amusements

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 235, 3 October 1929, Page 11

amusements

THE REGENT CLARA BOW IN “THE WILD PARTY.” In her first talking picture, ‘‘The Wild Party” which commenced its ■ Wanganui season at the Regent Thea--1 tre yesterday, Clara Bow aads ' farther to her reputation. Hitherto the ; “It” girl has had numbers of roles ' which have given her opportunities to prove her worth a s an actress of the merry and guy variety. In “The Wild , Party” she has an opportunity to demonstrate her prowess as a speaking ; star and she makes the most of her , chances. . Every word she speaks is • clear and it comes as an agreeable surprise that she will hold her own in the - speaking picture as well as she has l done in the past in the silent play. P The story of 4< Th§ Wild Party” was . written by Warner Fabian, of 4fFlam--3 ing Youth” fame and it is essentially - a story of the youth of to-day, revelling in madcap escapades. The scene is laid 3 at an exclusive girl’s school. A new 3 professor arrives, young, handsome, t and full of thq importance of his job, j and naturally the girls “fall” for 5 him. Some time later a feminine count terpart of a “stag” party is held and Stella Ames (Clara Bow) and her gang of wild girls are barred from entering } because of the brevity of their costumes. The girls leave and go to a ’ roadhouse where they got mixed up in j a rough-and-tumble. Stella is abducted by three men but the professor has heard of her predicament and rushes to 1 the rescue. He is successful in getting J Stella away from the men and takes 5 the opportunity not only of delivering ’ a stern lecture on the follies of youth bur. also to confess his love for her. } The next day Stella finds that love does not exclude her from doing her col- ■ lege work. An essay of her’s is the ■ cause of the trouble, and her professor , tells her a few home truths in front ,of the class. With her gang she goes I away for a party and there arg wild - and merry doings. While she is away ) the professor is wounded by the gang -of abductors for revenge. On her rei turn she goes to the professor’s study - and is caught by the sneak of the i school. Events movo fast from then r on. There are misunderstandings and mix-ups which are only partly solved - when the story ends, Stella having 3 taken the blame for a friend’s folly. - However the final scene finds her happy. . Miss Bow has a role which suits her s admirably. As the leader of the college j gang she is full of life and her dialogue is vivid. Tho thousands of pic- . ture lovers who have come to look forT ward to her characterisations will find plenty to satisfy them in her first talking picture. The supporting programme is also excellent. Scats may be reserved at A. D. Willis’ until 5 p.m., thereafter at the theatre, ’phone 5252. PIRATES OF PENZANCE CAPACITY HOUSE LAST NIGHT The third presentation to Wanganui ’ audiences of the Gilbert and Sullivan light opera, i ‘The Pirates of Penzance,” by tho Wanganui Amateur Musical and Dramatic Society, took place in the Opera House last evening before a capacity house. From start to finish, the presentation I of the play reflects great credit on the ‘producer, Mr Harison Cook and all associated with its production. The chorus work was particularly fine and Mr Frank Thomas, as the I Pirate King, and Mr N. L. Tyler, as his I lieutenant, again proved their ability to handle their parts. As Frederic, Mr Hubert Carter again demonstrated what a great artist he is. His beautiful rendering of the duet, “Stay, Frederic, Stay,” in company with Mrs Leo Campion, was one of tho gems of the evening. Another outstanding item of his wns “Away, Away, My Heart’s on Fire.” In tho role of Sergeant of Police Mr Harison Cook was very well received, his rich I bass and fine acting meriting outstandi ing applause. ' All the cast acquitted themselves i very favourably. Miss Julio Werry, as I Mabel, added to her list of successes, i Miss Eileen Anderson, as Edith, was ■ gay and vivacious and her delightful voice was greatly appreciated. As I Ruth. Mrs Leo Campion was splendid. She justly earned the applause accordled her. Miss Lee Swan and Mrs Earl , Wills were equally effective. As the Major-General Mr Jim Pawson proved 'to be one of the hits of the evening. I From start to finish there was not a dull moment. Undoubtedly capacity ' houses will result to-night and to-mor-Jrow night.

