ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 20665, 22 April 1929, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

GEORGE STOREY, REVUE COMEDIAN. BIG ATTRACTION AT MAJESTIC. ' A'wonderful programme was presented at the Majestic on Saturday night to a house simply packed to overflowing in every part. The popular revue comedian, George Storey, kept the house in shrieks of merriment for well over half an hour, and evpry appearance of the bewitchingly gowned Miss Dulcie Milner’ brought forth thunders of applause. It- is quite safe to say, that such a pair of entertainers have been seen and heard but seldom in Invercargill, and if the reception accorded them on Saturday night is any criterion, the two remaining nights oi their all too short' stay will' mean that seating accommodation at the 'Majestic will be at a premium. Nd British drama of recent years has equalled "His House in Order in the. widespread fame it obtained,' and it- IS a little surprising that the inevitable filming of it should have tarried so long. Many playgoers' will recall the story of -this domestic drama—the husband who worshipped the memory of . his first wife, and coinpared her only too favourably with the second one, the sprightly governess to his child, until an accident laid bare her double life, and her martyred successor was_ restored to her rightful place in her husband’s esteem. The play was a wonderful demonstration, not merely of womanly deception, but of husband’s- crass folly, -and the sufferings of the second wife whose careless happiness was mistaken for empty levity, strikes a poignant and deeply human note. “His House in Order” will be screened for two more nights at the Majestic. Rin Tin Tin never disappoints his audience. He is always there with the zest, the intelligence. and .the vigour which sends the crowd into roars of approval.. In. “Rinty of the Desert” which also opened at this theatre on Saturday, he is shown as an outcase dog, who gets himself adopted by old man Marlowe and his grand daughter Mary, keepers of a dime museum. On his own, runty adopts a family of pups, and all goes well until an enemy of Marlowe lures him away from home.' Pat-.Casey-'of the police, Mary s beau, goes in search of the lost showman, with Rinty. The two are captured! A ferocious dog attacks Casey ! Rinty is blamed and sentenced to be shot! These are but a few of the thrilling adventures which make up “Rinty of the Desert!” Plans are at the Bristol.

THE REGENT. LAST NIGHT OF BIG COMEDY PROGRAMME. Another large and thoroughly appreciative audience enjoyed the Regent s current big comedy programme on Saturday night, and those who have not yet seen this treat are advised that to-night will be the last screening. Both “Love Overnight,’ featuring Rod la Rocque and “My Friend from India” are pictures that can safely be recommended. Commencing to-morrow will be another big double star programme, headed by Clive Brook and Jacqueline Logan in “Midnight Madness.” The story concerns a girl who marries the man for his money, but he finds out her objective on- the wedding day, and tells her that he is only a poor rancher living in Africa. He takes her to a small hut in the African jungle, and there proceeds to win her effectiori by cave ■ man ■ methods. The second picture will be "Beyond the Sierras, a dashing tale of Southern California, starring Tim McCoy. McCoy dashes through a romantically thrilling story with the flashing blade and fiery heart of the cavalier. The spectacular dueling scenes provide the climax to the . gripping narrative of California in the days of the proud Spanish Dons and again emphasizes McCoy’s amazing versatility. His acting in the great moments of drama, as well as in the tender love scenes, show him a master of characterization. Sylvia Beecher, Roy D’Arcy and Polly Moran also appear in strong supporting roles. CIVIC PICTURES. “MW, GANGSTER” (DON TERRY, JUNE COLLYER), “THE DANGER RIDER” (HOOT GIBSON).

In the past some very excellent programmes have been presented at . the Civic, but it -is safe -to say that the chief picture that was shown for the first time at this popular house of amusement on Saturday is by fat the finest and most dramatic seen for many a long time. “Me—Gangster,” is a story of the under-world. The story of “Me—Gangster” has been acclaimed by literary critics for its colourful realism in presenting gang life in metropolitan cities. Heading a powerful and well-bal-anced cast of players is Don Terry, while June Collyer plays ' the feminine lead. Jimmy Williams (Don Terry) is first seen as a youth, a typical product of the congested tenement district adjoining the East River docks.in New York city. His father, Ruas Williams (Anders Randolf), in the early scenes of the story, is a stevedore, a master of men by virtue of a domineering personality. He is able to master most men, his son. being the only exception. When Jimmy reaches young manhood his father has become a . political . leader and wardman. With a disdain for manual labour, Jimmy soon starts down the road that has but one ending. With his pal, Danny (Al Hill), he knocks down a man in an alley, takes his money, and evades the arm of the law. Robbing seems easier than working, and Jimmy soon attempts bigger jobs. He eventually joins a gang. After "pulling off” a solo job, he is brought face to face with the law. His father has been deprived of his political power and can in no way assist him, as he is unable to discover the hiding place of the loot. Jimmy’s sweetheart, Mary Regan (June Collyer), has faith in him and urges him to go straight. This he does, and he is paroled, leaving the prison for his home. A member of the gang, however, trails. him in an effort to find the loot. The trail leads to the home of Mary, where a fight commences. Jimmy is beaten into'insensibility and a search is made for the hidden money. Eventually the police are called in and the closing scenes show, where the youthful pair are happy, the money is returned, abd the father once more becomes a stevedore. He, too, is happy because he has learned his lesson. The other attraction is ‘The Danger Rider,” with Hoot Gibson, the king of Western stars, in the leading role. “THE MERRY WIVES. OF WINDSOR.” OPENING OF SHAKESPEAREAN - . • SEASON. To-night witnesses the opening production of the Allan Wilkie Shakespearean Company’s three-nights’ season at the Municipal Theatre, where the ever-popular comedy “The Merry Wives of Windsor ’ will be staged. There is a tradition that the play was written by Shakespeare at the request of Queen Elizabeth and that, under considerable, pressure, he wrote it in a few days. It is also said'that the Queen, being delighted with ’ Falstaff in “Henry the Fourth,” was anxious to see a presentation of,the burly old knight in loye. Perhaps it .was -the .affection of Queen • Elizabeth for Falstaff which precluded him from ever having , been killed. ,At any rate in another play it. was merely < discovered that he was'dead.. .Be that as .it may-the play shines to-day "like , a good .deed in a naughty world” of sacch.arine ■ .musical comedy, “crook” drama and equivocal farce .and its broadly . humourous .- situations and hearty merriment' have in them something of the spaciousness of the-days,of .great Elizabeth. A jolly'arid vigorous - performance may be expected to-night .With .Mr. Allan-Wilkie in the .role of- Falstaff, Miss Hunter-Watts in that of . Mistress ■ Ford and Mr. - Alexander Marsh, a newcomer to ..New-Zealand as the much harassed Ford. To-morrow night “Romeo and Juliet” will be staged and the.season will conclude on-Wednesday-with the production of-“As You Like. It.”. Boxplans are at the Bistrol Piano Company.-