ENTERTAINMENTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 118, 21 May 1932, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE “DELICIOUS” IS CHARMING ! Those who saw Janet Gaynor and i Charles Farrell in “Delicious,” which - opened yesterday at the Majestic Theatre, found that they are even • more charming as lovers than ever. • The story is not as thin as that of “The Man Who Camo Back,” and the two are contrasted right through the piece, Janet as a little Scotch waif, Earrell as an international American polo player who cannot find means of spending all his money. The girl loses nothing of that appeal which has characterised her superb portrayals in the past, and the two are apart just 3 enough to make the audience wish for J their meeting. Farrell has a part which tits his type well, and Janet Gaynor 3 makes a delightful lass with her f “tam” on one side and her wistful 1 little eyes below. “Delicious” is a romantic comedy drama set • to music. Its melodies—and there are six of them —were created espcciB ally for the production by George Gershwin, whose popular songs, music cal comedies, and serious compositions e such as “Rhapsody in Blue” and d “Concerto in F,” have stamped him as America’s leading modern composerIra Gershwin, his talented brother, .1 wrote the lyrics. The story, an orii- ginal by Guy Bolton, relates the vene tures of a Scotch orphan lassie, pora trayed by Miss Gaynor, seeking a home in America. It begins among !1 the colourful peasantry in the steeri- age of a large ocean liner, where Janet i- makes friends with a troupe of Rusa sian entertainers and continues with e her exciting life after she eludes immigration officers to enter the country d illegally. Romance enters her life on s the boat when she becomes friends v with the leader of the troupe, played j. by Raul Roulien, who promptly falls head over heels in love with her and writes the infectious tune, “Doliv shious,” inspired by her quaint mise pronunciations. Her affairs of the •- heart take on complications when Fare rell, as a polo player returning from I, European triumphs, also becomes in* s fatuated with her. How the girl es .- caped the immigration authorities s makes a humorous little story on its v own, and through the rest of the film s there is a detective looking for the girl, who has at times some rather close escapes from being deported. El r Brendel is cast as a valet to Farrell. , and his witticisms make a “set-off” • for the romantic side of the story. ■ Brendel has all his comedy guns in ’ action. He is naturally funny, so that 1 none of the humour of the piece is at all strained. At first ho tells a Russian girl on the boat going to America that he is rich, and later, because of the statement, has to refer to his em- : plover by his first name. The song 1 “Delicious” has quite a quaint appeal, and seems to fit the girl, who had inspired the tune in the mind of her first lover. Later the girl sings a song which fits the situation she is in perfectly, while it is not sandwiched in the story for no apparent reason, like so many of the songs on the talkies. There is also a “melting-pot” scene, which is a dream of the girl the night before she lands in the States. Supports are interesting. Featured in them is Sir Harry Lauder singing “Tobermory” and “Stop Your Tickling Jock.” Typically Sir Harry Lauder, and with good sound recording, the item is most enjoyable and certainly not without humour. The travelogue takes the audience through the Yukon country where the huge dredges have replaced the single-handed mining camps, and show's some of the river ways and railways of the country. Taking tho programme as a whole, it is clean right through, excellent entertainment, the kind of programme that, anyone can see. and the kind that all will enjoy. CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCHES “Soul and Body” was the subject of the lesson-sermon iu all Churches of Christ, Scientist, on Sunday, May i The Golden Text was from I. Cor. ■ 3:16: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God. and that tho spirit of I God dwelleth in you?” j Among the citations which comprised the lesson-sermon were the following from tho Bible: “The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him. The Lord is good to them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him.” (Lam. 3: 24,25)Tho lesson-sermon also included the following passages from the Christian Science text book, “Science and Health, with Key to tho Scriptures,” by Mary Baker Eddy. “Knowingthat soul and its attributes wore forever manifested through man, the Master healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, feet to the lame, thus bringing to light the scientific action of the Divine Mind on human minds and bodies, and giving a better understanding of soul and salvation.” “It is our ignorance of God, the Divine principle, which produces apparent discord, and the right under-

