AMUSEMENTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19129, 25 September 1936, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

REGENT THEATRE GIGLI IN “FORGET-ME-NOT” There art’ features, of “Forget-Me-Not,” the. London Films production which commenced n season at the Regent, Theatre to-day. that place it far above (lie average talkie. It introduces to the, screen Beniamino Gigli, claimed to he the. greatest tenor since Enrico Caruso. The principal feminine role is taken by the recent Alexander Korda “find,” .loan Gardner. Gigli may .well be (featured, for he sings with the feeling and sympathy that marks a great artist. Ifo can he passionate and fiery, and in the next breath plaintive, and subdued. He can be sad, and then boisterously happy. Gigli’s gongs include several excerpts from grand opera, and 1 such numbers as “Ray You Will Not Forget,” “Lullaby,” “Venetian Serenade/’ "Come Back to Ale,’ and the very popular “0 Sole Alio.’ Minor parts are taken with distinction by Hugh'Wakefield and Ivan Brandt. The story tells how Gigli, as Enzo Cnrli, an internationally famous singer, falls in love and marries a girl (Joan Gardner), whom he sees one night, in his audience at the opera. Touring the world, they are happy together until a chance meeting with a former acquaintance of his wife’s threatens to upset his career and their happily planned lives. “Forget-Ate-Not is supported by a programme of short films of high merii. These include one of the “Alrtrch of Time” series, and Walt Disney’s “Elmer Elephant, ’ in colour.

KING’S THEATRE

SECRET AGENT’’

John 'Gielgud, now playing a secretservice agent in the Gaumont-British thriller. “Secret Agent,” which is at the Kind’s Theatre, is renowned for his reticence. II is sliv and retiring manner is largely due to ids dislike for limelight, and he would never admit to ever having done a “good turn ’ 'One ol these good turns,” however, has now come to light, and the actor did not. favour one person, hut three ! They are three gills, known as the .Motley Sisters. When Gielgud heard of them they were three artists with a small studio in London, where they designed fancy costumes. Gielgud unobtrusively commissioned them to execute certain work for him, and later established them securely iu their business. This proved a turning point in their careers, and Gielgud invited them to design costumes for the Oxford University Dramatic Society s production of “Romeo and Juliet.” “Secret Agent" has a fine cast, headed by Peter Lorre, John Gielgud. Aladcleine Carroll and Robert. Young. The supporting programme is particularly good.

MAJESTIC THEATRE

“CEILING ZERO’’ & “PAROLE’’

■ “Ceiling Zero,” which commenced at the Alajestic Theatre to-day, stars that inimitable team James Cagney and Pat O’Brien, introduces a charming new leading lady in June Travis, and olfcis an exceptionally large all-star east it) support. In a picture dealing with the commercial, mail, and passenger service of the air, the plot is essentially dramatic, but in the every-day events in the lives of the fivers and ground men there is plenty of humour. No one could keep the irrepressible Cagney and 0 Biien from injecting laughs in such situations. Cagney and O’Brien and Stuart Erwin have the roles of three flying war comrndcs who have turned to coniiiieieial aviation. Cagney is the devil-may-care, stunting, irresponsible member of the trio, while O’Brien is the superintendent of the flyers and 'Envin a somewhat steadier pilot than Cagney, Ihe second feature “Parole,” deals largely with convicted criminals in the United Slates. There is a quantity of interesting character sketching and the audience is brought into close contact with a section of the community which is not given much publicity. Henry Hunter and Ant) Preston have’the leading parts. —Mickey Mouse Party: To-morrow— To celebrate Mickey’s eighth birthday there will be a big party at, the Majestic Theatre at 1.45 p.m. oil Saturday. _ A special children’s programme is being arranged, including “Ceiling Zero and cartoons of Mickey, Pop-eye and Elmer Elephant. On the stage a party of 40 children, will take part in “Pop-eye’s Whoopee Party to Alickey Alousc,” arranged by .Miss Maureen Kenny. Reservations may be made for circle seats only.

R.S.A. FAMILY SOCIAL

An attractive programme, featuring musical items and seance numbers, lias been arranged for the iamily social to be held under the auspices of the Gisborne R,S:A. ill the Selvyn Hall to-morrow evening. As is usual with these popular assemblies, special provision is being made to eater for the entertainment of juvenile members of the gathering. All ex-servicemen, their families and guests arc invited and from inquiries received by tile committee, it is expected the gathering will prove one of the most notable of the, season s series. “THE LIFE OF CHRIST” FILM Rarely have. Hollywood producers had to admit that a. task was too great for them to attempt, but such was the frank adnuMsion ot their greatest producers when it came to the lilmisalion of "file Life, of Christ.” Other countries also considered the task too great, and ittook a combined cast from Russia and Germany to complete this difficult theme, ' Months were, spent 'in research work, the libraries of the world, containing the works of the Jewish historians. were searched, so that all items, customs, and dresses should be historically correct. The whole cast was then transferred to the Jlolv Land and Egypt, and life scenes of the life of’the Master of men were acted upon the exact location. The presentation in New Zealand is in tile hands of the Religious Film Society, an inler-denominntioniil body. A full supporting programme goes with this picture, including a “Mickey Mouse” and “Felix the Cat,” The Gisborne season is limited to one day, Tuesday, September 29. Three sessions will be' held in the City Hall during the day, 1 p.m.. 3.15 p.m. and 8 p.m. The box plan is at Adams’.