AMUSEMENTS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 227, 8 September 1936, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS

STATE THEATRE "SHOW BOAT." “Show Boat,” at the State to-day, tells the love story of Magnolia and Kavenal on a Mississippi show boat. Irene Dunn, the star, and Allan Jones capture the imagination in these romantic singing roles. Charles Winninger plays Captain Andy, genial river showman. His straitlaced tvife is portrayed by Helen Westley. “Show Boat” is filled with music and dancing and heart throbs. The popular Helen Morgan, as Julie, sings several delightful songs. Paul Robeson, noted baritone, gives resonant voice and robust life to his role, with a chorus of 200 singers providing magnificent musical effects in the background. A cast of 3500 people gives reality and sweep to the production.

REGENT THEATRE

“ROBIN HOOD O 1" EL DORADO.’* With Warner Baxter contributing the finest performance of his career, “Robin Hood of El Dorado,” screens to-day at the Regent Theatre and takes its place among the truly magnificent out door features of the talking screen. Produced on a spectacular scale, it is a romanticised slice Of one of the most glamorous periods of America’s history —that era which began tn 1848 witn the discovery of gold in California. The story of Joaquin Murrieta, as depicted in “Robin Hood of El Dorado,” is the story of one of the Californian Spaniards who was broken under the iron heel of American' invasion on the heels of the discovery of gold, tainted with bold strokes on a romantic canvas, it finds opportunity to present a drama of romantic glanjpur that is vital entertainment.

COSY THEATRE

"GARDEN MUBDER CASE.” Philo Vance falls in love! Right ib the middle of one of the most perplexing murder mysteries of his career, with three crimes waiting to be explained, the scientific sleuth has a severe heart attack from just about the snappiest, classiest, smartest bit of feminity that ever strolled down Fifth Avenue. That’s the big news of "The Garden Murder Case,” that and the fact that Edmund Lowe portrays Philo Vance, with Virginia Bruce as the society girl who gives him palpitation. The picture screens at the Cosy Theatre to-day.

MUNICIPAL THEATRE

CHEAP BUT GOOD PICTURES To-night is 3d and 6d night at the Municipal Theatre, when a double bill will be presented. Owing to theatre noolrin ,v s, fb-s is the nnlv fv ~ this fine bill will be shown. First there is “Shadows of b.ug t>iug . w.ti Brjat and Bruce Cabot in the chief roles. This is the story of a murder, but stress is laid on the working out of the accused girl’s fate rather than the more gruesome incidents. Also showing i“Fugitive Lady,” with Neil Hamilton and Florence Rice starred. This is a mistaken identity romance with many unusual situations and piquant moments. The comedy angle is strongly accentuated and the whole affair is thoroughly enjoyable.

LA MERI’S CASTANETS

The castanet p'aythg ol Signora La Meri, the beautiful and famous dancer, who is visiting New Zealand for a recital tour, will be a revelation tq all who hear her. Many of the Spanish

dances which La Meri will present will be accompanied by castanets. It is not generally known that the not* given out by the right baud ca*tan*t is two full tones higher than that omitted by that of the left hand; also that the climate of a country effects the resonance of the little wooden instruments. During her recent series of recitals in London, Signora La Meri discovered that the damp northern atmosphere, coupiea with the artificial heating of the Savoy Theatre, had a very bad effect on her castanets, which lost brilliance of their tone. In the hands of a great dancer castanets become most expressive and the changes and nuances in the clicking plays a verv important part in the dance. One European paper wrote of La Meri: “She can stand still on the stage and do nothing but click her magic castanets, which send thrills up and down the backs of her audience.” The wonderful effects made by La Meri and her castanets were frequently remarked upon by the London Press. The booking for the concerts in the Hastings Municipal Theatre to-mor-row and Thursday nights is at Fail’s • and early application for seats is advised.