ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 11 March 1933, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

NEW PLYMOUTH OPERA HOUSE. “TESS OF THE STORM COUNTRY.” Featuring two of the screen’s greatest favourites, and portraying a story of stirring episodes and captivating romance, “Tess of the Storm Country,” with Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell, commences a four-day season at the New Plymouth Opera House to-day. The production has many remarkable features. It is outstanding for its strikingly realistic and clever characterisations, for its presentation of human emotions, and for its vivid contrasts of life, as well as for the strong talent in the cast. The theme is the ageold one of love between members at the extremes of society. An irascible, boorish, wealthy father forms an insurmountable barrier to the course of true love, but in “Tess of the Storm Country” the theme is treated differently in its atmosphere and elaboration. Weaving the story round the life of a rugged, picturesque old mariner, who forsakes the ways of the sea for those of the landsman for the safety of his motherless daughter, and the dashing, gallant and likeable scion of a millionaire family, the film draws a vivid contrast between the modes of life of both, showing the flimsy insincerity of some of the “upper ten” as compared with the stern, rough, but admirable honesty of the struggling lower classes. The episodes that lead to the dawn of affection between the wealthy heir and the fisherman’s daughter are of the most thrilling and dramatic type. The millionaire, annoyed at having his view bldcked, in a tantrum burns down the humble home of the retired mariner, and when the latter’s daughter saves the son of the millionaire from death, she refuses thanks for her heroism. But that is before the flame of love has been kindled. Later there are further and greater obstacles to the realisation of the dreams of the young couple. These troubles are ultimately surmounted, but not before many dramatic scenes are enacted, to the delight of the audience. REGENT 2 PJW. TO-DAX ppneyRAMME FOR CHILDREN. "End of the Trail,” a thrilling action packed western drama featuring daredevil Tim McCoy ; and a large cast, will head a superlative matinee programme for children at the Regent Theatre today at 2 p.m. The third chapter of “The Air Mail Mystery” will be the principal unit of the supports and there will be a further distribution of “airmen” cards. COMMENCING TO-NIGHT. Thatcher Colt, that suave, cultured, handsome New York police commissioner who solves baffling murder mysteries in the popular Anthony Abbot books, comes at last to the screen in the person of' Adolphe Menjou. His first appearance is in “The Night Club Lady,” which commences at The Regent to-night. This production is one of the most satisfying of the detective mystery pictures as yet shown. Somehow, it contrives to get across, all the essential elements of suspense, mystery, horror and skilful detective work, and yet it does so in a subtle manner. In short, this is no stereotyped or formula detective picture. Seldom has any detective in fiction or in reality been confronted with such a baffling crime as was the murder of Lola Carewe, the night club lady. She was warned in a note that yhe would die at midnight and Thatcher Colt and his detectives were guarding her closely at the time in her apartment. Just as the clock reached the hour, Lola Carewe gave a shriek and fell over dead. A doctor pronounced death due to a heart attack, but Colt was not fooled. He pursued his investigation with a picture of a man dead for years as his only clue, until, by a final ingenious stroke of daring, he solved the crimes and got a confession from its perpetrator. Mayo Methot and Skeets Gallagher head the supporting cast. The associate programme will include Herald News, Cartoon, Screen Snapshots, “Mind Doesn’t Matter” (comedy) and the third episode of “The Air Mail Mystery.” EVERYBODY’S. “ONCE IN A LIFETIME.” “Once in a Lifetime,” an adaptation of the stage comedy by George S. Kaufman, which convulsed audiences for two years on Broadway, will head the new programme screening this afternoon and to-night at Everybody’s Theatre. It is interesting to note that five members, of the original stage play will be seen in the picture. First of all there is Aline MacMahon, who played the role of May Daniels during the whole two years’ run on Broadway. The second is Russell Hopton, who originated the role of Jerry Hyland, and third Gregory Gaye as Kemmerling. The other two members of the stage play are Frank La Rue and George Ford. Two of the most popular screen comediennes have important comedy roles in “Once in a Lifetime. ’ Zasu Pitts will be seen as secretary in charge of the reception room