AMUSEMENTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 293, 10 December 1929, Page 15

AMUSEMENTS

“THE SINGING FOOL.’’

SADNESS TRUE TO LIFE. There is a telling sadness in the theme of the * ‘ Singing Fool, ’ } yet it is not of that quality which can rob the picture of its rightful plac e in. the lead of talkie productions. Unadulterated grief is not the best basis for a story, especially with present-day audiences, but realistic sorrow finds a fairly high plac e in public approbation. To be realistic it must be true to life, and there, in a nutshell, may be found the root reason for so much laudation of the “Singing Fool.” It is sad, but it reflects life in true perspective. A father's lov e for his child is as strong in the East as it is in the West, and the unshakeable faith of the young for the big and strong is a beautiful theme round which to weav e a story, and if that story be woven together by the threads of song, then th > appeal it retains is strengthened a hundredfold. Briefly, th e “Singing Fool’ } has three lesson a to teach. The first the irony of false love, the second the beauty of love from parent to child, and reciprocation of that ideal and, thirdly, the courage with which the strong face disaster and disappointment. Th 0 picture is a triumph for Al Jolson. He does better than in the “‘Jazz Singer,” infusing his acting and singing with a lire of realisation. In the gay moments of life, his smile is just as infectious as is the pain of his sorrow cut ting when he faces proof of his wife’s infidelity and the parting with his child. The scenes are laid, for the most part, in fashionable night clubs, where the lilt of music, the tapping feet and the rythni of dancing bring the lustre of life’s enjoyment. The atmosphere is Bohemian, but there develop th e little threads of sadness born of jealousy and hate. One sees a singer with a smile on his face, ’ ears his voice with its tenour of happiness, and yet knows of the bitterness which lies behind a false exterior. Ono cannot help but admire the spirit to carry on which he portrays. A particulaTly interesting programme of short subjects is also presented in conjunction with the main attraction. “The Singing Fool” will continue to be shown until Thursday. A matinee will be held on. Wednesday.

PANTOMIME ‘ ‘ INDERELLA ’ ’

Bailey’s big spectacular pantomime, “Cinderella,’’ will be staged next week c Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, December 18, 19 an 20, with a matinee on Wednesday and Friday. A great deal of novelty is being introduced, and the dressing will be most elaborate and beautiful. Enchanting ballets, arranged by Miss Lucie Broadhead, include the Storm, Waking Flowers, the Bat, the Skeleton, the Witches, Birth of the Pearl, the Grape and th e gorgeous Rose. The two ugly sisters, Mr Horace Melville and Mr Geoorge Clapham, introduce side-splitting humour, and apart from their humorous songs, Lily gives her interpretation of the Dying Swan, which will be a scream. Wonderful animal impersonations include cats, dogs, rooster, giraffe, lion, elephant, kangaroo and the inimitabl . ape Ptarzan. They all appear in a great scene entitled “A Toymaker’s Dream.” Th e scenery, by Horac o Melville, is exceptionally brilliant, including the Forest of Arcady, the Baron’s Kitchen, the Ballroom, the Submarine, Mermaid’s Grotto. Grapeland, and the Land of Roses. The box plan opens at H. I. Jc nch’ to-morrow, and patrons are reminded to book early to avoid disappointment, as everyone will want to be present at one performance.

THE REGENT.

AN OUTSTANDING ATTRACTION Regent theatre patrons last evening were rewarded with a particularly fine evening’s entertainment. Excitement, fast action, suspense—these are the thrilling elements which provide superb entertainment for those who see Paramount’s latest gripping, mystery drama, “The Mysterious Dr Fu Manchu. ” The famous Sax Rohmer story has thrilled millions all over the world in story form, and Paramount has incorporated all the tense, emotionarousing incidents’into a never-to-be-forgotten. picture with 'Warner Oland as the cunning diabolical villain, Dr Fu Manchu. Rowland V. Lee, the man who made “The Wolf of Wall Street” has utilised all the absorbing situations of Sax Rohmer to heighten the swiftlymoving effects. Scenes at the opening of “The Mysterious Dr Fu Manchu” depict the defence of the British Legation in Pekin against the rebelling Boxers . The action scenes are remarkable. With this background the story follows the vengeful career of the fanatical Dr Manchu. his wily machinations which bring a beautiful girl into his clutches and his attempts to force her to work his will against his enemies. In addition to Warner Oland, the cast includes Jean Arthur, O. P. Hcggie, Neil Hamilton and William Austin. The actors were picked from Hollywood ’s best with special reference to particular fitness for-the parts. Jean Arthur and Hamilton carry the romantic leads. Heggie plays the part of a detective. William Austin is his own laughable self as the eccentric secretary to a wealthy Englishman. “The Mysterious Dr Fu Manchu” is the third in a series of gripping mystery pictures which Paramount has made during the past f° w months. Those who thrilled to “The Canary Murder Case” and “The Studio Murder Mystery” will have some idea of the enjoyment in store for them when they ►see “The Mysterious Dr Fu Manchu.” The supporting films are particularly entertaining.

WESTMINSTER GLEE SINGERS.

