ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 237, 4 September 1928, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

THEATRE DE LUXE. “THE LAST WALTZ.” “The Last Waltz,” which brines a pleasing story to the screen, will have its final screening at the Theatre do Luxe tonight. In “Tho Last Waltz” there arc mystery and drama —spectacle and court intrigue—all to tho strains of an old waltz. In an operetta that was produced by tho Shuborts in New York a few years ago, lone of the songs was called “The Last Waltz.” This name was given to the play, and now the picture is named after the play. Hence, the picture is named after the song. It is a highly romantic vehicle about life and love in the Balkans. Princes, dukes and royalty in general take part. There is also an excellent supporting programme —two very fine gazettes, a cartoon and a comedy. Miss Dorothy Baker, in her violin solo, “Humoresque,” further enhances this excellent programme. MADGE BELLAMY IN “SOFT “LIVING.” > Lovely dark-eyed Madge Bellamy, the queen of all light comediennes, comes 10 tho do Luxe Theatre to-morrow, commencing at the matinee at 2 p.m., in another scintillating 'Fox Films comedy, “Soft Living.” It is based on an original story on the question of love versus alimony and more than gives Miss Bellamy a chance to prove her genius as a subtle comedienne. It is tho story of a young secretary who marries a handsome young man for his money, hut who finds to her amazement it is much easier and more pleasing to herself to win hid love than his pocketbook. Johnny Mack Brown plays opposite Miss Bellamy. Reserves are at Berryman’s; theatre ’plnonc 5050.

PALACE THEATRE. “THE COLLEGE WIDOW” FINALLY TO-NIGHT. The story of “The College Widow,” to be shown finally to-night at tho Palace Theatre, is of Atwater’s football team which had lost for twenty-five years. The president of the college was tx> lose his job and then the president’s pretty daughter took tho bull by the horns, recruited a football team by her own personal charm, and had them all fighting like tigers for the school, wdre in love with her when suddenly tho team refused to play. This is a delightful football aomedy and it stars Dolores Costello. On tho stage will be seen Clarence Bell in a new xylophono number. “CARMEN” THE PICTURE. In conjunction with a dainty dancing prelnde and a special “Carmen” orchestral accompaniment, Win. Fiox’s 1928 epic, “The Loves of Carmen,” will open a three nights’ season at the Palace Theatre to-morrow at 2 p.m. The girl with tho heart of a wanton, tho mind of a child and the soul of a woman, “Carmen,” at last will be depicted by one who understands tho emotions of tho famous character born from tho prolific pen of Prosper Merrimee. Probably for the first time the .celebrated story of the little gipsy girl with tho flaming eyes and fiery emotions will be portrayed ,by a real Spanish beauty, one who doesn’t'need a vivid imagination to conceive of the proverbial passions of Old Seville, for through her veins courses tho blood of Spain. She is Dolores Del Rio, reared in romantic Mexico by parents of Spanish nobility. Like “Carmen,” Miss Del Rio has found herself precipitated from her own circle of friends in the Mexican capital to stardom in iilms as a result of her unique beauty and emotional power. First she appeared as the adorable Cliarmaine in “.What Price Glory,” and in a flash tho world acclaimed her as a new star in the film firmament. The stage has had many “Carmens” of tho opera, but none equalled the physical “Camcn” as she will bo seen in the form of Dolores Del Rio. Victor AleLaglen is the British soldier of fortune, the' bnonze giant, with the infectious smile, the devil-may-care spirit and the ever youthful recklessness, which has won a place in the hearts of picture lovers everywhere.

ROSY THEATRE. A WELL-KNOWN STORY FILAIED. Alilton Sills, who has given some of the finest characterisations in tho history of the motion picture, has one of his greatest roles in “The Valley of tho Giants,” showing finally at. the Kosy Theatre to-night. Sills’s portrayal of Bryce Cardigan, son of the pioneer lumber magnate in the picturisation of Peter B. Kyne’s great romance of the big trees, is one that stamps him as a consummate artist, and one that will long bo remembered. “The Valley of the Giants” is a story set among the forests of California, with the colourful lumber industry as a background. In this environment Sills is perfectly at home, and his interpretation of Kyne’s hero leaves nothing to be desired. Playing opposite Sills is Doris Kenyon, who returns to the screen after a year’s absence. Aliss Kenyon is ideally cast as tho sweetheart of young Cardigan and does her usual faultless performance. Paul Hurst is seen in the role of Randeau, the half-breed lumber boss. With such an excellent cast all tho noles in “The Valley of the Giants” are well haftdled, and Sills is given excellent support. “The Valley of the Giants” is superb entertainment and adds another great role to the lists of Alilton Sills’s successes on the screen. The supporting feature, “Won in tho Clouds,” stars A 1 Wilson, world’s champion stunt flier. A further chapter of “Blake of Scotland Yard,” the new serial, a gazette, interest and comedy complete this excellent programme. GRAND OPERA. BOX PLAN FOR CARMEN” OPENS TO-AIORROW. The box plan for the performance of "Carmen,” the farewell night of tho Fuller-Gonsalez Italian Grand Opera Company, opens to-morrow at the Opera House, and judging by the advance demand for tickets it is reasonable to expect a record booking. Intending patrons would be well advised to secure their 6eats without delay, so as to avoid disappointment. The success which this opera scored in the principal cities of the Dominion is an indication of the treat that opera-goers have in store.