where much of the uproarious action of the story transpires. Louise Fazenda needs no introduction to local audiences. As a featured comedienne Miss Fazenda is in a class of her own. Others in the cast include dainty little Sidney Fox and Jack Oakie. The London Daily Mail says: “Call it satire, call it farce, call it comedy, but the fact remains that “Once in a Lifetime” is the funniest comedy ever screened. Supporting films screening with “Once in a Lifetime” will include a technicolour novelty “Strange as it Seems,” “The Underdog” (cartoon), two International Movietone News reels and Charlie Laurence’s latest Cinesound Review. „ , Box plans for to-night will oe at Colliers until mid-day. This afternoon the plan is transferred to the Big • Orange Drink. Telephone reserves may be secured, at no, extra charge, at the theatre this evening. JOHN BROWNLEE. CONCERTS IN TARANAKI. John Brownlee, the golden-voiced baritone who has been achieving a triumph at Auckland, will be heard for the first time at New Plymouth next Tuesday at the Empire Theatre. Commenting on Mr. Brownlee’s second concert, the musical critic of the Auckland Star wrote: “It is not often that we have the opportunity of hearing in this remote Dominion a singer of klr. John Brownlee s standing, who comes to us in the zenith of his powers, and it is therefore not surprising tl®t the concert chamber on Saturday night witnessed another triumphal reception for the artist who, by the manly beauty of his voice, charmed once more a large audience and held it with his magnetic personality.” In addition to Mr. Brownlee there are two other gifted young artists —Miss Rita Miller, a charming soprano, and Mr. Raymond Lambert, a brilliant pianist. For the programme next Tuesday Mr. Brownlee has chosen the following numbers: The Prologue to “I Pagliacci,” “Route Marchin’,” “Sea Fever,” “Five Eyes,” “If I Were King,” “Come, Let’s Be Merry,” “The Pretty Creature,” the “Serenade from Don Giovanni,” and operatic duets with Miss Rita Miller. Miss Miller’s principal solos will be the florid Polonaise from “Mignon,” “A Persian Song of Spring,” and

“Songs My Mother Taught Me.", In addition to acting as accompanist Mr. Raymond Lambert will be heard in two groups of solos—Debussy's “Toccata," “Ritual Fire Dance" (De Falla), Chopin’s “Nocturne in F Sharp Major” and Valsa Brillante in A Flat Ths box plan for this great musical event Is now open at Collier’s. Mr. Brownlee will give a concert the Grand Theatre, Hawera, next Wednesday night, when an entirely different programme will be presented. NEW THEATRE, OPUNAKE. _ “BACK STREETi” One of the outstanding screen dramas of recent years will be screened to-night and Monday at the New Theatre, Opunake. The picture is “Back Street,” adapted from the widely read novel by Fannie Hurst, with Irene Dunne and John Boles in the featured roles. It was directed by the master of human, domestic drama, John M. Stahl. “Back Street’ tells the story of a woman who considered no sacrifice too great to make in the name of love, and a man who gave freely of his love but at the same time retained his social position as a husband and father. The story covers a span of 20 years, and is said to give an especially affecting picture of the trials of two people whose love is outside the law, notwithstanding its sincerity and depth. It is Universal’s most ambitious production of the season. “Back Street” presents to Miss Dunne and Boles the most sympathetic roles of their careers. URENUI TALKIES. “MISCHIEF” TO-NIGHT. The British comedy riot, “Mischief," starring the famous comedian, Ralph Lynn, will be screened at Urenui tonight. Abounding with hilarious situations, and bubbling over with clean, wholesome mirth, this production is proclaimed by film critics as the funniest yet turned out by British studios. An excellent programme of shorts will open the programme. HELP FOB THE NEEDY. FAMOUS PANTOMIME PLANNED. To assist the New Plymouth Mayor’s relief fund a pantomime is to be produced during the winter. Young men and women, particularly those with previous stage experience, are required to assist in the production. All who are able to help are asked to leave their names with Miss Elwyn Riley at her studio, F-gmont Street. Male and female voices will be required and chorus work will commence shortly under the direction of Mr. Frank Cornwall and Madame Veta Cornwall. It is understood that the production is to be the famous “Aladdin pantomime and that it will be staged in New Plymouth about the middle of June. The catchy, tunes and dainty choruses of “Aladdin” are sure to prove popular. Good support is necessary if the pantomime is to be the success desired and it is to be hoped that the young people of New Plymouth will respond readily to this appeal for practical assistance.