NOVEL AND BEAUTIFUL ENTERTAINMENT. One great and important feature of the Westminster Glee Sinpcrs, who are to appear in the Opera House, Wanganui on Thursday and Friday evenings is the highly attractive manner in which their entertainment is presented. Instead of the formal concert platform, they employ beautiful stage settings, with many novel lighting .effects, this being the'first time that a combination of colour and sound has been utilised in this manner. There is a delightful intimacy about their performances to which concert-goers have not hitherto been accustomed, and whilst their musical standard is of the very highest, they do not disdain the lighter, side. There is nothing more fascinating in the whole range of music than the human voice, and when this is utilised without instrumental accompaniment, one gets the very perfection of musical beauty. The Westminster Glee Singers specialise in this most attractive form of art; they sing tlie whole of their programmes from memory; their repertoire consists of over 150 examples of part music, ranging from the simple part-song to the madrigal and glee, with occasional anthems and Christmas' carols, in addition to a most interesting scries of solos with an accompaniment of voices. Specially are they noteai for the very perfection of ensemb\u ...id their soloists, both boys and men, rank with the finest that Great Britain can product It took Mr

Edward Branscombe, organiser and director of this Empire Tour many months in England to arrange for leave of absence for members of the company from the cathedrals and colleges of choristers, and it has been arranged that the New Zealand portion of the tour will be under the personal direction of Mr Henry Hayward. The box plans of reserved seats are now open at H. I Jones’ wh’ere particulars may be obtained of the concessions offered to scholars of schools and colleges

An exposition of Christian Science will be given by the Hon. William E. Brown, (’.S.B. in a free lecture at St. Paul’s Hall on Thursday December 19. Mr Brown who is a member of the Board of Lectureship of the First Church of Christ Scientist in Boston is at present on a lecturing tour of New Zealand and has attracted considerable attention on account of his knowledge of Christian Science. From New Zealand he proceeds to Australia.

GLOBE THEATRE.

PICTURES AND DANCING. The increasing popularity of Th‘e Globe Picture Dance was amply proved by the large assemblage of patrons who attended his function last Tuesday evening and it is safe to assume that another bumper house will again trip “the light fantastic” at this theatre to-night. The Paramount special feature, “The Last Command” will be screened and all admirers of Emil Jannings should take this opportunity of seeing this dramatic star as the mighty general whose word was law under all conditions. The film is an epic of the Russian Revolution.

GRAND THEATRE,

“SPEAKEASY.” When Georg e M. Cohan stated, for the press, that dialogue pictures were confined to four walls, he eertaiuly did not include th e Fox-Movietone production “Speakeasy,’’ which is the featured attraction at the Grand to-day and to-morrow. The scenes in this sensational talking picture are staged in the Madison Square Garden, New York, at the Belmont Race Track, in subway tunnels and main streets of the great metropolis and, in fact, all over the big city. More than that, they are not the usual news reel shots because the players ar e right there acting their parts. The dramatic thread of the interesting story is woven in thes e locations, and the result is astonishing beyond description. The dialogue is brilliant and, due to the thoroughly experienced cast of stage players who appear in the principal roles, sounds convincing. Paul Page and Lola Lane, new to picture patrons, but well known on the Broadway stage, Z£ re headed for sure success in th k . talking motion picture field. They have that certain grasp of expression whic’- comes only from long experience behind the footlights. Their perfowwices are a delight to watch and Irear. One of the greatest of them aJ", • Henry B. Walthall, carries away stellar honours by his perfect portrayal of a down-and-out piano player. The veteran actor fills hi s role to the brimming point with incomparable work and rich voice. Sharon Lynn, as tho\ beautiful “joint” entertainer, captivates with her charm an 1 voice. Warren Hymer, as the villain, is excellent. Stuart Erwin, Erville Alderson, Helen Ware, Ivan Linow, Marjori o Beebe, Ilel-'n Lynch and a score of others arc splendid in their roles. Benjamin Stoloff directed the story from Frederick Hazlitt Brennan’s adaptation of the stage play of the same. Th 0 supports include Fox Movietone News, Happy Birthday, all talkie comedy, Bonelli, Burtone and Ruby Killer, Tap Dancer. its for to-night tnd tomorrow should be secured early at theatre office. “Words and Music.” Speaking of ‘“Words and Music,” which commences a four days’ season a* The Grand Theatre on Thursday, the Auckland Herald says:—Strikingly ex-

e mplifyiug the modern vogue for screen entertainment of the revue type, “Words and Music,” the Fox Movietone production which opened its Auckland season at the Majestic Theatre last evening to a larg 0 audience, differs from it s predecessors in this field,, while preserving the brightest features of the singing and dancing entertainment. It may be said to resemble an excellent musical comedy rather than a revue. The production is based on an excellent plot, which preserves continuity of action and carries the interest smoothly from scene to scene. In this it scores heavily over its forerunners. The scene of th c story is Darnell, a great American university, where the students arc about to produce their annual stage frolic. From th e opening scene the spirit of youth pervades, and the plot rapidly develops amid scenes of light-hearted comedy as th 0 escapades of the members of the college follow one another in quick succession. The (limax is reached when the frolics ar e finally staged. Amid scenes of splendour, against a back ground of a gorgeously costumed chorus and ballet. Lois Moran singe “Beauty” and ‘Yours Sincerely,” and then per-

forms an attractive dance. Revealin; a voice of unusual sweetness sh e records perfectly, while her dancing shows rare grace and artistry. Thc finest spectacle of the frolics is provided by a quaint old English hunting scene. The-curtain rises on a dinner party in 1830, at which the host, David Percy, whoso baritone was heard in ‘The Follies of 1929,” announces that he is to marry on the morrow. After drinking a toast he sings “Too Wonderful For Words,” an old-world ballad, which captures the leisurely spirit of the age. The scene changes to the courtyard of an old inn, wher 0 the first meeting of thc hero and his love is shown, amid the barking of hounds and tooting of horns, a post chaise draws up, and ladies of fashion dismount. Huntsmen and ladies then tread a state

ly measure, a charming hunting song bringing th c whole number to a close. In addition to Miss Moran and Percy J other players of note in the excellent cast arc Tom Patricola, Helen Twelvetrees and Frank Albertson. Th e supports include Talkie comedy, News, and other interesting featurettes. Plans for the Wanganui season are now open at Grand Theatr c office