ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 16 June 1931, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

, THE OPERA HOUSE, CHARLIE CHAPLIN’S “CITY LIGHTS.” Charlie Chaplin’s answer to talking pictures arrived last night at the New Plymouth Opera House, with the presentation of “City Lights.” For almost three- years theatre-goers have waited for “City Lights.” It is a fast-moving, romantic comedy, with numerous dramatic high lights and touches of pathos such as only the genius of Chaplin knows. .There is not one word of dialogue used in the production but a delightful variation of music and sound is synchronised to the action throughout. The story, by Chaplin, is one of life in a large city. It has great human appeal and has been brilliantly directed by the comedian. The characters are all natural and that which transpires rings with realism. There are but three characters vital to the story. The leading male portrayal falls to the comedian and he presents himself in his familiar tramp get-up. Of next importance is a flower girl who is blind; the other is an eccentric millionaire. The latter two roles were played by Virginia Cherrill and Harry Myers respectively. . The shorts included British Pathe News, “Jungle Rhythm” (Micky Mouse Cartoon), Audio Review and Stamina (Sportlight). Screening will be repeated nightly until Friday next. THE REGENT. FINAL SCREENING. Cross Roads,” Fox Movietone’s all talking special starring Montague Love, Robert Ames and Lila Lee, will be finally presented at The Regent, New Plymouth to-night. There is a splendid supporting programme. “The Road to Paradise” and “Wide Open” two of the year’s most popular all talking pictures will both commence * three-night senator at The Regent tomorrow (Wednesday) night. “The Road to Paradise” is an intensely dramatic story of twin sisters—-one a debutanteone a figure of the underworld. What happens when the gun-girl takes her

sister’s place makes one of the most unusual of. dramas. Lorella Young, Jack Mulhall and George Barraud head the cast. That popular favourite Edward Everett Horton is the star of “Wide Open” .is said to be even funnier than occurs when a worm turns. “Wide Open” is said to be even funnier than “The Aviator” and “The Hottentot.” Patsy Ruth Miller appears in support. EVERYBODY’S. “The Bachelor Father,” Metro-Gold-wyn’s all talking comedy scream, will be finally screened at Everybody’s, New Plymouth, to-night. Marion Davis heads the cast in this provider of cheer. The shorts are good. BRITISH COMEDY SPECIAL. A talking picture that delighted the Prime Minister and the delegates to the Imperial Conference at a gala performance in London will commence a season at Everybody’s to-morrow (Wednesday) night. It is “Plunder” one of a scries of farce-comedies that have been adapted by British and Dominions Film'Corporation from celebrated Aldwych plays, and is a British film in the same line of excellence as “Rookery Nook,” which has created laughter throughout the country, the Dominions and the United States. It was so different from the trans-Atlantic idea of humour and so far superior to the average American product that the

Americans were not at all enthusiastic in proclaiming the country of origin. , “Plunder” is the story of an “inside” burglary in which Ralph Lynn and Tom Walls play the leading parts, and Mary Brough, as a villainous old lady, assists them in hiding the truth from the.police. Decidedly a picture to see. The • story is, of course, by Ben, Travers. “AFRICA " SPEAKS” AT INGLEWOOD. TWO NIGHT SEASON. The white rhinocerous, .as rare, as the proverbial hen’s teeth, has been caught by the wonderful lens of the camera iii the Columbia jungle romance, “Africa Speaks,” which ; will be shown to-night and to-morrow at the Town Hall. The picture is a tale of life and love in deepest Africa, the heart of the Congo, and reveals some amazing slices of the untouched, untamed trackless wilds. The white rhinocerous,. for example, is one of the most dangerous of beasts. He towers over his ordinary brother like the Woolworth building over a Town Hall. He is held in great veneration by the natives, and has been called worth going to Africa to see alone. “Africa Speaks” has been truly named “the strangest picture ever filmed” and in addition to the subject mentioned here shows some of the most thrilling and amazing sights ever recorded by the earner*.