AMUSEMENTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 41, 18 February 1932, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE ( “THE CUBAN LOVE SONG” ; Lawrence Tibbett, principal of the ’ Metropolitan Grand Opera Company, New York, has a typical role in his fourth screen success, “The Cuban Love Song,” which opened its Wanganui season at the Majestic Theatre yesterday. As ia all his previous productions, ins wondertul voice is an important feature of the picture, but the romantic story of a restless , soul forced to choose oetween two blind and overmastering loves is in j itself sufficient to make tho production . outstanding. A large proportion of the j action takes place in the picturesque . island of Cuba, where the relics of the. old Spanish culture and the carefree ( life of the inhabitants blend to make an unforgettable atmosphere of sim- ■ plicity and romance. Much of the im- f portance of the picture is due to the ( director, W. S. Van Dyke, whose sym- , pathetic treatment of tropical scenes has been responsible for a lengthy list i of noted pictures. The photography ( throughout is of a very high standard. 1 Tibbett takes a role very similar to the < one he played in “The Prodical.” Once ■ again he appears as a man of good family whose wild spirit leads him to break away from home associations. Signing on as a marine, he is sent to Cuba shortly before the outbreak of war. He is farewelled by Crystal, his fiancee, who believes that a period of hard, rough life will enable him to settle down eventually to the position it is his duty to fill. Karen Morley gives a sincere and moving portrayal of a difficult role as tne woman who is prepared to humiliate herself in her efforts to maintain her influence over the man she loves. She invests her part with pathos and emotion. It is not long after the arrival of the marines in Cuba before young Terry is attracted by the fascinating Nenita. played in a natural manner by Lupe Velez. The romance that up between them contains much of real charm and, were it not for the calls of duty to his family and to Crystal, Terry’s happiness might almost have been assured. In the supporting programme the audience has the pleasure of seeing Marie Dressier and Lionel Barrymore receiving the highest award from film stars for the best performances of 1931. George Arliss makes the presentation to Barrymore, and Norma Shearer to Marie Dressier. Another feature in the supports is a film depicting fancy diving. Some of America’s crack swimmers are starred in this and the slow motion camera adds to the appeal of the scenes. It enables the audience to fully understand the gracefcl movement of the body, the accurate control of the brain and the infinite combination between both needed to make a perfect dive. REGENT THEATRE “ TABU” AND “THE GIRL HABIT” “Love; in a land where love began.” That is what one Hollywood writer calls “Tabu,” tho F W. Murnau feature picture of South Sea island life, now showing at the Kegent Theatre. “Tabu” is the story of a primi|ive love between Reri, a beautiful Polynesian girl of the island of Bora Bora, and her handsome lover, Matahi, a youth, of the same tribe. They live happily in the carefree joyousness with which all the natives seem to be endowed. But their romance is threatened when the chief of the islands arrives to announce that Reri has been honoured as the Chosen One, the maid who will henceforth be set apart from all others. She is to be “tabu”—that is, unattainable, beyond the possession of any man. None is to desire her. He who does must suffer death. When Hitu, the chief, takes her away, Matahi fol lows and steals her from the righteousminded old leader. Reri and Matahi go to a far-away island, where he succeeds for the time as a pearl-fishci. earning money, which they spend freely in feasts and semi-civilised carryings on. But old Hitu finds them out, and threatens Matahi with death unless he gives up his loved one. Charlie Ruggles, the droll but cheru-bic-looking comedian of “Young Mau of Manhattan,’’ “Her Wedding Night” and other successful talkies, is also to be seen in his first starring picture, “The Girl Habit.” In this picture, which was made at Para mount’s New York studio, Ruggles indefinitely launched by his sponsors into a career of stardom which will carry him to the forefront of screen personal ities. Ruggles has well-merited tho distinction of stardom. His career has been featured by hard work and painstaking care. At a youthful age he began his stage career in San Francisco. It was not long before he was starring in musicals in New York and on the road. DUCHESS THEATRE “COMPROMISING DAPHNE” j °Compromising Daphne” comes to I the Duchess to-morrow. A couple, i george and Daphne, are too young to get married, according to papa, so they I decide to force the issue and try the

