ENTERTAINMENTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 143, 19 June 1931, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE DUCHESS THEATRE j i “CANARIES SOMETIMES SING” j “Rookery Nook,” “On Approval," and now “Canaries Sometimes Sing,' the latest British Dominions’ laugh : success, now at tho Duchess Theatre, definitely place Toni Walls on a pedestal as a talkio comedy star, and, incidentally, these pictures once again! ; prove conclusively that the British ac-j tor is second to none in his art. How pleasant it is to sit in a picture theatre and listen to tho English language as it should be spoken, so free from nasalness and blatantness. “Canaries Sometimes Sing” is yet another British screen hit. The witty and sparkling dialogue of Frederick Lonsdale, coupled with the brilliant acting of an excelI lent cast, makes the film an entertain- | nient of outstanding merit, and one to i be recommended to everyone who deI sires to make Wanganui’s Weleoine Week a happy time. REGENT THEATRE i “CITY LIGHTS” SHOWING Excellent houses have greeted the screenings of “City Lights” at the Regent Theatre. From indications it is to be one of tho most popular films that has come to Wanganui for a very long time. The last screening of this Charlie Chaplin masterpiece will be on Saturday night. There will be a special matinee at 10.30 on Saturday luoniing. A production absolutely void of dialogue but with fascinating musical synchronisation and sound effects, “City Lights” is hailed as tho newest thing in cinema art and the greatest Chaplin effort of all time. More than two years in the making and with an expenditure of close to two million dollars, “City Lights” is said to be the last word in pantomimic genius. Those who have viewed the work of the comedian-producer are of the be- ■ lief that this offering will go r long way to bring back non-dialoguo motion pictures. “City Lights” is an original idea ; and was written by Chaplin. It is a simple story of everyday life in any large city, with a human treatment such as the stylo for which this producer is noted, and, whi«eh ho followed in his direction. There is not a human voice used at any time through- I out the picture but the unique manner ' employed through instrumental music, is declared to be a revolutionary step in synchronisation. A majority of all the music used throughout the action is original and was created by Chaplin. More than any production Chaplin ; has ever offered “City Lights” is the most extensive. Some of the massive settings include the business district; slums, theatrical, select; a prize-fight | stadium; a river and its embankment; • ' a huge and gay cafe and the exquisite ' rooms of a millionaire’s mansion. The action represents that whivh goes on in any large city anywhere. There | are three characters vital to tho story. One is a tramp, as enacted by Chaplin. I another a flower girl who is blind and j : portrayed by Virginia Cherrill and the other an eccentric millionaire, by Harry Myers. And of importance to these three, the girl’s grandmother, Florence Lee; the millionaire’s butler, Allan Garcia, and a prize-fighter. Hank I Mann. | WANGANUI WELCOME WEEK Like a snowball. the Welcome Week movement grows in size ! as it draws nearer. Entertain- ' incuts and attractions have been so added to the programme of festivi- 1 ties that the committee’s claim that ' there will be “something doing all the time,” will certainly be justified. In addition to the events which are scheduled on the printed programme, bands, pierrott parties, Dark Town Band, etc., will give items in the Avenue every 1 evening from 7 to 8 o’clock. Attention is drawn to an error in the folder: The Garrison Band's Con- ; cert on Sunday evening next being given in the Majestic Theatre at 8.15 p.m.. and not in the Opera House as stated. The words of the popular songs ' which will be sung at the community gathering to-day will be thrown on the screen so that all present may join in the singing. His Worship the Mayor (Mr N. G. : Armstrong), who is president of the Welcome Week Committee, will officially declare, the commencement of festivities at this gathering. SERVICE It is pleasing to see so many linns taking an interest in Wanganui’s Welcome Week with true optimistic .spirit. One of these linns is Bowsers, Ltd., and all motorists should make a point of inspecting their display of tyres, brake lining and accessories being shown in shop next to the Regent Theatre. This station, which was the first of its kind in Wanganui, lias always led the way in catering for the needs of motori.-ts, bring the first, station to instalan hydraulic, hoist, up-to-date free air service, high pressure grea-ing plant. ; etc. I a Ihr pru'-c- - ion ymi ''‘ill -cc a <a i > which has been >cn iced ami polishcdi liv thi' firm for tin- pa-t thiee } enr-1 and --till Ims its original body paint.i The ear has been lent by the courte.-yj of their client. WALTZING COMPETITION I One of the attractions of Joy Night thi. Saturday will be a waltzing comln addition a ,\lontr < a rlo. spot Ii“hI. and other novelty d:im-e> ate included oh the programme.

