AMUSEMENTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 291, 7 December 1929, Page 15

AMUSEMENTS

THE MAJESTIC. ‘ ‘ THE SINGING FOOL. ’’ A MUCH-AWAITED EVENT. When there are prey skies I don't mind the prey skies You make them blue, Sonnoy Boy . . . The appearance of the Al Jolson talking and singing film, “The Singing Fool” at the Majestic Theatre this evening is the outstanding event as far as the film world of Wanganui is concerned. The picture has so firmly established itself as the most popular since the advent of talkies, that it has become known as the greatest film ever produced. Everywhere it has been shown, there has been a public clamour for a return season, and it will not be surprising to find that in the bigger cities, at least, this will be the case. Wanganui theatre-goers remember with delight, the performance of Al Jolson in “The Jazz Singer.” He was then hailed as the supreme * ‘talkie” artist. In “The Singing Fool” the world’s most popular entertainer, a title he earned on the legitimate stage, .Tolson gives a wonderful performance. He plays the role of a poor night club entertainer whose song successes raise him to wealth and fame on Broadway. The years bring happiness in the form of his little son (Davey Lee—Sonny Boy) for whom he composes his song, but it also brings him unhappiness with his wife. She threatens to divorce him and leaves for Paris His final goodbye to his son is heart-breaking. Ten precious minutes he spends with him. Then he has to see him drive off, perhaps for ever and he has to smile a goodbye so that junior will not realise the torment within his heart. Everyone knows that Al will be unable to bear up under the strain. When Molly (his wife) and junior go away, he loses his hopes and ambitions and loses himself to the world. Nobody knew what he did or where he was. Then one day an uncouth dishevelled figure came to Blackie Joe’s night club and stood at the entrance. The doorkeeper never admitted anyone he did not know, and after all this man was a very disreputable looking person Just as the man turned to go Blackie .Toe came to the door and recognised the wreck of a man as Al Stone. The questions could not come fast enough. “Where have you been all these months? Marcus has been trying to get you for weeks. Why haven’t you called me? Have you done any more writing?” Al shook his head .

THE REGENT “DR. FU MAUCHU” OFFERS UNUSUAL ENTERTAINMENT Every audience will love to join the great detective Nayland Smith in his mad, adventurous chase of that wily, oriental character, “The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu,” which comes to the Regent Theatre to-day, taken from the pages of Sax Rohmer’s worldfamous book and made to Jive on the screen. Gripping, awful mystery —eerie footsteps in the dead of night—an unseen hand spreading terror and destruction —a beautiful girl hypnotised to work the will of a cruel maniac—and love dominating, controlling, triumphing in the mystic maze of revengeful career. “The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu” is one of the greatest mystery stories ever written, and it is one of the greatest moving pictures ever made. In swift action the strange, crafty villain, who thrilled millions in Sax Rohmer’s books, conics to life, spreads out before us on the screen, inspires us with a nameless terror, spurs us with a thankful feeling of relief, when, captured at last he clears the way for true love. Warner Oland in the title rale is great. The master villain of the screen has been doing oriental roles for years but never have his performances approached the perfection of this one. Jean Arthur and Neil Hamilton are irresistible as a pair of young lovers. Everybody loves with them. The supporting attractions are particularly good and in themselves offer delightful entertainment. Seats may be booked at Willis and Co.’s until noon, thereafter at the theatre, ’phone WESTMINSTER GLEE SINGERS ENGLAND’S MUSICAL BEST By arrangement with Edward Branscombe and under the direction of Henry Hayward a brief tour of New Zealand was planned in contemplation with the Empire tour of the Westminster Glee Singers who will appear in Wanganui at the Opera House on Thursday and Friday nedt, Dee. 12 and 13. Members of vocal bodies ami admirers of English cathedral singing cannot afford to miss this opportunity of hearing such wonderful examples of true genius and the vocal art and the finish and artistic excellence of the Westminster Glee Singers will prove a revelation. The company has just concluded eighteen months tour of Canada, which is a record for that Dominion and. of one of their concerts in Vancouver the musical critic of the Star said: “Seated or standing by turns in various informal attitudes around an improvised drawing room, the celebrated English vocalists known as the Westminster Glee Singers enchanted an audience of some 3000 persons in the Arena. The most, delightful and at the same time the • most amazing events on the programme were those which featured the boy sopranos. It is not exaggerating to say that they sang like angels—or as one would imagine angels could sing ” Diversity characterises the programmes in which these singers will be heard, particular attention being .id to the choice of selections. Old world glees, madrigals, part-songs, solos with vocal accompaniment, vocal dances, humorous quartets,' sailor chanteys with, of course, one or two anthems which are ever in demand. The company numbers fourteen and includes members of the famous cathedrals, churches and choirs of England. Only two performances can be given in Wanganui and the box plans of reserved scats are now open at H. I. Jones. Liberal concessions are offered to patrons of pupils from schools and colleges. Particulars are obtainable at the box office. JOURNEY’S END The principal character in “Journey’s End,’’ the famous drama to be staged here by the J. C. Williamson Ltd. management at the Opera House for one night only on Monday, December 16, is Captain Stanhope. After being three years in the thick of the fighting during the Great War, he is revealed as a courageous soldier, res-, pccted by his men, but a slave to the whisky bottle. Ho is far from pleased when into his company comes Second Lieutenant Raleigh, a brother of a young lady with whom Stanhope is oti

