ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 11 August 1932, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

EVERYBODY’S. : “SPLINTERS IN THE NAVY.” “A nautical medley of merriment”' is how one prominent English film critic describes the latest British Dominions Film, “Splinters in the Navy,”; which' opened a three-day season at Everybody’s last night. A very popular collation of music, and songs, together with the “frozen faced” comedian, Sydney Howard, in the starring ; role makes “Splinters in the Navy” Al entertainment, and of that variety which will be enjoyed by all. Walter Forde, the director of the film, has skilfully handled Sydney Howard in a role that is particularly suitable for his type of humour, and he has supplied him a background which shows this brilliant comedian, to

; his very best advantage. The famous ’ “beauty chorus” renders dance and song items and generally conducts itself as ! young “ladies” should. Hal: Jones, Reg. 1 Stone and Frederic Bently as “Seaman ' Mi wens” provide much humour. This is ' a picture which everybody should see if ' their requisite standard of entertainment calls for plenty of good, clean, wholesome fun. An attractive supporting pro- ' gramme included a clever cartoon, an amusing descriptive film “Travelaugh in Reno,” Herald News reel, Screen Snapshots and Australian Fox News. A special added attraction is a very fine film of the third Rugby test between the All Blacks and Australia played on the Sydney cricket ground. Tuneful and pleasing musical numbers were provided by Claude Smith’s Regal Orchestra. The programme screens again to-night and to-morrow night with matinee screenings each afternoon. THE REGENT. PULITZER PRIZE DRAMA. “Street Scene,” which commenced a three-night season at The Regent last night is a production of intensity and drama. Elmer Rice adapted his successful stage play to' the talking screen and the wider scope offered has enabled the dramatist to reveal with a broader sweep the laughs and tears that characterise the lives of people in tenements in the slum districts of New York. Produced by King Vidor, whose practised hand is evident throughout, the film is notable for the talented acting of Sylvia Sidney, Estelle Taylor and William Collier junr. Most of the original stage cast are also included. 1 Some aspects of “Street Scene” are gay, more often j pathetic. It presents a moving pano-. rama of life. “Street Scene” deals more with the lives of the people in the street than the street itself. There is the girl who suffers because her mother is unfaithful; a cruel, insensitive! father; a cynical Jewish socialist trying to interpret life; young love trying to rise above squalor arid misery. The whole gamut of human emotion is traversed in masterly fashion. The camera bares the secret lives of the people in a tenement house. The audience is swept away with the reality of the film as the murmur of traffic, the scream of svrens and the roar of the “elevated” railway are heard through the medium of the talking screen. The Regent Featurettes were of a high standard and include scenes of the third Rugby test between the All Blacks and Australia, Universal News, “Castaways” (Mickey Mouse cartoon), Pathe Magazine and “Sargie’s Playmate” (Slim Summerville comedy). A matinee will be held tomorrow at 2 p.m. NEW PLYMOUTH MUSIC WEEK. THIRD ANNUAL FESTIVAL. New Plymouth’s third annual Music Week festival will be opened on Sunday

at the Opera House at 2.45 p.m. by the Mayor (Mr. H. V. S. Griffiths), following which the festival choir and orchestra of over 10.0 performers will sing Mendelssohn’s symphonic cantata, “Lobgesang” (Hymn of Praise). There will be an evening programme at the Empire Theatre, when" the Taranaki i- Regimental-Municipal Band will give a : recital, assisted by local vocal and ini strumental soloists. ■' Thereafter the festival will be continued nightly with concerts in tlie Empire Theatre on Monday, Tuesday and Saturday, while the schools nights (Wednesday and Thursday) will be at the Opera House, and there will be an organ recital at St. Mary’s Church on Thursday afternoon at three o’clock, and a short entertainment (principally by a young students’ orchestra) at the Y.W.C.A. Hall on Friday night. Preparations for this series of entertainments have, been completed and a successful festival is assured. Season tickets are

3 available and these, are transferable and ; may be used for several admissions to 3 one entertainment if desired. Seats may . be reserved by season ticket holders i without extra charge. A vast amount s of organisation has taken, place in con- : nection with the festival and some hun- ; dreds of performers have been diligent- ■ ly preparing for the various concerts for many weeks. The committee, of which i the .Mayor is the chairman, confidenti ly looks to the public for as generous a measure of support as has been the case at the two preceding festivals.