ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20255, 15 May 1929, Page 19

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE MIDNIGHT FROLICS,

Tho Midnight Frolics will begin their farewell season of eight nights at His Majesty's Theatre this evening in a programme of now songs, musical items, ballets, dances and sketches. In tho majority of these tho irresistibly humourous comedian, Mr. Clem Dawe, and Miss Monti Magnet, tho brilliant young London comedienne, will bo the outstanding players. Clem Dawo is very popular in Auckland, and ho is certain of being warmly welcomed when lie makes bis appearance this evening. A largo amount of interest is being taken by playgoers in tho reappearance of Miss Motia. Magnet, as her exploits in London have stamped her as one of the' cleverest of her typo to have visited Auckland. An outstanding feature will again bo tho Frolics Jazz Band. Another featuro of this evening's programme will be a burlesque cantata entitled " Horsey Keep Your Tail Up," which is said to create screams of laughter from beginning to end. Tho other members of tho company will-be seen in new items. Box plan arrangements are advertised. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Tho activities of the mystery ships during the war have been splendidly recorded in Die British film, "Q-Ships." which is being shown at the Majestic Theatre. The vital part played by these ships in mastering the Gcrmaji submarine campaign has been graphically pictured, and no more thrilling story of the war at sea could be fold. The German viewpoint of fho struggle is also shown. ,Tho war on land and the activities of tho espionage systems on both British and German sides receive careful treatment in "Iruo Heaven," a Fox film with an unusual climax. George O'Brien, as a* British officer in the German lines, and Lois Moran, as a German agent with whom lie has fallen in love, are tho principals. "Trent's Last Case," taken from the mystery novel by E. C. Bcntley, is the principal attraction of the programme to commence 011 Friday. The plot revolves about the figure of a saturnine cripple, who plans to shoot himself in such a way as to bring a charge of attempted murder 011 his wife's lover. The manner in which the web of circumstantial evidence is tightened and the surprising climax are claimed to make the" picture one of the most unusual film dramas of tho year. Donald Crisp, Raymond Hatton, Raymond Griffith, Marccline Day, Lawrence Gray and Nicholas Sousanin appear in the principal roles. STRAND THEATRE. The adventures of a daring bandit, the Cisco Kid, and his love for a beautiful half-caste girl, Tonia Maria, form the theme of "In Old Arizona, the novel talking picture which is now showing at the Strand Theatre. A feature of the production is tho remarkable photography, a large part of which shows outdoor scenes, and is accompanied by the natural sound effects. Tho leading roles are played by "Warner Baxter and Dorothy Burgess, and tho supporting cast includes many well-known artists. Hie story opens with the offer of a large reward for the capture of the Cisco Kid, and the departure of Sergeant Mickey Dunn, a daring cavalryman, who has been commissioned to find the bandit. He persuades Tonia Maria to betray her lover, but the Cisco Kid learns of the betrayal and takes vengeance in his characteristic way. The supporting programme of shorter talking pictures includes items by the popular jazz artist, Ben Bernie, and his orchestra of 16 players, the Royal Hawaiian Singers in "Honolulu Melodies," and the English stage comedienne, Beatrice Lillie. The programme is completed by a Fox Movietone News, showing events of world-wide interest. PLAZA THEATRE. A 1 Jolson, who is recognised as one of the most popular vaudeville entertainers in America, plays the leading role in "The Singing Fool," "the principal feature now showing at the Plaza Theatre. _ Ho is seen as a young vaudeville artist who marries a beautiful member of the same company, only to find her unfaithful. He loses all ambition, but redeems himself for the sake of his baby son, quickly establishing himself as a favourite entertainer. The child suddenly becomes ill, but the father remains in ignorance of the fact until the crisis is reached. lie is hastily summoned, and reaches the hospital only to have the little boy die in his arms. The film abounds in emotional scenes, and tho talking effects aie remarkably clear throughout. The leading feminine roles are played by Betty Bronson and