AMUSEMENTS

Grey River Argus, 13 August 1937, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS

Opera House “THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE.” “Forward the Light Brigade! Charge for the guns,” he said, Into the Valley of Death Rode the Six Hundred. In 1854 Alfred, Lord Tennyson wrote “The Charge of the Light Brigade” as a tribute to the gallant men of the 27th Lancers wno so willingly laid down their lives at Balaclava in the charge that will for ever stand in history. The stirring, tumultous lines of the poem swept the farthest corners of the earth. It reached all hearts. What schoolhouse has not echoed to the flaming words? Few indeed! Nine out of ten adults can, on hearing the line which ends “some one had blundered” even now complete the poignant verse: Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die; ■lnto the valley of death Rode the six hundred.... ' It was one of these schoolboys—grown to manhood —who found the old exciting lines ringing through his mind, as he roamed the streets, among the chattering crowds. He found himself repeating the lines aloud: When can their glory fade? O, the wild charge they made! All the world wondered. Honour the charge they made! Honour the Light Brigade, Noble six hundred....

Suddenly he stopped as though thunderstruck, thrilled with the idea which had come to him. Why had no one thought of it before? Honour the Light Brigade! Honour the charge they made! But how? By making it the climax of a motion picture! Vast, tragic, soul-stirring it must be! Painted on,a huge canvas —charged with the humanity that verges on divinity—cruel and compassionate —and, above all, worthy of the noble six hundred! Now, after two years of research, Warner Bros, have produced “The Charge of the Light Brigade,” on a scale of grandeur worthy of the name it bears and which takes its rightful place among the mightiest pictures ever filmed. Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland and Henry, Stephenson are starred, while the supporting cast numbers 15,000. The picture commences to-day at the Opera House. Regent Theatre “Banjo on My Knee” will be screened finally at to-day’s matinee at 2.15 and again this evening at 8 o’clock. “ALONG CAME LOVE.”

A worthy successor to “S'eventh Heaven” which set a record for motion picture entertainment, comes from the same author, Austin Strong, in Paramount’s “Along Came Love, a gay comedy of young love, which begins to-morrow at the Regent. “Along Came Love” is the story of a romantic schoolgirl who meets her ideal and contrives to make him propose despite the fact that he has other things on his mind. Irene Hervey and Charles Starrett play the lead roles, with Doris Kenyon, H. B. Warner, Irene Franklyn, Bernadene Hayes, and Ferdinand Gottschalk making up the rest of the cast. NEW “HOPALONG” FILM. The eighth in the popular "Hopalong Cassidy” series of Paramount pictures, “Trail Dust,” which comes to the Regent to-morrow,, returns William Boyd in one'of 'the ■ straightshooting roles which nave made of him one of the most popular characters in “Western” movies. In his latest

adventure he is assisted by Johnny Nelson, played by Jimmy Ellison, and the verbose "Windy,” created by George Hayes. Boyd faces not only natural perils of a droughDridden trail with cattle, but man-made dangers in the form of treachery, avarice and greed. "Trail Dust” deals with a famine brought about by drought, and the efforts of Boyd and his companions to alleviate it. Sinister forces intent upon using the drought as an excuse for raising beef prices, light him at every turn. Boyd reached his greatest heights of popularity when he assumed the “Hopalong” roles. He is a native Oklahoman, and knows his West; an expert horseman and shot, and a great lover of the outdoors. He is quiet.- and unassuming, and seldom comes down to Hollywood’s bright lights from his mountain ranch home where, whenever he gets the chance, he fishes and hunts. He is in fact what "Hoppy” is on the screen. COMPETITIONS FESTIVAL. On Monday evening next at the Greymouth Town Hall, the thirtieth annual Competitions will open under promising auspices, everything pointing to a successful festival. It will continue throughout the week. Sessions will be held during the daytime at the Town Hall and at Trinity Hall, and the evening session in the Town Hall. The entries are nuemerically strong, the dancing entry being much ahead of last year’s, and including several competitors from Christchurch, Ashburton, Allenton, Hokitika, Blackball, Runanga and Wanganui, in addition to local entrants. Some outstanding competition is expected. In elocution entries are not so numerous in the adult classes as previously. The music classes are larger than for several years past on the instrumental side. The judges will be: Music, Mr—C. Davies, of Christchurch, who adjudicated resently at Oamaru, and last year at Dunedin; Elocution, Mr Denys Cow, of Christchurch, who was also judge last year; Bancing, Miss Edna Agnew, who last year judged in Ashburton, and was a well-known Dunedin resident. In all sections keen competition is expected owing to the standard of teaching available in Greymouth, added to which the competitors in the higher classes have the benefit of years of experience. The box plan is open at Kilgour’s, and season tickets, admitting to all sessions and the prize-winners’ demostration can be obtained from the various teachers in Greymouth, and from the secretary, or Mr Eaton. GRAND BALL AT RUNANGA MINERS' HALL. A great attraction, for not only dancers, but the public generally, will b.e the opening next Friday night of the new Miners’ Hall at Runanga, when the ceremony of the opening will be followed by a grand ball. The splendid new dancing floor, laid down in matai timber, 80 feet by 50 feet, will be in itself “an invitation to the waltz,” while the two orchestras being provided will discourse music fitted for both modern and old-time dancing. An elaborate supper is being provided, and everything will Le studied to ensure the enjoyment of the great assemblage which is sure to grace the occasion. KUMARA FIRE BRIGADE BALL. Kumara Fire Brigade which has an enviable reputation for its annual ball, is this year holding the ball on Friday night next, 20th inst., at the Memorial Hall. In addition to an excellent. supper and a specially prepared floor, the Brigade has engaged the Rhythm Dance Band to provide first-class music, while substantial prizes are being offered for novelty dances.