What To See In Christchurch.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18889, 12 October 1929, Page 33 (Supplement)

What To See In Christchurch.

NEXT WEEK’S PROGRAMMES. PICTURE THEATRES. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE .. "STRONG BOY" EVERYBODY’S THEATRE .......... “ GIRD OVERBOARD” GREATER CRYSTAL PAXA.CB ....... - FOX FOLLIES OF 1339 LIBERTY THEATRE ....,..... “ THE COHENS AND KELLYS IN ATLANTIC CITY” GRAND THEATRE “TIDE OF EMPIRE” GRAND THEATRE “THE LADY OWNER” STRAND THEATRE “THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER’ STRAND THEATRE “THE INFAMOUS LADY OTHER PLACES OF AMUSEMENT. CIVIC THEATRE ........................ "THE IRON MASK - ! THEATRE ROYAL ......... ...... J. C. Williamson’s Coy. In "THE DESERT SONG” FULLER’S OPERA HOUSE WHIRLIGIGS REVUE COY. iamnmiiuiHiiiinuu!iimiiiHiiHiiiiiu<miumuiUiiuiiiiiuiiiHii!iiimiiimimMiiiiHiiiuiHHim!tiHimmiiiuiiuuKim!inimuiiiHuiiiiiiiHiiimiHimimtuimimim<

CRYSTAL PALACE WILL PRESENT FINE “ JALKIE ” OF FOLLIES.

“ THE COHENS AND THE KELLYS ” WILL BE HEARD AT LIBERTY.

In the *Fox Follies of 1929,” the talking screen brings the world-famous theatrical thoroughfare of Broadway right to the doors of the world. And by that one does not mean merely that the singing, and dancing, and spectacular shows that have come to be associated with Florenz Zeigfeld and *the Greenwich Village Follies are here on the screen for all the world to sefe, but that the Broadway stars, with their songs and their dances and their Broadway manner, are here in the “Fox Follies.” This production opens a season at Crystal Palace Theatre on Monday. It boasts a cast of twenty leaders, one hundred in the chorus and fifty in the ballets. Also, a fashion pageant, more elaborate than anything seen on the films before, is a feature in this picture which is rich in high lights. And the story-telling aspect is not neglected. When all is said and done, there must be a story, and the most successful story in the wide world is that of a man and a maid. That is the story the “Fox Follies” has to tell in between magnificent ballets and bursts of merry song and the humorous, fascinating chatter of the stage. The music for this show was written by Mitchell, Conrad and Gottler, and the dances for the fifty ballet girls were arranged by Fanchon and Marco. Marcfel Silver wrote the story, and Sophie Wachner designed the costumes, and she has excelled herself. Not only the gowns for the fashion parade came from her, but all the typically “Follies” costumes for the dances and the Scenes. One of the best scenes in the “Fox Follies” is “Under the Sea,” which is a Japanese legtend told on the screen. Sea creatures, mermaids, the caves and grottos and the sirens’ songs make this a memorably beautiful number. Sue Carol and David Rollins head the cast. Sue Carol’s biggest part is her “Breakaway” number with male chorus, a sensational dance number created by her. Sharon Lynn and the chorus sing “That’s You, Baby,” and “Why Can t I Be Like You?” with great effect, and there are some amazing dances by artists from recognised academies. All the while this is going on, there is a story. Most wisely, this part has been well attended to, and the audience is treated to an amusing, life-like romance between an actress and her fiance, who Is also a millionaire. It is a most fascinating picture, well spoken, staged In the grand manner, everything, in fact, to commend it to the public. The supporting subjects comprise interesting talking news reel* and other subjects In speech and song. The box plans are now at The Bristol Piano Company, where seats should be reserved.

