AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18216, 18 March 1929, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS.

ST. PATRICK’S CONCERT. A splendid programme has been arranged for the Irish National Concert to he held this evening in St. Patrick’s Hall. Browne Street. Aliss Olga AVacked and Miss Alma Finnerty, both of Christchurch, will be heard in Timaru for the first time. Mr (!. H. Andrews, Mr R. Holdgate and Air B. Cunningham will also contribute solos. Recitations will he given by Mr AY. Alinehan and Mr C. Clarke. The School hoys will song a chorus, and give a display of physical drill. The dancing will he under the direction of Aliss Kyle. Tickets may be obtained from the Bristol. A charge of sixpence extra will be made for reserving.

THE MAJESTIC. A WORTHY TRIBUTE. The packed house at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday night was a worthy tribute to '.I imam’s new house of entertainment. No two pictures could have provided a greater variety of dramatic moments than those which comprised the major portion of the programme, and with added pleasure provided by the Majestic orchestra, under the baton of Mr N. 13. Sutcliffe, the entertainment was one of exceptional quality. Nowhere could there iiave been found a more ideal combination for the making of a motion picture than “The Barker,” and George Fitzinaurice. In his latest production for First National Pictures, the eminent director has found metal worthy of his steel. For he excels in artistic effects gained from situation as well as scene, from character as well as incident. In the intimate moments of this story of carnival life lie has been especially happy. Ho has gained innumerable effects from tlie simplest touches of artistry, which become in his hands a matter of genius. Milton Sills and Dorothy Mackaill are co-starred in this picture. Betty Co nips on and Douglas Fairbanks, junr., play two important roles, also, and the rest of the east is made up ol experienced players. The First National special contains all the ingredients that make for delightful entertainment. It deals with an unusual phase of life, that of the itinerant show people in a carnival troupe. Their intimate associations breed loves and hates, jealousies and examples of sacrifices. Over all is spread the tinsel gauze of the romantic life, sordid in its actual details, fascinating in its passing aspects. Fitzmamice. with his Irish ancestry and French training, his artistic experience and technical knowledge, has taken advantage of the occason to give to the story a treatment that accords well with the preconception of the dramatist, Kenyon Nicholson.

Rugged of feature, yet with the same fascinating manner. George Bancroft forsakes his usual villainous role in “The Drag Net/’ and assumes that of a detective. The departure is all for the best and never before has he created such an outstanding impression of his formidable exterior concealing a kindly and most attractive nature. Fort the purpose a story of an exceptionally diverting kind has been provided. The detective is seen working below the superficial glitter of underworld life, spreading a net which, when dragged to the surface, reveals a motley collection of humanity, but he repeatedly fails to produce the leader of the gang for which the net is cast. The net once brings to the surface a woman of the gang who offers the detective her love if he will relinquish Ins position and join them in their activities. This fails, and so does the offer of a fabulous sum of money, but eventually a ruse is successful, and the detective is dismissed for the supposed accidental shooting of one of his own men. He sinks to the lowest depths of degradation. but is found by the woman who had sought to divert him from his duty. The climax is reached oiilv after a succession of events as thrilling as thev are unusual, and the closing scenes find the detective retored to his former position with the woman as his wile. A Christie cornea. and a Majestic News added variety to the programme. THE HA HA BOYS.

AT THE KOVAL. Rose and Kay, the “Ha iJa Boys.” who are to appear in conjunction with the picture programme at the Royal to-night, are late ol : tlie famous Keith. Circuits (U.S.A.), and Moss Empires (London), and direct from the leading New Zealand theatres, in which they have been playing many months with huge success. Realising ihe wonderlul entertainment offered by these performers to be just the sort of amusement local audiences are clamouring for, the management of the Theatre, secured this exceptional vaudeville act after lengthy negotiations. These boys deliver a brand new type of humour and “put over” the smartest patter, some delightfully topical, that has ever been heard on a New Zealand stage. Jn addition, they are singers of exceptional merit, and harmonise their numbers in a most pleasing manner. They are exceptionally smart dressers and brimful of personality. In short, they are two lads who are destined to become great favourir.es with local aucliMiss Betty Balfour, known for her excelleneo in other Briti-h pictures, is featured in ibis evening’s comedydrama, “The Sea I’rchin.*’ George. Hackathorne also plays a prominent, role. The story was written by Graham Cutts, and relates, with a good deal of interest, how Kay Winehebio. an orphan in an orphanage in Kram-e. who. after many adventures. rightfully comes into her own. As usual with Fuler-Hayward programmes, a bright comedy and the latest gazette will also be screened. The Royal Orchestra will provide bright, snappy music. Seats may be reserved through *phon® 570. AT THE GRAND.

