ENTERTAINMENTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 146, 23 June 1931, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE “THE PRINCESS AND THE PLUMBER” “The Princess and the Plumber,” shows finally to-day at the Majestic Theatre, is a delightful melange of comedy and rapid-fire romance. Charles Farrell and Maureen O’Sullivan portray the title roles in this Fox Movietone picture, and the featured cast includes H. B. Warner and Joseph Caw thorn. Much happens during the unfolding of the story, laid iu a mythical principality smong the Balkans. A young American engineer, sent by his firm to supervise the installation of a heating plant in the castle of Daritzia, encounters that country’s charming princess and in a mutual misunderstanding, neither, realises this other’s identity. How, under the hilarious handicap the romance is successfully brought off, forms the exciting climax of this entertaining film. Playing opposite Farrell is Maureen O’Sullivan, the dainty Irish colleen, whom Director Frank Borzage discovered in Dublin while he was filming John McCormack’s Movietone, “Song O’My Heart.” Miss O’Sullivan jumped right into the leading feminine role of that picture without any professional experience, and when critics stated that her charming performance was only a “flash in the pan,” she discredited their judgment with hei remarkable work in “So This is London” and “Just Tmayine.”

A MUSICAL TREAT.

The Choral Society has been studying S. Coleridge-Taylor’s musical masterpiece “A Tale of Old Japan” from “Collected Poems” by Alfred Noyes, being a true presentation of Oriental romance, and at their concert on Wednesday night under the capable conductorship of Mr F. Wentworth Slater our readers will be charged by the interpretation of this delightful work. “ A Tale of Old Japan” is recognised by the foremost critics in musical circles as being one of the most difficult ?oinposition that a choir could be called upon to perform. Book your seats early at Emmett’s is sound advice.

WELCOME WEEK.

Much must be said in favour of all the local bands who without exception have placed their services at the hands of the committee with a desire to help in every way possible. Each evening at 7 o’clock a programme in the Avenue is to be played. These will be assisted by local talent in comedy. JUBILEE HOME. During Welcome Week the inmates of this institution have not been forgotten and the Salvation Army have undertaken to stage a bright programme of band selections and vocal talent. Good citizens badges will be presented on this occasion. • JOY NIGHT” CARNIVAL As “.Joy Night” proved such a huge success on Saturday last, the Welcome Week Committee has decided to hold the carnival again to-morrow night. Music for dancing will again be supplied by the combined orchestra of Stodart’s ami the River City Syncopaters, who contributed so largely to the delight of the dancers on Saturday. Side shows, competitions and entertainments will be added, and as the price of admission will be nominal. another large attendance is being provided for. All the proceeds will again be donated to the Mayor’s local relief fund.

; “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, shows finally at the Regent Theatre to-day. The story ia concerned with the lives of twin brothers, separated iu infancy and the effect of contrasting environments on their personalities. One is brought up in an atmosphere of wealth, the other in poverty. In unfolding, it reveals the dissolute life of the rich, boy, ending in murder ana 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 was 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 he cannot keep up the d leeption because of this. Just as l«e 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 slaying at the Naughton household. i Bert Lytell’s dual characterisation I is a clever, finished piece of acting. I Dorothy Sebastian makes a sweet heroI ine. She is a capable little actress, I and is extremely attractive. Others in j the cast are William Morris, Richard I Tucker, and Claire McDowell. Walter Lang directed. GRAND THEATRE TWO BIG FEATURES. A great favourite with Wanganui audiences shows finally to-day at the Grand Theatre in her latest picture, “Madonna of the Streets,” the Columbia film adapted from W. B. Maxwell’s story, “The Ragged Messenger.” It is none other than Evelyn Brent, the alluring, the beautiful, the magnetic personality of the screen. The story is an excellent vehicle for her. It is a dramatic story of love and reformation unfolded in the colourful locale of the Barbary coast or San Francisco. Evelyn Brent plays the designing woman of the world who goes through an amazing change of character when she falls in love with ! a man who patterns his life along the ‘ golden rule. Miss Brent has shown i herself supreme in the interpretation ( of this sophisticated woman who ruled ■ men with her haughty glance. Tn '“Madonna of the Streets” she is allowed a slight variation in portraval. ■ The story permits her to be trans- | formed from this type of woman to I one who is willing to humble herself ; and work hard for the man she loves. I Thrill follows thrill in “Men With- ! out Law,” a stirring “western,” reI leased by Columbia Pictures, which opens to-day at the Grand Theatre. Buck Jones, the star, does some of the most amazing riding ever seen on the screen. Adder! to this, the story has a strong loment of novelty, the sets art* colourful and the acting is excellent throughout. WANGANUI WINTER SHOW. I One of the most astonishing programmes ever attempted by the Wanganui Agricultural and Pastoral Society is to be attempted when the Wanganui Winter Show is held this week on the raceemrs?. The show wi'l be in progress For three days during which the public wil be admitted from

.1.0 a.m. on Thursday, Friday anti Saturday. The show is always a popular event in Wanganui and as Welcome Week is now in progress it is safe to forecast that it will be better than ever this year. Aeroplanes will be aloft in the air and those wishing to climb to higher realms will be able t<> satisfy their desires. The stock sec tions are expected to be of the usual high standard and large entries have been received. Side shows will provide the usual attractions with ail tlv fun of the fair. CHORAL SOCIETY’S CONCERT In order to attract \ Liters from the districts outside of Wanganui. Ih< Choral Society is o.’.eriiig a special concession to those staying overnight on Wednesday next. Any visitor giving evidence of this al EnimeN's music shop, may secure a reserved seat at half the advertised price.