ENTERTAINMENTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 151, 29 June 1931, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE. "JUST IMAGINE” Something new, even more than new, is now showiig at the Majestic Theatre in the Aua "Jiut Imagine.” It is a story of life Ab 1930, in highly amusing, and ha* an —ttook that is refreshing. A packed andUaac on Saturday night enjoyed tlic ptotaxe hugely. Wonderful cnanges have com© in the last fifty years and it is with that fact to work on the film has been devised. Forecasts have been made that brought howls of laughter from the audience, but it is a fact that most, of the forecasts made are now the subject of talk and research. There are seen the aerial routes in New York, with 'their "traffic cops” in mid-air, tiny one man run-abouts that hover, marvellous buildings with appointments that include television and radio telephone combined, automatic and big wall windows. Clothes have changed enormously, and so have dinners, being of the tabloid form, while drinks are served from phials in the form of pills. A prominent doctor brings a 1930 man to life again and he is astounded at ihe changes. There are even incubator babies. Men and women are numbered like cars, and the States shall say whether a man shall marry a certain woman or not, as they are mated off for the greatest good fur the advancement of mankind. Through the whole runs a romance, and it is an intensively interesting story with a trip to Mars into the bargain. The love interest, with Maureen O’Sullivan and John. Garrick, tells of the romance of the "Lindbergh of 1980” in a gripping and sustained fashion. Brendel has one of the greatest roles of his career and scores repeatedly. In fact he is now our favourite comedian. Miss O’Sullivan is everything that her enthusiastic friends have said of her, and that is plenty. Garrick reveals a charming singing voice and is hand some and manly in the leading male role. His acting is above reproach. Marjorie White, who all but scampered away with the hilarious honours in "Sunny Side Up.” does almost the same thing in this picture, although she has much less to do. Her vivacious personality completely dominates every scene in which she appears. Frank Albertson, in a light comedy role, is a riot in himself. He makes a perfect team mate for Miss White. Joyzelle is effective as the Martian slave, and other roles are capably handled by Kenneth Thomson, Hobart Bosworth. Wilfred Lucas and Miseha Auer. The song numbers, of course, are outstanding. The supports are quite in keeping with the main picture. There are some charming views of Lake Waikaremoana and a good news reel. "Just Imagine” is something quite unusual with plenty of laughs and an absorb ing interest. DANCING AND EUCHRE A euchre and dance evening wll. ba i held in the National Mutual Buildings (Paul’s) to-night in aid of the dental clinic. The dental clinic has been free to all school children in the past and has played a great part in the care of the first teeth and ensuring * | good set of permanent teeth, but it is now in danger of being closed unh-s--funds can be raised to retain it. T<- i this end a few willing helpers arc mak • ing a special effort to night when it is ' to be hoped the public will support the effort as they did the "Welcome' Week” functions. Euchre will be played upstairs and dancing will commence at 8 p.m. in the main hall. *

GRAND THEATRE. DOUBLE FEATURE PROGRAMME There is a double feature programme at the Grand Theatre. The featured picture is "Evidence,” while there is also "The Avenger,” starring Buck Jones.

Never has a great play on stage or screen, been as brilliantly acted by so sphenoid a cast as in *‘Evidence.” 1 •■'Mxxiag with. emotion, vibrant with the Hies of strife and mental conflift, "Evidence,” now showing at the Grand Theatre is a great play made greater through its artistic interpretation. A tremendous story of divorce, mother-love and sacrifice presenting a new angle of a vital human problem. What becomes of the children of divorce! . . You’ll find the graphic answer vividly told in this stirring drama. Swept with resistless force in the vortex of three great loves —this mother sacrificed her reputation in the futile hope of holding her child. She loses child and husband, through the decree of "blind justice.” Then fate takes a hand with startling results. A superb contribution to the talking screen that you’ll want to see and hear. Here is the perfect play and the perfect cast! A surging drama of heart-tugging emotions brought to the living screen by the greatest feminine star of cinema or stage. Three great leading men head the cast opposite Pauline Frederick, including Lowell Sherman, William Courtenay, Conway Tearle, Myrna Loy and Alec B. Francis. REGENT THEATRE. "SHE COUDDN’T SAY NO.” With a single exception, all the leading members of the cast of "She Couldn’t Say No,” the Warner Bros, production now at the Regent Theatre, have had extended experience on the stage. Winnie Lightner, one of the stars of the screen drama, has for a long time been recognised as one of the few funny feminine artists appearing before the public. She has been in vaudeville for many years, appeared opposite W. C. Fields in "The Scandals.” and was also seen in "Gay Paree.” Chester Morris, sharing starring honour with Miss Lightner, is the son of a theatrical family, went on the stage when he was fifteen years old, and his roles con stantly increased in importance until he was the star in "Fast Life,” his latest stage play before his recent entry into motion pictures . Johnny Arthur’s stage experience belies his appearance of youth, since he has spent more than twenty-five years behind the footlights, supporting various wellknown stars as well as appearing as a star in his own right. He is also known as a stage producer and dircc i tor. Tully Marshall is one of the true j theatrical veterans of the present, gen- | oration, having made his first profes I sional appearance in 1883. He has I spent many years in stock companies, las player, star or director, and has also appeared in support of many wellknown actors. He has been in motion pictures for the past ten years. MAORI ENTERTAINERS A TALENTED PARTY. 1 I hori’ are few people v. In. are no’ ' ! interested in Maori music ami this evening a specially talented programme is being given by the popular New Zealand Maori Choir and entertainers. The items include ora tory, hymns, pois, hakas, and ancient Maori games. The party recently gave excellent perform wfees at the Town Hall. Wellington, during Radio Week, and appeared on four successive nights before an attendance aggregating 12,000 people,. Hemi Riki

