ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 20537, 13 July 1928, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

POPULAR PICTURES. LAST NIGHT OF THE BEAUTIFUL PROBLEM PLAY “THE UNBORN” AND “THE PONY EXPRESS.” Patrons are reminded of the final screening to-night of the big double programme that has attracted packed houses for the past two nights. The opening picture “The Pony Express” is a ten-reel Western story of the early pioneers of America, before the advent of the railroad, when the mails were carried across the Continent by. fearless and intrepid riders. The picture abounds in thrilling situations, as the locale of the story is in the midst of the “hostile Indian” territory. Betty Compson, Ricardo Cortez, and Wallace Beery play the leading roles, and are well supported by Ernest Torrence and George Bancroft. General interest, however, centres around the beautiful love story, “The Unborn,” in which the souls of two women are laid bare—one longing eternally for the touch of little fingers; the other seeking to destroy God’s greatest gift. Owing to the extreme delicacy of the story, children under 16 cannot be admitted. Box plans are open at the Bristol, and intending patrons would be wise to reserve as the seating has been taxed, and another packed house is assured for this evening. CIVIC PICTURES. “MAY FAIR 1928” AND LAST NIGHT OF “BONNIE PRINCE CHARLIE” AND KEN MAYNARD IN “THE RED • RAIDERS.” In addition to the film of May Fair 1928 the Civic management will show for the last time to-night the story of “Bonnie Prince Charlie” and Flora Macdonald. Taking a company of exceptional artists to Scotland, the English producer has attained, in addition to scenic beauty, accuracy of locale. The Scottish Highlands, the scenes of the Isle of Skye are all seen in actual fact as a background to this British photoplay. In addition great care has been taken with the costuming and settings, bringing them as historically accurate to the screen as is possible. A big cast of well-known English players is headed by Ivor Novello and Gladys Cooper. The other star picture “The Red Raiders,” is primarily an outdoor drama starring Ken Maynard. Scenes were taken in the picturesque region of Lodge Grass, Mont., in the heart of the early savage Indian hotbed. Normally, even in the making of outdoor pictures, producers are compelled to improvise scenes to fit the story, but “The Red Raiders” was taken in the locale of the original story. More than two weeks were spent on location in the Montana wilderness and in the vicinity of two Indian reservations—the Crows and Sioux. “The Red Raiders” written by Marion Jackson, is based on the struggle for pioneer settlers in the north-west, who lived in peril of the savage Indians. “THE COHENS AND KELLYS IN PARIS.”, FUN AT THE CIVIC TO-MORROW. There will be many sore sides in Invercargill during the season of “The Cohens and Kellys in Paris” which is to open at the Civic Pictures matinee to-morrow. Cohen is played by George Sidney that master of Jewish roles, while the inexpressible Kelly is none other than our old friend J. Farrell MacDonald (Casey of “The Iron Horse”). They hit the high spots of Gay Paree and the fun that follows in their trail is something to look out for and something to look back on and laugh over afterwards. Make sure of seats early for the opportunities of seeing this fun film will be limited. MAJESTIC THEATRE. LAST NIGHT OF “WHITE GOLD,” FEATURING JETTA GOUDAL, ALSO PETER B. KYNE’S “PALS IN PARADISE.” The twenty-foot movie kiss, that held the sighing flapper in rapt ecstacy, has resulted in an over-emphasis of screen love-making 1 that must undergo a change if pictures are to become a true reflection of life. This is the contention of Garret Fort, scenarist, whose latest effort is “White Gold,” starring Jetta Goudal and featuring Kenneth Thomson and George Bancroft, which finishes to-night at the Majestic. Intermittent clinches that punctuate every other scene have kept motion pictures on a plane of unreality, Fort believes. W. K. Howard, the director, is in perfect accord with the contention and “White Gold,” an epic of the sheep country, is in the nature of a test of this theory. Hate supercedes other elements and the love theme is carried out in its proper ratio. John Bowers risked his life for realism when the automobile in which he was riding suddenly lurches and topples down an embankment in the filming of “Pals in Paradise.” A double was dispensed with by Bowers in “shooting” the action, and it was only by a quick jump from the reeling car that he was saved from being buried under the debris. The machine’s informal slide down the embankment uncovers a vein of gold, which serves as the theme for the story. The gold rush receives modern treatment in “Pals in Paradise,” the scene being laid in the California of the present day. The picture will be screened for the last time to-night at this theatre. With Bowers in the all-star cast are Marguerite de La Motte, Rudolph Schildkraut, May Robson and Alan Brooks, as well as a strong supporting array of players in minor roles. THE MERRYMAKERS TO-NIGHT. MUNICIPAL THEATRE. The Bluff merrymakers have a reputation which will be sustained at the Municipal Theatre to-night when they will stage the modern comedy “All’s Well,” followed by a lively revue of the best quality. You should not fail to see Miss Kitty Goomes, Bluff’s one and only comedienne, as the cook in “All’s Well.” It is a veritable scream. Miss Elsie Preston, Bluff’s clever eoubrette, in the latest craze, “Blue Heaven” with full chorus; Miss Chrissie Spencer, Bluff’s brilliant character soloist, in her splendid hit “Hawaiian Love,” Miss Muriel Fowler, Bluff’s own premier danseuse, in the outstanding and clever “Doll’s Dance”; Miss Cissie West, Bluff’s inimitable impersonator in “Red Lips.” The Metzger duo will be at their best in “Fifty Million Frenchmen,” and there are numerous other items of interest and entertainment which should appeal to all —young or old alike. Booking is heavy and an early call at the Bristol is advised to secure a good seat at £26. Stalls and circle 2/- and gallery 1/-. Early doors at Mrs Gawn’s sixpence extra.

MISS DAISY HALL.

Miss Daisy Hall (New Zealand’s coloratura soprano), who is visiting her native country after an extensive training in Italy, commences a Dominion concert tour with her opening recital in the Municipal Theatre on Monday, July 16. Southland people, besides being keen critics, are very sympathetic and hospitable; they also show their great appreciation and give support to all visitors of outstanding merit, as was recently the case with the Fuller-Gonsalez opera combination. Miss Hall comes to Invercargill with a big reputation, she having won her w ; ay in the musical world by sheer hard studies, coupled with the gift of a magic, golden voice. New Zealand should be proud of having produced a singer who is spoken so highly of by the critics whereever she has sung, as it is not often that Nature endows a singer with such commanding, attractive stage presence and charm of manner combined with a magnificent vocal equipment and rare talent of the highest order. Miss Hall’s voice has that unmistakable resonance of the great artists who visit us at rare intervals. She is a brilliant pupil of the Bel Canto School.

Her voice flows flawless and golden without effort to the appointed end, and her colorature work glows with a congenial warmth. Miss Hall’s first tutor was the celebrated Professor Benedetto Morasca of Palermo, and subsequently to that she studied under the eminent old Maestro Manlio Bavagnoli, Milan, who thought so much of her gifted, beautiful voice that he wrote urging her to return to Italy to perfect her art and dedicate her life to Italian opera with every assurance of success. • Among her numbers for next Monday’s recital will be the famous solo, “Lo, Hear The Gentle Lark” (Bishop), famous for its flute cadenzas, and it is here as in other bird songs that you hear Miss Hall’s voice to perfection. Such wonderful balance and absolute command, the voice cannot be distinguished from the flute. Keen critics say of this masterpiece, “Better than Tettrazini.” The box plan is now open at the Bristol.