ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1930, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

EVERYBODY’S.

MATINEE TO-DAY 2 P.M.

“The Vagabond King,” the stage play which received such a fine reception, lias now been adapted to the speaking screen and commences a four-night season at Everybody’s, New Plymouth, todaj' at 2 and 8 p.m. Dennis King and Jeanette MacDonald will be the featured players and will be supported by an all-star cast. Dennis King, he of the magnificent voice, will be seen as the glamorous swordsman, poet and lover •siting Frinil’s glorious love lyrics, and tlm -stirring “Song of the Vagabonds,” it is stated. There will be a chorus of live hundred and the whole scenes will be a.surfeit of opulent palaces, kingly, i fetes, surging mobs, and because of its being all in gorgeous colour, it will be spectacularly amazing. No theatre staging can in any way compare with the film space. In the year 1463 the vagabonds of Paris are on the verge of revolt against their weak king, because he seems to be making no attempt tc defend Paris from the Burgundian ‘army, which is, camped outside the city gates. The Grand Marshal is a traitor secretly and plots murder. The beautiful royal niece is' attacked, but she is saved by the leader of the vagabonds, who falls in love with her. She tells him that her love will go to the man who saves. Paris from the Burgundian besiegers. H : astrologer tells the traitor that a man from the gutters will redeem Paris. Going in./ disguise to the tavern the Grand Marshal hears songs-insulting him, and he orders the arrest of the vagabond king. Convinced that the King is the man who can save Paris, the traitor tells the singing ruffian that he can do one of two things—go back immediately to his vagabonds in their tavern, or be King of France for one week, and, bo hanged on the day. He chooses’to become tempo .ary monarch. J On the seventh day the King prepares a huge fete as a ruse to cover the attack he plans against the Burgundians. In the meantime Gland, who h d not been killed, leads a group of vagabonds in an attempt to free the King, whom they had supposed 'prisoner. King, resplendent - in court attire, reveals his true identity to Jeanette. Then he leads the vagabond army, singing their thrilling “Song, of the Vagabonds,” into a’ terrific battle with ■the Burgundians. The’ tattered Parisians win. The traitor demands King’s s life and has him marched to the gal- ‘ lows. The vagabond rabble follows the procession, making ominous threats and pleading- for the release of King, their 'hero. Finally the traitor says King will go free if anyone will take his place on the gibbet. Of the thousands present Jeanette alone steps forward offering her own life for the life of the man she loves. The traitorous Grand Marshal yields, and the tumultuous populace - shouts “Long live the Vagabond King.” The supporting; programme will include “The Vagabond King” overture, Pathe Sound News, and “Yes, we have no bananas” (bouncing ball song cartoon).

THE REGENT.

MATINEE TO-DAY 2 P.M.

' “Anna Christie,” Greta Garbo’s sensational! all-talking picture, will commence at The Regent, New Plymouth, to-day at 2 and 8 p.m. From the play by Eugene O’Neill, it is a powerful 'drama springing from the sad, sombre, ' unregenerate side of human nature, yet <; in this picture, opening out into a vista that has” something' very like hope and happiness at the end of. it. Anna is brought up in .the country, a “poor relation” drudge to a family of cousins, a male member of which brings the worst kind of sorrow on her and whom she loathes with all the rest of his sex —she runs away and leads an outcast, life for a while, then arrives in New York, hoping to rest up with her father, whom she has not seen for years. George F. Marion, as Chris. Christopherson, captain of a coal barge, paints a wonderful portrait which puts him in the front rank of character actors. He is a drunken old swipe but his intentions are good, and on the barge he gives Anna the first bit of clean life she has had, while he fairly worships her, knowing nothing of the darker side of her life. She meets Marmy (Marie Dressier) .in a. low eating and drinking house for sailors, and the poor sodden old' hag. tries to befriend her. Marie Dressier has given us many fine character sketches before this, but never one of such terrible realism. On the barge Anna meets Matt Burke (Charles Bickford), and the ensuing sequences are raised to the highest pitch of dramatic art, with fearful kind of humour running through it. In the role of Matt, Bickford gives a fine imitation of the , Irish brogue, and the ways, too, of a devil-may-care, rough Irish sailor. The supporting programme will include Metrotone News, George Dewey Washington (tenor), and “Brats,” a tworeel, all-talking comedy starring Laurel and Hardy. . SONG RECITAL. STELLA MURRAY’S CONCERT. The song recital to be given at the Empire Theatre, New Plymouth, on Monday at 8.15 p.m., will afford music lovers a unique opportunity of hearing 'one of the Dominion’s leading vocalists in a/programme that is both varied and attractive.' Miss Murray has studied and sung in London and the provinces ■of England and on the Continent with much success, everywhere being acclaimed as a most accomplished and artistic singer, and the visit she is now making to her native land will enable many people to hear her at a time when she is at the zenith of her fame. Taranaki is fortunate in having the opportunity of hearing this gifted contralto, who will give one recital only. Miss durray has won golden opinions from .he most eminent critics for her great irtistry, and she may be assured of a .•ordial welcome in New Plymouth, .vhich is undoubtedly placing the cultivation of good music in a much more important place in the life of the community at the present time than it has done for years, and much more so :han many other towns. Music Week, .he visit of the Royal Wellington Choril Union and the visit of Jan Kubelik were each notable occasions, and they demonstrated that good .music is very much appreciated in this part of the Dominion. It is confidently anticipated, therefore, that there will be a crowded audience to welcome Miss Murray on Monday at her reci tai, seats for which may now be reserved at Colliers.