compromising “stunt.” Daphne ar ranges to borrow a baby, this time bedroom, but by an accident her friend uses her bedroom that night, which, of course, starts a row. They try again, but by some bad misfortune, after George hag ’phoned for papa to be a chance witness, his girl servant walks out of the bedroom. Then Daphne arranges to borro wa baby, this time nearly upsetting George, who has a row, which is finally cleared up, when papa’s consent is obtained. A fine cast includes Jean Colin, Charles Hickman, Viola Compton, C. M. Hallard, Leo Sheffield, Phyllis Konstam and Barbara Gott. The picture was directed by Thomas Bentley. GRAND THEATRE “KNOWING MEN” | Elinor Glyn’s first bi-linguai talkiefilm, “Knowing Men,” recently completed at Elstree, is now showing at the Grand Theatre. “ Knowing Men, ” written and produced by Elinor Glyu herself, has been recorded in English and French by a company equally conversant in both languages, the cast including Elissa Landi, Carl Brisson, Helen Haye, Jeanne de Casalis, Thomas Weguelin and C. M. Hallard. Mr. Charles Kosher, a brilliant English camera-man, regards it as a happy coincidence that ho should have “shot” Mary Pickford’s first film and has now “shot” Elinor Glyn’s first. “Mrs. Glyn’s technical knowledge of production is truly marvellous,” he declared, “and after my experience in America I was amazed at the ease with which Elinor Glyn directed. She knows exactly what she wants, and gets it!” Elinor Glyn has been prompted to duplicate this production in French by reason of her long residence in Paris thus having an equal appreciation of the English and French markets. Mrs. Glyn, of course, speaks French perfectly and is fortunate in having a cast who arc also to perform in both languages with the solo exception of a parrot who has an important role. GARRISON BAND TO-MORROW’S APPEAL Wanganui citizens arc asked to subscribe liberally to the big house and street collection to be held to-morrow in aid of the Garrison Band’s uniform and contest funds. Already a strong ladies’ committee has been formed with Miss A. Wood as organiser, and the ladies will be in evidence to-morrow at convenient vantage points in the city to collect funds. The band’s new uniforms and contest expenses represent a large amount, and it will only be by generous contributions that the required sum can be raised. In addition to the street drive a house collection will also be made. The citizens of Wanganui and district are kindly asked to contribute liberally so that the Garrison Band can attend the forthcoming contest free from financial embarrassment. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. DAHLIA AND GLADIOLI SHOW A reminder is given that the time within which entries for the Dahlia and Gladioli Show to be staged under the auspices of the Wanganui Horticultural Society in the Drill Hall on

the 19th inst. has been extended till noon to-day. Very complete arrangements have been made to ensure that this show the first of its kind to be undertaken by the society, will prove successful. The feature of the show will be the dahlias. Mr. A. J. Shailer, the leading professional grower in New Zealand has consented to stage a special exhibit and hiany younger growers have premised to fill the various classes represented in the schedule. A special open class for gladioli has been provided and this section alone should well reward the patronage of the public. In addition to the dahlia and gladioli sections there will be special displays of cut flowers and in the decorative, jjot plants fruit and vegetable sections. The public by visiting the show should not fail to see the seasonable flowers of Wanganui at their best. Lady friends and supporters are kindly requested to bring gifts for the afternoon tea stall. FLYING FOR ALL Although it is difficult to say whether flying will ever become as popular as motoring is to-day, yet the convenience and speed of air travel are bound to affect the transport of the future. Some people in New Zealand already use an aeroplane as a matter of course when they wish to go from one place to another. To encourage the increasing use of aeroplane transit is the chief purpose of aero clubs, and they are doing their utmost to make flyers of all who wish to conquer the air. Lack of finance is a hindrance with many clubs, and to overcome this disability the combined Manawatu, Hawke’s Bay, and Feilding Aero Clubs have received permission to conduct a £4,000 Art Union, which will be launched shortly-