Josephine Dunn. Hie shoiter features include an excellent rendering of the famous "Tannhauscr" _ overture by tho New York Philharmonic Orchestra, and vocal and instrumental numbers by other artists. REGENT THEATRE. "White Shadows in the South Seas," •a sound-synchronised production, which is showing for an extended season at the Recent Theatre, deals with the coming of the white man to the islands and the tragic- results which follow. Adapted from Frederick O'Brien's book of Hie same name, the film gives a graphic potfrayal of the effects of civilisation in the South Seas. The story is set on a beautiful island where a ragged beach-comber, once a successful doctor who ruined his career through drunkenness, earns a precarious living, and tho unscrupulous while traders, led by a certain Sebastian, force the natives to dive for pearls, lho doctor is instrumental in saving a native girl from Sebastian, and for some tunc lives happily with her among the natives, who idolise him. The traders resort to force, and in a melee the doctor is killed. The excellent scenery and sound effects make the film highly enjoyable, lho supporting programme of short features includes a newsreel showing tho fatal accident to Leo Bible, the racing motorist. 1 [ H'PODROME THEATH K. The popular fairy pantomime "Cinderella" is the principal attraction on (he special mntineo programme being presented daily at tho Hippodrome Theatre. The cast includes 50 clever performers, while the whole production has bc.'ii arranged by Miss Lillian O'Lcary. A further attraction is a Mctro-Goldwyn-Meyer comedy, "Brotherly Love," featuring Karl Dano and G. K. Arthur. 'J lie story is of two occupants of a prison, rivals for the love of the governor's pretty daughter. Their antics to shine, as football players provide the brightest of comedy. Jean Arthur, Edward Connelly, Richard Carlylo and Marcia llariss aro members of a prominent cast. MOULIN ROUGE THEATRE. " Roso Marie," the screen version of tho successful stage play of the same name, will bo shown at the Moulin Rougo Theatre this evening. The film abounds in adventure and romance, and has proved highly popular elsewhere. A featuro of the production is the remarkable photography, while tho scenic effects are unique. Tho second attraction is "Tesha," a stirring drama of the stage. A special matinee will bo held this afternoon. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. "Stand and Deliver," a story of adventure in a mythical European monarchy, featuring Rod La Rocquo and Lupe Velcz. is tho principal attraction to be presented at the Crystal Palace Theatre this evening, The story deals with a British airman, who, after the war, yearns for something to relieve the monotony of life. He hears of a baudit who holds tlie kingdom of Olania in terror, and there he finds endless adventure. The second film is "Two Outlaws," with the wonder horse Rex as a prominent member of tho cast.

TIVOLI AND EVERYBODY'S. A mystery picture, "Seven Footprints to Satan," is the main feature of tho programme to commence at the Tivoli and Everybody's Theatres to-morrow. It is tho story of a young couple who arc kidnapped and taken to a strange mansion inhabited by a queer character known as "Satan." He is surrounded by a number of weird and grotesqtio figures. The two encounter those fantastic characters and are repeatedly warned against a creature called "Tho Spider." A dwarf befriends them, but they aro several times caught and as frequently escape. Until tho timo of their freedom they are beset by every conceivable experience, and excitement is maintained until the last Creighton Halo and Thelma Todd appear in tho leading roles and the strong supporting cast includes Sheldon Lewis, Laska Winter and Do "Witt Jennings. The power of tho daily newspaper in setting tho truth before tho public is said to havo been graphically pictured in a Universal story of a newspaper's fight against underworld forces, "Freedom of tjic Press," which is a further attraction, ihe battlo between the two forces, iuto which there has been introduced a pleasing romance, is said to niako an absorbing picture. Lewis Stone appears in the leading rolo and important parts are, played by Marcelino Day and Malcolm McGregor. AEOLIAN ORCHESTRA. There was a largo attendance at the Lewis Eady Hall last evening, when the Aeolian Orchestra submitted tho first programme of tho season under tho baton of the new conductor, Mr. 11. Hollinrake. Judging by tho icsults obtained in the majority of