ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20235, 20 April 1929, Page 18

ENTERTAINMENTS.

SIR HARRY LAUDER. Supported by a clever vaudeville company, Sir Harry Lauder is meeting with a. splendid reception at His Majesty's Theatre. The many new items which Sir Harry presents have all tho ricli flavour of tho older favourites, embodying an extensive gallery of grotesque characters. The numbers include " When I met Mackay," a naval digression, "There's Somebody Waiting lor Mo, ' a serio-comic Highland idyll, " Flower o' the Heather," ana a ditty with a personal application to the singer, " Keep Right on to the End of tho Road." Sir llarry appears in succession as a private of a Highland regiment,, complete with white tunic, swagger cane and cigarette behind the car; an oldish Scotsman in ill-lilting tweeds, with a carpet bag and umbrella, rejoicing that his wife is safo in hospital for six weeks, and as an elderly Scot, heavily bearded. Mr. Rupert Hazel, who appears with Miss Elsie Day, provides something new *n grotesque humour. His stage parson is one of the funniest creations it would be possible to Imagine. Don Julian is an able lightning sketch artist. 'Hie I'redo Brothers, two Americans, mix acrobatics with fiddle-playing. " r liki" Carpenter dances cleverly, and Miss Beryl Wentworth is a pleasant singer. Mr. Haydn Beck conducts an unusually good orchestra. STRAND THEATRE. To those who attend tho Strand Uicatrc there awaits a programmo of exceptional interest. For tho introduction ol tho " talkies " subjects have been clrosen which arc little short of a revelation. The programmo opens with a Fox movietone newsreel, which includes incidents in America especially suitable for " talkie effect. Perhaps the most interesting feature is the opening of the Newcastlo-on-Tyne bridge by His Majesty the King, whose address and the cheers of the crowd are heard by tho audienco as clearly as if they were really present. It was the King's last public speech before his illness, and for that reason alone is of exceptional interest. One of the foremost personalities in the English literary world, Mr. Bernard Shaw, is clearly heard in a humorous speech, and Miss Gertrude Lawrence, the celebrated English comedienne, appears in a charming "talkie" film. " Chic " Sale, tho famous stage and screen artist, is tho leading figure in " Tho Star Witness," a comedy largely composed of dialogue. Sale's answers as he is crossexamined in the witness box are delightfully subtle, and tho whole film is one which, apart from, its novelty, is very entertaining. Such a variety of subjects in such an unusual form should ensure the present season being one of the most successful known at the theatre. 'llic principal feature of the programme is a soundsynchronised picture, '"J he Street Angel, for which a musical accompaniment is provided by the Famous Roxy Theatre Orchestra, New York, composed of 1.10 talented artists. The picture commenced screening at the Prince Edward Theatro in Sydney a short time after Christmas and is still being presented to record attendances at four sessions a day in a theatro of huge capacity, The picture was directed by Frank Borage, who was responsible for that memorable picture, "Seventh Heaven." Janet Gaynor appears as a little waif of the waterfront, and Charles Farrell as a vagabond artist who meets and falls in love with her. f J heir happiness is overshadowed by an incident of tho girl's past, but eventually this is restored to both. The remarkable photography is a feature of the production. REGENT THEATRE. Unique entertainment is offered at the Regent Theatre, where " Tho Bellamy Trial," a sensational murder mystery drama, featuring Leatrice Joy, is the principal feature. The film combines dialogue i and sound synchronisation, and the. characters are distinctly heard from the screen. Tho result is the, realisation of tho lull effect of spoken dialogue, particularly in the dramatic scenes near tho close, which are truly remarkable. In the film, which is particularly engrossing, tho mystery is skilfully unfolded in a court-room, and as such is specially adapted to sound dialogue. A man and a woman arc on trial for their lives, accused of having slain tho wife of the man. The weight of the evidence is against them, but a last minute surprise turns the Court in their favour. Taken from the. novel by Frances Noycs Uait, the story has been skilfully handled, both with respect to screen and dialogue, by the director, Monte Bell. The, leading player, Leatrice. Joy, is the woman accused. and she is surrounded by a very capable cast, including Margaret Livingstone, (leorje, Bnrraud, Betty Bronson, Kenneth Thompson and many others well known to Auckland picture-goers previously only for their work on the purely silent screen. The secret of the crime is cleverly concealed until the close of the production. There is a tense atmosphere during the trial, where the death penalty hovers over the two accused. .Tins l's caught and is aided by the spoken dialogue iu the dramatic moments. Tho supporting " talkie " and sound synchronised programme is of a wide nature. Joseph Regan, the celebrated Irish tenor, is seen on (lie. screen first. Tho singer's words are ciearly caught, in every part of tho theatre. Three numbers on the piano by Vincent Lopez are excellently produced. The other dialogue numbers aro the appearance of Bailey and Barnuni, two of America's most, popular comedians, and Ella Shields, the world-famous male impersonator. all of whom are splendidly recorded.

CRVSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Victor Hugo's great drama of England in the latter part of the seventeenth century, "The Man Who Laughs," is the principal attraction of the, programme now showing at the Crystal Palace Theatre, Mount Eden. It, is the romance of a maimed clown, his face mutilated into a horrible grin, and a beautiful blind girl, a member of the same troupe. Tlio clown. Gwynplaine, his title discovered by a court schemer, is the subject of a plot between the schemer and the queen, and in endeavouring to escape from their hands he experiences many adventures. Mary I'hilbin, as the blind actress, Conrad Veldt., as Gwynplaine, and Olga Baclanova, tho famous Russian actress, appear in the leading roles. A second attraction is a drama of the boxing ring, "The Main Event," featuring Vera Reynolds. A stage attraction will bp, tho appearance of the Griffiths Duo. society entertainers and well-known broadcasters. The third dance of the new Crystal Wintorgarden will also bo held

SUBURBAN THEATRES. Excellent double-fcaturo programmes will bo screened ;it various suburban theatres this afternoon unci this evening. Two absorbing pictures, "One of the Best" and "Two Red Roses," head the programme at the Prince Edward Theatre. "Take Mo Home" and "Riley the Cop," together with a vaudeville act, comprise the programme at the Capitol Thentre. The Empire Theatre will present "Odds On" and "Prep and Pep." "Champagne" and "Hoofbeats of Vengeance," and a vaudeville interlude, are the attractions at tfie Edendale Theatre. The Grey Lynn Cinema will screen "Tommy Atkins" and "Red Wine." "The Haunted House" and "Clearing the Trail" will be presented this evening onlv at tlm parish hall, Devon port. The' Foresters' Hall, Birkenhead, will show this evening "Romance of the Undorworld."

