ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 21178, 3 September 1930, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE CIVIC TALKIES. TO-NIGHT AT 7.45. “GOLD DIGGERS OE BROADWAY.” Because of the big rush for seats which is being experienced nightly arrangements have been made for “Gold Diggers of Broadway” to be screened at the Civic tonight as well as the Regent. This remarkable picture has proven to be tfie biggest box office attraction ever brought to Fiew Zealand. Record seasons have oeen played everywhere and Invercargill is now experiencing tne boom. In Auckland it established New Zealand records for length of run and public attendance and here’it will be the same. It is an all-talking comedy, is produced in natural colours, and the cast includes actors and actresses famous ■ on Broadway. There is a story which is utilized for the purpose of introducing, songs and dances, and ensembles. The dialogue is smartly written, there is a show-within-a-show, -and a chorus of dancing' and singing Hollywood beauties. Altogether, “Gold Diggers of Broadway” is a screen production that has a strong appeal for all classes of patrons. Nancy Weliord and Conway Tearle have the leading ro.les, while other principal parts are acted' by Ann Pennington (Broadway’s dancing darling), Winnie Lightner (the “tomboy” of musical comedy) Lilyan Tashman (a ravishing blonde from the “Folliesl, Albert Gran, Helen 1-osier, William Bakewell and Nick Lucas, who sings five of the nine songs. Box plans for the Civic will be at the Bristol until noon and later seats may be, reserved at Mrs Jack’s, Tay street shop (opposite theatre). THE REGENT. “GOLD DIGGERS OF BROADWAY.” MATINEE AND NIGHT. , Record houses are still being attracted by Hie remarkable Warner Bros.' attraction “Gold Diggers ot Broadway." 10-ciay there will be t»o sessions—matinee and night—at the Regent, and on account of the overwhelming rush for scats each night recently arrangements have been made tor -screening mis excellent picture to-night, at the Civic theatre as well. As most people now know “Gold Diggers of Broadway" contains all the elcinenls ot good entertainment. It possesses comedy of real merit, and is full of the ni'ost delightful humour, humour of the most boisterous kind, but nevertheless very acceptable. Its colourful settings and magnificent mass scenes are among the best things of their kind that have yet been seen on the screen in Invercargill and all the musical work is good. The plenitude ot theme songs and incidental musical interpolations gives the show a rhythm and swing which distinguish it from the general run of “talkie” revues, and the exceptionally fine cast, assembled for this film must ensure its success. Winnie Lightner is a constant delight with her wild humour and ceaseless movement. Conway Tearle, Ann Pennington, Nancy Wellord, Gertrude Short, Lilyan Tashman, Helen Foster, William Bakewell, Albert Grand, are, all names well known and popular on the talking screen, and this troupe does exceedingly well throughout one of the most generally ex'cellcnt films of its kind that has yet.been shown in this city. The musical numbers include “Painting the Clouds With Sunshine,” "Tip Toe Through the Tulips,” “In a Kitchenette,” “I Want a .Mechanical Man, “To to Bed,” “The Song of the Gold Diggers,” and many others. Nick Lucas, well known on gramophone and radio as the “crooning troubadour,” appears to excellent advantage in both of the theme songs and in one or two other numbers also. The film includes a nicely coherent romance, and a great deal of really artistic dancing as well as a lot of acrobatic turns that are revelations of this class of foot-work. “The Gold Diggers of Broadway” is well worth a visit and should certainly be seen, by everyone. Plans will be at the Bristol until noon and later seats for the Regent may be reserved at the theatre or by ringing No. 1938. MAJESTIC MATINEE AND TO NIGHT. COMPLETE CHANGE OF PROGRAMME WILLIAM POWELL AND HELEN KANE IN “POINTED HEELS,” PARAMOUNT ALL-TALKING-SINGING - DANCING ROMANCE. After completing the solution of two murders as Philo Vance in Paramount’s “The Canary Murder Case” and “The Greene Murder Case,” William Powell returns to the all-talking screen at the Majestic Theatre to-day in a role similar to those which brought, him earlier fame in the silent films. He is performing the central character part of Robert Courtland in “Pointed Heels.” In this role he portrays a man of the world, a sort of urbane demivillain who tries Io break up the happy marriage of a show girl friend and her youthful composer-husband. It is a perfect Powell role, and the suave William plays it to perfection. Fay Wray is the show girl. She is more bewitching than ever, Phillips Holmes, is the youthful husband. Helen Kane of radio and phonograph record fame —the same who played coquettish roles in "Nothing But the Truth” and “Sweetie,” is co-featured with Powell. She plays the role of Dot Nixon, crooning singer of the snog and dance team of Dot and Dash Nixon, of which Richard “Skeets” Gallagher is the Dash. Eugene Pallette, who was Powell’s team-mate, the Sgt. Heath, of the S. S. Van Dine murder mystery pictures, is cast in the part of Joe Clark, stage manager for the revues which Powell finances on Broadway. The production, which is an all-talking Paramount one, was directed by A. Edward Sutherland. The story of “Pointed Heels,” was written by Charles Brackett. The adaptation was written by Florence Ryerson and John V. A. Weaver. A splendid lot of all-talking and sound supporting featurettes accompany this special Paramount feature) Plans are at the Bristol till noon, or at the Majestic Theatre thereafter. “LOVE LIES” AND "SO THIS IS LOVE.” "A smart, well-dressed, rollicking musical comedy, with delightfully tuneful music, an interesting love romance and an abundance of genuinely humorous comedy,” wrote a critic, “are the ingredients upon which ‘Love Lies’ which is to be staged by J. C. Williamson Ltd., in conjunction with Richard White and Eric Edgley at the Civic Theatre on Thursday and Friday next has been built and the whole combined has served to make it one of the most enjoyable musical comedies staged in recent years.” There has never been a more popular comedian in New Zealand than Clem Dawe and playgoers will be delighted to welcome the re-appearance of this irresistibly humorous comedian for the first time in a musical comedy production. Clem Dawe toured the rvhole of England and America during the latter portion of last year, and in London he saw both "Love Lies” and “So This Is Love” in both of which he will appear in roles which give him every opportunity to exhibit his genius for creating merriment. Miss Betty Eley, who will make her first appearance here in “Love Lies,” it is said possesses a voice much above the average, she has a charming personality and she is an excellent dancer. Mr Bobby Gordon comes with a big reputation as a young light comedian, and Mr Michael Cole was specially engaged in England for the character played in “Love Lies” in London by Cyril Richards. The company includes the following favourites, Marie Eaton, Dan Agar, Paul Plunkett, Mona Barles, Eric Edgley, John Wood, Les White, Kitty Stewart and Compton Coutts. Quite a big feature of “Love Lies” is the “tap-dancing” by a number of Australian girls and other features are the ensemble ballets and the costumes. Only one performance can be staged of “Love Lies” and it will be followed by “So This Is Love” which is the present reigning musical comedy atraction in London. Mona Zeppd and John Robert-

son are, it is said, two remarkably fine dancers and Gregory Ivanoff is in charge of the orchestra. The box plans are now open at the Bristol. REGENT THEATRE, GORE. “Thunder,” the new Lon Chaney starring vehicle, a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer sound synchronized production, which opened yesterday at the Regent Theatre, Gore, is decidedly a worth-while entertainment, for it tells a human interest story and is set against a background of mighty thrills and adventure. There is deft characterization in it, too, as, of course, there always is in a Chaney picture. There is also romance, speed and authentic atmosphere. It also shows the beautiful Phyllis Haver in what she has announced as her farewell to the screen.