ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 22194, 9 December 1933, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE. REVIVAL OF “SALLY IN OUR ALLEY.” “Sally In Our Alley,” which is being revived at the Civic Theatre to-night, and starring Gracie Fields, is a stoi-y of beaten track scenes laid on the old Mile End Road, a locality that calls for the portrayal of characters exclusive to this section of London. Sally Winch goes to work in a Mile End Road coffee shop. Sal was a great favourite, the customers adored her, and above all she could sing like an angel from a Lancashire heaven. Her fame spread from Mile End to Mayfair until Lady Daphne Fitzescombe pressed an invitation upon Sal to sing at a party which the Duchess of Wexford, Lady Daphne’s mother, was giving. Sal took the invitation card, but was not greatly impressed. Everyone wondered Sally did not marry. True, she loved George Miles, but he had been missing ever since the War. Alf Cope, a sailor with aspirations to Sally’s favour, and his pal, Jim Sears, concocted the yarn that George Miles is alive, but married to a girl called Daisy, and lives out East. They tell their tale to Mrs Pool in strict confidence ... so that all the neighbourhood shall know about it. In due course Sal gets to hear, and at first she doesn’t believe it She tackles Alf Cope, and at last she is convinced. But it nearly breaks her heart. Sal is weary of everything but the recollection comes to her of the Duchess’s invitation. Feeling in her coat pocket she finds that it is for that night . . . In the hall of the Duchess’s Mayfair house Lady Daphne greets her with enthusiasm, and lends her one of her own evening gowns. Soon she returns to the ballroom, radiant and transformed. She is made to sing, of course, and her songs are just as great a success here as in Sam Bilson’s coffee shop. When she has done, however, the smart crowd loses interest in her and, indignant and disillusioned once, more, she returns to the East End. Meanwhile, Florrie has found George Miles just as he was booking his passage to go abroad. She drags him back to the coffee shop, where Sally, _ she knew, had promised to sing that night. They arrive together, and there on the little stage is Sally Winch. When she sees them both together Sally’s face hardens, and she has to struggle hard to finish her song. But George is confident now, and as he joins her on the stage Sally takes her last and her greatest “curtain.” The supporting pictures include “Pack and Saddle,” sports. “News Reel,” topical, “Big Game,” cartoon, and “Mickey’s Busy Day,” comedy. MAJESTIC THEATRE. “THE WHITE SISTER.” COMMENCING THIS EVENING. As a play and in book form “The White Sister” proved its popularity, but with the unbounded scope provided by the talking pictures it has reached the zenith of its charm. Those who attend the Majestic Theatre to-day will not fail to be impressed by the wellbalanced and talented cast that appears in this picture, which is undoubtedly a dramatic triumph. Helen Hayes, Clark Gable, and Lewis Stone, who appear in the most important roles, can always be depended upon, no matter how onerous the task _ before them, and in this instance their presentation of an essentially dramatic and poignant motif is eminently satisfying. The note of romantic tragedy on which the story is based is preserved with a true faith to F. Marion Crawford’s touching narrative, but it is worthily enriched by production on a lavish scale and takes the .merit of greater inspirational appeal in consequence. Embellishments in colourful scene and picturesque background are as effective as they are natural. The spirit of Italian carnival, brimful of joyous revelry, provides an introduction to a romance which follows a highly emotional course in subsequent scenes. There is later the contrasting dignity of solemn religious ritual, the thrill of realistic aerial combat, and the harrowing vicissitudes of life in a war-time prison, with its diseasestricken inmates, to grip an unwavering interest. Drama reaches a supreme height, however, with the unexpected return of a lover who finds his betrothed a fully-received member of a sisterhood. A deeply-moving theme is given an interpretation which is fittingly reverent and in which the appeal of worldly sentiment is finely superseded by more spiritual considerations. Although it is a film of exceptional length, not a trace of irrelevant footage has been introduced, nor does the film drag, for the variety of subject and the beauty of background throw all else into subjugation.. As. it is, much has been left to the imagination of the audience, but the conclusion, like the film as a whole, is both unique and unusual, but not unsatisfactory. Helen Hayes, has the delicate duty of portraying the character of “The White Sister,” who renounces the world under the stress occasioned by the reported death of her aviator lover. She shows an admirable understanding of the part. Clark Gable, as a dashing, care-free officer, acquits himself splendidly in a role in which disappointment and unfulfilled hopes are the chief ingredients. Edward Arnold who takes the part of Father Saracinesca, gives a thoughtful portrayal, and Lewis Stone makes the most of his role of an uncompromising parent. Patrons will also have the pleasure of again enjoying another of Walt Disney’s Silly Symphonies in technicolour, “Old King Cole,” which is reported to be one of the best of these beautiful novelties. The Metrotone and Fox-Australasian newsreels will be screened. A special programme will be presented this afternoon for the juveniles, the main feature being Buck Jones in the western story, “Riding for