ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 6 August 1934, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. “UP TO THE NECK.” “Tire most original and diverting story ever written for Ralph Lynn”—such was a famous London critic’s description of “Up to the Neck,” the latest comedy, which is now showing twice daily at Everybody’s Theatre at 2 and 7.45 p.m. “Up to the Neck” is written by Ben Travers, and this in itself is complete enough evidence of the entertainment possibilities involved, because there is no other author who understands Ralph Lynn’s type of comedy so fully as Ben Travers. The story introduces _ Ralph Lynn as a would-be actor. His rival at a dramatic academy remains his rival through life, always succeeding where he fails. When he is a bank clerk, Eric Warwick, the rival, has become a successful West End actor. They meet at a local charity dramatic show with disastrous results. It is not until Ralph Lynn comes into a,large sum of money that he is enabled, by various accidents, to fulfil his life’s ambition to play a leading part. And how he plays it! This is without doubt one of the funniest sequences ever written for Ralph Lynn. Opposite Ralph Lynn is Winifred Shorter—the heroine of so many Ralph Lynn subjects—this time in a characterisation which is different. An attractive supporting programme includes Pathe News Reel (including “Welcome to Australian Cricketers in London”), “The Unexplored North-West” (Scenic), Lion Musical Revue and “A Nation’s Birthplace.” REGENT THEATRE. EXCELLENT DOUBLE BILL. Fox Films latest release, “David Harum,” starring Will Rogers, was screened to large and appreciative audiences at the Regent Theatre on Saturday. Its typical American theme deals with a shrewd horse trader. Because of the coldness with which he barters, and his uncanny method of outwitting. people in business dealings, his reputation is none too good in the small town in which he lives. A young man who has come to work in the bank owned by the horse trader, learns that his employer really has a soft heart, and that his hardness is only for those who deal unfairly. The young man has fallen in love with a wealthy girl, but hesitates to propose marriage because of his poor financial standing. The horse,trader, who is interested in the boy, tries to help the romance along, but gets nowhere. When the young girl comes to him and requests him to enter her horse in a forthcoming race, he advises the boy to place all his savings on the horse. The hilarious method by which the horse trader brings the horse home a winner brings the film to a happy and amusing conclusion. The large cast in support of Will Rogers displays an array of impressive names that include Louise Dresser, Evelyn Venable, Kent Taylor, Stepin Fetchit and Noah Beery. “David Harum” is preceded by a thrilling outdoor romance, “Man of Action,” featuring Tim McKoy. Screenings will be repeated to-night and finally tomorrow night at 7.45. JOHN BOLES AT OPERA HOUSE.! CLEVER MUSIC AND ACTING. ,

Many and varied were the vicissitudes of Baron Carl Hausman, portrayed by John Boles, in the picture. “Beloved" that commenced a New Plymouth season at the Opera House on Saturday night. Born a Prussian noble, his . father is killed and his home and fortune wrecked in the German risings of 1848. Carl and his mother migrate to America, where she earns a living for them by teaching music, and Carl grows up to show genius as a violinist. As teacher to a Southern aristocrat’s daughter Carl falls in love with his pupil, and when the civil war in which Carl fights as a Confederate officer, has ruined his fiance they are married, and Carl finds the difficulties of earning a living by teaching music. The young couple are very happy, however, and when a son is born even though Carl’s appointment is only . that of. a pianist in a “Bowery dive,” he dreams dreams of greatness for his son and for the music he knows he can compose. .

It is a long time before recognition of Carl’s genius arrives, and that is the story the picture tells. Through it of course there are many opportunities of hearing John Boles’ wonderful . tenor voice. And his make-up and acting in the character of Carl Hausman from youth to age was exceedingly clever. Gloria Stuart as Lucy Hausman was atr tractive and winsome, and the minor characters were well sustained. 'The main picture had an excellent introduction, including an interesting news reel, a clever “Kings up” cartoon, and a smart little revue “Vaudeville Days.”