Round The Shows

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 662, 14 May 1929, Page 13

Round The Shows

NEW REGENT “WHITE SHADOWS OF THE SOUTH SEAS” Love under the tropic moon—grim shadows of the money-hungry white man—fantastic scenery, melodious native songs, and the roar of surf on the coral reef—a thrilling drama of a dying race. These factors jail contribute to make “White Shadows in the South Seas,” the New Regent sound synchronisation picture, which is daily attracting record houses, a picture that is human, natural and different. The story opens with Monte Blue as Dr. Lloyd, a beachcomber physician, salvaging the lives of native pearl divers on a South Sea island. These natives, urged on by the white man’s cupidity, dive to great depths in search of the elusive mussels, and as a result are dying out rapidly from the tremendous pressure. Lloyd finds in his own maimed heart a greaty pity for these simple islanders. After many hardships he finds a native village which has never seen a white man and the natives take him to their heart. It is love for little Fayaway, the daughter of the chief, and his determination to keep her and her people away from the contaminating influence of his fellow whites which make the picture a mighty epic of the hearts of men as well as of the beauties of tropical nature. The New Regent programme also includes a short all-talking drama entitled “Confession.” It is a wartime story, directed by Lionel Barrymore. Other features are the songs by Marion Harris, the notable Columbia artist, and the speeches by Dr. Fridtjof Nansen, the famous Arctic explorer, and also by President Hoover.

“THE MIDNIGHT FROLICS” HIS MAJESTY’S TOMORROW Tomorrow night at His Majesty’s Theatre the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., management 'will present Clem Dawe, Mona Magnet and the Midnight Frolics, including the Jazz Band, in a magnificent new programme of the latest songs, dances and sketches. The season must positively be limited to eight nights, as the company is due to leave for Australia within the next fortnight. r , , In no city or town in New Zealand is Clem Dawe more popular than lie is in Auckland, and this inimitable and. eccentric comedian will doubtless be heartily welcomed when he makes his reappearance tomorrow night. Plavgoers are keen to enjoy again the artistry of Miss Mona Magnet, who, until recently, was performing in the leading role in England m The Show Boat ” She had appeared in this production for over six months, and suffered a nervous breakdown. Her doctor ordered her a sea trip, and she then decided to accept an offer from the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., management to return to Australia and New Zealand. Miss Magnet will present some of her latest London song successes, and she will usist Clem Dawe in several new and original sketches. At the termination of the present New Zealand tour of the Midnight Frolics Miss Magnet will return to Australia, where she is to play a leading part in an important Williamson comic opera production. Mr. Eric Edgeley is in town completing arrangements for Wednesday’s big opening programme, which is said to be the most entertaining of any yet presented by the Midnight Frolics. Mr. Clem Daw© will be seen in some very j amusing sketches, and the famous i Frolics Jazz Band will be heard in its latest successes. I Others whose appearance will be wel- \ corned are Dorothy White. William j Perryman, Les White, Gertie Cremer j and Victor Beck. The box plans for the whole of the j season of eight nights are now open at j Lewis Eady, Ltd.

MAJESTIC “Q SHIPS” AND “TRUE HEAVEN” Leiutenant-Commander Auten, V.C., R.N.R., who won his distinction while on “Q {Ship” service, appears personally in the film “Q Ships,” now at the Majestic Theatre, together with many members of his original crew, who were with him when his ship Stockforce engaged the German submarine IJ-98 and sank it. The clever tactics used In luring the German submarines to their doom are remarkably portrayed in the film, which tells of how Auten and liis crew, concealed in their sinking ship, waiting patiently for hours in order to account for on© more German submarine. Though “True Heaven,” the second big picture, is a story of the late conflict of nations, there is no scene in the picture which brings the character of the play nor the evolution of the story to the battle front. On that basis “True Heaven” cannot be called a war story in the accepted sense. There are no big guns, no marching regiments, no battles —

“True Heaven” is more of the period of the war than of the war Itself. Again, “True Heaven” proves, more than all else, that teeming drama came out of the war, none more powerful than is embodied in this story of a young British officer and a mysterious young girl known only as “Judith.” The programme also includes a Majestic Magazine, a U.F.A. gem, and excellent music by Mr. WliitefordWaugh’s orchestra. b|

THE GRAFTON PLAYERS “NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH” A crowded house witnessed the first production of the Grafton Shakespeare and Dramatic Club’s 1920 season last evening at the Unity Hall. The play chosen was Mr. James Montgomery’s comedy, “Nothing But the Truth,” in which a young man, for a wager, undertakes to tell no falsehood —not even a “white” or social one—for a period of 24 hours. The result, as may be readily imagined, is disastrous for all the parties to the transaction.