Justice.” THE REGENT. “TELL ME TO-NIGHT.” RECORD-BREAKING PICTURE. “Tell Me To-night,’’ which opens at the Regent to-day, comes with the reputation of holding the record for long runs in both Sydney and Melbourne. In fact Melbourne, with its seven months’ season, probably established a world’s record. Southland residents will have the opportunity of seeing this great picture at the Regent to-day and all next week. Two sessions have been arranged for each day and on Wednesday (Show Day) there will be an additional morning screening. To see and hear Jan Kiepura in “Tell Me Tonight” is to experience the spell of a delightful personality as well as a glorious voice. Here is a great tenor from the opera stage of Europe, still so young that he lives in the sunshine of early popularity, yet mature enough to be acclaimed as one of the leading singers of his time, who, through the medium of the screen, is brought to the millions. Audiences, having felt the thrill of such singing, will ask for more of it. Against a landscape of snow-capped mountains and tree-covered hills, with occasional glimpses of silver-sparkling lakes, Kiepura, in the part of a famous opera singer, blends his voice with the beauty of Nature. It is a poetic effect, well befitting the theme, for there is a simple and touching love story which this music adorns. The. picturesque lake country is that of Switzerland, and to add a flavour of comedy to the plot the singer hides for a time behind the cloak of mistaken identity. He allows another, an international crook, to pass for the singer while he . secretly enjoys the freedom from publicity and the I opportunity to make love to the 1

Mayor’s daughter. It is a risky part to play, and brings him within the clutches of the law, but at a critical stage his voice saves the day. In the Court room, to prove his real identity, he sings arias from “Rigoletto” and “La Traviata,” and the effort is a triumph. No less a triumph is his appearance in the opera “La Boheme” in the climax of the picture. And there lingers in the memory a most pleasing theme song, and a happy serenading incident. The role of the Mayor’s daughter is played attractively by a German actress, Magda Schneider, and the comedy part of the crook by Sonnie Hale. In the same programme is a splendid film, “Our Fighting Navy,” giving a remarkable impression of the efficiency and the thoroughness of the training in the “silent service.” Beginning with the birth of the great naval tradition as the Empire to-day knows it, the picture shows the death of Nelson in his hour of victory. The modem side of naval warfare is described in graphic outline by manoeuvres and practice at sea, in battleship, cruiser, destroyer and submarine, and in aircraft machines. There is perfection of mechanism, but one is made to feel that behind it all, and still the most important factor in supremacy of the seas, is the training and courage of the men behind the guns. Taken altogether, the two pictures judged by any standard provide an entertainment that could not be surpassed. Plans are filling rapidly. Seats may be reserved at Rice’s Regent Shop or by ringing No. 1938. WIRTH’S CIRCUS. BIGGEST AND BEST YET. Leaders of entertainment in Australia for the past 56 years, and introduced as the greatest show on earth, Wirth Bros. Ltd. Circus will appear for two nights only in Invercargill on Friday and Saturday, December 15 and 16, matinee Saturday. Location will be the Showgrounds. Presented under the personal supervision of Mr Philip Wirth, sen., the show is claimed to be the biggest and best yet introduced by Messrs Wirth Bros. Mr Wirth states that never before has he had such an array of talent, sensational acts and novelties to entertain the public. Highlights in the show include “The Great Peters,” dare-devil of the trapeze who “hangs himself to live” in a sensational 75-foot dive through space with his head in a hangman’s noose. The act is performed without a net beneath, and it is obvious to the spectator that a slip would probably mean instant death. But “The Great Peters” neveifails. The Seven Flying Nelsons appear in an aerial acrobatic novelty described as the only act of its kind in the world. Madame Prince and her 15 performing monkeys introduce “The Monkey Fire Brigade” envisaging all the clanging of bells, screeching of sirens and roar of engines associated with a flying fire-fighting squad on the road. This monkey troupe is headed by Tarzan, the only monkey sharp-shooter on earth. Wirth’s Six Wonder Girls offer an amazing exhibition of pyramids, acrobatics and whirlwind tumbling, and Mlle Freda, world-famed contortionist, is seen in some picturesque poses. The Misses Wirth combine grace with beauty in their Flying Angels act, and Philip Wirth, jun., is seen in an original jockey act, the outstanding feature of which is his daring leap from the ground to a standing position on his steed’s back while the animal itself rises above a difficult hurdle. A host of additional artists and a wide diversity of trained wild animal acts, with through it all the irrepressible antics and quaint patter of the clowns help to swell the big programme provided. Prices are at a minimum, and box plans are on view at Begg’s. Consisting of sixteen cages of rare wild animals, Wirth’s zoo will be on view between 4 and 5 in the afternoon. This session—always popular—is the animals’ feeding time. The zoo includes cages of lions, tigers, leopards, a black panther, baboons, brown and white bears, etc., and, of course, the elephants, with the zoo’s latest attraction, Lizzie the 2nd, the African blood-sweating hippopotamus. Admission to the zoo, Adults 1/- (plus tax); children, 6d.