A really good talking comedy is always something exceptionally pleasing, and “The Cohens and the Kellys in Atlantic City,” the picture to be presented at Liberty Theatre Talkies next week, is an exceptionally pleasing example of this. In the leads of the two Cohens and the two Kellys are George Sidney and Vera Gordon, Mack Swain and Kate Price, and the juvenile leads are played by Nora Lane and Cornelius Keefe. With auch a cast, and with such material to work upon, the picture enters the better class of talking comedies. The Cohens and the Kellys have become famous in recent year, the Three Muskeeters of mqdern American light fiction. The 1 stories always concern business. disruptions, reconciliations, furious bickerings, and everything made up at the end to allow of the son and daughter to effect a romantic ending. But while these quarrels and friendships proceed on the scree,n the audience is set for an evening of wholehearted enjoyment. All the characters speak, and they have particularly amusing lines. In this realm, George Sidney is specially funny, what with accent, gestures, despair, and aIL He makes Cohen a figure of fun in the broadest sense, and get yeoman service from Vera Gordon, as his wife. Opposed to these are the Kellys, belligerent and likeable. Mack Swain and Kate Price. Not less humorous, more airy and irresponsible, they also quarrel and rejoice with the Cohens to the advantage of the story as a comedy.* In contrast to this are the two youngsters, Nora Lane and Cornelius Keefe.' What they do and say is what all romantic young people do any say under given circumstances. The story the picture tells is of the venture of the Cohens and the Kellys when they decide to boost their failing business by going to Atlantic City and staging a bathing beauty parade there for their own line of surf costumes. From then on everything goes as gloriously wrong as it should, much to the discomfiture of the partners, and much to the glee of the audience. A brilliant comedy effort, with the reproduction over the new equipment faultless in every direction. The talking and singing support at Liberty are in every way up to the high standard set by these talkies. An interesting talking gazette will be screened. Box plans are at the Bristol Piano Company, where seats may be reserved.

TIDE OF empire “ WILL BE ATTRACTION AT GRAND THEATRE.

“ GIRL OVERBOARD " WILL BE SHOWN AT EVERYBODY’S.

It Is not so very many months since Peter B. Kyne’s “Tide of Empire” appeared on the book-stalls; and since then so many thousands have read and thrilled in its pages that it is scarcely necessary to review its epic story of gold, and California, and the brave days of *49. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer have made this story into a picture as imposing and as grand as the original, and “Tide of Empire” will be presented at the Grand Theatre next week. In the leading roles are Renee Adoree, George Fawcett, William Collier jun., and George Duryea, and perhaps the palm goes to Old Master Fawcett, the grand old man of the films, for his characterisation of Don Jose, the proud and implacable owner of “Rancho Chita,” on which is gold, which the “barbarians” from the eastern states promptly dig for. The second picture is “Lady Owner,” a thrilling story from the pen of Nat Gould, a tale of the turf, with all the excitement and intrigue that Gould so well packed into his stories. Violet Hopson has the lead. The last chapter in the adventurous career of “Tarzan the Mighty” will also be presented, as well as a miscellaneous collection of interesting short subjects. Box plans are at The Bristol Piano Company, where seats may be reserved.