MAJESTIC THEATRE “ONCE A SINNER” One of the most powerful screen dramas of tne current season is at present showing at tho Majestic Theatre. The offering is “Once a Sinner,” Fox Movietone production directed by Guthrie McClintic and featuring Dorothy J Mackaill as the girl who sins, and repents when she experiences her first real love for a young inventor. Before marriage she confesses her past and tells the story of tho other man. The husband-to-be agrees to forgive and forgot. Later jealousy and suspicion enter his mind and prompt him to quarrel with his wife —and they separate. What happens then is vividly and dramatically told in a surprising climax. Miss Mackaill gives the finest dramatic portrayal of her long and successful career as “Diana Barry,” the young wife who insists that her past—before marriage—belongs to her alone, just as her husband’s past belongs to him. Joe McCrea, handsome and athletic youth gives a fine portrayal of the young husband with sincerity tho dominating note, and John Halliday plays “the other man.” Other notable portrayals are contributed by C. Henry Gordon, like Chase, Sally Blane, Clara Blandick and Ninette Faro. George Middleton wrote the story and dialogue and .he direction of McClintic reflects his i"ong and enviable success or the NewYork stage. “Once a Sinner” is preceded by tho latest Fox Movietone News of the latest world events, a very humorous monkey comedy entitled “Tho Blimp Mystery,” and an interesting travel talk, “The Island Empire.” “The Princess and the Plumber’’ To-morrow’s change at tho Majestic Theatre is to a very enjoyable romance of the refreshing type. The story is cast in a far country, and runs that the princess is not known to a young American, and the two meet in the castle when he comes to attend to the plumbing arrangements. Neither knows who the other is, and the story, as it unfolds, is delightful in its freshness. , GRAND THEATRE “SALLY" NOW SHOWING Tho staging of a mammoth motion picture like “Sally,” tho First National and Vitaphone production which is at present showing at the Grand Theatre, starring Marilyn Miller, resembles a whole series of Broadway “first nights,” with nil their nervous tension, anxiety, weeks of preparations, and countless thousands of details that must be perfected before “tho show goes on.” “Sally” was Miss Miller’s greatest stage triump As a spectacle, the picture exceeds even the stage production for the reason that the limitations of the stage do not apply i the motion pictures, and many elaborate scenes, impossible in the footlight version. will bo shown In their entirety on tho screen. For instance the Follies scenes, where Marilyn Miller is shown as the star of a big ballet in the world-famous revue. On tho stage the scene occupied but a few minutes, and it was constructed on a movable platform so that the scene might quickly bo shifted to the semifinal scene in the dressing room, where tho boy and girl are reunited. Because of the stage limitations and the necessity for a quick change to another set, the stage ballet was necesarily limited and rather cramped. In the motion picture it is one of the biggest and mt ‘ spectacular scenes ever made for the camera. “Sally” is made entirely in tochnicolour, and for this reason every costume worn by tho LlO girl in tho ballet scenes was made especially for tho picture. During the last three weeks prior to tho making of the scone, eighty women were kept busy in the wardrobe department. completing tho work that more than twenty seamstresses had been planning am] working on for two months. ®e costumes of the o irls were in gorgeous colours, and planned so that each group harmonised with the others. “Madonna of the Streets" •’Madonna of the Streets,” the film adapted from the story “The Ragged Messenger” by W. B. Maxwell, is com ing to the Grand Theatre to-morrow. It is a Columbus release which features the following prominent starts* Lvcdyn Brent, Robert Ames and Josephine Dunn. “Madonna of the St rets’’ presents the talented and attractive Evelyn Brent in an extremely interesting characterisation that allows her to display her undisputed acting ability. The story is about an unscrupulous woman, a character w r ho went to every extreme to satisfy her own selfish desires, and her phenomenal •change in character and outlook on life when she falls in love with a man whose every thought, deed ami action is nobl". Against the varying backgrounds of the Barbary waterfront, a luxurious San Francisco dwelling mid a inodc-t i 'alil’oruia country eottngc, j this interesting tale is unfolded. | "LAUGH THAT OFF" li was originally planned to present th'' brilliant three act. comedy, “ Laugh That Off” for three nights during Welcome Week, but owing to the full programme, only two nights were available —Monday and Tuesday next in that, it is to lie expected that tin' Opera House will he Idled on both 1 ' i i “ii \ 11 in r:i it eeitien I s a re so '\ell a'haio-cd that just ks complete

a performance is assured on the first as on the second night, and there should be no need to “wait and see what it is like.” 1 ho play itself has been most successful wherever presented; all critics agree that it is clever, bright, highly amusing, with a splendid story, and there can be no doubt as to the ability of the small but select east—each performer may WO H be termed a “star”—and tho production is in the safe hands of Mr Paul Latham. Mr It. Howell is painting the scenery, and the staging will be on a complete “professional” stalo. Stodart ’s orchestra will play the overture and during the brief intervals. Tho prices of admission have been kept very tow, and a further innovation will bo made by charging a reduced rate for the back portion of the dress circle. Three shilling seats may be reserved at. H. I. Jones and Sons’. Tho proceeds will be handed to the Mayor fur bis local relief fund. GARRISON BAND SUNDAY EVENING CONCERT The Garrison Band are giving an other of the favourite recitals in the Majestic Theatre on Sunday evening, assisted by Miss K. Blanchett (contralto), Master Harry McKenna and Mr Wilfred Shardlow (xlyophone). Included in the programme is Cyril Jenkins’ wonderful tone poem “Coriolanus.” This masterpiece was specially composed for the A Grade test at the Crystal Palace and is one of the most difficult and pleasing compositions of modern times. The high standard of eflieiency attained by the Garrison Band was shown by the large number of telegrams and letters received from nil over New Zealand and Australia congratulating them on their recent broadcast concert. I’hc concert, promises to be one of the most entertaining that has been given this season, and a large attendance is assured nt the Majestic Theatre on Sunday <«\,»r« ing Tho theatre is heated comfortably for patrons.