hana, the gifted Maori violinist, comes from Levin, and was acclaimed by the Wellington audiences for what he is—a fine musician. Dave Nicholls, tenor, late of the Pioneer Entertainers. is said to be equally as versatile and his numbers are rendered with perfect voice range. Miss Eileen Grenne’’, L.A.8., is a we n -known Maori soprano soloist of Christchurch, and Henare Johiwi, late of the Tohiwi Trio, so popular in gramophone recordings, is the Otaki baritone soloist. Other members of the company include Riria Wallis and T. Ropita (Port Levy), Lovie Kemara (Hamilton), Hone Wereta (Ratani Pa) and To Mahauaraki (Hawke’s Bay'.

Tho producers of the play entitled "Yesterday, To-day and To-morrow’ to be given during tho evening are Wi Nikora (Foxton) and Hone Weretc (Ratana Pa), two members of the late Methodist Maori Mission Party which toured New Zealand a few yer.rs ago. Wi Nikora In nisei f is a talented tenoi soloist and the "wag” of the party, and will lead the opening welcome so g and dance. Excellent reports precede this company of talented Maori artists, and a large audience is assured their local appearance at the Opera House on Monday evening.

ORCHESTRAL CONCERT.

REPEATED ENCORES. I here was a large and very appreciative audience at the Majestic Theatre last night, when Mr H. J. Trussell’s orchestra, assisted by leading artists of Wanganui, presented a very fine programme. The jrchestra was in fine form, and its rendering of several popular selections was of the best. In these day of canned music it was a decided refresher to listen to such an orchestra. All items of the evening were encored, the Bridges Trio being accorded, as usual, a most enthusiastic welcome. The programme was:—March Militaire, orchestra; song, C. Haar; "Beautiful Danube Waltz,” orchestra; musical monologue, Mrs T. L. Sperring; "Poet, and Peasant Overture”, orchestra; quartette, the Lyric Quartette, Messrs T. L. Sperring. P. Buchan, G. William son and L, T. Whelan- cornet solo,

"The Pilgrim,” Captain J. Trussell; instrumental trio (with zylophone) tho Bridges Trio; ballet "Egyptian Suite.” orchestra; violin solo, "Londonderry Air.” Airs H. J. Trussell; march "The Liberators,” orchestra. Tho piano was loaned by tho Bristol Piano Co. Mrs S. Kendall, L.T.C.L., was the accompaniste.

BAND CONCERT

Q U EEN A L EXANDRA ’S (>\V N. The Queen Alexandra’s Own Band along with the Now Zealand Maori Entertainers of Otaki, gave a, concert in the Opera Hause last night to a large audience. Tho Maori hymn singing was beautiful and the solo singing of Mrs Worcta (nee Grennell) soprano L.B.A. was rich and sweet, Mr Hemi Rikihana gave violin solo "Zigncwiwoison’’ by Sarasate. with much musical ability, which showed that ho was master of his instrument. Tho Maori Quartette gave a particularly good rendering of the "Maori Folk Song,” (traditional). The band, under the conduetorship of Mr Ernest. Webb, opened with a hymn "Lux in Tenebris, ” and the selection "A Military March” was played with such a pleasing impression on the audience, that it showed tin l conductor’s wonderful ability and also displayed the fart that the band has a powerful tone and is well balanced. The concert ended with a march that was much appreciated. Mr.Stuart ( unninghain. L.A.8.. placed the accompaniments. The Maori Party will appear at the Opera House to night al 8 p.m.