AMUSEMENTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18595, 4 January 1935, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

OPERA HOUSE TO-MORROW: “ON THE AIR” AND “BRIEF MOMENT” “Where Sinners Meet” will be finally screened to-night. To-morrow a double-star programme will ho presented at 1! p.m. A definite depart tire from the usual film entertainment-, “On the Air,” one of (he latest British productions, heads the double bill. It, is really a first-class vaudeville presentation, ior beside an exceptionally .strong east, of film players items are given by a number ot the Kmpire’s leading radio artists. Herbert .Smith, the producer. Has ingeniously invented a wisp of a story which makes the action rim smoothly. Roy Fox and his band give one of the outstanding performances. The film opens with the Roy Fox band about to give a recital at Broadcasting House, and two of the wellknown players, Dave Burnaby and Reginald Purdell, are starting on a holiday. They stay at a country mu, with Betty Astell as the barmaid, and Anona Winn as the maid-servant. Here they are recognised and persuaded to take part in the local village concert. It is in this palatial parish hall that the varied series of turns are enacted. It is an extremely well-balanced combination, in which every taste is catered for. The second feature, “Brief Moment,” is a lavishlyproduced modern story, with a strong cast, headed by Carole Lombard. Hone Raymond, end Donald Cook. —Children's Theatre— The special children’s programme at the Opera 11-eiise to-morrow will consist of “Obi the. Air," a Radio revue, headed by Glapliani and Dwyer and £0 vaudeville and Radio artists. There will he a funny comedy by Thelma Todd and Palsy Kelly, a. cartoon, a newsreel film, and a nature study. MAJESTIC THEATRE TO-MORROW: DEATH ON THE DIAMOND” & “WHAT PRICE INNOCENCE” The hilarious mystery story, “Private Scandal,” concludes to-night. To-morrow another of the Majestic's popular double feature programmes will be presented. A medley of sport, mystery, and comedy commences to-morrow at the Majestic, where Robert Young, Madge Evans and Nat Pendleton will play the leads' in Metro-Gohlwyn-Mayer’s “Death on, the Diamond.” A young Texan pitcher has come to play the ball game for St. Louis Cardinals. Gamblers who have laid heavy bets against this team approach Larry (Robert Young) with bribes and with threats, but to neither argument will lie yield, so that more active measures arc taken. When one of the players is shot from a nearby roof panic shakes the team. Jimmy, an eager reporter, tries to solve the baffling mystery, and he, too, is threatened. Another player is suddenly found strangled in the changing rooms, and finally one of the star players dies of poisoning. In the deciding game, Larry, recovered from a-bullet wound, goes into the game to pitch, to the desperate anxiety of Frances (Madge Evans). The game provides the amazing denouement to this extraordinary mystery. The second feature of the programme, “What Price Innocence,” lias one of the most daring themes, and stars Jean Parker, Willard Mack and Minna Gotnbel. The seventh chapter of “Perils of Pauline” also .will he screened.

REGENT THEATRE FINAL SCREENING: TAUBER IN “BLOSSOM TIME” “Blossom Time” will conclude :t 'highly successful season to-night. To those who appreciate operatic singing the. film is a sheer joy. The story is based on the life of Franz Behuberl, the composer, amt the celebrated German lenor, Richard Tauber, ably fills this difficult role. Little' Miss Jaccpieliiie Lurie will make a 'final appearance in her delightful song and dance novelty. -To-morrow: Uproarious Comedy, “Those Were The Days’’— Quietly and without ,anv blowing of trumpets, British International .Pictures have brought to the screen a comedian who, in his own way, i.s as individual and as much himself and himself alone as, for example, Tom Walls or Ralph Lynn. lie is Win Hay, who plays the leading part in “Those Were the Hays," the funniest picture so far produced by the company. Almost every “Digger” on leave in England in .1910 or 1917 saw a musical comedy called “The Boy,” with W. H. Berry and Leslie Henson. That play was the musical version of “The Magistrate,” and “Those Were the Days” is the film version of “The Boy.” One of the features of the picture is an entertainment in a music hall of those times, wit h old songs sung by old-timers. Will Hay is a superb comedian. The extraordinary thing about him is that the films have not snapped him up long ago. Another amazing thing is that so little is made in the names of tlio cast, as shown at the beginning of the film, of John Mills as “Bobby,” the wayward stepson who leads his magistrate father into an unholy scrape, and leaves him to get himself out of it. lie i.s absolutely lirst-ratc, and, like Will Hay, a delightfully likeable person. Not only may this picture be commended for its uncommonly high quality, but the supporting programme also for its variety and interest, including Thelma Todd and Patsy Kelly in a comedy, “Beauty and the Bus”; “'Gentlemen of Polish,” a musical; “Reducin’ Cretvo,” ,u cartoon; and a newsreel. There will be four sessions to-morrow, 10.80 ami., 2 p.iii., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. no plans are filling up.