REGENT THEATRE “77 PARK LANE” TO-DAY The consistently high standard of British talking pictures has educated 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-day. .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. It was a huge success on the British stage. The supporting cast is 'headed by Molly Johnson, Ben Weldon, Malcolm Keen, Cecil Humphreys, -nd Esmond Knight, all of whom are 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 bestknown portrayers of “young man” types 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. Brent amuses himself around London with a friend until evening, when he 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 tn bo 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 these crooks that the girl’s young brother (Malcolm Keen) finds himself through gambling debts. The picture is decidedly amusing until the h' is reached, when it begins to ho as eerie as its cryptic title implies. There is a thrilling hand-to-hand battle between the girl’s brother and a erook. The youngster thinks he has killed the crook, and to save him. the girl agrees to marry the criminal leader. To disclose the developments from hero onwards would spoil the picture for those who have not yet been fortunate enough to witness it. Sufficient to say, Brent takes a hand and exciting incidents crowd one upon the other until the end of the film. DUCHESS THEATRE “THE LAWYER’S SECRET” Clive Brook’s suave f ircefulness, Richard Arlen’s 'tppealing youth, Fay Wray’s winsome loveliness, Jean Arthur’s fresh earnestness, and, last, but not least. Charles Rogers’ newly 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. “Tho 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, ‘ 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 ilution of this unsolved situation is tremendously exciting, and surprisingly effective. Every role is acted with con^' ing finesse. Every shade of fateful -moaning is projected by 11. accomplished cast. Written bv James Hila-v Finn, directed by tho directorial combination who made William Powell’s thrilling picture, “Shadow of the Law,” “The Lawyer’s Secret’’ is • u effective picture of to-day’s life and problems. DANCE AT ELBICK RANJERS AND ROVERS To-night the Rangers and Rovers of Wanganui will bo holding a dance in the Elrick Lounge, the music being supplied by the River City Syncopators. Miss' Evelyn Wright and partner will give an exhibition of the new tango, po that with old-time and modern dancing the evening should be most successful. The Rangers’ share of tho proceeds is to enable them to provide a good Sunday dinner for a number of needy families. EMPIRE VETERANS MEETING AND RE UNION. Tho Empire Veterans* Association meeting and re-union will be held on Tuesday evening next, May 24, in the Victoria League Rooms. After the usual business of tho annual meeting many matters of keen interest, including canteen funds, poppy days, Anzac Day, etc., will bo dealt with. Service mon who are interested in tho welfare of their more unfortunate ’comrades are asked to rally round. Tt is hoped to have Genera] Russell and also R. Har-

this gathering, so that we should get some valuable information on matters right up to date. grand theatre '• CONSOLATION MARRIAGE,” Successful talkies do not seem to follow any particular pattern. That fact is admitted by the biggest producers and directors who no sooner find one excellent formula than a new hit occurs in an entirely different field. Consolation Marriage,” the R.K 0. 5? dl ? Pi ® tures ofre ring at tho Grand Theatre is the latest. The picture Keeps the cash customers enthralled from the first flicker to tho fadeout and they leave tho theatre talking about it. It paves tho way for a lot. of other pictures on the theme it suddenly popularised, ultra-modern, sportmg fair-play marriage relationships. ve seen films of clean-sportsman-ship-despitc-hoartbreak on subjects of football and cow-punching, war and vagabondage, but “Consolation Mar riage” introduces the sport manship element as a distinct novelty to tho alien field of modern matrimony. Beautiful and talented Irene Dunne of “Cimarron” fame is the feminine load in the picture, and she's just aa effeetipe as a modern young heroine as she was in tho pioneer-woman role of “Sabra Cravat.” Pat O’Brien plays opposite her In the role of a newspaper reporter. John Halliday doos a fine managing editor, and Matt Moore, another reporter. The newspaper men. by the way, are real human beings, not a separate species of genus homo entitled “newspaper men.” All the boyr on all the papers of tho land owe • vote of thanks to R.K.0.-Radio Pictures and to William Cunningham, p.n ex-newspaper man, who wrote tne story, and to Humphrey Pearson, an-