The cast was as follows: Clarence Van Dusen (Arthur Woodham), E. M. Ralston (A. Out ram Horspool). the Rev. Dr. Doran (Mervyn Rattray), Dick Donnelly (Rex Fairburn), Bob Bennett (Jack Gordon), Mrs. Ralston (Catherine Chalmers), Gwen (Audrey Perry). Ethel (Alice Keely), Sabel (Winifred Crosher), Mabel (Lawrie McGregor), Martha (Mary Pilkington). The comedy, which was enthusiastically received, was produced by Mrs. Ted Stratton.

STRAND “IN OLD ARIZONA” “Five Thousand Dollars Reward for ‘The Cisco Kid’—Dead or Alive.” Posters to that effect had been hung from the Frio to the Rio Grande, the known habitat of the daring, handsome cruel youth who had eluded every attempt to capture him, mostly because lie was a split second quicker in pulling a gun than those who came within distance of him. The serene and undisturbed existence he led caused the colonel of a regiment of cavalry to dispatch some sarcastic lines to the sergeant in command of a squad camped at a water hole on the Nueces, with the result that “Sergeant Mickey Dunn” saddled his horse and rode to the Mexican settlement at Wolf’s Crossing of the Frio, 20 miles away, to get the Cisco Kid and the reward.

Mickey met the girl and romance at the same time. He persuaded her to betray the Cisco Kid, mostly by the promise of the reward, and that proved the undoing of both. The Cisco Kid worked out vengeance on them in a characteristic way. “In Old Arizona,” which is now at the Strand Theatre, is the first feature length Fox film to be produced by Fox Movietone. One sees and hears not only every important character in the story but the minor players as well, and the minor players constitute the most formidable list ever to be assembled in any picture. Each has been a star or feature player in prior productions. . Warner Baxter plays the Cisco Kul, Dorothy Burgess is Tonia Maria, and Edmund Lowe is Sergeant Mickey Dunn, a role on a par with his inimitable portrayal of “Sergeant Quirt” in “What Price Glory.” This time Lowe is heard as well as seen. Tlie all-talkie supporting programme includes a number of enjoyabl 3 songs by Beatrice Lillie, the famous English stage comedienne, also fascinating Honolulu melodies by the Royal Hawaiian singers. There is also a Fox Movietone News Gazette with events of the day in talk and sound.

SEASON ENDING

GEORGE WALLACE AT ST. JAMES

George Wallace’s record-breaking season is now drawing to a close of St. James Theatre, there being only three more nights on which the inimitable comedian and his bright revue company will delight the crowds which continue to throng the theatre. The chief attraction on the programme being offered nightly this week is the nautical revue, “Off Honolulu.” George himself appears as “the pride of the navy.” Very enjoyable music is provided by the Flaming Youths’ Jazz Band, and the Rascals’ Ballet presents a number of new and fascinating dances. The singing of Marshall Crosby, Maria Nyman, Maida Jones and others, and the items by the Two Dudleys and Jack Scott all contribute to the success of the entertainment.

GRAND AND LYRIC “SHOW LIFE” A powerful story is told in “Show Life,” a British International picture, which is one of the two big attractions now at both the Grand and Lyric Theatres. “Steamboat Bill Junior,” the second feature, is an uproarious comedy of petty jealousies between two rival captains of Mississippi river boats. Buster Keaton, the well-known frozen-faced star, is the cause of much of the merriment.

