ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 20617, 16 October 1928, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE. THE LAST NJGHT OF THE “HEENEYTUNNEY FIGHT FILM,” ALSO WILLIAM HAINES IN “THE SMART SET,” “THE COLLEGIANS,” AND “LEAVE ’EM LAUGHING.” z To-night is announced as being the last screening of the “Heeney-Tunney. Fight Film,” at the Majestic Theatre, so it is safe to say that there will be another crowded house to witness this remarkable battle between the world’s greatest fighters. This film was screened in Wellington before the Prime Minister, the Hon. J. G. Coates, members of the Cabinet, members of Parliament and the leading boxing enthusiasts of Wellington. One and all say “The greatest fight picture yet screened.” Tom Heeney outboxed, but not outgamed, covered himself with glory. This is also the opinion of Invercargill sportsmen who have been privileged to view the screening. Why haven’t we had polo pictures before? Lots of people who have seen William Haines in his latest Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture, “The Smart Set,” also closing tonight at this theatre, are asking this question. Polo seems to be ideal screen material; it has everything—thrills, colour, struggle, romance—and it gives plenty of scope for sparkling comedy. One doesn’t need to understand the game to realize that “The Smart Set” is one of the finest comedy romances of a decade. Alice Day, Jack Holt and Hobart Bosworth, all stars themselves, make a very talented supporting cast for Haines in this wonderful picture, while Jack Conway’s direction is beyond reproach. Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy are seen in a screaming comedy “Leave ’Em Laughing,” and another chapter of the popular “Collegians,” a “News Reel” and “Gazette” complete a 100 per cent, programme. “WINGS.” THE “BEAU GESTE” OF THE AIRNOW AT THE CIVIC. Again many of those who delayed booking their seats ■were disappointed at the Civic last night for the rush to see the big picture “Wings” in every centre that has been shown is being repeated here and seating was again at a premium. It takes a mighty powerful picture to get the classification of Big these days, but “Wings” deserves it from half a dozen angles. Here is the conflict of nations depicted from the air; and at the same' time it has been packed with heart interest that on occasions brings out the pocket handkerchiefs. Try as the producers have done in the past, they never before have succeeded in making an aeroplane a vehicle for genuine drama. That William Wellman has done so is a tribute to Paramount’s foresight in entrusting to an almost unknown director one of their biggest pictures of the year. Those shots of aerial warfare, the crashes, the flaming falls and all the incidents photographed at close-range above the clouds, pile up the thrills, while the drama runs strongly through it all. There is a welcome departure by making the comradeship of two aviators the main theme, and keeping the feminine interest subservient, although naturally it is over a woman that the friends eventually split. The story opens in a small town where Jack and Dave are rivals for the affections of Sylvia, Jack blinding himself to the fact that Mary (Clara Bow) loves him. When war breaks out both enlist in the Flying Corps and Jack believes he won Sylvia’s love. In the camp the enmity of the two boys gives place to friendship, and in France both become aerial aces, but Sylvia’s name is never mentioned, although on every stunt Jack carries her photograph in a pocket. Mary is seen later as an ambulance driver. She meets Jack once while he is enjoying a riotous leave in Paris; and while he never realizes it and does not even recognize her in his stupor, she saves him from trouble. Throughout all this, the friendship oj the two men is built up, until just before they engage in their last attack against the undefeated German “Flying Circus.” That morning the photograph of Sylvia falls out of Jack’s locket and Dave picks it up. He finds on the back a message of love intended for himself and rather than let Jack know the truth, he tears up the photograph. Their personal fight is interrupted by orders to attack the German squadron. In that battle Dave is brought down and reported killed. Infuriated, Jack commences a lone-handed attack on the enemv and wins his way to victory. Meanwhile Dave has really escaped and, having stolen an enemy plane, is heading back to the allied lines. Jack sights the German machine and gives chase without knowing that the flyer into whom he is pumping bullets is his own friend. Dave falls in flames and dies in Jack’s arms. . There drama hits the high spot of its poignancy. The subsequent reunion of Mary and Jack is obvious, yet so strongly is the whole portrayed that the throb beats through to the end. The short prologue “Knights of the Air” gives a comprehensive and interesting survey of the progress of aviation from the beginning to the present day. Plans are at the Bistol.

RETURN SEASON OF GRAND OPERA. FULLER-GONSALEZ COMPANY. Even though it is scarcely four months since the Fuller-Gonsalez Grand Opera Company left Invercargill to commence its tour of the northern centres, the announcement of its return on October 23 will be received with universal gratification, and will kindle in the minds of hundreds feelings of pleasurable expectations not less deep than those which were occasioned by the first appearance at the Municipal Theatre of this talented combination with its repertoire of deathless works of great masters. For four days the musically minded will be transported again into realms which are denied to us on account of the distance at which we live from centres of the old world, and although it will not be possible for the company to repeat the unforgettable programme that thrilled so many audiences in June, there will be enough to refresh the memory and recall the pleasure which the last visit provided. Those who were fortunate enough to be able to take the fullest advantage of the company’s initial appearances will be under no misapprehension as to what keen enjoyment can be expected, and there will be many who will rejoice at yet another chance to renew acquaintance with the grandeur and glories of the great operatic masterpieces that have delighted millions in almost every nation of the world for many decades past. To those who will be sampling for the first time the wonders of grand opera the season will be momentous and memorable since the limited repertoire includes works which have been acclaimed the world over as the greatest of all time. The programme that has been provisionally drawn up will commend itself to all music-lovers. The operas to be presented are “The Masked Ball,” Bellini’s “Norma,” Wagner’s “Lohengrin,” and Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville.” Box plans open at the Bristol on Thursday, October 18, for all operas.