ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 1 May 1930, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE.

“SMILING IRISH EYES.”

Colleen Moore took a large audience at Everybody’s Theatre, New Plymouth, by storm last night by her wonderful acting and singing in the beautiful First National-Vitaphone picture, “Smiling Irish Eyes,” which headed the change of programme. Set in the picturesque Killarney district of County Kerry, the play not only abounds in charming scenery, but delightfully portrays Irish character, and tells something of the charming legends that make Ireland and the Irish so colourful. Colleen Moore was delightful as a wild Irioh rose who scampers in and out of the fragrant romance, which is as beautiful as Killarney. and as lovely as an Irish jig. Rory O’More, excellently portrayed by that fine actor, James Hall, is in love with dainty Kathleen O'Connor, but marches oil to New York in order to make a fortune for them both. Rory doos well on Broadway, but writes so seldom that Kathleen seta out to find what has become of him. Kathleen, confused with the bustle of New York, at last discovers Rory in a Broadway theatre, only to find him in a beautiful girl’s arms on th© stage, doing a star turn. Heartbroken, Kathleen returns to Killarney to upbraid the wishing-well and bitterly tell it that it is peopled by banshees. However, all io well when Rory rolls up at his Irish home in a high-powered American car, and slips a diamond engagement ring upon Kathleen’s linger. Colleen Moore rises to great heights in this picture, which reveals her as one of the greatest screen artiste of the present day. The supporting programme included Fox Movietone News, Path® Sound News, and Fast Freight (Our Gang comedy). This programme will be repeated to-night and to-morrow night, with a special matinee on Friday.

PEOPLE’S TALKIES.

“WHY LEAVE HOME.”

Bubbling with a never ending stream of delightful humour, and containing an car-haunting group of song numbers that proved irresistible, “Why Leave Home?” which commenced a three-night season at the People’s Talkies, New Plymouth, last night, is one of the most entertaining all-talking, singing and dancing pictures yet encountered. It is an adaptation of the well-known stage success, “Cradle Snatchers,” and Is even funnier in the screen version than it was. in the footlight production. A melange of college youths, chorus girls, “two timing” business men and indignant wives compose the cast, and the eatchiness of tlie melodies is assured by the authorship—that of Conrad, Mitchell and Gottler, who have many Broadway musical shows to their credit as well as the tuneful numbers ,of the “Fox Movietone Follies of 1929.” Excellent direction and staging combine with the hilarious situation® and snappy repartee to constitute a fast moving and always enjoyable picture. >. Walter Catlett repeats his< stage success, sharing the leading honours with Sue Carol and Nick Stuart. Incidentally, Catlett wrote the amusing dialogue. Notable performances are given by the other celebrities in the east, David Rollins, Richard Keene, Dixie Lee, Jean Bary, Jed Prouty, Ilka Chase and Dot Farley doing specially good work. The supporting programme is excellent and includes a Fox Movietone News, Marching On (a three-reel talking featurette) and The Hut (fl remarkable singing featurette).