AMUSEMENTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 287, 3 December 1929, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS

THE MAJESTIC. A POPULAR PROGRAMME. “The Drag,” featuring Richard Barthelmess, shows the star to advantage. It is a First National-Vitaphone production and shows finally at The Majestic Theatre this evening. The sincerity and understanding with which the star delineated the leading character made it one of the best BartJielmess features we have seen in recent times—and that also takes into consideration that he has had several exceptional successes in the past three years. “Drag” is about people we know. The characters are sympathetically and intelligently drawn. The story is built up and around the young man so that his burdens and struggles and aspirations grip one’s attention until the final ten feet of film. “Drag” is a story of domestic strife. A young man marries a girl and finds himself the “goat,” supporting her entire family How they drag him down and torture his ambitions until he decides upon a desperate measure forms an absorbing subject Barthelmess has never been better —not even in “The Patent Leather Kid,” or (“Weary River.” I Frank Lloyd with his subtle and human direction, again displays the intelligence that was evident in “Weary River” The cast is as perfect as anything we have seen in a long time. Lila Lee is ideal as Dot and Alice Day seems authentic as Allie, whose family is a milestone around the hero’s neck. The balance of the cast, including Katherine Ward, Lucicnt Littlefield, Tom Dugan and Atargaret Fielding, gives excellent performances. The supporting films are varied and offer delightful entertainment. Seats may be booked at the Bristol Piano Co. until 5 p.m., thereafter at the theatre, ’phone 2863. TO-Morrow’s Attraction Bootlegging might be more effectively coped with by lawmakers giving some thought to the Helene Costello method. In her role opposite Aaitonio Aforeno in “The Midnight Taxi,” the Warner Bros.’ production which comes to the Majestic Theatre to-morrow, Aliss Costello uses the oldest of all reform methods. She finds Moreno the head of a bootleg ring, and to get him out of the ring, marries him. “The Midnight Taxi” is a stirring melodrama, the action ranging from a cruise across the 12-mile limit at sea to a race through the air and a fight aboard a runaway railroad car. The story is said to be taken from the life of one of the most sensational characters of America’s underworld, and was adapted to the screen by Harvey Gates from a Gregory Rogers story. John Adolfi directed. Moreno and Miss Costello head a cast which includes Afyrna Loy, William Russell, Bobbie Agnew, Tommy Dugan, Pat Hartigan and Jack Santoro.

GRAND THEATRE “PLEASURE CRAZED” TO DAY Commencing to-day and to-night for a season of three days and nights, another Fox alltalking drama and supporting pictures will be presented. Th e star attraction is “Pleasure Crazed,” which deals with the aftermath of discontent on the part of a spoiled wife and of the remedy administered by a forgiving and understanding husband. The film is an exceptionally good “talkie,” and the reproduction is very clear. The story of “Pleasure Crazed” commences with the arrival of the husband and wife at a luxurious Californian mansion away from the usual haunts of pleasure. Right from the very start various complications arise which make the picture full of interest. The artists in “Pleasure Crazed,” who are all well known, are exceptionally good and portray their parts admirably. Marguerite Churchill, who has recently been seen in “The Valiant,” and Dorothy Burgess, who had one of the b'ig parts in “Old Arizona,” are in the cast. Another to do good work is Kenna Campbell Gullan, a famous English actor whose voice records excellently. It is pleasing to note that several English aifists of talent are in the film, and that the voices recorded do not all have the American accent of which so much has been heard of late. The story of “Pleasure Crazed” i s taken from the very successful play of Monckton Hoffc, entitled “The Scent of Sweet Almonds.” The supporting attractions are very entertaining indeed and are a show in themselves.

The supports include Fox talking subjects, “In Holland,” Kentucky Jubilee Singer s iu southern melodies, Miller and Farrell, th e night club artists in music that is different, with mandolin and guitar. Fox movietone news is full of the latest world’s happenings in talk and sound. Reserves for circle and back stalls are now open at Theatre office, ’phone 3152.

THE REGENT A VERITABLE LAUGH FACTORY “Nothing But the Truth,” Richard Dix’s latest comedy drama shows finally at the Regent this evening. It is a veritable laugh-factory, turning out two giggles and one guffaw per second. It is the first all-talking farce Paramount has yet produced to satisfy a farce-hungry public, and it a high mark for succeeding farces to shoot at. A dyspeptic pessimist could see hear it and leave the theatre a cnuckling optimist. Richard Dix does things in this that you never saw him do before. He pulls surprise after surprise with his artful pantomime and definitely joins the ranks of the masters of meaningful gestures. In addition, he speaks with a fine, vibrant voice, light enough to be winsome, and just rich enough to stay out of the “heavy” class It is his first appearance in talking pictures. Helen Kane, in her first picture, stars auspiciously for one who has never faced the cameraman before. Her baby-talk, singing and tiny, tiny voice, just seem to make your heart swell up and go boom. She has one of the biggest comedy-purveying roles in the piece and she deals out a great brand of funny stuff. Helen is wellknown everywhere through her phonograph recordings of popular ballads done in the baby-talk manner. Others in the cast are artists who have dealt out comedy successfully on the stage for years. They achieve new honours in this great all-talking all-laughing allbox office farce sensation.

