THE THEATRES

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18941, 11 December 1929, Page 7

THE THEATRES

ATTRACTIONS FOR THE WEEK

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE “ THE DUKE STEPS OUT ” EVERYBODY’S THEATRE “THE FAR CALL’’ GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE “ THUNDERBOLT ” LIBERTY THEATRE “THE HOLE IN THE WALL • GRAND THEATRE •• “TILLY’S PUNCTURED ROMANCE” GRAND THEATRE “ FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE ” STRAND THEATRE “ WEST POINT ” STRAND THEATRE “ ROMANCE OF THE UNDERWORLD ” THEATRE ROYAL Talking Picture, “ INNOCENTS OF PARIS ” TEEATRE ROYAL Talking Picture “Madame X” (Commencing Friday). FULLER’S OPERA HOUSE Musical Comedy Co. in " SUNNY.” RADIANT HALL r , Rotary Club’s Musical RECITAL (Thursday) RADIANT HALL n . Wr<T , _ DANCE RECITAL (Saturday) CALEDONIAN HALL - TT , _„ _ Hoys I-ligh School DRAMATIC PERFORMANCE (Thursday) CIVIC THEATRE „ . Uichestral Society’s CONCERT (Tonight). CIVIC THEATRE MALE VOICE CHOIR (Thursday and Saturday)

FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE ” IS FINE COMEDY AT THE GRAND THEATRE.

At the Grand Theatre an excellent programme of comedy is headed by Harold Lloyd in one of his latest pictures, “For Heaven’s Sake.” It might be thought that Harold Lloyd would have used up all his original tricks by this time, but in “Heaven’s Sake” he breaks still more new ground. The comedy note in the programme is well sustained by the second big picture, “Tillie’s Punctured Romance.” The programme is completed with another exciting chapter of the serial, “The Pirate of Panama.” MURDER MYSTERY OPENS NEXT WEEK AT CRYSTAL PALACE. People possibly are still talking abc-ut that talking picture, “ The Canary Murder Case,” and of the advent on the screen of America’s Sherlock Holmes, Philo Vance. These murder mysteries woven round the infallible person of Vance are from the pen of S. S. Van Dine, who is to the Americans what Edgar Wallace and Conan Doyle are to us. Yet another of his clever, ingenious mystery stories is on the talking screen, this time “ The Greene Murder Case,” and as an all-talkie film will open a season at Crystal Palace Talkies next Monday. Once again, as in the fore-runner, William Powell plays Vance, the super-detective and criminologist: but whereas in the first picture he had only one mysterious murder to fathom, in this film lie has several. One by one, the Greene family are exterminated by a hidden, diabolical, hand, and from the startled expression on the face of the first victim, perceived by Vance, it is gathered that the murdered is a friend or relative. Follows an exhaustive and gruelling examination of the members of the doomed house, Vance eliminating and arraigning until he stands at the door of discovery. It Is one of the cleverest things in this line that haa been written or dramatised. It raises the old “ detective ” story to the level of the classics. The box plans open at The Bristol Piano Company cn Thursday morning. ” THUNDERBOLT ” IS THRILLING TALKIE AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. In “ Thunderbolt” Mr George Bancroft has been given a part for which he has all the necessary qualifications. This is a big picture, covering phases and incidents in the sinister notorious underworld of New York, and reaching its climax in a scene in Sing Sing Prison. A night club and all it implies, charges of robbery and murder, a death sentence, an escape, a recapture, a bank hold-up, revenge, a wrongful conviction, love and repentance, are in the make-up of the story, which swings along with rapid strides to an unexpected but by no means unnatural ending. Introduced by magnificent music, the Florentine Choir, of Florence, comes on to the screen and sings solos, hymns and choruses, their voices blending perfectly. There also is an amusing caricature talkie item and a demonstration of broadcasting thought by radio. ” THE HOLE IN THE WALL ” IS FINE FILM AT LIBERTY THEATRE. “The Hole in the Wall” is a picture as exciting and as mysterious probably as any that has ever been screened in Christchurch. The authors of the story have mixed up the doings of a gang of criminals with a spice of the supernatural in a manner that keeps the audience in a state of the greatest expectancy during the whole of the time that the film-is being screened. The development of the “shorts” since the advent of the talkies has lent a character altogether new to picture entertainments. and has brought a variety that is extremely refreshing and pleasing. The news films In their talkie form are certainly a great improvement on their older prototypes. The “Whimsical Nonof Clapham and Dwyer, the noted English vaudeville comedians, makes a bright spot in the programme. EXCELLENT MUSICAL COMEDY, “ SUNNY,” AT NEW OPERA HOUSE. “Sunny,” a bright musical comedy. Is now being presented at the New Opera House by, the talented company that has been appearing there for some weeks. “Sunny,” with its pleasing music, attractive scenes and humour, is of the better class of musical' comedy, and, like many equally successful shows, It hails from New York. The plot has a simple framework. Freddie Forbes, the English comedian, who is the victim of the plot, has become a great favourite with local audiences. His art is not helped by any elaborate makeup as a “funny man.” He gains his effect by amusing mannerisms and clever patter. Miss Betty Lambert as “ Sunny,” the circus girl, has a part that suits her admirably. A good stage appearance is one of her marked assets.

iiiiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiHiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiumiutiiuiiiiniiiiiiniimiiiiiiniim FINE PROGRAMME AT EVERYBODY’S THEATRE.

There is a treat in store for silent picture patrons at Everybody’s Theatre. The features are “The Far Call” and rhe Duke Steps Out,” both exceptionally good pictures in their class. William Haines and Joan Crawford plav AS,® I ®ed 3 in “The Duke Steps Out.'” The Far Call is adapted from Edeson Marshal] s book of the same name, and stars Leila Hyams and Charles Morton, It is the story of a modern buccaneer. The ’shorts” are of a “very entertaining nature. They include topical reviews of world’s events. A fine musical programme is given by the Select Orchestra under the conductorshlp of Mr Albert Bidgood.

ANNUAL CONCERT OF THE MARIST SCHOOL HELD LAST NIGHT.

The pupils of the Marlst Bros. School gave their annual concert in the Caledonian Hall last night. The large audience composed of parents, friends and others, completely filled the hall, and the young performers were given a hearty reception, which their efforts well deserved. A long programme of instrumental, vocal and elocutionary items, as well as a cleverly acted sketch, was given. The entertainment given was surprisingly good for children and was a credit to the boys who took part as well as to those responsible for coaching them. In all of the character items a great deal was added to the humour by the novel ideas displayed. Everyone from the youngest to the oldest pupil was given a place in the programme, and each of the standards contributed a special item.

