ENTERTAINMENTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 145, 22 June 1931, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE “THE PRINCESS AND THE PLUMBER” “The Princess and the Plumber,” which opened at the Majestic Theatre ’ on Saturday, is a delightful melange of comedy and rapid-fire romance. Charles Farrell and Maureen O’Sulli- ' van portray the title roles in this Fox Movietone picture, and the featured I cast includes H. B. Warner and Joseph I Gaw thorn. j Much happens during the unfolding of the story, laid in a mythical principality among the Balkans. A young American engineer, sent by his firm to supervise the installation of a heatrug plant in the castle of Darit.zia, encounters that country’s charming princess and in a mutual misunderstanding, * neither realises this other's identity. Huw, under the hilarious handicap the romance is successfully brought off. forms the exciting climax of this eu- ' tertaining film. Playing opposite Farrell is Maureen O'Sullivan, the dainty Irish colleen, whom Director Frank Borzage discov- * cred in Dublin while he was filming John McCormack’s Movietone, “Song 0 O'Aly Heart.” Miss O’Sullivan jumped right into the leading feminine role of that picture without any pro- . fessional experience, and when critics stated that her charming performance (i was only a “flash in the pan,” she 1 discredited their judgment with hei o remarkable work in “So This is London” and “Just. Imayine.” Bert Roach, whoso comedy roles have added much to the enjoyment of 1 su'ch films as “Sally,” “Song of the J Flame’’ and “So Long Letty,” has another hilarious part in “The PrinL cess Ami The Plumber.” Roach en- ' acts the American millionaire, whose leasing of the Princess’ castle brings about most of the complications in the i story. Charles Farrell and Maureen I O’Sullivan play the title roles in this Fox Movietone film. H. B. Warner also enacts a featured , role, that of the Prince of Daritzia, t while such well known performers as () Joseph Ca'wthorn, Lucien Prival, Bert Roach, Louise Closser Hale, have the " leading roles in Farrell’s strong supporting cast. Alexander Korda directed the production from the Sati urday Evening Post story by Alive Duer Miller, which was adapted for r) the screen by Howard J. Green. GRAND THEATRE TWO BIG FEATURES, y A great favourite with Wanganui audiences is now appearing at die 1 Grand Theatre in her latest picture, 1 “Madonna of the Streets,” the Cols umbia film adapted from W. B. Max- . well’s story, “The Ragged Mes- ( ’ senger. ” It is none other than Eve-] '■ lyn Brent, the alluring, the beautiful. I the magnetic personality of the screen. | e The story is an excellent vehicle for e her. It is a dramatic story of love () and reformation unfolded in the colour'j ful locale of the Barbary coast oi ' San Francisco. Evelyn Brent plays the designing woman of the world who p goes through an amazing change of character when she falls in love witn c a man who patterns his life along the £ golden rule. Miss Brent has shown herself supreme in the interpretarion 1 of this sophisticated woman who ruled r men with her haughty glance. In e “Madonna of the Streets” she is allowed a slight variation in portrayal. 1 The story permits her to be transformed from this type of woman to one who is willing to humble herself v and work hard for the man she loves. An excellent cast has been assembled to support Miss Brent. Robert. Ames, one of scrcendoni’s most popular leade ing men, one wdio is in constant de- j mand to play opposite the most cut- : standing women stars in the industry. ( l plays the leading male role opposite Miss Brent. Josephine Dunn and Ivan I Linow play other important supporting p roles. John Robertson directed. He is considered one of Hollywood’s ace directors. Among the. prominent stars I I who have come under his guidance arc / Richard Barthclmess and Mary Pick- j ford. Thrill follows thrill in “Men With- I |. out Law,” a stirring “western,” released by Columbia Pictures, which ( l opens to-day at the Grand Theatre. s Buck Jones, the star, does some of the I most amazing riding over seen on the v screen. Added to this, the story has j. a strong loment of novelty, the sets are colourful and the acting is excellent a throughout. *, Jones’ hair-raising riding stunts are | ( l as usual the big feature of the picture | ~ but these are enhanced in the present | p instance by some unusually good acting j on the part of the star. The plot is (l built around a friendship cultivated during the World War between two boys' from the western section of the eountry. The incidents resulting from I this friendship are full of adventure, drama, humour, and thrills. It, kep* t’»e audience on the qui vive ihrough- '■> out and more, firmly established the

star. .Buck Joni's, as the most populai delineator of “western roles’’ on tin screen.

