ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20324, 3 August 1929, Page 17

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. The celebrated lake scenery of Killarney forms a charming background for " The Lily of Killarney," the main feature of the excellent programme presented at the Majestic Theatre last evening. Tho story is the familiar one of tho harassed heir to heavily-mortgaged estates, the beautiful country girl he loves, and the wealthy heiress whom bo is urged to marry in order to redeem tho family fortunes and save the fine old home of his ancestors. Tho picture is freed from any suggestion of stateness or conventionality by tho entrancing scenes depicting the gorgeous scenery and tho quaint peasant lile of rural Ireland. A higher, more tragical rioto is introduced in tho character of Danny, the faithful retainer who attempts to murder the colleen who stands in the way ot his master's pecuniary advancement. Tho girl, too devoted to her lover to wish to hamper his career, goes into hiding and allows tho rumour of her death to spread throughout the neighbourhood. The scenes that follow provide an opportunity for somo superb acting. Cecil Landeau, as Hardrcss Cregan, the hero of tho story, gives an admirable representation of the young man's despair and mental distress. He is ably supported by Pamela Parr, in the title role, and a specially selected British cast. Tho main supporting feature, " Tho Veiled Woman," is a cleverly-constructed story of the varying fortunes of a young French girl of good family who is forced by the illness of her father to trust herself to employment in tho cabarets of Paris. Tho picture gives some enthrallng glimpses of Parisian night-life, cleverly interwoven with the poignant story of the sacrifice made by the proprietor of a gambling don for tho snko of the girl he loves. Tho two leading roles arc played by Lia Zara and Paul Vincenti, two well-known actors who aro particularly suited for parts of this kind. In addition, tho Majestic Magazino presents an exceptionally interesting budget of pictorial news items. The music provided by Mr. Whiteford Waugh and the Majestic Orchestra is truly admirable throughout the performance, particularly in respect to the world-famous Trish tunes which are especially appropriate to " Tho Lily of Killarney." STRAND THEATRE. A colourful story of the Mississippi and of Chicago in the last generation is unfolded in the Universal production, "Show Boat," which has commenced a season in Auckland at the Strand Theatre. The film embodies the love story of Magnolia, the young show boat girl, played by Laura La Plante, and Ravenal, tho romantic young gambler, played by Joseph Schildkraut. included in the presentation are the movietone features of the celebrated New York musical production, " Show Boat," staged by Florenz Ziegfeld, with many noted Broadway players. By this arrangement the audience actually sees and hears the New York production in its nearest approach to reality. Helen Morgan and Jules Bledsoe are the outstanding Ziegfeld players heard. The film is superbly presented iu sound and dialogue, and the company supporting the principals includes such favourites as Otis Harlan, Emily Fitzroy, Alma Rubens and Jack McDonald. In its music "Show Boat " represents America's most popular types of the last half-century. From the oldfashioned favourites of the eighties to the present negro spiritual era, the music is played oi sung and is splendidly reproduced.

