ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 269, 12 October 1929, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

PALACE TALKIES. “4 DEVILS” TO-NIGHT. F. W. Murnau, noted director £or Fox Films, whose initial offort in “Four Sons” produced acclaim from critic and layman alike, has Janet Gaynor heading the oast of hie current production, “4 Devils,” opening at the Palace Theatre to-night. The selection of Miss Gaynor presented no problem to Mr Murnau. Her experience with the directorial genius in “Sunrise” prepared her for his requirements. The remainder of the cast was a different matter. Of course Farrell Macdonald, another artist benefiting from Mr Murnau’s association in his first picture, was an exception. For the others many testfc were required. The fortunate players he selected for roles in “4 Devils” were not stare of the first magnitude. Charles Morton, Nancy Drexel, Barry Norton and Mary Duncan have fine parts, and are considered the most envied members of the motion pioture fraternity to-day. Among others cast in “4 Devils” are Claire McDowell, Jack Parker, Philippe do Lacy, Dawn O’Day, Anita Fromault, Wesley Lake and Anders Randolf. “4 Devils” is taken from an original story by Herman Bang. It is simple in theme, but attains powerful proportions as a story when told pictorially under the influence of Mr Murnau’s amazing technique. ROSY THEATRE. GREAT WEEK-END PROGRAMME. Again the Rosy maintains its reputation with a first-class programme for this evening. Beautiful Alice Joyce heads the programme in a story of modern youth, entitled “The Rising Generation.” This feature deals with the jazz craze of present day American youth. Ably assisting Alice Joyce is Jamieson Thomas and Betty Nuttall, the noted English tennis star. There is “sufficient tragedy and drama in life for all to welcome a sharp departure from the conventional drama of the scrceen. “Flower of the Forest,” a delightful Continental subject offers that opportunity. Hero we have an unsophisticated story of the daughter of a forester who falls in love with the King, believing him to be a royal servant. Everything that happens is on the delightful piano of might-have-been, and everybody in the picture acts in this spirit. The principal part is played by Lya Mara, a beautiful Viennese artiste. Seldom has any artist made such a profound impression On a. first acquaintance. As an added attraction, chapter eight of “Tarzan the Mighty,” entitled “The Junglo Traitor,” will be shown. THEATRE DE LUXE. LAURA LA PLANTE COMEDY. For the first time in her screen history, Laura La Plante, the “personality girl” of the silvereheet, plays a chorus girl in “The Love Trap,” her latest Universal starring production which comes to the Theatre de Luxe to-day. Throughout her career in motion pictures, she has played every feminine characterisation, but Miss La Plante never before was cast as a chorus girl. However, after the first sequence of the pioture in rehearsal attire, the romance of the film takes the heroine into the gilded halls of an aristocratio family, wherein her experiences givp full scope to her dramatio ability and lead to the unique climax which again affords her the opportunity to display her marvellous “personality” appeal. Tho backstage sequences of tho picture were taken in a specially built "wing 3” set, the bare boards and shabby surroundings being particularly realistic. In contrast with this, several very elaborate sets were constructed for the scenes in the Cadwallader home, the interior effects being decoratively and photographically equal to any multimillionaire’s splendour, even in New York or Long Island. The cast includes Neil Hamilton, Robert Ellis, Norman Trevor, Jocelyn Lee, Clarissa Selwynne and others. The box plan is on view at the Central Booking Office, Broadway, ’phone 7178 until 5 p.m. and thereafter at the theatre, ’phone 5050. , 1 NICOLA THE MAGICIAN. Sir Benjamin and Mr John Fuller will present Nicola and his talented company at the Opera House on Wednesday next. Since his last tour Nicola has added a number of new and novel illusions to his repertoire, among which are “Seeing Through a Woman,” “The Living Pin Cushion” and “The Escaped Prisoner.” Nicola also has a stock of weird and uncanny tricks, besides which he has a fund of humour which makes the programme a thoroughly enjoyable one. The box plans are now open at the Central Booking Oflioe. Nicola is just concluding a long and successful season at the St. James’s Theatre, Auckland, where he has mystified and entertained large audiences nightly. WESTMINSTER GLEE SINGERS. CELEBRATED ENGLISH COMPANY. At the Opera House on Friday, October 18, the world-famous Westminster Glee Singers will appear in a highly diversified programme. Particular attention has been paid to the choice of items, old-world glees, madrigals, part-songs, vocal dances and humorous vocal scenes, all being represented with a choice assortment of National British songs, skilfully arranged for chorus. The opportunity of hearing these wonderful examples of true genius and vocal art should not be missed by members of choral bodies, and the rendering of the Glee Singers will be found to be notable in their finish and artistic excellence. Folk songs and nursery rhymes play an important part in the repertoire of the boys’ singers, whose fresh high soprano voices are thrilling in thoir exquisite clearness and purity. Those who are familiar with the magnificent work of the historic cathedral and church choirs of England will bo able to refresh old memories, while those who have not had this privilege will have a unique opportunity of hearing some of this beautiful musie under ideal conditions. Only one performance can be given in Palmerston North and the box plans open at tho Central Booking Office, Broadway, on Wednesday, 16th instant.