“BROTHERS” AT THE REGENT BERT LYTELL IN DUAL ROLE. Another of last year’s successful stage plays has been brought to the talking scren. It is “Brothers” the Columbia dramatic vehicle with Bert Lytell in his original dual impersonation role, which will bo screened at the Regent Theatre to-day, to-night and to-morrow. The stage play was considered one of last season’s brilliant successes. It ran for eighteen months on Broadwa} aud the road. The film is even more thrilling than the play. Bert Lytell fascinated the audience with hib clever dual portrayal. The story i« concerned with the lives of twin brothers, separated in infancy and the effect of contrasting enviionmcuts on their personalities. One is brought up in an atmosjjhcre of wealth, the other in poverty. Ju unfolding, it reveals the dissolute life of the rich boy, ending in murder ano the wholesome life of the poor boy. Because of the physical resemblance, Eddie Connolly, the poor boy, is accused of the crime of his twin, Bob Naughton, whose identity he w z as unaware of until this time. A brilliantly fought case by Bob, who is a clever lawyer, frees Eddie of any part in the crime. Bob suffers a complete physical and mental collapse and is taken to a sanatorium. Eddie is asked by Colonel Naughton to impersonate Bob in the household, so that Mrs Naughton will know nothing of his condition. Eddie consents. While living there he falls in love with Norma, his brother ’s fiancee. He decides ho cannot keep up tho <ll-op-tion because of this. Just as tee is about to leave, he learns of Bob’s death. This leaves the way clear for him t? declare his love to Norma and continue staying at the Naughton household. Bert Lytell "s dual characterisation is a clever, finished piece of acting. Dorothy Sebastian makes a sweet heroine. She is a capable little actress, and is extremely attractive. Others in tho cast are William Morris. Richard Tucker, and Claire McDowell. Walter Lang directed. “LAUGH THAT OFF” At the Opera House to-night, and tomorrow night. commencing at eight o’clock, the comedy “Laugh That Off,” will be given. This play should prove one of the big attractions of Welcome Week, and as the proceeds are to be handed to the Mayor foi the use of relief of local distress, there should be two full houses. There cat) be no doubt of the attractiveness of the fare offered. The play itself Js one of the outstanding comedy successes and the vast of local players ’ would be difficult to better anywhere in New Zealand. The story is a happy blending of laughter and love. There is an excellent plot, many using situations and the play is full of lever, witty sayings that will keep the audience in a simmer of laughter throughout the three acts. The fc’eene of the play is laid in an apartment in a London suburb, a combination of sitting room and kitchen, occupied by a vaudeville artist ami two young newspaper men. The coming of a stranded young actress upsets the even tenor of their ways. All vow not to fall in love with her. but all do —but it would be a pity to tell too much of the story, suffice to say that it retains its interest the very last word. Tho music, for tho overture and entraete will bo played by Stodart’s orchestra. The prices of admission are 3/-. 2/-. and 1 arid the 3/- seats may be reserve I at IT. i. i Jones and Sons ’. WELCOME WEEK. The Choral Society, through the Welcome Week Committee, is offering special concessions to country visitors for Iho concert “A Talc of Old Japan.” which is i.i be produced on Wednesday next. Any travellers from the country who can show they are spending Wednesday night ’n Wanganui. will bo entitled to a reserved seat at half cost. Particulars and reserves at Emmett’s from to-dav. Don’t forgot Wednesday next —Rugby football match on Spriggens Park, (’ollegiate School and Technical College. A BUSY ORCHESTRA. I 'Afr IT. .T. Trussell’s orchestra is hav[ing a busy time at present; having given two concerts in the last fortnight. The orchestra will help to entertain the inmates of the Jubilee Home next Tuesday evening, and next Sunday will give a concert in the Majestic Theatre.