The supports are of a high standard. Seats may be booked at A. E. Willis and Co.’s until 5 p.m. thereafter at the theatre, phone 5252. Commencing To-morrow. Clear and crisp, yet with great emotional expression, the voice of James Kirkwood in the gripping British Dominions thriller, “Black Waters,” which is coming to the Regent Theatre to-morrow has astounded both London and Sydney critics. “Talkie” enthusiasts will certainly appreciate Kirkwood in ‘ ‘Black Waters,” whilst those who have been inclined rather to criticise the “talking” picture will surely realise the immense possibilities of this new class of entertainment, after they have witnessed James Kirkwood’s performance. Always popular, this talented screen actor has played many roles, but as Kelly, the crippled evangelist who seeks his former master, the fiendish Captain “Tiger” Larrabee, to convert his soul, Kirkwood has a role that offers amazing opportunities. Other stars in this production include John Loder and the lovely Mary Brian, whilst Hallam Cooley and the comical Lloyd Hamilton have important roles. “THE SINGING FOOL” AL JOLSON ’8 ROMANTIC STORY Al Jolson, the world-famous entertainer, who is shortly to be heard in “The Singing Fool,” New Zealand’s first all-talking film, has a tremendous sense of loyalty to the Schuberts, who first gave him his start. He was offered an incredible contract once to go on the concert stage. Tho man who was authorised to talk business with Jolson had tried for weeks to see him, but Jolson managed to avoid him quite expertly. The re, presentative, however, who was as expert at finding people as Jolson was in dodging them, succeeded in unearthing him at the barber’s shop in the Plaza Hotel one morning, and, made him listen while a clay pack was drying on his face. After all, it would have been rather uncomfortable for Jolson to remonstrate with him just then.

The terms were something like this: £2,000 a week, 50 per cent, of the profits, a private car, £5OO for every concert over four every week, and £lO,OOO deposited as security for the contract in the National Bank. The man who was making the offer talked at length about the advantages of the contract, and finally asked him what his decision was.

“I am sorry,” said Mr Jolson, “I am happy where I am.” “But, think,” objected the other, ‘ ’of how much more you could get under the contract. Think of—” “I am sorry,” interrupted Mr JoL son. “I am happy with the Schuberts.” And that was final. The life story of Al Jolson has the glamour and romance of a colourful, novel. Every part of it—his htine life ina typically orthodox Jewish family, the plaintive singing at the Sunday school which his religious father insisted on, his running away, and his experience with the circus, 1 reads like a romance. All this glamour, this romance, has been put into the screen story of “The Singing Fool,” which life of a Broadway cabaret singer, and which has been produced by Warner Bros, with Al. Jolson as the leading light. Wanganui people will welcome the advent of The Singing Fool,” which opens at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday.

QUEN ALEXANDRA BAND COOKS’ GARDEN SUNDAY NIGHT The abovo band under the direction of Captain Buckley, will give a recital in Cook’s Gardens commencing at 8.15 on Sunday night. The band has received all the music for the Dunedin contest and hopes to be able to regain its old position ns the champion of the Dominion. The programme to toe submitted is of a very high standard and should the night be fine a very large audience is expected, a collection will be taken at the gates in aid of the band’s contest fund. GLOBE THEATRE PICTURES AND DANCING During the evening the carnival spirit will be maintained by balloons, streamers and snow confetti descending on the dancers from the ceiling Surely a night of enjoyment for all. A free bus will convey patrons to Wanganui Post Office and Castlecliff after the carnival. Arrangements arc well in hand for a most successful carnival at the Globe this evening. The screen portion of tho evening will be represented by the Paramount special attraction, “The Last Waltz,” featuring Willy Fritsch and a popular cast. The carnival portion of the evening will commence with the Moonlight Foxtrot at 10 p.m., followed by the Masked Parade, Monte Carlo, etc. WANGANUI CHORAL SOCIETY Details are now available of the programme to be presented by the Wanganui Choral Society at the Opera House on Wednesday next, 4th. instant. The choir will contribute eight items, a greater number than at any previous concert. The programme opens with “The Lee Shore” (Coleridge-Taylor) a most dramatic and also a difficult coinpositio/. The work is full of dramatic fire and intensity and provides full scope for choral effects on a grand scale and the expression of dynamic force and emotional colour. Another outstanding item is “Grass of Parnassus” (Granville Bantock). This also is a most difficult number which is frequently used as a choral test at festivals at Home. In contrast to “The Lee Shore,” delightful pianissimo work is a feature of this piece. “How Sweet the Moonlight Sleeps” (Eaton Fanning) is an eight-part song of great beauty and delicacy, jn the composer’s happiest vein. The society is indebted to its honorary condctor, Mr F. W. Slater, A.R.C.0., for an arrangement of “Massa’se in de Cold Ground” and also for “Lullaby,” a beautiful study in pianissimo composed by Air Slater, and received with great enthusiasm when performed by the choir at a previous concert. Other choral numbers are: “Like Apple Blossom, White and Red” (C. H. Lloyd), “Angelas” (from “Maritana”), “Tho Challenge of Thor” (from Elgar's “King Olaf”) and “Music, When Soft Voices Die” (Parry). Mrs Wilfred Andrews (contralto) will sing “Tangi” (Alfred Hill) and “The Loreley” (Liszt) and Mr Claude N. Tucker (flautist) will play “Schczo Capriccio” (Sabathil). “The Brook” (Wetzger) and “Butterfly” (Kohler). The box plan is open at H. I Jones’ and Son.