ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20391, 21 October 1929, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS.

DUSOEINA GIANNINI SEASON. After a triumphal tour of the Australian cities, the _ world-famous young prima- donna,' Dusolina Giannini. will arrive by the Niagara this morning, will give the first of two recitals in Town Hall to-morrow evening. Iho meteoric rise to fanio of this versatile singer has been probably the most notable musical event in post-war Europe. In introducing Signorina Giannini to Australian audiences last June, Mr, E. J. Gravestock, the well-known entrepreneur expressed his confidence' that she would immediately be recognised as the undisputed successor, in both critical and P®P U ' lar estimation, to Madam Melba, Clara Butt and Galli Curci. The famous soprano will be supported by Mr. Sol Doutsch, violinist, and Miss Molly Bernstein, pianist, both'young American musicians ot considerable reputation. Box plan arrangements are advertised. / ST. JAMES* THEATRE. Excellent' entertainment is offered by Mr. Jim Gerald and his versatile musical revue company at St. James' Theatre. A talented comedian, Mr. Gerald is largely responsible for the humour in which the presentation abounds. Tho supporting artists are seen to advantage in a variety of sketches and novelty items. The prin cipal attraction is an amusing farce. 'The Naughty Husband." A new programme of enjoyable numbers will be presented tomorrow evening. Booking arrangements are advertised. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Warner Baxter and Edmund Lowe appear in "Through Different Eyes," the thrilling all-talking drama now showing at tho Majestic Theatre. The leading feminine role is filled by Miss Mary Duncan, and her portrayal of tho part of a , worldly woman is a revelation. Released by Fox Movietone, the film is interpreted by a large cast which includes Natalie Moorhead, Earle Fox, Florence Lake, Sylvia Sydney, Nigel de Brulier and Dolores Johnson. The picture centres round a mysterious murder, and the dramatic trial of one of the suspects. As Viola Manning, Miss Duncan has the difficult task of playing three distinct types. She first appears as a modest young wife, devoted to her husband, then as a somewhat blase woman of the world, and finally as a disillusioned woman who seeks to find relief in the activities of a business life. In each part she is equally successful, and her work throughout is of a particularly high standard. The picture dea4s with a murder trial, and the different explanations offered by the various witnesses. The counsel for the defence gives his version, which is told on the screen; the prosecuting solicitor states his case, and the film is brought to a dramatic conclusion by an unexpected confession. Tho supporting programme includes a U.F.A. film, "Sacred Scarab," Mrs. A 1 Jolson in a dance number, the prologue from " I Pagliacci," sung by Richard Bonelli, the famous baritone, the Fox Mpvietone News and a musical comedy, " Tho Belle of Samoa." REGENT THEATRE. An all-talking Paramount picture of considerable interest, "The Letter," heads the current programme at the Regent Theatre. Jeanne Eagles, a well-known stage actress, makes her film debut in " The Letter," which is one of the most convincing and dramatic pictures ever released. Miss Eagles is supported by 0. P. Heggie, the Australian stage player, Richard Owen, Harbert Marshall, Irene Brown, Lady Tsen Mei, the Chinese actress, and Tamaki Yoshiwara. The film deals with life in Singapore, and the atmosphere of the East has been captured and transferred to the screen" with remarkable realism by the director, Mr. Jean de Lirnur. The film has been adapted from the famous play by W. Somerset Maugham, and it includes many clever scenes, which were impossible on the stage. Tho film centres round a letter which is written by a married woman to a bachelor, in the absence of her husband. The bachelor is shot, and tho woman is charged with murder. She is acquitted, but the letter is later found, and causes a series of unexpected complications. The supporting programme includes items' by Tito Schipa, the lyric tenor, and the loathe Sound News. PLAZA THEATRE. Another stage celebrity to enter the "talkies" is Eddio Dowling, who, with Miss Marian Nixon, appears in "The Rainbow Man," the all-talking picture now showing at the Plaza Theatre. Mr. Dowling is one of the best-known singing comedians and romantic actors of the Broadway stage, and his art is shown to full advantage in his first production for Paramount, which was directed, by Fred Newmeyer. Other notable members of tho cast are Frankie Darro, Sam Hardy, Lloyd Ingrahan and George Hayes. The story deals with the career of the Rainbow Man, a vaudeville artist, who adopts Frankie, the son of another member of the company. The adventures of the man and his adopted child form tiio basis of a plot of considerable interest. Tho supporting programme of shorter " talkies " includes items by- Waring's "Pennsylvanians," and other films of interest. STRAND THEATRE. Comedy and pathos have been deftly blended in "The Jazz Singer," the "alltakie" now showing at the Strand Tlieatre. A 1 Jolson, who made a rapid rise to fame in tho moving-picturo world in " The Singing Fool," plays the principal role, and ho is supported by May McAvoy,Warner Oland, Eugenie Besserer, Otto Lederer, Bobbie Gordon and other celebrated artists. Directed by Alan Crosland for Master Pictures, tho picture is based on the play by Samson Raphaelson, and includes several fine singing numbers for Jolson. The story deals with tho life of a young singer who achieves fame, but is nevertheless torn between love for his career and duty to his parents. The supporting programme includes songs by Ronald Weronath, the Fox Movietono News and a comedy.

