ENTERTAINMENTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 117, 20 May 1932, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE “DELICIOUS” OPENS TO-DAY Romance is rc-crcated with all its pulse-accelerating and nerve-tingling qualities in “Delicious.” which opens at the Majestic this afternoon, by Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell., and it is in this picture in which their incomparable screen technique is given full opportunity for display. It fairly tingles with the downright good humour of lite. And that the modem motion picture public appreciates and reacts to such entertainment has been made evident by the hearty responses of the pleased audiences wherever “Delicious” has been shown. “Delicious” is a romantic comedy drama set to music. Its melodies —and there are six of them—were created especially for 'the production by George Gershwin, whoso popular songs, musical comedies, and serious compositions such as “Rhapsody in Blue” and “Concerto in F,” have stamped him as America’s leading modern composerIra Gershwin, his talented brother, wrote the lyrics. The story, an 011ginal by Guy Bolton, relates the ventures of a Scotch orphan lassie, portrayed by Miss Gaynor, seeking a home in America. It begins among the colourful peasantry in the steerage of a large ocean liner, where Janet makes friends with a troupe of Russian entertainers and continues with her exciting life after she eludes im-

migration officers to enter the country illegally. Romance enters her life on the boat when she becomes friends with the leader of the troupe, played by Raul Roulien. who promptly falls head over heels in love with her and writes the infectious tunc. “Dehshious, ” inspired by her quaint mispronunciations. Her affairs of the heart take on complications when Tarrell, as a polo player returning from European triumphs, also becomes infatuated with. her. How she fr/illy straightens out her difficulties with the immigration authorities, and settles for all time the disturbances love has caused in her heart, brings out' the thrilling climax and completes the delightful story. Heading a fine supporting programme is the latest Sir Harry Lauder picture entitled “Abcrmory. ” It is right up to the standard of those that have been already seen. DANCE AT ELRICK RANIERS AND ROVERS To-morrow night the Rangers and Rovers of Wanganui will be holding a dance in the Elrick Cabaret, the music being supplied by the River City Syncopators. Miss Evelyn Wright and partner will give an exhibition of the now tango, so that with old-time and modern dancing the evening should be most successful.

REGENT THEATRE “STREET SCENE” SHOWING. A swift drama from the pages of real life in New York is caught and carried to the screen in “Street Scene,” which is now showing at the Regent Theatre. The film is adapted from the stage play by Elmer Rice, which had a successful season in New York and throughout the principal cities of the, United States. The play is concerned with a family living in an apartment house n the “west sixties” and the assortment of foreign tenants whose daily occupation is tv gossip about the doings of other pcooic. The cast includes an actress whoso meteoric rise to fame in the screen world has been the talk of Hollywood, Sylvva Sidney, and opposite her is William Collier, one of the youngest principals in the drama.. Estelle Taylor marks her return to the talking pictures by acting the first sympathetic role of her long career. Miss Taylor’s role is that of Mrs Maurrant, the mother whose tragic life forms the subject of the poignant drama. David Landau takes the part of her husband, a man without feeling or sympathy for those with whom he is living and whose actions are indirectly responsible for the tragedy eventuating. The theme touches on markable for the splendid producton which has resulted from simplifying the photography and the scenes. For the first time in film history a. picture ;s taken in its entirety withn the confines of a sngle set. Following the stage outline, the entire action takes place on the street, mostly on the steps of one bouse. The theme touches on the reactions of human beings on one another and how a mother is driven tv seek the company of another by the pitiless disregard for her feelings by her husband. The daughter is await? of the complications which have been brought about and in this way the tragedy which ensues when her father comes back unexpectedly one day is i not so much of a sudden shock to her.

“77 Park Lane” To-morrow. The consistently high standard of British talking pictures has educated 1 theatre-goers to expect only the best when an all-British production is announced. “77 Park Lane” is British all through. It comes to the Regent Theatre to-morrow. Every character in a distinguished cast of English actors stands out as a distinct personality, fitting his part with a glove-like smoothness and artistic commendation. Dennis Neilson-Terry, one of England’s most well-known and famed actors, heads the cast, with Betty Stockfield, a Sydney-born girl, playing opposite. llt was a huge success on the British stage. The supporting cast is headed hr Molly Johnson. Bon Weldon, Malcolm Keen, Cecil Humphreys, 'nd Esmond Knight, all of whom arc experienced players. Weldon, who comes from America and has achieved much success on the London stage, Ives a fine performance as a gunman. Malcolm Keen is probably one of ‘he best-

