ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 25 June 1931, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE REGENT. WONDERFUL MUSICAL DRAMA. “Dixiana,” Radio’s mammoth all-tech-nicolour operetta starring Bebe Daniels of-“ Rio Rita” fame, delighted a big house at The Regent, New Plymouth, last night. Laid amid the colourful scenes of old New Orleans, the play has every ingredient which makes for success —tragedy, drama, comedy, tender romance, powerful acting, tuneful numbers, gorgeous ballets, and a story that holds together well. Tire tale tells of a young Dutch planter’ who falls in love with the beautiful star of a New Orleans circus troupe, and marries her in spite of the opposition of his haughty mother-in-law, and the deadly rivalry" of an unscrupulous card sharper. The scenes in the circus, at the Van Horn, plantation, and in the gambling heli can only be described as the last word in modern stage-craft Bebe Daniels makes a ravishing Dixiana, and is excellently supported by'Everett Marshall as the youthful planter Those clever comedians, Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey, keep the fun going right merrily. The supports included Pathe News and “Humanette” (novelty). Screenings will be repeated to-night and to-morrow night and at a matinee tomorrow at 2 p.m. EVERYBODY’S. AMAZING AVIATION DRAMA. A John Monk Saunders story has been made into a dramatic screen epic by Richard Barthelmess and it thrilled a large audience at Everybody’s, New’ Plymouth, last night. It is a First NationalVitaphone production called “The Dawn Patrol” and as its name might imply it narrates the tense and thrilling story of a group of British fliers in the early years of the World War, whose coinage and bravado in facing overwhelming odds created a condition unique in the entire conflict. Saunders is the author of “Wings,” “Legion of the Condemned” and other air stories. Barthelmess enacts the role of Courtney, commander of the squadron, who loathes his job of sending “schoolboy” fliers to their inevitable death. He is supported by .Douglas Fairbanks junr. and Neil Hamilton in the two principal characterisations, while the other parts are played by Gardner James, Edmund Breon, Clyde Cook, James Finlayson and William Janney. The supports" included Australian Movietone . News and “Jazz Rehearsal” (coloured revue). Screenings will be repeated to-night and to-morrow night. OPERA HOUSE TO-NIGHT. DANCE RECITAL. A dance recital by the pupils of Mona Kirwin will be presented in the New Plymouth Opera House to-night (Thursday). The following numbers will be presented: —“Cossack Dance” (Vola Watson), “Castanet Dancer” (Ngaia Parkes), “Butterfly and Glow-worm” (Jean and Beverley" Fyfe), “Cake Walk” (Alison McCullough), “Danse de Fascination” (Vola Watson), “Scarf Dance” (Ngaia Parkes), operatic toe solo (Mona Kirwin), “Valse September” (Jean Fyfe), “Eastern Dancer” (Sonia Oldridge), “Adagio Duo” (Ngaia Parkes and Vola Watson), “La Militaire” (Beverley Fyfe), ‘An Old Fashioned Measure” (Thea, McCullough and Margaret Shepherd), “Irish Lilt” (Jean Fyfe and Vola

Watson), “Woodland Sprites” (a, Beverley Fyfe, b, Gladys Lay), “Hulu'Ballet” (Eileen Hill, Essie Stevens, Irene Gilbert, Ena Cartwright, Phyllis Tate, Elora Crawshaw, Violet _ Hurle , and Evelyn Cartwright as soloist), “Grasshoppers at Play” (Jean and Beverley Fyfe, Thea and Alison McCullough, Margaret Shepherd, Ngaia Parkes, Sonia Oldridge and Vola Watson as soloist). Prior to the dance recital the all-talk-ing Movietone special “The Girl from Havana” will be screened. Lola Lane and Paul Page are starred in this story which deals with the adventures of a girl detective.