ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19808, 1 December 1927, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS.

. "THE MIKADO." The crevival of "The Mikado" by the Gilbert and Sullivan Comic Opera Company in His Majesty's Theatre last evening meant, for the music lover, another joyous entertainment. By virtue of their long-sustained experience and their own natural gifts the company worthily upheld the Savoy traditions. Mr. Charles Walenn, of the old school of genuine Savoy interpreters, was both convincing and diverting as the tender-hearted little gentleman, Ko-Ko, who rejoiced in the glory of his nominal office of Lord High Executioner. As Pooh-Bah, Mr. John Ralston made an impressive character of adequate pomposity. All the attributes of the love-smitten Yum-Yum were possessed by Miss Strella Wilson. She was a pert, lovable madcap. Her duels of wit with Ko-Ko were full of sparkle and finesse—the weapons were rapiers., not bludgeons. Besides his excellent portrayal of the Mikado, the make-up of Mr. Bernard Manning was remarkable. As Nanki-Poo Mr. James Hay was at his best, while Miss Winifred Williamson, playing Katisha, was delightful. An undoubted feature of the opera is the brightness of the settings and the tuneful songs and melodies. REGENT THEATRE. Probably the best-known comedians acting for the screen, Wallace Beerv and Raymond Hatton, have a series of successes to their credit unparalleled in the picture industry. Their first picture was Behind the I' rent," a war comedy, foltowed by "We're in the Navy Now," dealing with the lighter side of life at sea. Their latest picture, "Firemen, Save my Child," which will be seen at the Regent Theatre to-morrow, shows the pair as awkward recruits in a small-town fire brigade A production now being made will deal with their hilarious adventures in the air. "Firemen, Save my Child," was directed by Eddie Sutherland, who made their previous comedies The story may be best described as a burlesque of the old melodrama of gallant fire-fighters making a sensational last-minute rescue of the superintendent's daughter Tha part of the girl is played by Josephine Dunn, one of the Paramount junior stars, and Tom Kennedy and Joseph Girard, who have appeared in previous pictures with Beery and Hatton, take other important roles. An oatstanding musical event at the Regent will be the firsit appearance in the Dominion of Russo and Bradford, operatic singers, who have gained wide popularity in J. C. Williamson vaudeville m Australia Both are. said to have particularly good voices. Assisted •by Mr. Maurice Guttridge's orchestra they will sing a number of operatic gems each evening. Eddie Horton will contribute popular organ numbers. The usual varied collection of supporting films will be screened. NATIONAL THEATRE. Based on the famous stage play of the same name, "The Third Degree," which will open a short season at the National Theatre to-day, is a powerful dramatic argument against circumstantial evidence. A man is found shot in a luxurious New York apartment. When the police arrive they find the husband of a woman with whom the victim was acquainted standing ovc* the body in a dazed condition with a small automatic revolver n« his hand. He smells of liquor, and bears the signs of a fierce struggle. As every circumstance points to his guilt, the detectives set about to make him confess bv the use of the infamous "third degree." After many hours of mental torture he weakens Hardly knowing what he dioes he signs a confession to end the agony. With the backing of strong circumstantial evidence the confession means certain conviction and probably the death penalty. The only person who knows the truth and is able to save him is impelled to silence by the strong motive of self-preservation. The principal role is filled by Dolores Costello, other well-known players in the cast being Louise Dresser, David Torrence, Kate Price and Tom Santoehi. The supporting programme includes a comedy, "The Self-Starter," starring Reed Howes, and the usual gazettes. TIVOLI AND EVERYBODY'S. A full and graphic picture showing the recent thrilling contest for the world's heavy-weight boxing championship between Dempsey and Tunney will be the principal attraction on the programme showing at the Tivoli Theatre to-day and to commence showing at Everybody's Theatre to-morrow. In view of the controversy regarding the duration of the count in the seventh round, when Dempsey floored Tunney and, it is contended, , knocked him out, the picture should prove of great interest to Auckland sportsmen. Showing the great match round by round, it is a unique record of an outstanding sporting event. The supporting features at the Tivoli Theatre are " Rubber Heels," a detective story, starring the well-known comedian, Chester Conklin, and Ed. Wynn, one of the high-est-paid figures on Broadway, and the .ninth of the popular' " Collegians " serlies. At Everybody's Theatre the programme will include " Rubber Heels" and " Cradle Snatchers," one of the most amusing pictures of the year. Based on the stage farce of the same name, which recently drew enthusiastic audiences in Auckland, the story is both original in conception and amusing. A succession of ludicrous situations follow one another without a dull moment in the picture.

