AMUSEMENTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18593, 2 January 1935, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

REGENT THEATRE

TAUBER IN “BLOSSOM TIME’ DELIGHTFUL MUSICAL TREAT

Franz Schubert is the central figure of

“Blossom Time,” Richard Tauber's first all-English picture, which is now enjoying great success at the Regent Theatre. Vieama, 100 years ago, knew Schubert’s music but not Schubert, the lovable, big-hearted, but. poor composer, who lived simply, unceremoniously, cheerily working at "his beloved music. Schubert had an. inspiration for his melodies in Vicki, lovely daughter of Wirapassinger who, however, had social ambitions for the girl. Vicki was very fond of Schubert, but she loved youth and romance, and when Count Rudi came to Wimpassinger for dancing lessons, the handsome, dashing nobleman swept her off her feet, and the old father rubbed his bauds in gleeful anticipation of seeing his daughter a countess. . Schubert, watching thq romance with an aching heart, decided \to speak to Wimpassiriger himself. “But you can’t even keep a piano, let alone a wife,” said the old man. Ho told Schubert that" he was unknown, and .that musicians’ had no social status, whereupon Schubert answered, “Beethoven was famous.” “Yes, but Beethoven was a-genius,” said Wim“So am I,” retorted Schubert ; and in the distance we hear the strains of the magnificent “Unfinished Symphony.” "Schubert’s success came soon after, at a special concert arranged by. his friends. The great singer engaged to render his songs is stricken ill, and Schubert'is obliged to take the platform himself. His first number is “Red Roses,” followed Joy “Faith in Spring,” the beautiful “Serenade” and "Impatience’’ (“Thine Is My Heart”). Right from tlie first note his audience is captured by the 'sheer beauty of the music. Schubert’s triumph is complete and Wimpapsinger invites his friends to join him in' a little celebration. Schubert r -is thrilled at the change in his fortunes, particularly because he is now in a position to ask Vicki to share ,his success. But all his hopes are clashed to the ground when he discovers that he has entirely mistaken her feelings for liTm ail'd that .her heart belongs to. Paidi. Even in the midst of his bitter disappointment, his uppermost thoughts a'ro still for the happiness of the lovely Vicki, to which end lie works with a tireless devotion and a great self-seerifice.

KING’S THEATRE

SCHUBERT’S AIRS IN “LOVE TIME”

‘Acclaimed by audiences in both Hollywood and New York as one ol the mostcolorful and sparkling screen romances in! seasons, the lavish Fox film, “Love Time,” began tfn engagement- to-day at the King’s Theatre. The delightful young “discovery,” “Pat” Paterson, has lidr best role to date as the sweetheart ofi a world-famed composer in this production; and. Nils. Asther, playing the composer, tops all his past film .achievements. “Love Time ’ tells a tender stbry of youthful passion, struggle and triumph. After a nightmare pi uncertainty and separation, two .loVers are reunited by means of the young composer’s haunting music. Such famous airs of Schubert as the “Abschied,” “Moment Musical,” . “Who Is Sylvia ?” arid the melodious ‘‘Serenade” are woven into the action of the film. The young mkn’s love'is shown as the inspiration of these enchanting creations, which lor uj century have been world favorites. Tneir use, in a logical manner, naturally enriches the picture. In addition to “Pat” -Pat erson, for whom - a great cajreer is promised in pictures, and Nils Asther, who is seen to better advantage thjan ever before, a notable cast includes such names as Herbert Mundin, Harry Green, Henry B. Walthall, Henry' Kolker, Luclen Littlefield and Rftjfler linhof. Gborgi Caine, former BroacSHßy mriSleaf comedy star, has a leading '‘'ensiacter” roje, as does; Josephine Whittell, arifvther pijima donna of other days. Lavish settings reproduce with, accuracy the Vienna of 1820 ; ahd thVg'orgedris trappings of the! court of Emperor Francis I form a background for the later phases of ! the story.

OPERA HOUSE

OLIVE BROOK AND DIANA WYN‘YARD IN “WHERE SINNERS MEET”

(“Where Sinners Meet,” a delightful modern comedy, commences a three-day season at the Opera House to-night. Comedy of the most scintillating dumped into' the iaps of those versrttilo stars, Diana. WynyardNiMidtClivC'-Brook, to toss back and forth between them in the picture. iThia time, instead of drama, they find exercise for their genius in some of the most humorous situations ever devised by that master of whimsicality, A. A. Milne. “Where Sinners Meet’’ is the production, based upon the British author’s play, “The Dover Road,” which persists as'a touring and stock company success in every English-speaking country after a decade o{ popularity. The work of Miss Wynyard and her co-star is k distinct contrast- to their serious roles in “Cavalcade,” their former “hit,” and it is said to provide a revelation in 'their flhir for lighter, more spirited characterisations. Billie Burke is one of the principals of this entertaining comedy.

j MAJESTIC THEATRE LAST NIGHTi “DOUBLE DOOR” j AND “WHARF ANGEL” j The strong double bill now at the Majestic concludes to-night. “Double lj)oor” is an .unusual and thrilling melodrama starring Miry Morris, a kind of ft male “Frankenstein,” Evelyn Venable, Kent Taylor,' Sir Guy Standing, and the New Zealander, Colin Tapley. t The second feature, “Wharf Angel,” is an adventure romance of the infamous Barbary Coast, featuring Victor MeLaglen, —“Private Scandals,’ 1 ’ Hilarious Mystery Play: To-morrow— Comedy is 'well combined with some unusually thrilling incidents in . the mystery uranui,. “Private Scandals, vyliidi commences to-morrow. The chief figure in tile, film is a broker who loses his money .no, the Stock Exchange. He decides to commit suicide, hut .attempts to make'‘it appear us murder, so that his insurance policies may repay the investors.: .The solution, of this complicated plot provides good entertainment. A ifiny performance is given by Ned Sparks in • the role • of-a stolid 1 detective who is culled in to solve the mystery. Other competent members of the cast are Zasu ..Pitts,, Phillips Holmes, and Lew Cody,