ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 3203, 25 February 1930, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE BLACK WATCH.,,. RECORD ATTENDANCES Long before the hour the show wa* 1 timed to start, large numbers of. ift--tonding patrons had to be informed that they had left the booking of seats* too late, and. also between the hours of seven and eight numbers of people arrived at the hall and due to 1 the fact that they had not had to be turned away. Every seat, in the theatre was taken by eight o'eloekas could easily be imagined by anyone passing the nail at that time, for outside were parked some 140 cars. The four busses from Hamilton in no manner represented the number of patrons that intended being present, from that town, but had not reserved their seats. Two Fox-Movietone news reels were' the first features screened, and were followed by a short musical revue by Phil Spitlany and his Philadelphiau Hotel band, the Pond sisters, .Sally' O'Neil and two troupes of toe dancers. This novelty proved very popular with the audience. Mr Craig Campbell, th& celebrated Irish tenor was seen and heard next in three well known numb' ers. His fine full voice is said to be heard at its best in his rendering of these selections.

Then the' long waited for "Black Watch" was announced by its preliminary introductions. As had been mentioned in this column before, the dialogue is all English and truly speaking' it would be hard to find a cast that could be listened to with more pleasures than that in the "Black Watch."

Then as a specimen of the progress of the talking film 'The Black Watch' surpasses any other spectacle that has? been presented locally—and all the big features that have visited Cambridge. The care with which the scenes have been laid, and the unflagging action and suspense that is enforced is alldue to the directorship of John Ford. After the opening scenes the story commands careful attention if>the patron is to fully appreciate the. scenes in India. Briefly the story concerns & British officer who accepts public.disgrace to serve the government, inteligence. A man with such' a love of country is pitted against a woman, who* aspires to be nothing less than an empress and the only thing to frustrate* their mutual ambitions is their desiir»: for each other... Many people seem t» miss the point that McLaglen is reallyinfatuated with "Yasmani" as can be depicted by his expressions in tiescenes where he is in Her presence.' The final scene is a very impressive one;. It. is New. Year's Ev*. Th* officers of the Black Watch are gathered round the festive board I whom King arrives. His former companions stare in wonder until the colonel proutlr;' ly introduces Major King, D. 5.0., for service in India.. King accepts their ; apologies. with an empty smile • and! a> heavy heart;-the memory of Yasmani isv too bitterly-sweet to be forgotten. This film will be shown again, to-mor"-row night for the last time. There will be a second matinee on Wednesday after school, for, the- benefit, of school children and mothers who are unable W attend, in. the evening.

"THE TEESPASSEEw'" Coming to the Town Hall Theatre for a season from, February 27 to March 6 (inclusive), is another standing all-talkie attraction, entitled,. "The Trespasser." The subject features one of the screen's, greatest exponents- of the art —Glpria Swansbn, & rarne that has flashed and then has attracted millions over the face of globe. Gloria Swanson's voice was an object of great anticipation among motion picture interests, and it will be of even greater interest to local fans, who have seen the face and form of thisr great actress and, no doubt, have wondered "what sort of a woman is this" for the voice tells many things. In "The Trespasser" Gloria both talks* and sings, and she gives a stirring performance in this emotional drama of Chicago high life. Of more than passing interest to the fair patrons are themany glorious gowns that Gloria wears in this Edmund Goulding production* for United Artists. A peep at the story sees Gloria as the secretary of a Chicago corporation lawyer when her marriage to a millionaire's son is annulled by her father. Gloria finally decides to trust her young son to his father's people, and here lies the theme of one of Gloria's outstanding performances. It is a great production, lavishly produced, with an equally great cast, and although the season is a lengthy onepatrons will be well advised to book their seats.