ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 5 July 1930, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

NEW PLYMOUTH OPERA HOUSE. THE PROGRAMME TO-NIGHT. Adolphe Mcnjou, the popular .Paramount star who appears in ]iis latest picture, ‘‘His - Private Life?’’ showing at the New Plymouth Opera House tonight only, has been described as "the perennial man-a bout-town, who teaches bis less gifted fellows bow to love lightly in°self defence. The grace and. case' ’with' which he bows out of his screen-’amours creates about him a dejjnite"atira, all his own. Men envy him Ids' oay assuranee. Women wonder if he ns impervious to all feminine wiles, '.(’hey line up. at the box-office to see just how-- Alcnjou does it, and his next film llmls them back again, still wondering.” The above description of Menjou was' ; given by a popular motion picture magazine, and is typical of the esteem in which Menjou is held by motion picture fans. His characterisation dn ■•111,5 Private Life" fits the description perfectly, and he gives a remarkable performance in the type of story that fans Have delighted seeing him in in the past. A notable cast of players suppovis Monjop. hi his latest .'film. Headed by blonde 'Kathryn . Carver . (who. became Mr's'. Menjou in '.Paris 'recently), Lite players'all (ill their parts in a-sup-, erb manner. Featured are Margaret Liviiigstba and Eugene Pallctte. The supporting programme will include Overseas .'Ne.ws, Educational, Australian flazettpj'‘'Songbirds” (nature study), and "I'igiii.iiig, i ? anny” (two.-recl comedy.).

' \ ".EVERYBODY’S TALKIES. MATINEE TO-DAY 2 P.M. •■‘Tlie. sky Hawk,” that: long-awaited all-talking? Fox Movietone romance, of a world aJlight starring John Garrick, Gilbert JCinery and Helen Chandler, will commence at Everybody’s talkies, New Plymouth, to-day at 2 p.m. ami 7.45 p.m. Throughout its story is a- love struggle between two men for the same girl,'"handled humanly, .with adroit Lwiftts, while the stirringly tempestuous life about them envelopes all three i|i many hazardous situations. Doubly notable' for its vivid and breath-taking flying scenes, particularly in the gripping. climax, and for its unusually human and appealing story, "The Sky Hawk” is totally unlike- any previous' aviation film, talking or silent— and is entertainingly distinctive. Opening with an exciting smash-up of a plane when the pilot swerves to avoid .killing a girl, the tempo -of the production maintains a high pitch throughout. Spectacular scenes of London streets and cafes during the hectic gaiety of war time and in the panic of a Zeppelin raid—-scenes never before produced on such a ■ tremendous scaled-carry the story on to an unexpected climax. The supporting programme will include Fox Movietone News. "Wily ■Be Serious” (short act), and "Rubeville” (two-reel comedy), THE REGENT. ' . MA'I'INKE TO-DAY 2 l‘.U. "Broadway,” the big special commencing at the 'Regent, New Plymouth, today at 2 p.m. and L-lo p.m., is the first of the talking pictuics to go "spectacle.” Since the introduction of sound films, producers have naturally been chary of letting themselves go in the way of show, a display of mammoth sets, georgeous teehnicolour scenes and the like. .But "Broadway” combines all the spectacular attractions of the biggest and best of the old silents with the "pep” and snap that go into genuine singing, dancing and talking shows. Glenn Tryon, who was such a success a,?, a comedian in the old medium, is ever so much more amusing in talkies, and he and Merna Kennedy, as a speciality dancing-cuin-comedy team in an amazing night club in "Broadway” have splendid parts. Appearing, in support of them are Evelyn Brent, Leslie Fenton and a score oi other favourites. The story of “Broadway” is the first instance of plots for talkies that would do credit to the best of the legitimate theatres. For it is a sound plot, very dramatic; very exciting, .with, suspe.nse. drawn to the.-.nth degree,-; and this plot is just nicely leavciied. with.-two iseparate, love stories, just a of, humour, and the iiitercst''of’ the audience is. at .all. times held by ; thp.amazingly lavish-sets-. Net oftenindeed, even in a stage show, i? found a good plot, intelligently treated, with spectacular surroundings, fine acting and such dancing, as is seen only in a piece devoted exclusively to. dancing. "Broadway” is said to be an easy winner in the musical talkies. Strictly speaking, it is,not a musical talkie, for it never once puts the drama second. Still, the brilliant ballets and ensembles, are worthy of noticing. Also, “Broadway” is not a story of back stage life. It is a peep into the real Broadway, at the drama, that seethes behind the tinsel lure of the great White Way. "Broadway” will be preceded by some excellent talkie shorts.