“Nothing doing, Blackie; I’m through. I can’t write. I can’t get interested in anything.” Blackie talked to him exactly half an hour and then it occurred to him that a woman could do more That was the beginning of his second and greater success. Chief among the items on a really outstanding supporting programme is the overture “Tannhauser” as played by the Now York Philharmonic Orchestra of 80 players. A comedy ami singing number of the sidewalk as they emerge from the opera “Between the Acts” will present, the famous Howard Bros, who will give imitations of the famous Opera artists they have seen. Items by Ruth Glannville, a lady saxophonist, and the Majestic Magazine complete the programme. As is only fitting when such picture fare is offered, the theatre is certain to be packed to its utmost capacity this evening. QUEEN ALEXANDRA BAND COOK’S GARDENS SUNDAY CONCERT The (Dunedin contest starts on Febru_ .ary 24 in the new Town Hall, which is now being built. All of the Dominion’s best bands are competing. The test music for this contest is Beethoven’s Sonata Pathetique, with its de. lightful themes and groups of delicate and passionate harmony which every piano student loves to play. This selection, which is probably the finest that the Dominion bands have yet had. will be played for the first time on Sunday night. There have been so many delightful articles written about this work that all lovers of Beethoven’s music will be anxious to hear how it will be treated by a brass band. The Queen Alexandra Band have excelled in this class of music in the past and to. morrow night’s attempt after only two weeks’ rehearsals will be interesting. The programme will comprise many delightful selections, also the Iwo contest hymns. The programme will commence at 8.15.

motion picture show—you can sit hom e | and imagine them. While all these innovations tend to stir your enthusiasm, the story is no less interesting, moulding, as it does, the dramatic thread With th e spoken lines. The players, all newcomers recruited from th e legitimate stage, cover themselves with glory. Paul Page, Lola. Lane (star of the Follies), our old friend Henry B. Walthall, Sharon Lynn, Helen Ware and others, are excellent in their characterisations. The story is based on th c stage play of th e same name by Edward Knoblock and George Rosner. The production was directed by Benjamin Stoloff. The supporting are excellent and includ e Richard Bonelli, baritone; Ruby Keeler, in a wonderful exhibition of tap dancing; Happy Birth day (comedy), and Fox Movietone News. This programme will be repeated twice daily till Wednesday next. Plans for reserves are now open at Theatr e office. Be sure and book early. GLOBE THEATRE PICTURES AND DANCING A particularly versatile programme will be offered to Globe Theatre patrons to-day. The picture programme will consist of “Home James,” featuring Laura La Plante, Universal’s comedy star. The supporting attraction at the matinee will be the Jth. episode of the “Haunted Island.” A clever comedy cartoon “Hated Rivals’’ will also be shown. The evening film fare will be “Home James.” A 2000 feet educational film will be in support. Dancing At the conclusion of the Gonvillc Amateur Swimming Club’s carnival which is being held in the Gonville baths, a dance which will be attended by competitors will be held in the theatre. The floor is in capital order and after the fine evening spent there last Saturday it is sure to be well attended. Members of the Gonville Ladies’ Club have the arrangements well in hand so that a fitting conclusion to the carnival will be assured. Flannels will be optional. An invitation is extended to all to be present. PANTOMIME CINDERELLA A few plain facts of what will actually take place in the pantomime to be staged on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, December 18, 19, and 29, with matinees on the Wednesday and Friday. At least 100 performers are taking a part in this big extravaganza. Amongst the number will appear over 60 clever children. Apart from their beautiful numbers as Foresters and Fairies, they will appear in the big animal act “The Toy Maker’s Dream.’’ The cast includes a number of great favourites with the public. —Edyth McNaught will take the part of Prince Charming; Alexia Rankin. Cinderella; •Stella Cuthbertson, Dandine; Doris Hughes, the Fairy Godmother; Horace Melville and George Clapham, the ugly sisters; Jim Scott, Peter;, Alfred Ansley, The Baron; Enda Alger, the Herald; Phyllis Taylor and Hazey Dustin, First and Second Fairies Dorothy Katipk,- Tiny Tot; Sidney Mandeno, Rudolphs; Sidney Wilbraham, Alphonse and the great animal impersonator, Ptarzan, by himself. Among the special attractions will be the ‘ many beautiful ballots arranged by l.'J -0 Broadhead; the wonderful constructed fairy coach; the delightful singing of Doris Hughes, Alexia Rankin, Edyth MeNaught and Sidney Wilbraham, the spectacular scenery by Horace McL villo; the humour of the two ugly sisters; the singing of George Claphnm and the wonderful animals in this number; the “Toy Maker’s Dream”, the “Birth of the Pearl” in the extraordinary mermaids; “Grotts in thc Submarine Scene”; the “Glorious Feast of Bacchus in the land of sill grapes,” and the church scene in a world oi

