ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 197, 22 July 1931, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

AT THE REGENT. WALTZ TUNES IN “VIENNESE NIGHTS.” His Majesty King George V. is tho most distinguished admirer of Oscar Haipmerstein, the author of Warner Bros.’ original screen romance, “Viennese Nights,” which is now at tho Regent Theatro. Hie Majesty is particularly fond of “Rose Mario,” which Hammeretein wrote, and it is eaid he never misses seeing the first performance of each revival of the' piece in England. It is understood also that Buckingham Palace is being equipped for the presentation of talking pio tures, so that “Viennese Nights,” 'Hammerstein’s first screen story, may be shown to tho Royal family. Vienna is famed for many things, not the least of them the beautiful waltzes that have been written there or dedicated to that city. Probably the most celebrated is tho “Blue Danube” which headed a long procession of Viennese waltzos. In tho screen operetta “Viennese Nights,” there is another beautiful Vienna waltz to be added to tho imposing list of such compositions. “You Will Remember Vienna” is tho namo of this new waltz song which swept the United States as a popular number. It has tho same irresistible swing, tho same singing melody that characterises its predecessors. “Viennese Nights” tolls the story of a love that defied time. Walter Pidgeon, Vivienne Segal, Alexander Gray, Jean Hcrsholt, June Pursell, Louiso Fazenda, Bert Roach and Alico Day are in the cast. Tho entire picture is in natural colour photography and intending patrons are advised to book their seats at the Central Booking Office, ’phone 7178. KOSY THEATRE. “THE RAMPANT AGE” A HIT OF THE SEASON. Moving picture patrons are advised to take out their little black book right now and list “Tho Rampant Ago” among the all-talking screen dramas of the season. Not only is the picture splendid entertainment, but it seems to deal with a vital cpiestion that older folks in the United States have been racking their brains about. That question is: “What* is the matter with the younger American generation ?” Producer Trem Carr may well be proud of “The Rampant Age.” Based on n. stirring story, this extremely entertaining picturo has been given beautiful settings, excellent photography and faithful recording by the RCA photophone system. James Murray, who made such an outstanding hit in “The Crowd” and other pictures, has the leading male role, while the charming and beautiful Merna Kennedy of “Broadway” fame has been cast to play opposite him. Eddie Borden is also in this picture and is exceedingly funny in furnishing tho comedy relief, while Pat Cunning is well placed in the heavy role. John Elliott, who plays a character role in this picture, was, incidentally, responsible for some very fine dialogue direction, and Florence Turner also deserves credit for her performance. PALACE THEATRE. KAY JOHNSON AND REGINALD DENNY IN “MADAME SATAN.” Tho story of “Madante Satan,” screening to-night at tho Palace Theatre, is as follows: Bob and Angela Brooks no longer understand each other. She believes love lor a husband is best expressed by a perfect household and attention to the niceties of life. His philosophy is different. Learning of Bob’s attention to another woman, Angela is aroused and determines to fight for her love. To cover an escape, Bob and hie pal, Jimmie, have declared that Trixie is Jimmie’s wife. When Angela quarrels with Bob . she goes to the “newly-weds” for refuge. An amusing situation arises when Bob arrives at the apartment. He docs not learn, however, that Angela is the woman Jimmie so fearfully hides under a quilt. He is told that she will bo at the ball Jimmie is giving aboard a Zeppelin the next evening.'The ball is a masked one. There are a number of divertissements, songs, a mechanical ballot etc., before the voluptuous Madame Satan appears, gowned in black, gold and red. This creature of charms wins the starved heart of Bob. He is hers completely until awkward Jimmie tells him she was the girl of the apartment. Bob, disgusted., grabs Madame Satan in his arms, and Angela removes her mask just as the Zeppelin tears loose from its mooring mast and imperils its guests in a storm. All leave the airship via parachute save Bob and Angela, \vho grow nearer together as death faces them. Angela escapes in a parachute, whilo Bob, in a sovored half of tho Zeppelin, lands in tho city reservoir. The next day Jimmie comes to try and patch up the trouble between Bob and Angela, only to find that it has adjusted itself. ALLAN WILKIE AND MISS HUNTERWATTS. A unique entertainment will bo provided by these world renowned artists on Monday and Tuesday, July 27 and 28, at the Opqra House, when they will give two Shukespcaren performances consisting of great scenes which will embrace about a dozen of their most famous impersonations. The programme, besides the Shakespearean items, will also include scenes from the delightful old English comedies, “The School for Scandal” and “She Stoops to Conquer.” The value and enjoyment of this form of entertainment, as contrasted with the or dinary conditions of the stago presentation of Shakespeare, lies in the fact that only the essence of Shakespeare, as it were, is given, and the audience is not called upon to witness the minor and unimportant scenes, which however interesting they may bo to the enthusiastic Shakespearean, perhaps do not always prove so to the ordinary theatregoer, and also in (his entertainment every character is impersonated by finished .artists, whereas it is practically impossible to have the roles oven adequately portrayed in the conditions appertaining to the usual stago presentation. A further advantage in this type of entertainment is that with the varied programme to be submitted every taste is catered for, the selected scenes ranging from sparkling comedy to tho heights of sublime tragedy. Special concessions arc being made to school children and full particulars of the performance will be found in our advertisement columns.