known portrayers of “young man” I typos in England. The story hinges . around 77 Park Lane, the residence of Lord Brent (Neilson-Terry), who returns from abroad on the day of the inter-’Varsity boat race. Bropt amuses himself around London with a friend until evening, when ho buys a taxi-cab for a lark, and with it adventure. His first faro is a charming young woman (Betty Stockfield), who makes the surprising request to be driven to his house at Park Lane. Brent complies, scenting something wrong in view.of the fact that he has not yet re-opened his residence after his absence abroad. Actually it, is being used by a band of criminals as a gambling resort, and it is in the toils of the chief of those crooks that the girl’s young brother (Malcolm Koon) finds himself through gambling debts. The picture is decidedly amusing until the h' j s reached, when it begins to be as eerie ns its crvptie title implies. There is a thrilling’ hand-to hand battle between the girl’s brother and a crook. The youngster thinks ho has killed the erook, and to save him. the girl agrees i to marry the criminal loader. To disI close? the developments from hero onI wards would spoil the picture for those I who have not yet been fortunate enough to witness it. Sufficient to sav, I Brent takes a hand ami exciting inci- ! Jcnts crowd one upon the other until the end of the grand theatre ' “SPLINTERS IN THE NAW.” “Splinters in the Navy,” now I showing at the Grand Theatre is aa ev j travagunza with the navy as a baekI ground. ft is not a “wonderful” |'ie- ■ tn re. it is not “the greatest spectacle ' that has ever been put on the screen,’’ but those who do not laugh, and do not laugh hard, cannot appreciate the eomodv of the film. A boxing match, in which Sydney Howard, as the asinine sailor, faces the champion heavyweight of the fleet with the gloves on for the title, and wins, brought simply gales of laughter from the audience. Sydney Howard, as the frozen-faced comedian, does exceptionally well, and U<» carries the story along. This

is a picture which everybody should see if their requisite standard of entertainment calls for plenty of good, clean, wholesome fun. British ° Dominions Films deserves much ere dit for presenting to the Regent patrons “Splinters in the Navy.” All the celebrated “Splinters” characters appear in this nautical bur lesque, which is going to make the need for re-inforccd ribs more urgent than ever. Reg Stone, female impersonator. Hal Jones and, most important, of all. the world-fimei “Beauty Chorus,” will bring pa-.R fond memories of their first appearance in “Splinters. ’’ DUCHESS THEATRE “THE LAWYER’S SECRET” Clive Brook’s suave f'rcefulness, Richard Arion’s appealing youth, Fay Wray’s winsome loveliness, Jean Arthur's fresh earnestness, and, last, but not least, Charles Rogers’ ncwlv discovered ability give to Paramount’s “The Lawyer’s Secret,” Duchess Theatre attraction, all the talent, needed to translate this gripping drama into living reality. “The Lawyer’s Secret” is an extraordinary 'drama, really three vital stories with one sweeping motivating force. Brook, a lawyer in love with Fay Wray, unwittingly becomes the confidant of the girl’s brother, Rogers. Rogers has assisted against his will at a murder, for which a young sailor. Arlen, i being trie for his life Brook’s lips are sealed because of professional ethics, and because of his love for the girl Rogers, in fear of his life, refuses to confess. Arlen is convicted, in spite of the brave fight made for his life bv “his girl,” Jean Arthur. The dution of this unsolved situation is tremend ously exciting, and surprisingly effective. Every role is acted with conv’ ing finesse. Every shade of fateful moaning is projected by C. accomplished east. Written bv James Hila-'-Finn, directed by the directorial com bination who made William Powell’s thrilling picture. “Shadow oi the Law.” “The Lawyer’s Secret" is • n effective picture of today? life and problems. HAWERA’S ORCHESTRA MAJESTIC, SUNDA\ MGHT. The Garrison Band has been fortunate in securing the services of Ilawera’s Hawaiian Orchestra for a concert next Sunday night in the Majestic Theatre. They are under Hie direction of ’Mr Antoni Bonetti. who is favourably known as a musician and teaches in many parts of New Zealand. The orchestra will render several items and some of Hie members will render an instrumental quartette of two violins, ’cello and piano. A. violin solo bv Air Vic, Martin-Lcvorson; songs by Mrs Antoni Bonetti. Miss Baltic

Lkdahl and Mr .Spencer Anderson make up a most interesting contribution, entitled “With Kilt and Sporran” certs given by the, Wanganui Garrison Band every Sunday night. The band will render a selection from “The Student Prince” for Che first time at one of these concerts, a Scottish number Australian Government stocks arc and the “Grand March” from ‘‘Tannhauser,” by AVagner. It is fully expected that the visitors from llawera will be welcomed with a large audience and given a most attentive hearing. The trams will be waiting as usual fur the conclusion of Hie concert. There will he a silver coin eoHcction.