ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 20 November 1930, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE REGENT. NANCY CARROLL IN “SWEETIE.” “Sweetie,” now showing, at the Regent, New Plymouth, is a musical romance extravaganza of campus life. It is alltalking, dancing and singing, and has an abundance of rib-cracking humour. Nancy Carroll has the title role and she is competently supported by a great assembly of comedians, singers, fast steppers afid musicians. Jack Oakie, Helen Kane, the phonograph record artist, and William Austin, British comic, are among the leading lights of the picture. ■■ ... ’ “THE PREP STEP.” A new dance which everybody will soon be dancing is presented in. this picture. Twenty-four of Hollywood’s fast-est-stepping boys and girls were selected ’ for this dance by Earl Lindsay, Broadway dance director, and creator of the .“Prep Step.” The dancers support; Helen Kane, baby-voiced singer, and Jack Oakie, who are principals in this extravaganza. The supporting programme includes “Salt Water Ballads” (vocal novelty) and “The Wife’s Birthday” (All-talking comedy). EVERYBODY’S. “THE ARGYLE CASE.” Thomas Meighan, for years one ot the most popular stars of stage and screen, made his debut as a Warner Bros, star in “The .Argyle Case,” last night at Everybody’s Theatre, New Plymouth, and an auspicious debut it was. Mr. Meighan, who has been missed by his fans for some time, gives them every reason to rejoice at his return in his newest picture. The part he portrays is that of a master detective, who by means of deductive reasoning, weeds out from a group of suspected persons the one who is guilty of the murder of wealthy John Argyle. Meigh.an’s characterisation has authority and dignity. Lila Lee is delightful as the fosterdaughter of the slain man, who, even while under suspicion of the grim Mr. Kaytoii, is finding her way into his heart. Another quite amazingly good performance is that of Miss Zasu Pitts, as the gossipy Mrs. Wyatt, housekeeper. Miss Pitts for once is not required to weep, but her latest part is as cleverly done as any of her doleful ones. Young John Darrow does well in the role of the son of the unfortunate Argyle, and Douglas Gerrard is a butler to the manner born. H. B. "Warner, always impressive in whatever part he undertakes, succeeds in creating a disturbingly sinister character in Hurley, counterfeiter, the man finally convicted of the crime—by the modern Sherlock Holmes. Bert Roach provides robust comedy. The supporting bill included Pathe" Sound News, a Mexican Tipica Orchestra, the Four Aristocrats (instrumental and vocal quartet), Frank Whitman (violinist) and Benjamimo Gigli (metropolitan grand opera singer). This programme will be repeated to-night and to-morrow night. .