tho selections, the society should gain many new subscribers; the programme was sufficiently ambitious without overtaxing the executive abilities of tho members, while Mr. Hollinrakc's mastery over his players was fully apparent. He frequently secured -fine points of expression and generally succeeded in gaining a ready responso to his decisive beat. Boildieu's popular overture to "The Caliph of Bagdad," which opened the programme, is one of tho best examples of tho lighter French operatic style of a past century. The "Andantino" in six-eight tempo was smoothly, played, while tho tripping measures of the ensuing "Allegro" were neatly given out. That tho charm of Haydn's music is not lost to the present generation was apparent by the applause which followed the rendering of tho "Minuet" and "Finale" from one of tho best-known symphonies from tho pen of the old master. The rhythmical features of Tschaikowsky's "Valso des Flours," from the "Nutcracker" suite, were well presented, while selections on themes from Gounod's "Faust" and Sullivan's "Pirates of Penzance" gavo many opportunities for creditable solo playing, principally by members of the brass and wood-wind department. Mr. Frank M. Prico was a capable leader of the orchestra. Mr. Neville Walker rendered tho violin solos "Rondino" (Beethoven-Kreisler) and "Czardas" (Monti) with much acceptance and was recalled. Mr. William Gemmell, who was in exexcellent voice, submitted finely temperamental interpretations of his baritone numbers, the Prologue to "Pagliacci" (Leoncavallo) and "The Battle of Stirling" (Chisholm), as well as his encore solos. Tho pianoforte accompaniments were played by Miss Winifred Cooke. FULLER-HAYWARD THEATRES. Attractive films will bo presented at the various Fuller-Hay ward suburban theatres to-day. "The Spy" and "Blue Skies" will bo shown at the Prince Edward this afternoon and this evening, while "Drums of Love" and "Scarlet Seas" will bo presented at the Capitol. "Laugh, Clown, Laugh," starring LOll Chaney, is the principal feature at <he Empire and Edendale Theatres. "Rod Hair" and "Homesick" will be screened at the Parish Hall, Devonport, and "Naughty Baby" and "After tho Storm" will be the principal features at the Grey Lynn Cinema. "THE KING OF KAWAU." Students of the Auckland University College will present a musical farce. "The King of Kawau" or "Seventy Millions," at St. James' Theatre for a season of seven nights commencing on Friday. Written by Dr. J. C. Andrews and Mr. J. Nigel Wilson, the play will be produced by Mr. J. A. S. Coppard, who was largely responsible for the success of a former university play, "Tilly U Tamaki." A feature of the production is the clever-ballet, which has been specially trained by Mile. Valeska. The cast includes Misses Freda Gaudin, Ruth Walker and Jean MacCormick, and Messrs. A. H. H. Friar-Raisher, F. Martin, J. Gregory, D. Plummer, R. Fenwick, J. E. Forde and R. E. L. Aubin. The plot deals with the financial difficulties of the State of Kawau, which is on tho verge of bankruptcy. The situation is saved by the ingenuity of Sir Joseph Hoard, who succeeds in'raising the sum of £70.000,000. Topical songs are a feature of the production, the musical director being Mr. T. G. T. Sparling. Booking arrangements are advertised. MUNICIPAL BAND CONCERT. The Municipal Band and assisting artists will present an attractive programme in the Town Hall on Saturday evening. Items by tho band will include: Gounod's " Mirolla," overture, ;ti selection from " Faust" and a selection on Tschaikowsky melodies. Lighter numbers will bo: "Tho Wee Maegregor," "A Hunting Scene." a suito in three 1111 tubers, " Italiana." and an American sketch. " Down South." Messrs. Bowes and Davies will play a 1 cornet duet, " The Friendly Rivals," and vocal numbers will bo given b\ r Mrs. L. Parry and Mr. R. Richards. Booking arrangements are advertised. CHORAL SOCIETY CONCERT. Tho Auckland Choral Society will present Wallace's well-known opera, "Maritana," at the opening concert of the new season, which will be held 111 tho Town llall to-morrow evening. Tho soloists will bo Misses Kate Campion, soprano, and M. Clague, contralto, and Messrs. A. Ripley, tenor, G. Colledge, baritone, and E. Thomas, bass. Mr. L. Harvey, who was to havo taken tho tenor rolo, will bo una Wo to fulfil his engagement, his place being taken by Mr. A. Ripley, a member of the Lyric Four. There will also bo a full chorus and orchestra, under Mr. Colin Muston. Booking arrangements aro advertised.