A combination of great stars, unusual stories, excellent supports and an attractive musical programme go to make next week's bill at Everybody’s Theatre one of the most pleasing presented there for some time. Mary Philbin, the delightful heroine of a score of great successes, from the romantic * Merry-go-Round ’’ to the melodramatic “ Phantom of the Opera,” has the lead is an unusual story of one of the humbler planes of society, and Victor M’Laglen and Beatrice Joy co-star in “ Strong Boy,” a comedy in which M'Laglen acts with a robustness one has come to look for in him. „ . The principal feature. Girl Overboard.” is the story of a girl rescued from the river by a man on parole from prison, whence he had gone to shield his dead father. The mere fact that this picture has for its characters such people as this, and not the sugar-coated and rather stained-glass paragons one sometimes meets in the theatre, makes the drama infinitely more interesting from every angle. With the two principals being married beyond the twelvemile limic, and the law descending heavily on them both fdr breaking the terras of parole, the suspense and drama quicken until the story, for all its unpretentious opening and locale, becomes rapidly one of the most thrilling and provoking screen plays seen in months. “ Strong Boy ” is sheer comedy, of that vigorous, lusty type that M’Laglen does so well. As an unambitious, blundering railway porter, he does not, at first glance, seem promising material for great film, but not five minutes have elapsed before he is up to his old tricks. Beatrice Joy renders him pleasing assistance. Mr Albert Bidgood has arranged the following musical programme for the Select Orchestra.— Overture, “ The Riff Song ” (Romberg). * Sixth Symphony ” (Tschaikowsky): suites, “Melodique” (Friml), “At the Play” (Bowen), “Open Road” (Fletcher), “ L’Ariesienne ” (Bizet) ; selections, “Brie a Brae” (Caryll), “Beloved Vagabond ” (Romberg), “ II Lombardi ” (Donizetti); theme, “Big Boy" (Macbeth); theme song. “You Were Meant For Me” (Donaldson); “Serenade ’ (Saint-Saen s'), “ Tendre Aveau ” (Schutt), “Laughing Marionettq ” (Moss), “Poem” (Fibich); foxtrots, “What Are You Waiting For, Mary?” (Donaldson); entr’acte, “Motor Ride” (Bidgood). Box plans are at The Bristol Piano Company, where seats may be reserved.

’• WHIRLIGIGS ” COMPANY AT NEW OPERA HOUSE.

At the Opera House, where Nat Phillips and his Whirligigs Revue Company hold sway, there is always something refreshing in the way of entertainment, always something new in the humorous line, in dancing and in song. The latest change in the company’s programme finds them in fine fettle The company has some exceptionally talented comedians. Nat Phillips, a veteran at vaudeville, has profited from his long years of experience, and knows how to provide a good show and keep it snappy all the way. With him there are Al Mack, Hector St Clair, Jack Kellaway. Bessie Blake, Kitty Stewart, Stella Lamond, Daisy Merritt and Sylvia Gardner, and they are all past masters in the art of entertainment. The costuming right through is of a superlative variety, and the dancing of the Radio Six is beyond reproach.

THREE MUSKETEERS ” LIVE ON THE SCREEN AT CIVIC THEATRE.

THE DESERT SONG ” ATTRACTS CROWDS TO THE THEATRE ROYAL.

To watch history in the making is more interesting than to study the records of historians. To see the living, breathing kings and queens, cardinals, soldiers and statesmen, is more absorbing than to look at tneir painted features. Douglas Fairbanks, in hYs newest United Artists picture, “ The Iron Mask,” which opens at the Civic Theatre next Monday, has brought to life one of the most vivid and colourful periods of history, the French seventeenth century. Once more Louis XIII. and his Queen, Anne of Austria, hold court in the Palace of St Germain. The brilliant and sinister Richelieu again controls the destiny of France. Louis XIV. is born and spends his boyhood in the shadow of his weakling father and the powerful Cardinal. D’Artagnan and his company of musketeers wage war against England and protect their ruler from the plots of Richelieu and the arch-con-spirator, de Rochefort. In “ The Iron Mask ” the youth of New Zealand will be able to see the actual making of the history of France, the records of which they studv in text-books. Every detail is historically accurate. Mr Fairbanks brought from Paris M. Maurice Leloir, the greatest living authority on the customs and manners of the seventeenth century, to ensure the authenticity of all phases of the production. The palace of Louis XIII., the Carmelite Convent and the ancient Fortress of St Marguerite, where the man in the iron mask spent his mysterious life, have been faithfully reproduced. The streets of the French villages, with their inns, churches and houses, are exact duplications of those of the seventeenth century. Months were spent in the careful studv of the customs and manners «»f that*period. The ladies and gentlemen of the court move through the halls or St Germain with the same grace ana gallantry that they displayed three hundred years ago. The villagers and peasants throng the streets to watch tne passing of their monarch, and gossip over their tankards of wine as they did in 1625. The musketeers and soldiers of the king wield the same swords, muskets and daggers that they used in the time of the two Louis, father and eon. Mr Fairbanks has made “ The Iron Mask ” the most stupendous effort or his career. He has given to the youth of the world a vivid picture of seventeenth century France. The box plan is now open at The Farmers’ and The Bristol, and at the c*ivic from noon today, Telephone 31-508.