PLAZA “THE SINGING FOOL” Again last evening there was a crowded house at the Plaza Theatre to seo and hear “The Singing - Pool,” a talking and singing picture which sets and holds a new mark in this form of entertainment. A 1 Jolson who plays the leading role, is recognised as one of America’s foremost entertainers, and is cast as a successful vaudeville artist in the film, which abounds in emotional scenes. Al. fcJtone, an artist employed at a fashionable cabaret, marries a fellow artist who proves unfaithful. He sinks to the gutter, but redeems himself for the sake of his little son, only to have the child die in his arms when he has reached fame and fortune. In “The Singing Fool,” Jolson is revealed as one of the most powerful emotional actors on the screen, and his creation is in decided contrast to his work as a comedian. Hetty Bronson and Josephine Bun are seen in the leading feminine roles. The programme opens with the overture, “Tannhauser,” played by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, and a splendid programme of short supporting “talkie” subjects has been arranged. These include numbers bv Mischa Blman, the violinist, a burlesque of opera players by the Howard Brothers, and a setting of a monastery cell is used for the remarkable offering of solos and quartets by a quartet of cowled friars. Perhaps the grer ✓st item of these short features is the solo by Giovanni Martinelli, which is heard with remarkable clarity. Giovanni Martinelli has made a notable success at Covent Garden and at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York, and has been pronounced one ot the best of the great Italian tenors. His flawless tenoy voice is heard to the fullest advantage in “Vesti La Giubba.

TRAIN-SMASH THRILLS “THE WRECKER” AT WORK TONIGHT In a darkened signal-box, with two drugged men on the floor, two frenzied people watch the approach of the Rainbow express. The points are set against it and a crash, sending hundreds of lives to doom, is almost imminent. "Which lever are they to pull? A toss of the coin decides. Which lever did they pull? "The Wrecker,” playing at His Majesty’s Theatre this evening for the last time in Auckland, will decide that question. The train is heard in the distance roaring its way on its allnight journey. It rounds the bend in the line, the lights flash on the signalbox wall: the din becomes terrific as the train literally flies past. “The Wrecker” has been at work; but has he failed this time? Thrills and realistic railway train effects keep the imagination stirred during this fast-moving play of four acts. On the lines of "The Ghost Train,” this thriller introduces some fine mechanical imitations, which cover any other shortcoming which might be noticed in the presentation of “The Wrecker.” The identity of The Wrecker is kept a close secret until the last few lines, and, of course, everyone is suspected of being the bold, bad wrecker of innocent lives. RIALTO, AND REGENT, EPSOM “DON’T MARRY” Youth, romance, whimsical comedy, and Lois Moran and Neil Hamilton in featured roles all make "Don’t Marry” now at the Rialto and Regent Theatres, a bright. sparkling comedy-drama. Here is a picture that, is good entertainment for the entire family, with Lois Moran in a dual role. The talented actor Ricardo Cortez is the star of “New Y'ork,” the second feature at both theatres.

SUBURBAN THEATRES At the Prince Edward Theatre this evening the pictures will be “The Spy” (Gerda Maurus and Willy Fritsch), and “Blue Skies” (Helen Twelvetrees). Eve Bentley’s Orchestra will provide the music. The Capitol Theatre. Dominion Road, will screen “Drums of Love” (Mary Philbin and Don Alvarado); also “Scarlet Seas” (Richard Barthelmess). and a Collegians’ picture. The Empire Theatre, Dominion Road, will show "Laugh, Clown. Laugh” (Lou Chaney), also “The Danger Rider” (Hoot Gibson). At the Edendale Theatre a big vaudeville entertainment will be presented by the World’s Entertainers. “The Crimson City” (Myrna buy) will be screened. The Grey Lynn Cinema will show “Red Hot Speed” ; Reginald Denny) and “Someone to Love” (Charles Rogers). At the Parish Hall, Devonport. the films will be “The Docks of New York” (Betty Compson and George Bancroft) and “Toni” (Jack Buchanan ). ROYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR FIRST CONCERT ARRANGED The first concert of the new season of the Royal Auckland Choir is announced for Thursday, May Z 3. The society is pursuing a progressive policy and has secured the services of two outstanding soloists—Miss Naomi Whalley, from Palmerston North, who proved a most acceptable performer on her last appearance in Auckland with the Choral Society, anti Mr. Trevor L Thomas, of Wanganui, who is the possessor of a very fine voice and has won great success in the South. Mr. Ronald C. Muaton will be the violinist. This young performer has already proved himself an accomplished musician. Subscription tickets for the year may now be obtained.

Nancy Carroll has the role of .. world-wide chorus girl in the Paramount sound picture, “The Shop Worn Angel.” which is ready for release in New Zealand. Others in the cast are Gary Cooper and Paul Lukas.