely funny than in their parts as whalers on shore leave. SERVICES BALL What can be achieved by the combination of the three fighting services and tho railways, Post and Telegraph, and other services will be seen this evening, when the ball organised under tho auspices of the services queen (Mrs Norah Ross) will be staged in the Town Hall. It is many years since a combined ball has been held in Dunedin, and the spectacle which it will afford will attract large numbers of dancers and gallery spectators. The magnificence of the various dress uniforms, the, colourings of the ladies’ frocks, and the special and elaborate decorative scheme will give a most picturesque appearance to the hall. The Regimental Band in their scarlet coats will add further to the fascination of the setting. In addition, two dance bands will provide music of the snappier modern variety, totalling in all more than sixty musicians. The historical tableaux should

not be missed,. and other entertaining items will be presented during the evening. To complete the .enjoyment of the dancers an excellent.supper will ba provided. , , t ... • ' •