ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20259, 20 May 1929, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS.

TIII3 MIDNIGHT FROLICS. The present programme will be given for the last time by Clem Dawo, Mona Magnet and the Midnight Frolics at jlis Majesty's Theatre this evening. New songs, dances, ballets, musical items, novelties and the latest creations the Jazi Band will be presented to-morrow evening, which has also been set aside as the Midnight Frolics' souvenir night, when every member of the audience will bo presented with a beautiful illustrated souvenir, which will include pictures of the wholo company. This souvenir night will synchronise with Clem Dawe's birthday The season will definitely close on Saturday, when the Midnight I'rolics will make their final appearance in Auckland JUSGENT THEATRE. A Paramount talking picture, "The Shopworn Angel," featuring Nanjy Carrol and Gary Cooper, will bo presented at the Regent Theatre this evening. It tells the story of a country recruit during the war, who wins the affection of a Broadway Follies girl against a struggle of tragedy. All the sound effects of rehearsals of a big musical comedy show behind the scenes are said to be included in the synchronisation, and a musical score is rendered by an orchestra of 80 players. One entire reel of the picture is devoted to dialogue centred round the marriage scene. The solemn words of the minister, the reply of the groom, Gary Cooper, and the choked sob of the bride, Nancy Carrol, as she faints, abruptly ending the ceremony, are claimed to be clearly heard by the audience. During the spectacular stage revue iri v the picture, Roscoe Karns, playing the part of the stage manager, is heard in many humorous and caustic remarks to the ballet girls, and is responsible for many of the comedy situations in the production. A feature of the film is stated to lie the singing of "A Precious Littlo Thing Called Love," by Nancy Carrol. Gary Cooper, who will be remembered for his great success in "The Legion of the Condemned," plays the part of the young man who falls in love with the variety girl, played by Nancy Carrol. Another prominent member of the cast is Paul Lukas. The story is said to lend itself admn-ably to talkie presentation, and should be one of the most successful productions yet shown in Auckland. There will also be a comprehensive programme of supporting talkie subjects.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. " Trent's Last Case," taken from the mystery novel by E. C. Bentley, is the principal attraction of the programme showing at the Majestic Theatre. 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 against his wife's lover. The manner in which the web of circumstantial evidence is tightened and the surprising climax make the picture one of the most unusual film dramas of the year. Several surprising; developments reveal the actual wrongdoer in a series of tense and exciting incidents. Comedy scenes have been skilfully interwoven into the production, relieving and intensifying the contrasts. The leading roles are played by Raymond Griffith, Raymond Hatton, Marcelino Day, Lawrence Gray and Donald Crisp. There is an excellent supporting programme, of which scenes showing the rescue of the Southern Cross airmen arc of exceptional interest. "Songs of Italy," with a special musical accompaniment and Mr. Ripley as soloist, " Fireside Memories," by (he Majestic Quartette, a Max Davidson comedy; " That Night," and a Majestic Magazine complete a splendid programme. STRAND THEATRE. The 1 first talking picture to be taken in the open air and not entirely in the studio, "In Old Arizona," is being presented for an extended season at the Strand Theatre. The talking effects have heen clearly recorded by the Fox Movietone process, in spite of the unusual locations of the scenes. The cast is headed by Warner Baxter, Edmund Lowe and Dorothy Burgess, and includes Farrell McDonald, Roy Stewart and James Marcus. All these players have appeared in leading roles in former productions, but they are heard as well as seen in their latest picture. Warner ; Baxter, who plays the role of the Cisco Kid, a notorious bandit, came to the screen after many years as a leading player on the stage, where his fine voice was one of his principal assets. There are no sub-titles in the picture, the voice completely supplanting the written word. The balance of a novel programme is made up of alltalkio supporting subjects, including an amusing vaudeville item by the English comedienne, Beatrice Lille, " Honolulu Melodies " by the Royal Hawaiian singers, and a Eox Movietone news of events of the day, which is full of novelties in the new medium. MOULIN ROUGE. An amusing comedy of city life, "What a Night," featuring Bebo Daniels, the popular comedienne, is the principal attraction of the programme to be presented at the Moulin Rouge Theatre, Remuera, this evening, A second attraction is " Fugitives," an exciting romance featuring Madge Bellamy. There will bo an excellent supporting programme. MUNICIPAL CONCERT. An enjoyable programme of vocal and instrumental items was presented at the municipal concert in tho Town Hall on Saturday evening. Tho band, under Mr. Christopher Smith, played a Highland patrol. " The Wee Macgregor," Gounod's " Mirella " overture, a selection from " Faust," " A Hunting Scene," a suite entitled, " Italiana," an American sketch, " Down South," and " Catherine" by Tschaikowski. Messrs. F. Bowes and J. Davies played a cornet duet, " The Friendly Rivals," and vocal numbers were rendered by Mrs. L. Parry and Mr. R. Richards. Mr. L. Whittaker acted as accompanistORGAN RECITAL. A recital was given in tho Town Hull last evening by the city organist, Mr. Maughan Barnett. Tho programme included : Chorale variations, "Lord Christ, Thou Art the Heavenly Light" (Bach); "Andante Espressivo" (Sullivan), from an orchestral symphony produced at the Crystal Palace in 1866; Serenade (Schu-bert-Liszt); Intermezzo, Adagio and Marche Pontificale (Widor),; Evensong (Johnston) and Fanfare (Faulkes). The organ recitals will be given every Sunday evening until further notice. ROYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR. The first concert of the new season by the Royal Auckland Choir will be given in tho Town Hall on Thursday evening. Tho programme to be presented will be tu well-balanced and varied one. Tho soloists. Miss Naomi Whalloy, of Palmerston North, Mr. Trevor Thomas, of Wanganui, and Mr. Ronald Muslon, of Auckland, are all well-known artists. The choir will sing eight part-songs, varied and full of interest. Box plan arrangements are advertised. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. " Commencing at the matinee on Saturday Pat Haiina's "Diggers" will appear for a short season at St. James' Theatre. Consisting of 25 revue artists the company has a wide range-of numbers which should appeal to all. The brightest of entertainmont is promised and it is claimed that the season will be one of unusual- brilliance. Box plan arrangements are advertised.

