ENTERTAINMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 December 1937, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE

“The Last o£ Mrs. Cheyney, which opened yesterday at the Opera House brought together for the first time the three stars who, singly, have recent!) contributed to the screen three o . the year’s most successful and outstanding pictures. Joan Crawford, direct from “The Gorgeous Hussy ; V llha ™ Powell, from “After the Thin Man , Robert Montgomery, whose P lv Jim” still remains one of the high spots of 1936 screen entertainment. To Miss Crawford falls the title role of the lovely American woman in whose hands gullible English socia ities become easy victims of a plot to trick them out of a fortune in jewels. William Powell, as Mrs. Cheyney s butler, Charles, is revealed as _ the brains of' the group of international thieves, but a lovable crook who makes unusual sacrifices to protect the good name of the woman he adores. Montgomery appears as romantic young Lord Dilling who uncovers the plot to fleece his British friends and who learns the true character of Mrs. Cheyney when she chooses exposure as a thief lathei than submit to his amorous advances. A supporting cast of twenty-one featured players, including Morgan, Jessie Ralph, Nigel Bruce, Colleen Clare, Benita Hume, Ralph Forbes, Aileen Pringle and Melville Cooper. “FEATHER, YOUR NEST.” “No Limit” and “Keep Your Seats, Please,” ttvo of the funniest films ever released, established George Formby among the screen’s _ most popular comedians, and his third picture, “Feather Your Nest,” which comes to the Opera House on Monday, is even funnier than the other two. With his übiquitous ukelele and broad “Lancashire” grin, Formby goes through the paces in high-geared humour. He’s a diimb-witted country “laad,” employed as a gramophone factory recordist. Breaking the. master record of an “ace” crooner, he makes another, substituting his own voice to banjo accompaniment, hoping to save his job and get a five-bob rise with which' to pay instalments on his new house and furniture. The song, “Leanin’ on a Lamp-post,” has a pleasant saving and catchy tune, and is the forerunner of two other equally pleasing numbers, “Feather Nest,” and “I’m as Happy as a Sandboy," which George renders during the film. The fun oscillates between George’s work as a gramophone recordist, and his mishaps in his “very jerry-built nest,”., with hectic interludes at Turkish baths, the local “pub,” and on a run-away motor bike. Ably filling the role of Mary Taylor, Willie’s sweetheart, is Polly Ward, vivacious newcomer to the screen, whose stage reputation stands on solid rock. Ethel Coleridge as-her screen mother, and owner of the Golden Harp Inn, adds many deft touches of humour, while Enid Stamp Taylor also puts in a welcome appearance with Vai Rosing, the “crooner.”

REGENT THEATRE

Feminine beauty is Busby Berkeley’s business. He regards the horde of gorgeous creatures who apply to him for jobs, and the comparative few who get jobs, the way a nut and bolt manufacturer regards his products. Berkeley, whose latest job of beauty-market-ing was done for Dick Powell’s latest musical comedy, '.‘The Singing Marine” which opens to-day at the Regent Theatre, considers supply and demand all the' time. He is, however, in a business in which demand .always exceeds supply, which is as ideal a situation in Berkeley’s business as in the nut ' and bolt business. Of the thouands he sees per annum, he finds about two hundred he can use. Of the two hundred, perhaps a hundred are kept fairly busy. The other hundred are used as “alternates,” when, as in the case of “The Singing Marine,’ there are several elaborate dance numbers. Some like their chorus girls short. Some like them tall. Others like them medium. Berkeley remembers his divided market. Some like them phimp. Some like them slim. Some like them blonde, or red-headed, or brunette. Berkeley takes those likes into consideration. When he is through casting, his chorus represents every variety of beauty according to the respective eyes of the beholders. “This _ business of dance directing,” says Berkeley, “has taught me more about >3 beauty than a stick can bo shaken at. | Ever since ‘42nd Street,’ I have been B learning more and more about the s beauty market and looking at. it so U much like ‘a regular business that 1 T think ip terms of availability, marketability, routing, promotion, and presentation.” Berkeley is regarded in Hollywood as the foremost tycoon of the beauty market. He has become, Hl more than any other man, the symJ bol of the business known as “Beauty. H Inc.” Beautiful Chinese girls are a 3 novelty in “The Singing Marine',’’ part ” of whose action takes place in Shanghai. Doris Weston, a screen newcomer, B is Dick Powell’s leading woman. SCHAEF’S DANCE The spirit of Christmas will pervade Schaef’s popular week-end dance tonight. All dance lovers are invited to be present, to get into form for the grand Christmas Eve Carnival night. The Melody Boys will keep you jiggins. ‘ 1937 DANSE REVUE The Town Hall on Monday and ; Tuesday next will be the scene of a spectacular Danse Revue to be presented by Miss Dorothy Thwaites in aid of the building fund of the Holv Trinity Church. Miss Thwaites has arranged a most diversified programme, in which CO performers have been assiduously rehearsing for some time past. The Revue will open with an enchanting scene entitled “A Black and White Fantasy,” with a brilliant chorus of young ladies and gentlemen. Miss Kath Thomson, the well-known champion dancer, will lead the senior ballots, and Miss Eileen Hannan will be the acrobat. A delightful ballet by the tinty tots from three and a-half years of age will be “In an Old World Garden.” Margaret Ellery and Daphne Goodall, two talented little girls, appear in an attractive duo and other scenes. Phyllis Kinsett will bo “i sure to make a hit as the butterfly in the garden scene, with Margaret Plank as the flower. Amongst the vocalists will be Miss Doreen Donovan, who will appear, in a duet with Mr. T. Clarke. Other attractive numbers will be the tap dancing of Vonnie Goodall, with a bright chorus of young men, and Melva Moss in a speciality dance. Last, but not least, . Santa Claus will make a special apre pearance on the stage. The orches- , tra is under the capable direction of th Steel. The box plan is now open at Kllgour’s.

WIRTH BROS. CIRCUS. To the familiar accompaniment of bright lights, cracking whips, and flying sawdust, Wirth’s mighty 1937 circus will arrive in Greymouth on Thursday and Friday next and a matinee on Friday at 2.30. It is evident from the popularity of the show in Dunedin and Otago towns that Philip Wirch’s claim that “This year’s circus surpasses even the mightiest efforts of Wirth’s own unequalled past,” is no idle boast. The show opens with a grand parade of the entire company, performers and animals, in a setting of gay pageantry. Probably some of the most interesting acts comprising stunts of hair raising character, are the Four Kobes, a clever troupe, direct from Europe, the Three Houstons, direct from Europe per the s.s. Orion, in marvellous feats of balancing high in maid-air, on the top of high poles, The Ten Ziganies, a flashing troupe, celebrated gymnastic, athletic and aerial’champions, the Four Dare-Devil Onotos, aerial motor cyclists, who play with death in a labyrinthic wilderness of mid-air contrivances, Mons. Henri Martel’s performing dogs, the Great Markoni, direct from Denmark, per the s.s. Orontes, world champion automobile leaper. while for comedy antics, Fresco and Cam 11 10. who also hail from Europe, v;ould be hard to beat, not forgetting a bevy of new English, American, and Continental clowns.

Accompanying the big show is a complete stud of beautifully and marvellously trained horses, a vast sufihr menagerie and zoo of strange wild beasts, brought from the four corners of the universe. The zoo Is open to the public each afternoon from 4 to 5, and the children should not miss “Harold,” the orang-outang, favourite of the circus in amazing tricks and comic antics. The location will be Victoria Park racecourse, and seats may be reserved at Kilgours,