AMUSEMENTS AND MEETINGS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20182, 26 June 1928, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS AND MEETINGS

THE GRAND “The Blue Danube,” which will be shown for the last time to-day and tonight, is as joyous as the gay melody that inspired it. Frederick Zelnick, the producer, has caught the spirit of light-hearted gaiety associated with pre-war Vienna. Throughout the film there abounds a spirit of entrancing happiness. The story —told in leisurely and. unhurried manner—is a simple tale of the love affairs of a Count and a cabaret girl, and Lya Mara, in the role of Mizzi, certainly proves that she is an actress of no mean ability. The supporting cast is also excellent, special praise being due to Ernest Veredes, as the flirtatious young lieutenant, and to Harry Liedtke as the Count. Based upon the world famous waltz by John Strauss, the picture is indeed one which the great composer might well be proud. It admirably conveys the spirit of love life, and laughter, which the master violinist helped to create. An excellent musical accompaniment to the film is provided. The second picture, “Hard-Boiled Hcggarty,” produced by Wid Gunning for First National, djepiets Sills in an unusually powerful and romantic role, he being an air service hero who finds love behind the firing line. Molly O ’Day plays the part of a half Irish and half French girl answering to the name of Germaine. A cabaret dancer of the story is played by Lola d’ Avril as French as Molley *s Irish. Arthur Stone, Mitchell Lewis and George Fawcett are included in the supporting cast. “Hard-Boiled Heggarty” is not the usual type of war story, depicting the agonies of suffering men. It is simply the story of a misconception of a superior officer, which leads to the court martialling of Lieutenant Heggarty, his greatest friend:, there being of course a happy climax which smooths out the path of their distorted relations. To-morrow another prize double programme wil feature Norman Kerry in “The Irresistible Lover,” and Johnny Hines in “Home-Made.” Popular family prices—plan at the theatre. MUNICIPAL PICTURES

Automobiles, aeroplanes, motor-boats and even bicycles have furnished the background- for motion picture drama, but until Richard Dix began f ‘Man Power’’ for Paramount, the lumbering caterpillar tractor had never been “glorified” in films. Only an imaginative scenario writer who had been through the war could see possibilities in them. The results will be on view at the Opera House to-night only. “Man Power” is not a war picture, although there is a flash of the bat-tie-front to indicate that Richard Dix had been an officer before reaching the lowly state of a wanderer hopefully looking for a job. Glimpses of Mary Brian, beautiful daughter of the president of the Stoddard: Manufacturing Company, start him on a career as a mechanic. What .he does with a tractor after that is startling. To save the inhabitants of a valley from the menace of a broken dam, Dix pulls supplies through a rain storm over a slippery road, over ditches, up mountain sides, across a plateau and into a gulch. Whether Bebe Daniels got the idea during her recent illness with influenza is speculation, but it is singular to note that the title of her newest starring comedy for Paramount is “Feel My Pulse,” which will be the second 'feature of to-night’s double bill programme. The story concerns the activities of a girl who is a near invalid in her own mind. Certain situations, however, help her “regain” her health. Production on “Feel My Pulse” was headed by Gregory La Cava, and with Richard Arlen opposite Miss Darnels. Other members of the cast are George Irving, Melbourne MacDoweU, Charales Sellon, Heinie Conklin and William Powell, who does some great work as a bootlegger chief. Also will be showing “The Collegians” and a gazette.

‘ ‘ MERCENARY MARY ’ * “Mercenary Mary,” the fascinating musical comedy to be presented at the Opera House on Thursday evening by Sir Benjamin and Mr John Fuller’s popular “Archie” and "Sunny” Company, headed by Elsie Prince, Jimmy Godden and Charlton Morton, has been called the greatest dancing play in the world, and it might also be said that its comedy has a prior claim over a great many other musical comedies. Brimming over with sparkling wit and clever repartee, the fun never lags. The scenery is pretty and the dressing of a somewhat striking nature, “Mercenary Mary” should score the same success as did *‘Archie” and “Sunny” on merit. The musical score is full of haunting melodies, and when one listens to such numbers as “Thinking of You,” “Mercenary Mary,” “Dipping in the Moonlight,” “I’m a Little Bit Fonder of You,” and “My Sweetie’s Turned Ale Down ” (one of Jimmy Godden’s most woebegone numbers, which brings roars of laughter from his audience), one could not wish for a greater variety. A Sydney critic writes: “In the title role, Elsie Prince imparts a personality and a charm that evoke wide and favourable comment. Jimmy Godden, as Christopher Skinner, lives his role, providing a sparkle to the effervescent wine of wit throughout the show. The. choruses and dancing numbers rank as the best costumed and dressed of most of the musical plays presented from time to time.” The “Mercenary Alary” box plans i are now open and are filling rapidly at H. I. Jones and Son. Ltd.