ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19620, 26 April 1927, Page 18

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"NO, NO, NANETTE." That "No, No, Nanette" has scored a greater triumph than any other musical play staged in Auckland is amply proved by the, qrowds who have besieged His Majesty's Theatre • since the season started. "I Want to be Happy," "Tea for Two," "Take a Little One Step" and a host of other musical gems have taken Auckland by storm and Miss .Elsie Prince, iu the title role, has gained a, permanent, place in the hearts of theatre-goers. Ihe play will be continued each evening until Saturday, wi"h matinees to-morrow afternoon and on Saturday. "CROOKS, LTD." A wealth of new talent and histrionic ability should be revealed when "Crooks, Ltd," this year's play of the university Jitudents, commences a season of one weels at His Majesty's Theatre on May 7. -the titory of the play, which was written byMr. J. Dumble, one of the students, _is said to bo intensely humorous. Mr. Dumble also claims authorship for ttie musical compositions which it is expected will set a new standard for amateur performances. Most of the cast oi size Three," last year's offering,, will be included, but a number of new players have been added to the cast. References to topical and local subjects have been woven into the dialogue and the producers are firmly convinced that the play will attain, if not surpass, previous • efforts. " FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE." That Harold Lloyd has lost little of his ability as a comedian is amply demonstrated in his latest picture, tor Heaven's Sake," which will open at the Princess, Tivoli and Everybody s iheatre to-morrow. It is one of the best of the Lloyd pictures. The story is rather fanciful:—J. Harold Manners (Harold Lloyd), a wealthy clubman, is attracted to a girl in a slum mission and for her he does his best to reform the neighbourhood. Manners has a method of his own in doing this. He casually inquires of the girl whether she would like him to bring the "Pool Hall Gang" to her mission. She joyfully acquiesces, so he sets out with great confidence. He descends into the pool room and, after telling the occupants all about the mission, he insults the leader by pulling his nose. Of course they give chase. As he goes along Manners deliberately trips up several pedestrians and by other practical , jokes on people he manages to swell the number of his pursuers to an alarming extent. He leads them a merry dance and finally rushes them all into the mission. They are unable to get out owing to the arrival of a squad of policemen, so they have perforce to settle down and join in singing , the hymns. Another most humorous comedy scene shows Manners .on a motor-bus wjth a party of drunken "converts." One of the number takes the wheel end the vehicle dashes through the traffic at a highly dangerous pace. Times without number, they escape serious accident by the narrowest of margins. Manners, the only sober member of the party, is well-nigh depaented with anxiety and fear and be is obliged to continually rush round the bus to prevent his associates from falling off. A highly comical ending is provided. Manners is seen marrying the mission-girl. He is too busy admiring his bride to pay much attention to the ceremony and, after taking the ring from his pocket, he absently puts it back again. t Remonstrated with by the minister he produces it again, only to miss the girl's finger and place it on a dog's tail. Eventually everything ends happily. "NELSON." "A noble British picture," is how the London Standard described which will bo shown at the Strand Theatre on Thursday. "At last it puts in its right perspective what is called the 'romance' of Lady Hamilton and her association with Trafalgar's hero. The picture emphasises what was the real romance of Nelson's unquenchable ardour, of his love for England, his worship of duty; his passionate devotion to the Navy he served, and commanded, and the men ho served with; his peerless courage; his flashing gertius in strategy ;, his invincible determination hist lovableness ; his patience; and his humanity. It is just this 'Nelson touch" . which the film gives, together with some fine reproductions of the old wooden battleships. Ther£ are graphic scenes of warfare at the Battles of the Nile and Trafalgar," On the same programme will be a new Johnny Hines comedy. NATIONAL AND LYRIC. " McFadden's Flats," now showing at the National and Lyric Theatres, tells the story of the struggles of an Irishman who, going to Amarica, has ambitions to get out of, the ranks of hodcarriers and become a builder of a flat building that might bear his name. He meets a cautious Scotsman, portrayed by Chester Conklin who becomes his fast friend in spite of their wide differences in taste. They meet with success in their venture, and they are further, bound together by the marriage of their children. " The Dice Woman," starring Priscilla Dean, and the pictures of tho. finals of First National's screen star quest are also shown. STRAND THEATRE. The British picture, ''Every Mother's Son," is proving a popular attraction' at the Strand Theatre. It is a war film, based on the story of the Unknown Soldier. Several thrilling scenes of the Great War are shown, human