ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Independent, Volume XXIX, Issue 3103, 27 June 1929, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

MOVIE CALENDAR. "THE MERCHANT OF VENICE." Mr. Allan Wilkie'brings his-Company to the Town Hall; Cambridge, on Monday next, July. lst; ; and in this short phrase can be; summed up':the theatrical event of the yearj ';• The; play chosen, for the performance is ' e %he Merchant, of Venice,'' the most popiiW of all the national playwright's,. works. 'ln it we have alternating scenes of delicious comedy and intense dramuy. almost melodrama. Who will forgetj'Who has seen it, that great moment in the trial scene, when Portia, tracked out in the guise of an advocate, raises a judicial finger as-a harrier to Shylock's bloodthirsty knife? Mr. Wilkie is stated to attain the pinnacle of His art when, as Shylock, he staggers from the Court, beaten and broken, and yet'with the unconquerable pride of his historic race shining through fi. cloud .of misery. Mr. Alexander Marsh, a "remarkably fine actor and elocutionist, will be seen as the mercurial -Gratiano, a sparkling piece of fun; Mr; Dennis Barry, an old favourite, plays Bas'sanio; Mr. Milton Sands is the dusky Prince of Morocco; and our audience .will welcome Miss Hunter-Watts, the ;inost distinguished Shakespearean actress of. the present day, in the role, of : " Portia, delightful in wit, eminently sane in judgment, and beautiful td 109 k upon. It Is a magnificent evening of. entertainment to which we may look forward, and'. we hope to see the. Town Hall packed on Monday night. The box plan is open at. Mr. Alf. Boycc's. - - - ; Friday—" The Body Punch" and "O.U. West." : -"■■ v ; - Saturday—" Romance of ; the "Underworld" arid "Speeding Venus. '> Tuesday and "The Man Wbo Laughs.^-. ;.-._;.V-. For those who'enjoy plenty, of action and thrills no,better screen entertainment could be offering than "The Body Punch," starring Jack Daugh'erty, to be screened on Friday night. The foundation of this -entertaining story is unique—a contest between a wrestler and' a'-'boxer, each using his own methods of defence. The provocative influence behind-the hero and his ambitions is Virginia Brown Fairc, who plays the part of a charity worker. Wilbur Mack makes a convincing "heavy" of despicable while Monte provides .plenty of laughs. .:,,:""

On the same programme will bo, shown "O.U. West," starring Lefty Flynn. Those patrons who have scon any of iTlynn's previous works can aV. sure themselves of a first-class picture. • On Saturday evening picture patrons who delight in screen stories that catch the interest in the first hundred feetof projected -film and t hold them tense; for an hour or' more will do well to see "The-Romance of the Underworld, '.* starring Mary Astor and Ben Bard. Based on the stage play of the same name written by Paul Armstrong, this; molodrama of the underworld and gang-: land has been brought right up-to-date. It is logical every foot of its film way; and is marvellously acted by a brilliant cast, It tells the story of'a girl driven; by circumstances to eke.out a livelihood; as an entertainer in a cabaret of a "speakeasy/' and who resolves to go straight, ah effort not without many heartaches and struggles*. jShe finally; achieves her goal through the offices of a good-hearted detective-. Thrills., abound, and the tensest moments are, lightened by some genuine comedy! situations which the director*has taken advantage of well. To be shown on the same is "Speeding Venus,'' a typical American picture full of comedy, romance and thrills. x These two " star" -pictures will be snpported by comedies, news reels, etc., and should prove a good night's entertainment. , Victor Hugo's immortal romance, "The Man Who Laughs," has at last been made into a motion picture. With and at great expense, the "Universal Pictures (Corporation has translated the stirring story of early English Court intrigue into a super production that Hugo's unusual arid colourful characters and events in gripping scenes. Remembering the screen popularity of the two previous Hugo masterpieces, "Les 'Miserables*' and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," patrons should hot miss seeing this latest screen success. Mary Philbiri and Conrad Veidt have the leading roles, and are supported by a great Cast, including Olga Baclanova, who played in "The Way of ail Flesh*'; ;Cesare Gravina, of '* \ The Trail of '9B "; George Siegmanri, of "Uncle Tom's Cabin"; and numerous other actors of the big, screen successes. . H