friendly terms, as he fears the newcomer will acquaint his sister of the captain’s drinking habits. He, therefore, exercises his right to censor his first letter, but when it is handed to him he does not do so. Lieutenant Osborne, the second in command, unwillingly looks through the letter and finds that it contains nothing but praise of Stanhope. Mr Reginald Tate, a recent arrival from England, it is stated achieved an outstanding triumph in the role of the valiant, but highly strung war-weary Captain Stanhope. ‘‘His loyalty to his men, the revelation of his own fears, his ‘dressing down’ of the funky Hibbert,” wrote a Melbourne critic, “and his grief at the loss of bis comrades and his final exit were all brilliantly portrayed.” Harvey Adams has, it is said, achieved his best success in the role of Lieutenant Osborne, the former schoolmaster, affectionately known as “Uncle.” Osborhe is the guide, philosopher, and friend of the company. Playgoers will be glad to witness Lewis Shaw, who recently visited New Zealand in ‘‘Young Woodley,’’ in another role. It is said that he is magnificent as Lieutenant Raleigh. Others who have assisted to make “Journey’s End’’ the most successful play Australia has ever known are Ambrose Flower, Alan Lawrence, Vincent Lawson, Reginald Dane, all of whom hail from the principal English theatres, and John Fernside, Reginald Wykeham, George Jennings, Bodge Carey and Arthur Stignnt, jnr, The fact that “Journey’s End” has irtlt yet been staged in Sydney will prevent a long season being played in the centres of New Zealand, so only a limited number of performances can be given in Auckland. The box plan opens at H. I. Jones and Son on Friday next. “SPEAKEASY.” “Speakeasy,” the most convincing dialogue picture yet to reach the screen, opened a five days’ season yesterday at The Grand Theatre to a large and well satisfied audience. It is a st°ry of New York, filmed in New York, acted by a cast of thoroughly competent stage players and is so realistic one leaves the theatre with the thought of ht.ving just returned from a journey to th e great metropolis. Aside from the brilliant performances given by the players, and each one is effective in their respective roles, this all-dialogue Fox-Movietone photoplay is filled with numerous inspiring “shots” which keep the onlooker in a prolonged gasp of astonishment. If you can imagine th e thrill of watching and hearing a crowd of some 20,000 enthusiastic boxing fans “hitting o nail six’’ in the famous Madison Square Garden, or watching and hearing New York subway trains thunder and boom in and out of stations, or watch and listen to the great crowd of people in the Grand Central termifia] in New York without having seen and heard them before, then you iced never attend another

roses The witches in the kitchen of Baron Romero reminding one of the famous Lancashire witches. It will be a veritable night in Fairyland, for this is not an elaborated story, but will all happen as described. Parents must not allow their children to miss this great Christinas scat every seat in the house can be booked so reserve early and remember adults will enjoy the big show even’as much a? the children for on© never grows too old for a well produced pantomime. DUCHESS THEATRE A real general of the Russian army has become a motion picture private in Hollywood. He is Biacheslav Savitsky. who held that high rank with the Kuban Cossacks during the zenith of the late Czar. He is playing the part of a private in “The Last Command,” a Paramount picture in which Emil Jannings plays the part of a general, appearing at the Duchess Theatre on Saturday. In thc same picture with him is Alexander Ikonnikov, who was a colon id in thc Imperial foot guards, and Nichols Kobliansky, who was a captain in the same outfit. Kobliansky is technical director of the picture, and also plays a small part. The supporting cast includes Evelyn Brent, William Powell and Nicholas ussanin.