ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20303, 10 July 1929, Page 18

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. One of I lie most notable casts ever lis.-cntblcil is seen in "llie Cohens and Kellvs," the I'niversd production which v ill be presented at the .Ma jestic I heat re on Friday. The leading roles are played bv Charlie .M'nrray, the celebrated comedian, who is slid to lie at his best in Ihe role of Patrick Kelly, a hot headed Irishman, George Sidney, another lallious comedian. v\ hose work in "'(live and T.'kc" and other product ions has proved evi'p;ioiiallv successlul. \ era Gordon and Kate I'rii'e. Other members ol the large cast are .lasoti L'obards, Olive Hasbrouck, X; • I t.'.irr. Hobby t lonlon and Mickey Benlicit. I lie 'ilni was directed by Harry Pollard, who lias hail considerable experience as a dire tor of comedies, and the ;, t .u'u, tion is said to be extremely humor-

<e,s throughout. The story concerns two families, the Cohens and the Kcllys, who a- • neighbours on the cast side ol New York. The Irish lather and soil are policemen and the Jewish lather is the proprietor of a draper's shop. Tim Kelly falls in love, with the young Jewess, Nannie Cohen, and a secret marriage is arranged as the young couple tear their parents' disapproval. Complications occur v,hen the Jewish family inherit a fortune, Mid a scene in which the Kcllys attend a. fashionable reception given by the ( oliens is said to be one ot the most amusing in the film. Alter a series ol humorous complications the two families Me reunited in trieiidship and the lilm

PLAZA THEATRE. A series of mysterious happenings culminating in a thrilling climax makes Ihe Tenor," the Warner Brothers' all-talk-ing picture now showing .Tt the Plaza Theatre, one of the most enjoyable films (if jts type yet presented in Auckland. .Adapted from the successful novel and ttuge play by Eilg; ir Wallace, the picture retains all the exciting qualities of the. original, ami the clean talking anil sound effects constitute a feature. Many people are suspected of being '"I lie '1 error," and suspicion falls on each m turn, until the identitv of the hooded stranger is revealed in a startling climax, 'llie leading roles are played by May McAvoy, Louise Fnzcmda, Edward Everett Horton, A. B Francis and John Miljan. '1 he film is the lirst "all-talkie" to lie presented at the Plaza, and comedy and drama are mingled in the manner characteristic of Wallaces best works. The supporting programme included items by Kalin's orchestra of 30 players, numbers by the Four Aristocrats, luul songs by Isa Krcmei, the Russian soprano.

1! KG EXT THEATRE. "Close Harmony." an all-talking picture of unusual interest, heads the current ]irogramnie at the Regent Theatre. 'lhe iilni includes an entire musical comedy and is one of the most entertaining "talkies" yet released bv Paramount. The principals are Nancy Carroll, who will be remembered for her fine performance in "The Shop-worn Angel," and Charles Piogers, the popular' male lead of "Wings." Tn "Close Harmony" the two players are at their best, and arc supported by a large cast, including Jack Oakie, "Skeets" Gallagher and Harry Green. The storv concerns two young stage artists, the girl a famous singer and dancer, and the boy a promising musician. Their adventures form the theme of the picture, which abounds in bright comedy, cleverly intermingled with romance. 'lhe supporting programme of shorter talking features includes items by Burrow's Harmonica Band, songs by Ruth Etting, a number by Smith and Dale, the Jewish comedians, and various other features of interest. Selections on the Wurlitzer are played by Mr. Arthur G. Frost, the wellknown musician.

STRAND THEATRE. "The Doctor's Secret," the "talkie version of the famous .stage play, "Half an Hour," by Sir James Barrie, beads Ibo enjoyable programme at the Strand Theatre. The leading roles arc played by Ruth Chattel-ton, H. B. Warner, JJobert Edeson and John Lotion, all of whom have had considerable stage experience, and their speaking voices are consequently well trained unci suitable for the "talkies." Tho story deals with the career of Richard Garson, a wealthy man of unscrupulous nature, who taunts his wife with having married him for his money. Tiring of such treatment, Lillian Garston decides to elope with Hugh Paton, 1 hit unexpected complications develop when he is accidentally killed. The ■woman realises that she has deliberately abandoned her husband and her home, and fears that the doctor who attended Paton will misinterpret her actions and tell her husband. By an ingenious method she overcomes her husband's suspicions and the film ends happily. The supporting programme includes two all-talking comedies, a film entitled "The British Elect at Sea," the Fox Movietone News, and "The Squire Octette," an enjoyable instrumental number.

