ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Independent, Volume XXIX, Issue 3157, 5 November 1929, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

A RECORD ATTENDANCE. DISAPPOINTED WOULD-BE * PATRONS. NINE BUSES FROM HAMILTON Never in the history of picture entertainment in Cambridge has such a large attendance been seen at the Town Hall theatre as that present on Saturday evening, when the final screening and reproduction of "Innocents of Paris" took place, after being shown on two previous evenings. Every seat in the hall was occupied, while a groat many wcre turned away. The bookings were very heavy, especially from Hamilton. There was a record attendance from our neighbouring town, no less than nine large buses being requisitioned to transport the visitors to Cambridge. At 7.30 the management became faced with the fact that they would be quite unable to provide accommodation to meet the demand, and consequently the ticket office was closed down, and reserved seat holders from Hamilton and Cambridge were admitted, while a portion- of the seating accomodation, including many of the cheaper seats were held, to cope with the Hamilton invasion. Notwithstanding the fact that every available scat in tho theatre was brought into use, the accommodation was quite inadequate to cope with the huge crowd and fully 300 failed to gain admittance. The number included many from Hamilton and we understand that three bus-loads returned to Hamilton with disappointed would-be patrons. Much feeling was shown, especially by local patrons, over the closing of the ticket office, but it would appear that under the circumstances the management had no option. The failure to gain admittance apparently annoyed some of those present and the management had a very unenviable time for a while dealing with what w r as in the nature of a mild demonstration.

When the management was interviewed on the matter yesterday morning regret was expressed that so many had been disappointed. It was pointed out that the. Hamilton folk have to purchase their tickets for admission to the hall before they get on the buses at Hamilton, and as far as possible the management had to find- accommoda tion for them. The management also expressed regret that so many local residents were turned, away, but point out that' they' could have protected themselves by booking their seats for which no charge is made. In this connection, the management has a full announcement on the front page of *to-day's issue.

The programme on Saturday night was excellently reproduced and was greatly, enjoyed by the record audience. "Innocents of Paris" which has had a succesful run in Cambridge, appeared to generally please, especially the happy, attractive personality of the leading player, Maurice Chevalier. As the junk man in Paris, Chevalier makes a fine appeal, as do his' perambulations in cabarets, etc., until he becomes a star of the stage. It was a happy, clean show that provided fine entertainment. The supports made upan excellent programme.

HAMILTON TALKIES. "The Lone Wolf's Daughter," now showing at the Strand, is one of the greatest of the Lone Wolf stories by Louis Joseph Vance. Once more Bert Lytell, who created the role in pictures comes to the screen as the famous cracksman. This time he is presented in entirely new surroundings. The colourful and luxurious appointments of antique auction rooms, palatial residences and country estates made gay by week-end parties furnish ideal backgrounds for the mystery, action, intrigue and plotting of a pair of international crooks, who use the "Lone Wolf's" daughter as a decoy. Her love affairs prove a snare for the cracksman, who is taxed to the limit of his skill and ingenuity in sliding out under the arm.of the law.

"CLOSE HARMONY."

TONIGHT AND TO-MORROW.

To-night "Close Harmony" will .again be presented to movie-goers. This picture is not merely an all-talking picture with a few songs thrown in, but an all-talking, all-singing, all-dancing picture. These three are as dexterously interwoven as in any musical comedy. In fact it is the first real show to reach the screen in the talkies. Nancy Carrol, the leading lady, sings, Charles (Buddy) Rogers sings and plays many instruments in a jazz band, while Harry Green, who was some time ago on the stage in New Zealand, has a prominentrole. Then there appears .a song and dance team in the persons of Jack Oakie and Skeets Gallagher, both of whom have been seen in Paramount

productions. Altogether it is a very fine production, .as was demonstrated last night.

"GIPSY LOVE.

The Hamilton Operatic Society closed its season of six nights' production of "Gipsy Love" on Saturday night, when there was a very large attendance, and the performance was most enthusiastically received. The leading artists received bountiful evidences of appreciation, in bouquets, sweets, etc., while the producer (Mr A. E. Manning), musical director (Mr Harold Piper), and stage manager (Mr W. Blyth) were given great receptions. After the performance a social function was held, at which a number of presentations were made and hearty appreciation was made of those who had taken prominent parts in the production.