ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 21 September 1931, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE REGENT. A new star made her appearance in New Plymouth on Saturday. She is Elissa Landi, blonde, sophisticated, sympathetic, and finished to a degree. She is the star of “Body and Soul,” a Fox Movietone story of the loves, the lives, the friendships, and the enmities of members of the airforce. Miss Landi is an Englishwoman whose dramatic acting, remarkabla personality, and .rich, clear voice have caused her to be acclaimed one of the greatest of peisentday actresses. At times she is strangely like the famous Greta Garbo. In “Body and Soul” she plays the part of a woman who gives her heart to the pal of her dead lover—her lover who dies a hero’s death. Love does not have a smooth course, and she has many sad moments before reaching her seventh heaven. Never once does Miss Landi over-act. She lives the part of the heroine, and holds the audience completely spellbound from start to finish. It is to be hoped that the Regent Theatre will present further pictures starring this amazing young actress. The leading man is that handsome young actor Charles Farrell, whose work completely surpasses anything previously done by him. In this film he surprises everyone by displaying the most brilliant dramatic powers. In the cast is Myrna Loy, who, unfortunately, does not have anywhere near enough to do. What she does do is excellent. Incidentally, every member of the .cast is a star. It may truthfully be said that “Body and Soul” is one of the most brilliantly and naturally-acted pictures ever screened in this town. The supporting bill is as fine and varied as one could wish for. Screenings will be repeated to-night and to-morrow night. EVERYBODY’S. Inner secrets of city polities, the working of‘the underworld and the astounding story of the rise of a'gang ruler are the engrossing elements of “The Secret Six,” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s drama showing at Everybody’s, New Plymouth, to-night and to-morrow night. Wallace Beery plays the principal role as the sinister Scorpio. The cast also includes Lewis Stone, John Mack Brown, Jean Harlow, Marjorie Rambeau, Paul Hurst, Clark Gable, Ralph Bellamy, John Miljan, De Witt Jennings, Murray Kinnell, Fletcher Norton, Louis Natheaux, Frank McGlynn, and Theodore Von Eltz. The supports include “School’s Out” (“Our Gang” comedy), “Sky High Frolics” (Sportlight), “Into Morocco (Burton Holmes Travelogue), Paramount British News and Metrotone News. “A COUNTRY GIRL.” PROMISING REHEARSALS. Final rehearsals of the charming comedy, “A Country Girl,” give great promise of a very fine production. A striking feature will be the splendid and solid chorus. The members have attacked their work with tremendous zest and although the planning of musical comedy relegates the chorus to the forming of blackgrounds for the principals there are several opportunities in “A Country Girl” for giving the chorus a chance to shine. One of these comes in the Arcadian scene in. which a male cliorus sings a lively refrain followed by a dainty measure by the ladies. The composer then combines the two totally different melodies and the ensemble is strikingly effective. The chorus gets another great chance in' the finale to Act I. one of the most beautiful movements in light opera. Several of the principals take part in this and the beautiful effect of the solo voices above the chorus is one of the high lights of the musical side of the Show. Act 11. opens with another mighty chorus sung at the opening of the fancy dress ball. The composer has given rein to his fancy in this number and again the different voices weave and change w T ith dazzling effect. The solidity of the choruses is backed up by a very efficient orchestra, and musically this year’s opera will_be the most effective for many years. The booking is still going well and with the special half-price concessions for tomorrow night it is almost certain that the first of the three performances will attract a full house. Gallery day sales will be available each day.