ENTERTAINMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 November 1935, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE. “Devil Dogs of the Air,” to be screened to-night is a rollicking comedy drama romance of. the aviation corps of the U.S. Marine Corps, carrying breath-taking thrills. The all-star cast includes besides Cagney, Pat O’Brien, Margaret Lindsay and Frank McHugh. , Claudette Colbert and Fred Mac Murray are starred in the “Gilded Lily,” the supporting feature. MONDAY. The casting of Myrna Loy opposite Warner Baxter in “Broadway Bill, which comes to the Opera House on Monday, brings her together with the first leading man she had on the screen. “Broadway Bill” is a romantic comedy. Baxter plays a reckless, lovable rouseabout. Miss Loy is a horseloving. feminine counterpart with a fine dramatic opportunity and something entirely different from “The Thin Man.” Others in the cast are Lynne Overman, Walter Connolly, Raymond Walburn, Helen "Vinson and Frankie Darro. REGENT THEATRE. Ancient Rome in all its gaiety, colour and glory is the setting for "Roman Scandals,” Eddie Cantor’s musical comedy, to be screened tonight, Monday and Tuesday. Ruth Etting, Gloria Stuart and David Manners cavort with Eddie in his newest picture. The pageantry of that distant day with its marching legions in burnished armour, the arenas, bloody games, beautiful slave girls in chains, and the Emperor’s gorgeous favourites in garlands of flowers, the glitter and pomp of a stately court and chariots in clouds of dust- —all helped to give opportunity for another of the lavish productions that he makes of the annual Cantor carnival of fun and splendour. This is only a settiifg for the simple and human comedy fox' the pop-eyed comedian in which the austere grace of classic. antiquity is contrasted with the Latin warmth of colour that distinguished “The Kid from Spain.” Before Eddie gets to the chariot chase that winds up the hilarious yarn, he steals into the Imperial Beauty Court where he watches the dazzling beauties glorified for the Emperor’s pleasure. I , SCHAEF’S HALL. A monster old time dance will be held in Schaef’s Hall to-night, commencing at 8.15. The varied pro- • gramme will include old-time and modern dancing while the music for the - evening- will be supplied by the popular Gaiety Orchestra, Who will render a selection of the latest dance numbers. Wallsend and Runanga buses will run after the dance. KUMARA LEAGUE BALL. i A- Grand Ball in aid of an injured League footballer will be held in the . Memorial Hall, Kumara, on Friday, November 15. The Mayfair full orchestra of- seven instruments will supply the music. Messrs. C. Haines and G. MUrtha will, be in charge ot the floor, and an energetic ladies’ committee have all the arrangements well in hand, so everyone will be assured of a good time. McGlashan’s bus, Greymouth, and Newman’s bus, Hokitika, have been engaged to run at special concession bus and admission tickets.

> “ROBERTA.” Great interest is being taken in the appearance of Miss Madge Elliott and ■ Cyril Ritchard, who, together with the > J. C. Williamson, Ltd., musical com- ■ pany, are to present at the Regent i Theatre on Thursday, November'' 21. , the highly- spectacular* and tuneful ; musical play, “Roberta,” which has proved one of the most successful operas staged during recent years. In seeking a theme for his “book” Otto Harbach has evidently kept in mind the paramount claim of the eye. The plot is taken from a novel, “Gowns by Roberta,” by Alice Millar. In “Roberta” there are, it is said, a succession of ornate showrooms, bars, cabarets, and, above all. mannequin parades. The wings pour forth an endless succession of lavishly gowned girls. There are walking suits, beach suits, cocktail suits, wedding dresses, and evening dresses. The play is a living architecture of . feminine clothes beautifully set off with lighting and delightfully melodious music. The keystone of the pattern is an ingeniously conceived ballet, “Shadows in Silver,” in which the dancers, clothed in metal tissues of contrasted colours, go through a series of dramatic postures under a kaleidoscope of moving lights and shadows. Even this effectively staged dance is, it is said, only a small item in a stupendous fashion parade. In this scented atmosphere an original musical comedy romance—with misunderstandings—is played out between a Russian princess, turned modiste, and a footballer, also turned modiste. It is a fantastic contrast, _ but it has been worked out, it is said, with no touch of malice, but with brilliant and witty humour.. Miss Madge Elliott’s dignity and grace of bearing are, it is said, admirably suited to the part of Stephanie, the wistful princess. In “Roberta” it is said she dances better than ever, and she uses her voice perfectly in the gracefully sentimental numbers allocated to her role. Cyril Ritchard leads an army of brilliantly clever comedians, which includes those popular artists, Leo Franklin and Marie Le Varre. The appearance of Miss Ethel Morrison, who is New Zealand born, but who has . done most of her acting in New York, will be welcomed by playgoers, particularly because she was engaged for the character she portrays while she was performing in America. Miss Diane Du Cane, a notable English artist, who is making her first appearance before New Zealand audiences. Vera Wallace, Arthur Clarke, John Dobbie, Leslie Crane, Charles Zoli, Mary Rigby, Jean Slapoffski, Jerry Connolly, and his instrumentalists are included in the cast; and an Australian ballet and chorus, also a full operatic orchestra.