“THE CIRCUS KID,” DRAMA OF THE BIG TOP NOW AT THE MAJESTIC THEATRE “Presenting a grand, glittering and glorious galaxy of the world’s most startling and stupendous aerial and acrobatic acts by an astounding aggregation of artists assembled from all the countries of the globe exclusively for this prodigious and pretentious presentation.” Not quite so flowery as this old-time circus billing but considerably more accurate and sincere is the annoucement of the circus specialty acts that are presented in the screened performance of “the big show” in “The Circus Kid,” tho thrilling special production at the Majestic Theatre. Not only does it tell a gripping story of circus life outside of the “big top,” in which Joe E. Brown has the featured role of a lion-tamer who has lost his “nerve,” and little Frankie Darro ffays “the kid” with Helene Costello in the leading feminine role and Lionel Belmore and 6am Nelson in other strong roles, but it also pictures a complete circus performance. In this Poodles Hanneford and his great bareback riding troupe are seen in the specialty that was for seven years a “headline” act with Ringling Brothers’ Circus. Other notable acts in the show, which begins with the “grand entry” behind Prof. Bridell’s twenty-six piece band, are the DeGaro Family, aerial artists; Adeline, wirewalker, and. the great desert Arab troupe of acrobats. The supporting films include the Harrington Sistars in snappy song numbers, Bob McGregor (a Scotch comedian), and Reb Spikes and his Follies Entertainers. •GREAT STAR, GREAT CAST—AL JOLSON IN “THE JAZZ SINGER” NEXT ATTRACTION AT THE MAJESTIC There was a time when a firm of picture producers would select a big star for a particular film it meant to exploit and fill in the cast with people of little reputation. The. worth and drawing power of the star would have to cover up a lot of weaknesses. One might have forgiven Warner Bros, if they adhered to this principle in casting “The Jazz Singer,’ ’a Master Picture special, which stars Al Jolson. It was known that the sum to be paid the celebrated black-face comedian was big enough “to choke a barn,” and that in every way the film was going to be a tremendously expensive one in the making. ButHhe Warners felt that they had one opportunity to score a supremo triumph and they would go through with it in the best possible, way. They did not want any one to bo able to point out a blemish in the picture once it was finished. So they gathered a star cast for the support of Jolson and thus showed good judgment and good showmanship. “The Jazz Singer” will come to the Majestic Theatre on Saturday for a run of three days. Jolson’s leading woman will be found in the dainty and petite May McAvoy. Warner Oland will be found playing tho jazz singer’s father, and that fino actress, Eugenie Besserer, will be seen in the role of the mother. Otto Lederer, Nat Carr, Richard Tucker and Bobbie Gordon are some of the other well known screen favourites who have prominent roles in the film. Alan Cros-1 land directed. The story is that of the son of a cantor who runs away from home, finds fame in the world of the stage and returns too late. The heart appeal is universal and the tenderness and mirth is carried on a stirring current of drama to climax of tremendous power. SOCIAL. A grand Orange Social is to be held in Harman’s Hall this evening, commqpcing at 7.45 p.m. The entertainment will consist of old fashioned dances, songs and cards. A dainty supper will be provided. WILLIAM HAINES IN “A MAN’S? MAN” AT THE GRAND William Haines —in a serious role, a far different William Haines from the usually debonnair youngster w r ho “kids,” uses slang and disports himself in festive attitudes —is chaining crowds at the Grand Theatre, where he is now appearing in “A Man*? Man,” a Metro- Goldwyn- Mayer production. It’s a charming little satire, rich in human interest and with a beautiful little love story. The star in just the opposite of his usual role, ! Instead of being a “smart aleck,” he’s an earnest young man, so earnest

in fact that others with “smart” ideas can tell him anything and get. away with it. He “falls” for the chatter of an assistant film director and even gives up his money for oil stock that doesn’t exist. Ho buys every book and correspondence school course that foxy book agents can sell him. But he enacts a very appealing character and does what is perhaps one of the greatest characterisations in his whole career. The result is intensely entertaining and interesting. Josephine Dunn, who played opposite Haines in “Excess Baggage,” makes a most ap pealing little bride as the stage-struck flapper who marries tho soda fountain worker, and Sam Hardy gives thp screen something new in the way of polished villainy as the assistant director. Mae. Busch’s character work as the hard-boiled film actress is superb. To-morrow’s attraction will hg “Love and the Devil,” starring Milton Sills.