"THE DONOVAN AFFAIR." A particularly exciting murder mystery. "The Donovan* Affair," has been selected by the management of the Rosy 'lheatre, latelv the Hippodrome, and the .Crystal Palace Theatre, for their commencement as "talkie"-equippcd houses 011 August. 10. The Roxy Theatre is being specially redecorated for the purpose. Jack Holt, who has proved an extremely popular a<"tor in tho silent films, is expected to give a verv creditable performance in the now medium as a blustering detective. Hie film, although of a melodramatic nature, lias boon treated in a light style by tho director. Frank Capra. There arc numerous amusing incidents in the picture, and those are provided largely by I'red Kolsev and Ethel Wales. 'The sensational portion of the film commences when Donovan, a notorious gambler, is slabbed in the back in the. dark after a dinner. A number of guests at the dinner and .nil hostile to Donovan, come under suspicion, and the players of these roles, by clever acting, assist to make the film a very exciting one, with a thrilling climax. MOULIN ROUGE THEATRE An excellent programme comprising '•The Air Circus" and "The ,Skv Scraper" will be presented a! the Moulin liouge Theatre this evening. A dramatic story of the conquest of the skies is told in tho first attraction, "The Air Circus." "Stunt" (lying, parachute dropping and miraculous escapes from death by the aviators are included in the film. Tho supporting feature is "The Sky Scraper," a fast-moving comedy-romance of life in New York. A large party of petty officers from the Tourville will be present and "Tho Marseillaise" will be played as an overture by the Moulin Rouge Orchestra. Pictures specially selected for children will bo screened at tho matinee. Dancing will be held at tho conclusion of tho evening session. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Two absorbing pictures, " The Girl on the Barge," and " Coney Island," head (he programme at the Crystal Palace Thcatro to-day. The popular and vivacious actress, Sally O'Neill, has the leading role in tho first attraction, " The Girl 011 tho Barge," which is a fascinating story of life on the inland waterways of America. A powerful drama of t lie vagaries of life at the famous amusement area of Coney Island is unfolded in the supporting feature. In addition there arc a number of excellent subordinate films. A children's matinee will also be held. SUBURBAN THEATRES Excellent entertainment is offered at the various Fuller-Hayward suburban theatres this afternoon and this evening. "Saturday's Children," starring Connne Griffith, and "The Joker" are the attractions at. tho Prince Edward Theatre The Grey Lvnn Cinema will present June Collyer in "Not. Quite Decent" and "The Farmer's Wife." The entertainment at the Paiisli Hall, Devonport, comprises "Why Be Good," featuring Colleen Moore, and "The Night Bird," starring Reginald Denny. "Bare Knees" and "Collegians" are the principal attractions at the Foresters' Hall, Birkenhead

CHILDREN'S PICTURES. "Robinson Crusoe," starring Jackio Coogan, is the principal attraction at tho children's matinee at the Lyric Theatre today. The story tells how Master llogan, of San Francisco, is wrecked 011 a cannibal island and worshipped by the savages as a long-promised god of war. After many exciting adventures llogan, as played by Jackie Coogan, is rescued by a warship. The supporting programme includes a comedy, a travelogue and a gazette.

MAJESTIC SUNDAY CONCERT. ' Tho New Zealand Association for tho Advancement of Rationalism will present a special musical and instructional entertainment at the Majestic Theatre on Sunday evening The contributing artists will include Miss Phyllis Ifazeli, Mr. Ronald Muston, Mr. ' I!. Richards and Mr. Dan Flood with Miss Alma McGruor as accompanist. Two films of a scientific nature will ho screened and there will be a short leclurette.