CRYSTAL PALiCE THEATRE. Anabsorbing story of the theatre world is unfolded in "Closo Harmony," the all-talking, singing and dancing number being presented at the Crystal Palace Theatre. Its theme concerns the vicissitudes of two young stage artists, tho girl a singer and dancer, and the boy a musician. The popular Nancy Carroll and Charles Refers are the principals. The other films are of an enjoyable nature. EMPRESS THEATRE. ' , Tho well-known artist, Joan Hersholt, has the loading* role in "The Younger Generation," tlie Columbia talking production which" is, being screened at the Empress Theatre. Hersholt/ is cast as a street seller in New York, and the story deals with tho efforts of his businesslike son to improve his position. The' variety of subordinate "talkie" pictures offer excellent entertainment. RATIONALIST ENTERTAINMENT. There was a large attendance at tho Rationalist entertainment in the Majestic Theatre last evening, many people- boinfc unable to gain admission. An address on "Penalties Upon Opinion," was given by Mr. E. J. B. Allen, who dealt with the history of tho intolerant attitude against free thought and reason adopted by various religious sects. Tho film, "A Kiss For Cinderella," adapted from the play by. Sir J. M. Barrie, completed the programme. NAVY LEAGUE FILM. Tho Navy League film, "Keep Watch," which has recently arrived from England, will bo screened foi the first time in Now Zealand at the Majestic Theatre this evening. A special supporting programmo, appropriate to Trafalgar Day celebrations, has boon arranged.. 1 * •

MUNICIPAL CONCERT. Tho Municipal Band's twelfth concert of the season was given in tho Town Hall on Saturday evening. The band was in excellent form, and under the skilful guidance of the bandmaster, Mr. Smithy gave very good performances. In the "Cleopatra" solo, played by .Mr. J. Davies. with a sound accompaniment by the band, the soloist acquitted himself with distinction and earned a well-merited recall. Tho selections "Bohemian Girl" and "Maritana" displayed much sound, band and solo work, winning much appreciation. The second movement of Schubert's Symphony No. VIII. (the unfinished) was the gem of the programme. A baiid capable of handling this beautiful music in so competent and artistic a manner should never lack for appreciative listeners. The band's leading clarionet player, Mr. Pheloung, made his initial appearance as a soloist at these concerts, and acquitted himself well in Weber's "Concertino." For a recall Mr. Pheloung gave a small but delightfully tuneful number, "The Ploughman's Song," by Schumann, the accompaniment being supplied by reed instruments only, with charming effect. Tho bandmaster's "Beethoven Echoes" was beautifully played. Tho vocalists, Mrs. Hal McLennan and Mr. Wilfred Scott were both making a first appearance at these concerts. Mrs. McLennan sang Bishop's "Echo Song," being supported by Mr. Hal McLennan on the flute. Both singers had to respond to hearty recalls. The accompaniments were played by Miss Thelma Gordon. ROXY THEATRE. A comedy-romance of New York society life, the talking picture, "Manhattan Cocktail," heads the attractive programme at the Roxy Theatre. Nancy Carroll and Richard Arlen, who play the leading roles, are afforded ample scope for clever acting. Novelty dance numbers by Marion Morgan's celebrated dancers aro a feature of the picture. The supporting programme of "talkie" films is of a high standard. CAPITOL THEATRE. The sensational talking production, " Four Devils," is the main attraction on the current programme at the Capitol Theatre, Dominion Road. The shorter " talkie " films include a comedy, " His First Lesson," an interesting Fox Movietone News, and other entertaining numbers. ARCADIA THEATRE. The successful dramatic production, "The Doctor's Secret," heads the attractive programme at the Arcadia Theatre. In addition, there are a number of excellent shorter talking films.