With a glamorous atmosphere of romance set in the colourful mystery of the magic desert, “ The Desert Song had a further successful production at the Theatre Royal last evening. The rjlot drawn from the guerilla warfare of the Riffs and the French in Morocco lends itself admirably to a colourful stage presentation The music is of a taking and melodious character, while the love themes are ardent and impassioned. Mr Lance Fairfax, a New Zea-land-born artist, scores a marked sucin the leading role of the “ Red Shadow" Miss Romola Hansen is charming as the wilful Margot Bonvalet, vivacious and bright in both singing and acting. The acting and acrobatic dancing of Miss Sonya Rosova make her a noticeable figure. Mr Herbert Mundin. as the funny little society correspondent, keeps the audience in constant merriment, and is ably assisted by Miss Renee Murphy as Susan, his ward. The ballet dancing is excellent, -eflectlng credit on Miss Minnie Everett. The scenerv is a succession of beautiful effects, from the rugged mountains of the opening to handsome interiors end the final fascinating courtyard, with masses of fed trailing flowers. ‘ The Desert Song ” will be repeated this evening.

SUNDAY CONCERT IN THE GRAND THEATRE.

In the Grand Theatre on Sunday evenin" a popular concert will be held. A verv fine programme has been arranged, including a band and vocal items. Songs w ill be sung by Messrs Fred Hales, Lamb, J. Taylor, Les. Stewart and R. Stevens. Mr B. Stambler’s band wili give musical selections. Mr R. Ohlsen will play a cornet solo, and Mr Pefcv Cole And boy will give a novelty mouth organ solo Mr H. Ayers will play his violin, accompanied by Mr Max Illing at the piano. Messrs Hales, Flattery ?nd Lamb will also sing a trio. Mr Claude Russell will act as pianist. A collection will be taken at the doors in aid of the Returned Soldiers’ Association Fund for distressed soldiers, and patrons are asked to contribute as liberally as possible.

’BULLDOG DRUMMOND” HAS SUCCESSFUL RUN.

The successful season of “Sapper’s” well-known story, “Bulldog Drummond,” a talkie picture at the Civic Theatre, will conclude to-night. The whole programme is as interesting and refreshing as it is possible to imagine. Based on “Sapper’s” imaginative novel, the picture improves the original, for it does not attempt many of the Impossible situations created in the novel, while it loses none of the dramatic tenseness. In addition, the comedy element is undoubtedly flhstclass. The musical programme before each performance is much appreciated by the early-comers. On Monday “The Iron Mask” will be shown.

DR BRADSHAW TO GIVE ORGAN RECITAL IN THE CATHEDRAL.

Dr Bradshaw will continue the series of organ recitals at the Cathedral on Thursday next, when the following programme will be played: (a) Choral Song and Fugue in C Major; (b) Song, “ Silently Fades the Day’s Light ” (Wesley) J (a) Air in D Major; (b) Gavotte in D (Bachi; Legend. “St Francis Preaching to the Birds ’* (Liszt); The “ Londonderry Air,” arranged by Hamand; Introduction and Variations on a Theme by Beethoven (Merkel); Romance and Scherzo from the Fourth Symphony for full orchestra (Schumann). Allegretto in E Flat (Wolstenholme); Fantasia on two English melodies (Oullmant).

ATTRACTIVE PICTURE FOR STRAND THEATRE.

The programme at the Strand! Theatre is headed by a picture entitled “ The Infamous Lady,” featuring Ruby Miller. The second picture is “ The Farmer’s Daughter,” starring Marjorie Beebe, an interesting stcry of a country village. The supporting programme includes comedies, variety and topical films.