The list of items was as follows: Violin ensemble, “Colonel Bogey” (Alford/, .Sacred Heart Convent pupils; “The Huntsman’s Chorus” (Weber) and “Sodiers* Chorus” (Faust ), School choir; character recitation, “The Plaint of the Camel,” junior pupils; song, “Just a Cottage Small,” R. Cogle and J. West; Wand Drill, pupils of Standard III.; action song, “A Soldier’s Life,” pupils of Standard II.; dialogue, "Larry in Court”: Judge, W. Kearns; lawyers, J. Thompson, L. Lowe; witness, V. O’Donoghue; violin solo, R. Nelsen; song in character, “Song of the Volga Boatmen” (Russian Moujik), senior pupils; “Uncle Podger Hangs a Picture”; Uncle Podger, B. Daly; Aunt Maria, F. Enser; Jimmy, Freddy and Tom, J. O’Donnell, F. Scully, G. Roache; Susie, S. Vincent; the Maid, J. Williams; the Charwoman, B. Cassidy; violin ensemble, “Sizilietla” (Blon), Sacred Heart Convent pupils; “Lullaby” (Old English): Soprano, R. Cogle, J. West, J. Williams, S. Daly; alto, L. Lowe, F. Frickleton, V. O’Donoghue, T. Simpson; class recitation, “Charge of the Light Brigade” (Tennyson) and “Good-bye,, God Bless You” (Field), pupils of Standard V.; dumbbell drill, pupils of Standard V.; character sketch, “Little Sam,” J. Williams; action song, "Parade of the Tin Soldiers” (Jessel), pupils of Standard IV.; dialogue, “Sam Weller the Second”: Sam, C. Coffey; Judge, T. Simpson; Cleyk of Court, V. Empson; Waiata Maori character songs, “Home, Little Maori Home” (Hill), R. Cogle, with chorus, and “Maori Songs” (Hill), School choir; final chorus, “Good-night.” The accompanist was Mrs W. Toomey. BENEFIT CONCERT AT THE RADIANT HALL. Some of the best concert talent of Christchurch contributed to the concert given at the Radiant Hall last night as a benefit for dependents of a deceased member of the Christchurch Working Men’s Club. The concert was promoted by Mr J. E. Cooper, president of the Christchurch Working Men’s Club, working in conjunction with Mr J. Mills and Mr W. Moore, the respective chairmen of the Richmond and Christchurch Clubs. The performers all gave their services willingly and the programme was very enjoyable. The programme was as follows: Overture, Working Men’s Club Orchestra; song, Mr Pegler; comic song, Mr Reg. Stevens; Russian dance. Miss Joan Fleming; recitation, Mrs Piper; song and dance, “Me and the Man in the Moon,” N. Miller; song. Miss Harcourt: duet, Lawrence Bros.; Legerdemain, Mr Richards; comic song, Mr F. Hale; song, James Taylor; elocutionist, Mr Flewellyn; comic song, Mr F. Hale; song, Mrs M’Laren; song, Mr E. Dowell; elocutionist, Mr Flewellyn; song, Mr Lightfoot; specialty dance, Miss Erin Matthews; song, Leonard Foster; song, James Taylor; dance, “ Broadway Melody,” Miss Ena Malzard; elocutionist, Mr Wills. Mr G. Russell was the pianist. ORGAN RECITAL AT ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL. Many musical lovers attended the Anglican Cathedral last night for the fine recital given by Dr J. C. Bradshaw. The series for this year is now almost completed and the final concert will be given on Thursday, December 19. Last night’s programme was as follows: Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C Major (Bach); Minuet from the Pianoforte Sonata in E Flat (Op. 31) (Beethoven); Finale of Sonata Eroica, “Verdun ” (Op. 151) (Sir Charles Stanford); Meditation from “Thais” (Massenet); Ride of the Valkyries, from “ Die Walkure ” (Wagner), for full orchestra; hymn; intermezzo in D Flat (Hollins); Minuet in G for the Pianoforte (Paderewski); Toccata in G Major, “II Moto Continuo ” (Dubois).

“ MADAME X.” WILL OPEN ON FRIDAY AT THE THEATRE ROYAL. The famous talkie made from one of the most successful stage plays, in which Muriel Starr enhances her great reputation, will open at the Theatre Royal on Friday at the matinee. The box plans are now open at The Bristol. “ INNOCENTS OF PARIS ” AT THEATRE ROYAI. I So successful was the presentation I of the talkie, “ Innocents of Paris,” at j the Theatre Royal last week, that the management has arranged for an ex- * tended season. This picture is rich ini music and wit, and is a gorgeous spectacle in the more colourful parts. The 1 leading part* that of Maurice, is a won- ‘ derful conception, and is wonderfully played by Maurice Chevalier. His act-' ing is beyond reproach. He is a very i fine artist, one who holds his audience all the time. Opposite him, as Louise, •s Sylvia Beecher, one of the most attractive ladies the talkies have discovered. The part of Jo Jo, the little lad who is rescued from the river by Maurice, and who takes such an important and attractive part in the story, is splendidly acted by David Durand, a gifted child actor. * The “ shorts ” which precede “ Innocents of Paris ” are of exceptional merit and variety. There are singing, dancing and novelty numbers with a leaning toward the comic side The first is an audio revieyr in coloui giving a view of life on the Riviera. This is followed by a “ News of the World” feature, including a view of the]

landing of the “Angeleno,” the 'plane which recently established a new record re-fuelling flight, and other topical events. A soprano, Dorothy Helmrich, follows in two songs, “Annie Laurie” and “My Boy Billie.” The comedy talkie, “ The Piano Tune,” sends the audience into roars of merriment.