PRINCESS THEATBJS. Known as one of the most sensational heavy-weight boring championship contests of a decade, the recent DanpseyTunney encounter at the Soldiers' Field, Chicago, was filmed round by round and makes a most thrilling picture. This production will commence a short season at the Princess Theatre to-day. All the details of the actual fighting may be clearly seen by the audience, who 1 can follow the contest N blow by blow and form their own opinion on the climax in the seventh round, when Dempsray floored Tnnney and almost succeeded is. his great effort to regain the title. The second attraction on the programme is " Lonesome Ladies," a First National comedy in which Anna Q. Nilsson and Lewis Stone have the principal roles. A drama of marital life and romance, the story deab for the most part with domestic difficulties. In addition to the featured players the cast includes, five beauties of varying types, Jane Winton, Doris Lloyd, Fritzie Ridgeway, Grace Carlyle and De Sacia Mooers. The story was written by a woman, Lenore Coffee, and adapted by Winifred Dunn. The ninth picture of the popular " Collegians" series will complete an attractive picture programme. A vaudeville item will also be presented by Tilton and West, well known as the " Joy Boys." STRAND THEATRE. Buster Keaton, known as the " frozenfaced comedian, is the principal attraction on the new programme to commence showing at the Strand Theatre to-morrow. His newest United Artists* picture, " College," shows him in an entirely new setting and presents bis antics against a quickly shifting background of bsoebitH games, track meetings, regattas and fraternity celebrations. He is the head boy. of a small high school, who has besn brought up to believe that brains are superior to brawn, and who goes to a college despising athletic achievements, until his fiancee insists that he should demonstrate his prowess. The finale of the picture occurs at the ahnual boat race. Buster hoping to be coxswain of his college crew. Ann Cornwall is Kenton's leading lady. Other well* known actors in a strong ctist are Snitz Edwards, Grant Withers, Harold Goodwin and Flora Bramley. Among the "extras" in the rowing scenes are many prominent university oarsmen, while many faincais track athletes are seen in action in spectacular running events. A varied supporting programme includes a comedy, an Aesop fable cartoon, the Strand Magazine, orchestral overture and vocal numbers by Miss Owen Evans* aoprano.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. J, 11| : Few of last year's debutantes of the screen world have attained sudb widespread popularity as Sally O'Neil. Her captivating qualities were revealed in her first picture, "Mike;" and h*re been shown in all succeeding films. On * the screen of the Majestic Theatre to-morrow she will appear in "Becky," a drama of city and stage life. Miss O'Neil appears in the title role, that of a, shop assistant, occupying a single room in a New York tenement. The story tells of her transformation into a musical comedy favourite Recording his impressions a film critic said; "Her trials and escapades pulsate with life itself 5 and laughs, heart-throbs, tears and " thrills chase each other in swiftly-moving sequences." Mack Swain, who was or,ca a popular actor in Mack Sennett comedies, has a, part with plenty of scope for whimsical humour. Owen Moore, also in the cast, is said to combine humour with some splendid emotional acting. Under the direction of John P, McCarthy, "Becky" has been lavishly staged, the settings including reproductions of a large department store and a luxurious theatre. On the supporting programme will be a delightful dance fantasy entitled " The Gambol of the Goblins," by Mme. Valeska arid tha baby ballet. Other features will be the orchestral interlude, "Der Freischutz" (Weber), a Lupino Lane comedy, Eve s Review, a NewZealand scenic film, and the latest topical budgets. , LYRIC THEATRE It is often said it takes women to devise the most intimate and most human domestic comedy, for fiction, stage or screen. The truth of the statement is illustrated in " Lonesome Ladies," a First, National comedy-drama of marital difficulties and romance, screening to-day at the Lyric Theatre. ' The story was written by Lenore Coffee, famous woman film writer, and adapted by the evenmore celebrated screen authoress, Winifred Dunn. The five " lonesome " girls and the remainder of the cast were chosen, with all the eare and deliberation employed by an artist selecting his colours for a landscape. Lewis Stone and Anna Q. Nilgson head the cast in the featured roles. Vieing with Miss Nilsson in the display of feminine charm are Jane Win ton, Fritzie Ridgeway, Doris Lloyd, De Sacia Mooers and Grace Carlisle. The inimitable Priscilla Dean is featured in the other attraction, "Forbidden Waters," in which a young divorced woman iearns that her ex-husband has fallen a victim to the wiles of a beautiful blonde, unaware that she is a clever criminal, seeking only to rob Mm of his fortune. The divorced wife foils the fair deceiver iri a series of thrilling incidents. In accomplishing this end the young wife brings about many humorous and startling situations, which are eventually disentangled, but not until she realises that her husband is a really fine fellow and well worth while as a husband. Miss Dean is delightful in her portrayal, while Walter McGrail, Miss Dean's new leading man, does good work. Casson Ferguson and De Sacia Mooers, as the conspirators, are excellent. Dan Mason, as an old Westerner, is cast to good ad-, vantage. A MUSICAL RECITAL. A musical recital, in aid of Sister Esther's mission, will be given in the Town Hall Concert Chamber this evening by Mr. Barry Coney and his students. A varied programme of vocal and pianoforte items has been arranged. MR. WALTER IMPETT'S STUDENTS. Students of Mr. Walter, I'mpett will give a vocal and pianoforte recital in the Unity Hall this evening. In addition to a comprehensive programme selected from the works of classical and modern composers, there will be two vocal quartet,is. "In Merrie England" (German), and "Dusk of Droams" (Easthope Martin). Special lighting effects have been arranged by Mr. Arthur Fairburn.