as well as tragedy forming the basis for several of them. Several fine supports complete a good programme. Among the short pictures are a Strand Magazine, an Aesop's Fable, a nature study film and a comedy. The musical side of the programme has not been overlooked, and in addition to an overture, "Pomp and Circumstance," Miss Margaret Stoddart will give selections on the violin. RIALTO THEATRE. "The Mystery Club," at> adaptation of Arthur Somers Roche's story, "Crimes of tho Armchair Club,'' is tho'principal picture on the programme to commence at the Rialto Theatre to-day. The story centres round a group of millionaires who, in a spirit of fun, make a wager that they could commit a series of crimes which would defv detection. The sudden death of a member decides them to "call off" the bets. Nevertheless, much to the confusion of the clubmen, there follows a series of crimes for which the members are blamed, and of which each' member protests ignorance. The climax brings a surprising and humorous solution. A Western picture, "Driftin' Through," starring Harry Carey, will also bo shown. PRINCESS AND TIVOLI. : A stirring tale of adventure on the high seas is told in "The Eagle of the Sea," now showing at the Princess and Tivoli Theatres. Ricardo Cortez has the principal role as Captain Sazerac, who is •''so' i TiHp. U'sder of a band of pirates. Opposite him is Florence Vidor, who plays the part of the heroine, at first fearing and later loving him. The second feature is "The Mysterious Stranger," Richard Talmadge's latest picture. Talmadge has a congenial role, in which he is called upon to perform several spectacular feats of skill and daring. BAND RECITAL. An enjoyablo musical recital was given by the Municipal Band in the Town Hall on Sunday evening. The programme included the hymn, "Deep Harmony," tho "Poet and Peasant" overture, "L'Arlesi<enne" (Bizet), an Alaskan love song, "Cocheeo," and "Squire's Popula'r Songs'." A clarionet solo was given by Major T. H. Maloy and a euphonium solo by Mr. J. Purchase.

REGENT THEATRE. A Paramount con.edy drama, "Kid Boots," is tho principal attraction on the current programme a'l the Regent Theatre. The locale of the titory is laid in and., about a hotel in a fashionable summer resort. Most of the comedy episodes are furnished by the love affairs ci two couples. There is a vaudeville performance by the 4 'Four Little Kellys, talented young musicians. The "Poet and Peasant" selection and "Asleep in the Deep," are played by Eddie Horton on the Wurlitzer organ. The operatic orchestra plays an overture composed by Mr. Maurice Guttridge. MAJESTIC - THEATRE. "Eve's Lover," the feature on the current programme at the Majestic Theatre, is the romance of a millionaire business woman. A foreign nobleman courts and marries her to escape imprisonment, and she believes in him. Disillusionment comes with knowledge of his_ past, but his startling courage at a crisis when a strike threatens her steel plant finally wins her heart securely. "A Takapuna Scandal," with Hector .St. Clair,- is a supporting picture of local interest. The programme also includes good music and two short pictures. ' VISITING DANCE BANDS. Two famous American bands, known as Ruth Varin's Band and Harvey Ball's Virginians, will make their first and only appearance at the Regent Theatre to-day before leaving by the AortPgi for Sydney this evening. The bands arrived by the Aorangi on Sunday, and by special arrangement with Mr. J. C. Bendrodt the management of the Regent has succeeded in obtaimug their services for one day; Incidentally, it will be the first appearance of both bands in the Southern Hemisphere. The Ruth Varin combination is billed throughout America aa the world's greatest girl band, and they are also known as "the Darlings of American Ballrooms." There are 10 musicians and they play 37 instruments. They include . iu their repertoire not only dance music, but every musician is a solo artist on some instrument or other. They play everything from grand opera to dance music. The orchestra carries 'its own arranger and all the numbers are specially prepared by him before ths girls present them to the public, Before bringing tha. band from America, it was necessary for Mr. Bendrodt to obtain the permission of the United States Government for three of the saxophone players to leava tho country, in view of the fact- that they were only 17 years of age. Harvey Ball and his Virginians need little introduction to gramophone enthusiasts, most of whom have heard their " remarkable Records. The boys in this v combination are from the sunny southern ptates, where modern dance music had its birth. Like Ruth Varin's band, these people were not only one of the most sought-after dance and recording bands . in the United States, but they include some of'the greatest single musical acts' in the American world of dancing. They have as specialities "Soft Shoe" dances, > "Buck and Wing" > dances, "Black Shuffle" experts, comedians, singers and some wonderful solo specialists. Both bands will appear at the Regent at the matinee performance, at a special.; afternoon dance in the ballroom from 3.30 to 5 p.m. and at the session this evening - before they embark for Sydney. On their arrival in Sydney the bands will' epter into a contract at the Palais Royal, ;