V A RI ETY KN TE RT AIN M EN T. Another bright double programme opened at the Grand on Saturday evening. when the imortnl story of a Highland lassie, who he'ped her Prince m triumph and adversity. “Donnie Prince Charlie.” was screened in conjunction with “A Regular Scout." featuring Hie son and his horse. Silver King. 'Hie film. "Bonnie Prince Charlie." is an English picture that tells the wellknown theme of song and story, that of ih». love of Flora MacDonald and Bonnie Prince Charlie. While historical accuracy is kept where such is demanded, the story i.s mole from the folk lore anil fable, song and story of that romantic Prince. Taking a company of exceptional artists to Scotland, the English producer has attained, in addition to secipe beauty, accuracy of locale. The Scottish highlands. the scenes ol the Isle of Skye are all seen in actual fact as a background to this British photoplay. Ju addition, grea. ing and settings, bringing them as historically accurate to the screen as is_

possible. A big caste of well-known English players was headed by Ivor Novello and Gladys Cooper. Novello is one of the popular screen players ot England, ranking high in the esteem of the public. Aliss Gladys Cooper, the well-known stage favourite, plays the j part of Flora MacDonald with excep- i tional ability. Jacobite sympathies j should be stirred by the- introduction of such Jacobite rites and symbols as the ceremonial drinking of the toast to ‘The King over the AVater,” and the featuring of the white rose of the Stuart cause and the wearing of the ivhite cockade. Flora, as portrayeu by Gladys Cooper, giving kisses with white cockades makes a delectable recruiting scene. In the film, the j Jacobite toast , “The King over the j AYater,” is drunk by the chieftains of ! the seven big clans, even as it has i always been drunk, and is drunk to-day by Jacobites, the glasses being touched over a punch bowl filled with water to represent the narrow seas (the English Channel). Fred Thomson, the great horseman, is starred in a “A Regular Scout,” and, with his horse Silver King, plays a great part in the Boy Scout movement. Thomson represents a man bent on revenge, which, always works out poorly, even when an accomplished fact. Still it is one of the human j passions, and takes a big place in the I actual and the picture world. Thom- 1 son becomes associated with the Scouts, j with whose ideals he is so highly iinpresed, that he is lifted above himself, and gets a better understanding of what is worth while following up, 1 and what is not. Supports included a laughter-making comedy. “Detectives." and an International News gazette. The Grand Orchestra, under the baton of Airs G. Donaldson, added materially to the enjoyment of the programme.

BIG VAUDEVILLE ATTRACTION. WONDERFUL ROYAL ZAMBESI BABOONS. The act presented by v Paul Perdrini. the big game hunter, and his royal Zambesi baboons, is different from the usual monkey act. Baboons stand in a class by themselves, being the natural comedians of the monkey family. A little smaller than the gorilla and ape specimens, and not as ugly, their funny, almost human faces, set in a frame of brown hair, give them the appearance of really old men. They actually talk, with their quaint facial expression. and their intelligence is certainly abnormal. But with it all, they still retain the mischevious fun. of all monkeys. One dare not leave anything lying about, or they will steal it. At the same time, they positively love babies. They will watch over and even nurse a baby, and woe betide the stranger who dares touch the inf am for although very docile their Huge tusks and claws can be very nasty when their temper is aroused. The baboons, under their trainer, give a startling scries of daring stunts and clever tricks that should prove an eye-opener to the Timaru public. A very attractive picture list will be headed by “The American Beauty." which features Billie Dove. Box plans will open at the Bristol on Wednesday. THE MIDNIGHT FROLICS.

RETURN MONDAY AND TUESDAY. Owing to the enormous success of the “Midnight Frolics” during their last visit to Timaru, and by universal request of the hundreds who were unable to gain .admission, J. C. AVilliamson, Ltd., has much pleasure in announcing a return season a I the Theatre Royal next Monday and Tuesday. On this occasion, “Tne MidnightFrolics” will present two entirely new programmes, unique in character ana refreshing in originality. This versatile band of entertainers have played long seasons in the four centres of the Dominion, changing their programmes every week, so that they have a budget of new sketches, new dances, new songs, new jazz numbers, new burlesques, new operatic selections and new ensembles, which will bo presented m the Frolics inimitable style. To mark this farewell visit, Clem Dawe is putting on something extra special, and as he possesses all the versatility of a polished comedian, a rare treat is in store for local theatre patrons. Mona Magnet will be seen in music hail specialities that made her famous in London. Gregory Ivanoff, the brilliant • violinist, will play a number of specially selected operatic numbers. The jazz band will introduce some special gems from their extensive repertoire. An original and amusing sketch, entitled “A Music Shop,” is crammed full of wholesome comedy, in which Clem Dawe as the salesman, is a host ] in. himself, causing roars of laughter in J his grotesque actions. Altogether, the j management claim that the two pro-, grammes to be presented next Monday and Tuesday are the equal, if not j brighter than the predecessors. As this is positively the farewell appearance of the “Midnight- , Frolics” in Ti- j mam, no doubt large audiences will be J present to bid bon voyage to Clem ; Dawe and his brilliant company. | Arrangements have been made with the j Bristol Piano Company to open the plan for the two programmes next 'Thursday at 0 a.nt