! " THE WOLF OF WALL STREET." Swift and vital transactions on the New Yoil: Stock Exchange, the widespread influence of its trend, the hopes and the disappointments, all are vividly portrayed in "The Wolf of Wall Street," the Paramount all-talking production which was presented at the Plasa Theatre last evening Its power intensified by the swill and convincing dialogue, accompanying its interpretation, the story is one that embraces almost every conceivable phase of interest. There is love and there is hatred, laughter and even pathos, but above all there is a swift change in mood and actiui to hold the audiew.e from' start to finish. That rugged character of many a gripping film, George Bancroft, is tho leading figure-, and lie dominates almost every moment of the picture From the exterior he is different, but within ho is the same as ho has been in the past as the bullying, uncouth, yet shrewd broker of Wall Street, a man without fear rr conscience, driving over every obstacle and even welcoming ruin when it proves the only way that be can defeat his enemy. The cast supporting him is a notable one, yet each member shrinks to 11 position of comparative insignificance before the magnetic personality of Bancroft: Self-possessed and capable, ho wiolds a powerful influence, which ho exploits to tho fullest extent in the unscrupulous means by which he gives vent to his hatred. By subtle changes in the expression of his moods, Bancroft manages to convey more by the inflection of the voice and nature of his laugh than by any other means, and in the final scene, with his face contorted with rage and disappointment and with a maniacal laugh, ho again proves himself to be a masterful actor. But lie is not entirely alone in tho power of his acting. That would be impossible for anyone supported bv such outstanding players .is Baclauova, Nancy Carroll, Paul Lukas and Arthur Rankin. All of them are possessed of pleasing speaking voices, a factor which contributes largely to tho effectiveness of tho picture. The story offers innumerable opportunities for gripping urama and dialogue, both of which have beer, captured in an- exceptional manner by action and voice on the pari of tho leading player and his associates, most of whom have had previous stage experience. So erigrossed is he with his work that Bancroft, as the broker, becomes entirely oblivious to his wife's social activities. It is in the direction of his wife that the broker's partner in business turns when overpowered by his superior in intellect and strength. How the broker works vengeanco upon the two, ruining himself to do it, serves to make one of tho most interesting stories ever filmed. A pleasing romance, in which Nancy Carroll is tho central figure, forms a splendid background to the more involved activities of tho principals, and its interpretation suffers nothing by contrast. Baclanova, who was formerly a dramatic soprano with the Moscow Art Theatre, is heard in tho theme song of the film, "Love, Take My Heart." The programme of shorter talk'ng subjects would lie sufficient for an evening's entertainment in itself. It consists chiefly of numbers by Reb Spike's orchestra and follies entertainers, Beniamino Gigli and Guiseppe Do Luca, singing "Del Trempo A 1 Limitar." the well-known duet from Bizet's opera, "The Pearl Fishers," the Brox Sisters, a charming vocal trio. Edward Everett ITorton and Lois Wilson in "Miss Information," a most entertaining all-talking comedy, a Paramount musical novelty, "Old Black Joe," and a "talkie" cartoon PICTUREDROME THEATRE. An entertaining film of French society life, "His Private Life," starring Adolphe Menjou, will head the programme to bo presented at the Milford Picturedrome this evening, and will be followed by dancing. A party of 40 British and French naval petty officers will attend.

MUNICIPAL BAND CONCERT.. The Municipal Band will present the eighth concert of its season 111 the Town Hall this evening. The chief item will be the Moorish Suite by the Spanish composer. 11. Chapi. The programme will include French national songs, Rossinfs "Barber of Seville" overture and Verdi's " Aida." Solo numbers will be given by Mr. 11. McLennan, flautist, Mr. F. Bowes, cornet, and songs by Mrs. L. Parry. Booking arrangements are advertised. MUSICIANS' SUNDAY CONCERT. A large combined orchestra, drawn from the members of the Auckland Musicians' Union, and conducted by Mr. Colin Muston, will give an orchestral concert in St. James Theatre to-morrow evening. The orchestra will be assisted bv the Auckland Artillery Band and popular vocalists. A silver collection will be taken up in aid of the musicians' benevolent fund. PUCCINI MUSICAL SOCIETY. A splendid programme will be presented by tho Puccini Musical Society in the Town Hall concert chamber next Thursday evening. Tho concert will be in aid of the Mayor's earthquake fund. Tho artists include tho well-known Auckland Trio, comprising Miss Ina Bosworth, violin, Miss Molly Wright, 'cello, and Mr. Cyril Towsey, piano, who have been requested to render tho popular No. 1 trio from Haydn. Patrons aro promised an enjoyable entertainment and will also be helping to augment tho relief funds. The full programme is advertised. t MUNICIPAL BAND AT ZOO. An excellent programme will be played by tho Municipal Band at the Zoological Park to-morrow afternoon Tho items will include the overture "Oberon," "Lilac Timo" selection, an intermezzo, "Eventide at the Convent," Beethoven's "Minuet," and a selection, "Classical Memories.' A cornot duet wiil be given by Messrs Bowes and Davies and a piccolo solo by Mr. H. C. McLennan.

ORGAN RECITAL. An all-French programme will l>o played by the city organist, Mr. Maughan Barnett, at tho recital in the Town Hall to-morrow evening. Noted works liy Vierne, Cesar Franck and Guilinant will he included, in addition to the "Gavotto" from "Mignon," and Gounod's "Funeral March of a Marionette."