TIVOLI AND EVERYBODY'S. Two unusual productions of widely different interests will be presented at tlie Tivoli and Everybody's Theatres to-inor-row, when the principa] attraction will hi: "His Captive Woman," a First Xational picture starring Dorothy MacIcaill and Milton Sills. The supporting cast includes Gladden James, Jed Prouty, Sidney Brncey, Gertrude Howard, Marion Byron and George Fawcett. The story deals with the career of Anna Janssen, a cabaret dancer, who kills her rich patron •when his interest in her appears to be waning. She takes refuge on an island in the South Seas, and an American policeman, Thomas McCarthy, is sent to tiike her back to New York to face justice. 1 lie mariner in which the fugitive from justice and the policeman fall in love and finally find happiness and seclusion, makes an enjoyable (hcine for the film. The M'cond attraction is "The Girl on the Barge," a clever romance starring Jean liersholt and Sallv O'Neill.

MOULIN "ROUGE THEATRE. The absorbing mystery production, "The Spy." is (lie principal attraction at the Moulin Rouge Theatre tliis evening. A drama of the Secret Service, the film abounds in exciting incidents. The story is interpreted by a strong cast. There is an excellent supporting programme.

BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA. The Bohemian Orchestra will give the Kccorid conceit of its 16th season in the Town Hall on Thursday, July 10. A varied and attractive programme will he presented. Mr. Colin Muston will act as conductor and Miss Edith Whitelaw as leader. The Bohemian Orchestra is recognised as New Zealand's leading orchestra ft [id an enjoyable concert is promised. 1 lie arrangements for enrolling arc advert ised.

IXSTRUMENTAL MUSIC. A programme of instrumental music will be given bv Misses Dora Judson, juano, Lois Wails, violin, and Molly Wright, 'cello, in die Theosophical Hall, I ppcr Queen Street, (his evening. ORCHE&TRAL RECITAL.

recital will be given by the Leys Infill uto Orchestra in the. Lewis Eady Hall fo-rnoirow evening. There will be 60 performers with Mr. Harold Baxter ns conductor, while solo numbers will also be J 'iidcred.

CELEBRITY CONCERTS. 'I h-3 world-famous aclor-singer, Heu'*lian, will give the first of four celebrity concerts in the Town Hall to morrow evening. Associated with this accomplished singer are the well-known 'cellist, Aland "Bell and a prominent pianist, (iladys Sayer. Heughan is said to combine personality, charm and acting ability in hi;; performances and a successful season is unl icipaf"d. Concessions will bo made to students. Booking arrangements pie advertised.

KENTUCKY JUMI.EK SI.XGEES. Excellent eiitcrtaiiiiiiciit of a novel nature is offered by die Kentucky Jubilee Singers ;tt His Majesty's Theatre. Plantation songs, sacred numbers, comejly scenes and dancing are included in the programme. Matinees will be held to-day and on the three following days. The season, which is proving a most successful one, will conclude next Saturday evening. Rooking arrangements are advertised.

ALLAN W ILK IK SEASON. .Mr. Allan AVilkie, whose name is assoc'aJed throughout Australia and New Zealand with Shakespearean productions, announces a welcome departure for a brief season of ten nights at lli.s Majesty's Theatre, commencing on Saturday, July 20. Tht! repertoire on the occasion of the company's forthcoming visit will consist of three of the most famous and brilliant comedies in the English language, Goldsmith's immortal farce, "She Stoops to Compter." and I!. Ilnusley Sheridan's two great masterpiece.-, "The Rivals" and "The School for Scandal." These three plays have held the stage without serious* rivalry for just over 150 years and their revival in Auckland is an event of theatrical interest. Mr. Allan Wilkic included them in his repertoire in Australia some years ago, but the destruction of the wardrobe and effects in the disastrous lire in Geelong in 1926 precluded his staging them in New Zealand on previous tours. The company has, however, for some time being rehearsing them and the wardrobe has been redesigned and replaced on a scale of magnificence in accordance with the period. The opening production on Saturday Jtdv 20, will be Goldsmith's ."She Stoops to Conquer" or "The Mistakes of a Night." Mr. Wilkic will be seen as llardeastle and Miss Hunter Watts as Kate llardeastle. Booking arrangements are advertised.