ORGAN RECITAL. The city organist, Mr. Maughan Barnet t, will give a recital in tlie Town Hall to-morrow evening. A special programme has been arranged in view of the Anzac commemoration on Thursday next. V.uilmaut's "Funeral March" and "Hymn of Seraphs." "In Pnradisum," by Dubois, and Bach's Fugue on ilic hymn tune associated with the hymn, "0. God Our Help," aro among the special pieces selected.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Variety is tlio feature of tho excellent series of films presented at the Majestic Theatre last evening. Tho supporting programme is headed by a clever Van Bibber comedy, "Tho Kiss Doctor," which reveals an amusing account of the manner in which a promising young doctor is cured of an overwhelming shyness and the unexpected results of t lie cure. On the stage Mr. Yorko Gray presents "Shadowland," a novel study in silhouettes, which embodies a graceful dance with a startling denouement and a clever burlesque of the movietone type of film. "Songs of Ireland," a film depicting the localities of famous Irish ballads, was presented with appropriate orchestral accompaniment, several of the better-known airs being sung by a popular Auckland tenor. The interesting Majestic Magazine and Eve's Review, a portion of which was in tcchnicolour, concluded tho short, features. Drama and incongruous humour are inextricably mingled in "Captain Lash," a Fox production starring Victor McLaglen. The actor's fine physique and goncral manliness arc shown to advantage in the depths of the stokehold of a liner, where Captain Lash rules with a rod of iron. Second honours in the production fall to the comedian Clyde Cook, who makes ;i faithful, if somewhat intemperate, companion to Captain Lash when they are enjoying shore life. Other prominent roles are played by Claire Windsor, Jane Winfon, Arthur Stone, Albert Conti, Frank Hagncy and Jean Laverty. The story opens in Sydney, where Lash and Cocky arc seeing the sights and seeking enjoyment in the time-honoured fashion of sailors on leave. The big stoker encounters a dainty blonde, Cora Nevins, and later finds she is a passenger. He succeeds in saving her from serious injury while a party is visiting the stokehold, but in doing so is severely burned by escaping steam, and sent to tho ship s hospital. Cora, who is a notorious thief and smuggler, visits the infatuated stoker and entrusts him with an envelope which he is to deliver In her address in Singapore. The substitution of a handful of bunker coal for the real contents of the envelope and the delivery of the useless scraps to tho outraged Cora mark the climax of an excellent production. The Majestic Orchestra played a popular overture and provided tho accompaniment to a cornet duet by two of its members. PLAZA AND TIVOLI. Humour and romance liavo been successfully blended in " Synthetic Sin," tho main feature of tho programme now showing at the Plaza and Tivoli Theatres. It is tho story of an unsophisticated Virginian girl, whose ambition to become a great actress leads her into a series of amusing and exciting events. An unusual climax is provided when the girl becomes involved in a " gang" war. Colleen Moore and Antonio Moreno appear in tho leading voles, with an excellent supporting cast. All tho colour and the glamour of gold-rush days in Alaska have been vividly depicted in " The Michigan Kid," a further attraction. Tho storytells of the. love of two men for a girl in tho snow and ice bound wilderness of .Alaska. The picture abounds in dramatic situations, which include the escape of a parly down a river flowing through a burning forest. Conrad Nagel and Reneo Adoree act tho principal parts, while the supporting cast, includes Lloyd Whitlock and Fred Esmellon. NATIONAL THEATRE. A British film, based on Stanley Houghton's famous piny of Lancashire life, " Hindle Wakes." is the principal attraction of a 1 varied procrammo being presented at tho National Theatre. The story centres around tho annual carnival at Hindle, an occasion of popular pleasure and excitement. Tho story concerns tho son of ai mill-owner and a worker's daughter, who defy convention. The atmosphere of the holiday resort of Blackpool has been realistically represented in the film. Estelle Brody and Norman McKinnoll appear in the loading roles. Tho supporting picture, " Breed of tho Border," is an exciting adventure film. There is a good supporting picture and a musical score by the National Orchestra'. MILFORD PICTUREDROME. Ken Maynard and his wonder horse.Tar7.an, appear in " The Phantom City," a thrilling mystery drama, which is the main picturo of tho programme to ho i shown at the Picturedrome, Milford, today. Tho programme will include a news lilin, a scenic and a comedy. r pictures will be followed by a dance, with music by Thomson's Orchestra'. MOULIN ROUGE THEATRE. There is an abundance of amusing situations in tho coinedv-drama. " Someone to Love," featuring Charles Rogers, which is tho main attraction of the programme to bo presented at tho Moulin Rouge Theatre, Remuera, this evening. A special matinee to-day will include "Someone to Love" and Sammy Cohen in "Homesick," an hilarious comedy of a transcontinental bicyclo race. There will also ho two comedies, a cartoon and a gazette. The evening session will be followed bv dancing, music being provided bv the Moulin Rouge Super-Six Orchestra. MUNICIPAL BAND AT ZOO. Throe charming numbers from Huinperdinck's fairy play, "Tho Miracle," will be rendered by the Municipal Band tomorrow afternoon at the Zoological Park. Other items in a fiuo programme are Sullivan's "Hi Bollo" overturn, the selections, "Lohengrin," and "The Dollar Princess," "Morgenblatter" waltz, Raff's "Cavatina," together with bright marches and hymn tunes. MUNICIPAL CHOIR. The Municipal Choir, Miss Mina Cnlrknv, vocalist, Miss Ina Bosworth, vio;nist, and the city organist, Mr. Maughan Harnett, will contribute to tho programmo or the first choir concert of tho season in the Town Hall this evening. A varied selection of choral numbers, popular Bongs by Miss Caldow, and interesting violin and organ solos will lie included in the programme. Mr. Leo Whittnkor will net as accompanist,. GRAMOPHONE RECITAL. A gramophone recital of clioico records will be given under tho direction of Howies, Ltd., at, the Town Hall on Monday evening. The programme will also include items by the following artists:— Miss Mollio Atkinson, soprano, Mr. Hartley Warbnrtou, baritone, Misses Isabel Brook, Laurie Hammill and Joyco Howie, and Mr. Eric Middleton, dancers (pupils of Miss Cecil Hall), and Misses Tui Ward and Edna Warburton, accompanists. Mr. Karl Atkinson will act as stage manager. BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA. The Bohemian Orchestra will inaugurate its 16th season at the Town Hall on Thunday, May 2. An excellent programme of varied and well-solected numbers will be presented, and patrons are promised an excellent entertainment. The Bohemian Orchestra, which comprises 80 periormers, is ono of tho finest orchestras in New Zealand. Mr. Colin Muston will act as conductor and Miss Edith Whitelaw as leader. Tho arrangements for enrolling and booking are advertised.