AMUSEMENTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 314, 11 July 1930, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE DOUBLE FEATURE PROGRAMME A VARIED ENTERTAINMENT An excellent double feature all-talk-ing programme now at the Majestic is headed by the exciting mystery, 4 4 Murder on the Roof.” 4 4 Murder on the Roof” is a fascinating story of a beautiful girl who turned her back on love and her face towards danger to save her father from an unjust fate. Set against a background that for novelty has never been equalled—a night club sixty storeys above street level. Beautiful Dorothy Revier acts the part of the daughter of a wrongly condemned man who is to die for a murder he did not commit. Not allowing her love for Ted Palmer (David Newall), the son of a millionaire, to quench her love for her father, she fights to reveal Joe Carozzo, the notorious night club proprietor, in his true light, for it is him she suspects of the murder. When, after fascinating Carozzo with her beauty, he gives her the Larkin diamond, the clue she has been waiting for to accuse Carozzo of the murder.

In support is the picturisation of the celebrated crook melodrama 4 ‘Light Fingers.” The story deals with a notorious jewel thief, Light Fingers', who cleverly eludes detectives and frustrates all attempts to catch him red-handed. The character is a likeable one because he doesn’t have any evil in his makeup. He goes wrong because he has no idea of good. To obtain the treasures of others by matching his wits against them provides a thrill that satisfies his gambling nature. When love comes into his life and he awakens to the difference between' good and evil, ho takes the straight path and uses his intelligence to aid justice. Dorothy Revier is cast as the girl who convinces Light Fingers that honesty is the best policy and will be rewarded with the love of a good woman. An unusually clever characterisation is presented by Charles Gerrard in thp role of “London Tower,” a dapper English crook assistant to Light Fingers. The production provides delightful entertainment and is suitable for the entire family.

WILHELM BACKHAUS BOX PLANS OPEN TO-DAY This morning at H. I. Jones and Son. Ltd. the box plans for the concert to be given here by Wilhelm Backhaus will, open, and as the interest in the great pianists’ season is very great and widespread, big booking is anticipated. Backhaus' first tour here was one of the outstanding events in the musical history of New Zealand. For months prior to his visit his coming was on the lips of all in the musical world. The great name he had made in music circles in the older world ranked him as one of the outstanding pianists of the day. His great artistry and talents left an abiding impression which is sure to bring all those that heard him then, to the Opera House again. His work during the past four yearg in England, Germany, South America, France, Spain, and other countries has placed him on an even higher plane, and to-day he is regarded by many critics as being without peer as a pianist.

Backhaus opened his present New Zealand tour under the happiest circumstances at the Auckland Town Hall, when an audience of over 3,000 persons accorded the pianist one of the greatest ovations ever given to any artist in the Dominion. It goes without saying that Wanganui will give Backhaus a welcome not only worthy of the artist himself but worthy also of this city. Mr E. J. Gravestock, who is directing the tour, stresses the fact that there will be only the one concert —next Wednesday night —at the Opera House.

“DISRAELI.” THE YEAR’S BEST PICTURE. SEASON DRAWING TO A CLOSE. A picture well worth while would be an apt descriptive term to apply to “Disraeli,” the Wanganui season of which concludes to-night at the Regent. It helps to keep alive tradition, and builds anew a sense of loyalty to the cause which men fought, planned and died for many, many years ago. This Empire of ours was not created in a day, and it did not come into being with the smoothness that characterises the sailing of a skilfully handled yacht on an unruffled sea. Met. had to look ahead, and had to match optimism against pessimism, to take big risks, to meet cunning with cunning. It was to the broadness of vision of men like Disraeli, so the sto.ry runs, to his inimitable self-control, to his iron nerve and its governing influence when the moment demanded immediate action, that England owed ownership of the Suez Canal, and all that it meant to her Eastern Empire, which, at that time, was India. One hears the Gladstone v. Disraeli fight in the House of Commons, senses • the undercurrent of dislike of the English aristocracy for 44 the foreigner’’ who was trying to sway the country into a wildcat scheme of “buying a ditch which ran through sand.” One comes to grips with the breach which existed between the Prime Minister and the Bank of England, realises the characteristic pigheadedness of the aristocracy of the day and feels downcast. Only the smilingly directed genius of Disraeli, scheming for Britain’s future against Russian intrigue, with the nearsighted policy of Gladstone as a Handicap, awakens pride at the thought that men did live who could look beyond the narrow confines of the day and see the dawn of to-morrow and what lay beyond. This picture is a triumph for George Arliss, the English actor. In speech, in manner, in the dramatic moments of the story, he is the perfect Disraeli- He was never better than when matching his wits against the crafty woman spy of Russia. In the tense moments following Hugh Meyers’ dramatic announcement that the Bank of Meyers was bankrupt and that the cheque in payment for the canal was not worth the paper it was written on, he was an actor of superb skill. In his glorious triumph too, when Her Majesty held Court to do honour to her far-sighted Prime Minister, Disraeli gave indication of his depth of human feeling. “And Mary won’t be there,” he kept repeating in the bitter memory of his wife lying next to death’s door and unable to share with him the fruits of their labours together- The person who misses this picture while it is in Wanganui will regret it. It is splendidly acted and the pleasing Englisn voices, contrasting so happily with those of another country all too prominent in the world of talking films to-day, leave refreshing memories. Disraeli is being screened at the Regent daily at 2.30 p.m. and at 8 p.m.