PLAZA THEATRE. | Al. Jolson, who ranks as probably the i most popular entertainer on the American stage, has the leading role in "The Singing Fool," the remarkable talkie production which is attracting crowded houses to the Plaza Theatre daily. One of tho finest scenes in the film is the presentation of a Now Year's Eve carnival in a fashionable cabaret, where the audience can hear tho strains ,of a jazz band, the .songs and exclamations of the patrons and screaming of sirens , and whistles as midnight sounds. The film concerns a vaudeville artist who marries an actress and later finds her unfaithful. For the sake of their only son, the hero establishes a reputation as a clever entertainer, but tho child oies, leaving him in despair. The supporting programme of shorter "talkie" features includes excerpts from the operas "1 Pagliacci" and "Aida," sung by Martinelli, tho leading tenor of tho Hotrcpolilan Opera Company, and a number of well-known by other leading artists. Tho world-famous violinist Elman plays " Humoresque," and the overture from "Tannhanser" is played by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra of 00 members. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. "Three Week Ends," from a story by Elinor Glyn, is the principal attraction of the programme to be shown at the Crystal Palacp Theatre, Mount Eden, this evening. The cast is headed by Clara Bow, well-known light comeoy actress, while others include Neil Hamilton and Harrison Ford. In the story, _ Gladys O'Brien, a dancer, meets an insurance salesman, James Gordon, the two fall in love, but the girl, who has decided to marry a rich man, is also loved by Turner, a millionaire. Complications ensue when Gordon finds her with the millionaire, although she is but endeavouring to help him. How she finally shows her real love and helps Gordon lo success make delightful entertainment. There will be a splendid supporting programme. HIPPODROME THEATRE. An entirely new presentation of the pantomime version of " Aladdin" will be presented at the Hippodrome Theatre this afternoon. The story of "Aladdin" is one which always appeals to children. There is a magnificent cast of 50 performers. Features of tho production will be the wicked magician, the cave of diamonds aud the genie of the lamp. Another splendid attraction will be the appearance of Worth's performing animals, which do acrobatic feats and are at home in danciftpc and in comedy. They include the'smallest living pony in the world i\nd Tarzan, the performing monkey. There will also be three comedies, specially suitable for children. NATIONAL THEATRE. A splendid double-feature programme is being presented at the National Theatre. The main attraction is " Young April," a romantic story, which is a De Mille production. The leading roles are played by the popular stars, Joseph Scliildkraut and Bessie Love. Mystery and thrills abound in the second attraction, "Wolves of the Underworld." in which there is an allstar cast. In addition Nikora Haora appears at the afternoon and evening performances. Dressed in female attire he sings " Charmaine " and " Sonny Boy." Incidental music of a high standard is played by F. Bartlett's Orchestra.

" THE KING OF IvAWAU." <! The King of Kawau," or " Seventy Millions," is being presented for a season of five more nights by the Auckland University College students at St. James' Theatre. It is a musical farce, written by Dr. J. C. Andrews and Mr. J. Nigel Wilson. The play concerns the " King of Kawau " and his financial difficulties. The manner in which £70,000,000 is raised forms the theme of the farce. The production comprises bright and original songs, clever sketches and ballet numbers. The ballets 'have been designed and arranged by Mdlle. Yaleska, The cast includes Misses Fred Gaudin, Ruth Walker and Jean MacCormick, and Messrs. A. H. H. Friar-Raisher, F, Martin, J. Gregory, D. Plummet", R. Fenwick, J. E. Forde and R. E. L. Aubin. An excellent musical programme has been arranged by Mr. T. Sparling. The play is produced by Mr. ,T. A. S. Coppard. The booking arrangements are advertised. DIOMEDE CHARITY CONCERT. By courtesy of the officer commanding H.M.S. Diomede the ship's band and concert party will give an entertainment tomorrow evening in the Town Hall. The party, which has raised considerable sums of money for charitable purposes in different parts of New Zealand, is said to have arranged an exceptionally fine programme for this occasion. Recognising the work being done by those responsible for the men's night shelter, to which t.he proceeds will be devoted, the Prime Minister has notified the Rev. Jasper Calder that the Government is prepared to subsidise the proceeds pound for pound up to £2OO. Ticket arrangments are advertised, There will be no reserved seats.