Amusements

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 291, 8 December 1928, Page 2

Amusements

DUCHESS THEATRE (Aramoho). The 1 Dunean sisters, Rosetta and Vivian, make their screen debut in a film version of their musical stage play which played in twenty-three American cities for three and a-half years. Rosetta plays 1 ‘Topsy M in blackface and Vivian plays little “Eva” in whitcfacc. The film was niad.e. in California, interiors at the United Artists •Studio. “Topsy and Eva” screens at the Duchess Theatre to-day. The other picture is “Rash Privates,” screening Lya de Putti, Malcolm McGregor, and Zasu Pitts. CONVENT ANNUAL ENTERTAINMENT. The Convent Annual Entertainment will be given in the Opera House on Monday, December 17, when a varied and attractive programme of vocal and instrumental music, dances, etc., will be presented. A pretty litle play entitled “The Spirit of Christmas,” will be enacted, and a musical extravaganza named “The Princess’ Suitors,” will I also be staged. Thg. box plan is at A. ID. Willis’.

THE MAJES'HC. Coming swiftly on Kingsford Smith \s marvellous Hights, Master Pictures have released ‘‘Across the Atlantic,” with Al onto Blue as its pivotal character. Without in any way apparently striving to do so, “Across the Atlantic” makes clear a lot of things about heavior-than-air machines, giving closeups of the. machines on the ground, taking off, soaring and alighting. A tense story of war-time exigencies brings the airplane into play, introducing a young army aviator whose thrilling experiences have brought on an attack of amnesia. To all appearances, this handsome young fellow is all right. Those viewing the story, however, know his real condition. One fears for him. This fear becomes well-nigh agonising when the young ace is or- ’ dered to undertake a particularly haz- I ardous flight. The very hazards that surround him, however, snap back that something which niad.e his past life a blank, and he follows through in glorious fashion. “Across the Atlantic” was meant to be a thriller, and it is said that it is all that and more. It gives Blue a role that is going to make him more popular than ever. Monte Blue in “Across the Atlantic,” ig now playing at the Majestic Theatre. The supporting feature is “The Great Well,” a romance of Africa, featuring Thurston Hall and Seena Owen. A vaudeville act of high calibre completes a very good programme. MUNICIPAL PICTURES Emil .Tannings created his own characterisation in his new Paramount starring picture, “The Street of Sin” showing at the Opera House to-day. He originated the idea for the story, which was then developed into literary and pictorial form by Josef von Sternberg and Benjamin Glazer. The. story hinges on the regeneration of a giant “bruiser” in the London slums. The transition of a brutal gang leader of the London slums to a Godly man through the power of love is detailed. Sledgehammer Bill is the terror of the district whore he lives, a slum area in Limehouse. To this particular, evil smelling, quarter, to the very street and pub where Bill holds undisputed sway comes Elizabeth, a Salvation lassie and an assistant. With coarse jest and much bandinage, they are received in the pub and very soon the toughs make sport at their expense. The noise interrupts Bill and his cronies planning a burglary. He steps into the bar and is adding fresh indignities on the assistant when his eye catches sight of Elizabeth. He lets the terrified Air Smith fall. From then on he has more thoughts for Elizabeth than anyone. Monday’s Programme Each wooden sailing frigate that took part in the mimic sea battle in “Old ironsides,” coming to the Opera House on Atonday used a shortwave receiver. The standard Beinartz circuit was used, and to I make doubly sure that the director’s battle, two stages of Jefferson audio frequency amplification were added to the regenerative detector on each short wave receiver. Brandes’ head-phones were used by Wallace Beery, George Bancroft and the other Paramount players in receiving their instructions. We see revealed the little Congress of a new and impudent Rcp’.’.biic deliberately setting forth to destroy a sea power that had terrorised Europe for hundreds of years. Alany 1 a ship’s crew from Salem and other ports knew the horrors of disgrace and ! death at the hands of the barbaric | pirates who sought to crush American ’ fortunes which, during the budding days of the Republic, rested chiefly on the sea. THE MAROTTA CONCERT. As will be gathered from the preliminary announcement of the concert to be given by Signor and Signora Alarotta in the Gpera House on Tuesday, December .18. a very attractive programme has been prepared. It includes delightful and popular geni s by the world’s greatest composers—Rossini, Verdi, Catalani, Puccini, Alendelssohn, Ar.eycrbeer, Rahnianinoff, Alalashkin, Gretchaninoff, Aloussorgsky, and Liszt, in addition to popular English compositions. By special request Signor i Alarotta will appear in two characters from operas in which he has taken lead- ' ing parts in the great theatres of Europe and other countries. Interest will also attach to his interpretation of several English songs by reason of the fact that but a few months ago he could not speak a word of this language, which he finds very difficult to learn. Included a Signora Alarotta’s proposed solos will be one new to Wanganui, the composition of an Australian musician, Air Ramsay Penniquick, which Alis s Eva Webb-Jones sang from its original manuscript with success at one of Air Frank Hutchens’ concerts at Sydney Conservatorium. By the last Australian mail Signor Alarotta received from the composer a printed copy of the song, which has just been published. The assisting artistes will be Aliss Claire Fcltham, F.T.C.L., and Aliss Edna Naumann, L.T.C.L. Great.l interest is being taken in the appear- i ance of Signor and Signora Alarotta on the Wmganui concert platform, and a large audience i s assured. The box plan opens on Alonr.ay at 9 a.m., at H. I. Jones and Son’s. “QUALITY STREET’’ Those people who have not yet seen the Technical College students in “Quality Street,’’ should take advantage of the repeat performance which is to be given in the Opera House on Friday, December 14. That students c:m appreciate the delicate subtleties of humour such as Barrie’s has undoubtedly been proved by these young people, and the educational value of such work to students can hardly be over-estimated. The play abounds in ilelightful situations, and the appreciation of the crowded houses that greeted their first two performances was ample proof that the “Barrie” atmosphere was made a reality to the audience. It | is hoped that the deserving cause of relief for the needy in this town will I benefit substantially from the result of ! this final performance.