ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 20536, 12 July 1928, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC TO-NIGHT. JETTA GOUDAL IN “WHITE GOLD,” ALSO PETER B. KYNE’S STARTLING NOVEL “PALS IN PARADISE,” AND “BEAUTIFUL CANADA,” ENTERTAINMENT DE LUXE. A programme of exceptional merit was screened to a delighted audience last night at the Majestic Theatre, which, despite the inclement weather, was literally as “cosy as your own fireside.” The scenes of the picture entitled “White Gold” are laid on a sheep ranch in Arizona. Dolores Carson, a dancer, longing for home life, weds Alec Carson, the son of a sheep rancher. The latter disapproves of the marriage and makes life miserable for his daughter-in-law. A drought of long standing is killing off the sheep and the young wife who sincerely loves her husband finds herself neglected. Sam Randall, a herder, seeks to win her from her husband who, engrossed in his dying sheep, pays her little attention. The climax is reached when Dandall is killed by Dolores after he invades the young wife’s 'room. The finale is as remarkable as it is natural, but it would be unfair to the public to reveal it. Here is a story which provides Miss Goudal with abundant opportunities for the display of her talents as a dramatic actress of remarkable 'power. In directing the picture, William K. Howard departed from the accepted standards of picture production and established a precedent, that of discarding the scenarist’s script and developing the plot according to the psychology of the players and the events as they take place. The motivation is said to have reached a high tempo in consequence and to have been maintained until the final scene was filmed. The result is reported to be one of the most unusual photoplays thus far produced this season. The cast embraces screen artists of prominence. They are George Nichols, George Bancroft, Robert Perry and Clyde Cook. Far from the well worn path of conventions; far from the cut and dried feature production; ultra modern in every respect is “Pals in Paradise,” a Metropolitan picture directed by George B. Seitz, which also opened last night at this theatre. Mr Seitz, whose ability as a director received a challenge in “The Vanishing American,” “Wild Horse Mesa,” and “The Last Frontier,” and which challenge was accepted, is bringing to the screen a brand new type of western story. “Pals in Paradise” boasts no cowboys riding down the main street of a new found town in chaps, shooting in the air—’rarin to go. But it does bring to light the modern mining town —the settlement brought to notice through a new gold discovery. Fifteen minutes of “Glorious Canada,” a scenic of unusual beauty and interest, completes an exceptionally fine entertainment. POPULAR PICTURES. THE WONDERFUL PROBLEM PLAY “THE UNBORN,” AND THE WESTERN THRILLER “THE PONY EXPRESS.” There was a large attendance at the matinee yesterday afternoon and in the evening the large audience present showed its appreciation of the two big features in a marked manner. In the opening picture “The Pony Express,” Betty Compson and Ricardo Cortez form the central figures, and receive solid backing by that wonderful trio of character actors, Wallace Beery, Ernest Torrence and George Bancroft. The picture is packed full of incident and thrilling episodes, punctuated with bright comedy. The special attraction of the evening was undoubtedly the problem play “The Unborn,” based on the all absorbing question that is exercising the minds of the nation’s birth control—Babies or No Babies. It is a beautifully simple story of love, told in a simple but convincing manner. Intending patrons are advised to book early at the Bristol or ring phone 931 after six o’clock, as seating is being heavily sought after and larger houses are assured for the remaining nights. ORANGE CONCERT. MUNICIPAL THEATRE THIS EVENING. Every year the Orange institution has inveriably furnished a good programme of entertainment on the night of their annual celebration, July 12. This year’s programme is not going to be one whit behind its predecessors, indeed the double bill of fare which is to be presented in the form of a high-class concert programme combined with pictures of outstanding merit and attractiveness have caused a heavy demand on the Bristol for booked seats. Included in the contributors to the vocal part of the programme are Misses Pryde and Helm, Messrs Rewi Kingsland, T. Pryde and W. Buchan. Mrs Brokenshire will accompany the soloists. The Invercargill Scottish Pipe Band will also be in attendance. The picture programme will embrace the most romantic figures in Scottish history—Bonnie Prince Charlie and Flora Macdonald. The sweetest songs that were ever written centered round the doings / of these two noted individuals. The pictures will depict the real scenery where some of the episodes took place, the filming having been carreid out on Scottish soil by celebrated English artists headed by Ivor Novello and Gladys Cooper. MERRYMAKERS’ REVUE. The Bluff Merrymakers have their comedy “All’s Well” and revue rehearsal up to the. final touch. Everything is going smoothly and the producer and performers are enthusiastic. When they appear at the Municipal Theatre to-morrow evening the audience will be treated to a brilliant and entertaining display of first-class talent. It was Sir George Grey who noted that while other nationalities attain song by eduI cation and experience, the Maoris have it from nature. The Merrymakers will prove this. That they have histrionic talent also will be demonstrated. The Bluff Merrymakers are genuine laugh-provokers, and if you feel down in the dumps, you should not fail to go along and share in an evening of frolic and frivolity. Such an exhibition can only be seen once in a while and it is unique as an exhibition of local talent of the very first order. The box plan is filling up rapidly at the Bristol so those who require good seats should get in to-day to avoid disappointment. As the reserves are only 2/6, it should give the young people a chance to enjoy an entertainment which will appeal to young and old alike. Gallery 1/-, circle and stalls 2/-, early doors 6d extra at Gawn’s. MISS DAISY HALL. - NEW ZEALAND’S OWN COLORATURA SOPRANO. New Zealand, the gem of the Southern Pacific, famed the whole world over for its many and varied attractions for the sportsman and the tourists; is also universally known for the wonderful accomplishments of the people. The environment and the conditions under which we live are ideal to cultivate to the highest peak all trades and professions in which our people participate. In industry, sport, and art, there is no country that can claim greater merit, we are young, vigorous, ambitious and these traits have taken us far* producing the best in all walks of life, the best that can hold its own with the peoples of any part of the world. The singing world has now awakened to yet another of New Zealand’s accomplishments, for our wonderful country has produced a golden throated coloratura soprano in Miss Daisy Hall, who has gone far in her profession, and is acclaimed by the great masters of Italy, one of the greatest artists of the day, and the voice of the century. Miss Daisy Hall has rightly been named the prima donna of the Southern Hemisphere, and those New Zealanders who have already had the pleasure of hearing her, are loud in their praises of her great ability; but her gifted golden throat, it is not often that nature endows a singer with such magnificent vocal equipment, and rare talent of the highest orders. Further Miss Hall has such a commanding attractive stage presence and charm of man-

ner that undoubtedly stamp her as an artist who takes her place in the ranks of the world’s greatest singers. Miss Hall comes to Invercargill with a big reputation, she having won her way in the musical world by sheer hard studies, coupled with the gift of a magic golden voice. This recital will probably be the only opportunity Ifivercargill will have of hearing Miss Hail before she returns to Italy, where she goes very shortly to make her debut at La Scala Opera House, Milan, the recognized world centre of Italian opera. Mrs A. E. Bath will preside at the piano and Mr E. A. Le Pettit is flautist. The box plan opens at the Bristol this morning.