GARRISON BAND RECITAL MAJESTIC THEATRE, SUNDAY The Garrison Band are giving one of their favourite recitals in the Majestic Theatre on Sunday evening, assisted by Miss I. Kendrick (soprano), Miss T. Pepper (contralto), Mr C. Haar (baritone) and the double male quartette which created such a favourable impression at their recent concert. The special staging erected by the band so that these recitals can eventuate, is well justified and enables the audience to hear the band and the artists to the greatest advantage. The band are practising assiduously and a programme in keeping with their past record will be submitted, which includes such gems as the horn solo. “The Burgomaster,” from IDonezetti’s well-known opera; cornet solo, 41 11 Bacio, ” also cornet duet by Bands-

men Farrell and McGrath, entitled 44 Besses o’ the Barn,’’ and dedicated to the world-famed band of that name, besides several numbers by the band quite new to Wanganui audiences. A silver collection will be taken at the doors, and it is to be hoped the public will respond liberally.

THE GRAND LAST DAY OF “THE VAGABOND LOVER” To-day and to-night will be the final screening of “The Vagabond Lover),” an excellent talking and singing picture featuring the world famed radio singer and band leader, Rudy Vallee. Produced by the Radio Picture Corporation of America, nothing has been spared in the way of expense to present a delightful musical comedy, full of lavish settings and amusing situations. The introduction of several songs selected from the most popular of those broadcasting to the world by Vallee are greatly appreciated by patrons and add to the charm of the picture. For good, clean comedy abounding with plenty of laughter, “The Vagabond Lover” can rank with the best for a good evening’s entertainment. To-morrow’s Attraction Commencing to-morrow for a season of six days the attraction will be Zane Grey’s first all-talkiug picture, “The Lone Btar Ranger,” featuring George O ’Brien. The plans arc now open at the Grand Theatre office.

TUNEFUL “HONEY” AT REGENT TO-MORROW W. Franke Harling and Sam Coslow are the composers of the tuneful melodies which are featured in 44 Honey,” the sparkling musical romance starring Nancy Carroll, which commences its Wanganui season at the Regent at the matinee to-morrow. Harling is one of America’s best known composers. He wrote “Deep River” and “The Light from St- Agnes,” American operas with jazz rhythms, which caused furores in New York. Coslow has composed a number of popular song successes. The hit-song of the group is “In My Little Hope Chest,” a sweet and catchy melody that Miss Carroll sings several times. It is frequently heard on the radio these days and is fast becoming on e of the nation’s most popular songs. 4 ‘Sing You Sinners,” is another of the Harling and Coslow tunes from “Honey” which is gaining in popularity. OPERA HOUSE DOUBLE STAR PROGRAMME To-morrow’s programme at the Opera House should attract largo houses — both at the afternoon and evening presentations. A varied programme, including two really good feature films, a comedy and gazette, the entertainment should find wide favour. Apparently there is no limit to the dramatic talent of charming Colleen Moore. Just when we had about decided that she had covered the entire field of characterisation during the past tew years along comes 44 Why Be Good?’’ a racy story of modern youth that finds her as much at home in the role of a dancemad young girl as she was in her romantic portrayal of 4 ‘Happiness Ahead” of her comic characterisation of many amusing farces. The plot centres around Miss Moore in the character of a sale-girl in a big department store who is envied as the “hottest” dancer) in her crowd. A romance develops with the son of the

whose sincere love is poisoned by doubts of her virtue, subtly suggested by his father. The story progresses through a series of settings as interesting and varied as the mood of the action which swings between the humorous and th e dramatic, with a climax that finds Miss Moore every inch an actress. “The Lawless Legion,” featuring Ken Maynard is presented in such a novel manner that one doesn’t stop to think about it, except to wonder how Ken can do the things ho docs and still live to draw his pay-hcoquc The story tells of a community, because of drought finding it necessary to find better grazing grounds for their cattle. The only thing that stands in the way, is a band of organised and notorious cattle thieves, who have been operating through a particuk.i stretch of land through which the cattle must pass. The .community in a mass meeting decide to trust their pooled herds with a man. then resting in gaol because of disturbing the peace. The cattle are pooled and (there must be all of ten thousand) entrusted to the young man (Ken) and in turn he is tricked out of the entire herd. Of course, he loses his popularity almost immediately, but he sets out to get them back again—he does too, but here in lies the story.

WORLD TOURISTS An interesting visitor to Wanganui to-day will be Mr Hector McQuarrie, to whose lot has fallen a set of thrilling experiences such as few men have during their lifetime. Mr McQuarrie, who has jupt returned to New Zealand after a tour of the world, has been exploring many of the out of the way corners of the globe, his means of travel being a “baby” car. His amusing story of hardships and thrills, illustrated by photographs, taken by him while on tour will be told to-night in the Lyric Hall at 8 p.m.