ENTERTAINMENTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 119, 23 May 1932, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE “DELICIOUS.” ; m The programme now showing at the Majestic, even apart from the featured picture, is really delightful. The supports include an out '”ig film oi Harrv Lauder in some of his popular songs. The famous Scotch comedian displays his remarkable talents in a manner which cannot fail to impress. The “Magic Carpet of Movieland” takes the spectator down the historic Yukon Trail, through the wild regions of Skagway that lead to the famous citv of Dawson, centre o- those maddened days of the gold rush. - are glimpses of the Canadian Royal North West Mounted PoF.t in this film which are interesting. These fine supports pave the way for “Dclic- -s,” a charming picture which allows full rc* to the attractive talent of oanet Gaynor. Small of stature, but realistic and loveable, Miss Gaynor will never - fail to draw aud : -n?es in New Zealand. She has eclipsed her triumphs of “tDaddy Long Legs” and “Merely Mary Ann,” in this refreshing picture that has been created round the immigration laws of the United States. As Heather Gordon Miss Gaynor is the central figure in a clever group of stars. She portrays the life of a wee Scotch lassie, bound for the land “of Liberty.” Her tense excitement at the prospect of making her way in the great U.S.A., is tremendously life like. Her surprise and sorrow at finding the long arm of the immigration law raised against her is pathetic in the extreme, but her pluck and determination against the roused forces of L-tective Sergeant O’Flynn quicken admiration. Miss Gaynor has caught these varying moods with a simplicity of character that makes her part live. Charles Farrell plays the leading male role and does it with the same ability which has marked previous appearances with Miss Gaynor. There is much to laugh r.t in the inimitable characterisation of Beaumont’s valet by El Brendel. His witticisms, fears and pred’caments tumble round one another so rapidly that one is never sure what s going r» happen next; nor can one b certain hw the ever-bubbling Johnston is go•ig to cope with what happens. Even when he slides, in - -mi fainting conditio- t > the flour of his master’s road- •. when Farrell has just missed colliding with a ({(kmiles-an-liour express, don? with a touch of humour. Thi wrtur? is well and truly named •pr iou<” Th? acting, the story ... i t’ip 1-1 • .0.1 blend to make that ■ . appropriate. GhT.I.ISOIT BAND CONCERT HAWERA’S HAWAIIAN'S Crowded out fro top to bottom, with people overflowing the scats and others turned away from the building, the concert held by the Wanganui Garrison Band at the Majestic Theatre last evening was an outstanding success. The chief attraction, in'addition to the band, was the Ilawera Hawiian’s orchestra, which was universally popular, and which drew round after round of applause from the house. The Garrison Band played the grand march from “ Tannhauser. ’ ’by Wagner, and followed with selections from the “Student Prince.” The orchestra commenced with “When the Moon Comes Over the Mountain” and

“Natona.” “A Trip to Wanganui,” recited by Joyce Winks, was very well executed, and her delivery was good. . Jocelyn Evans sang ‘‘ M ould You Like to'be a Baby Girl,” in a very pleasant manner Three encores i were demanded of Mr Martin-Levorson I (violinist), who played “Serenader” and “Song of India” convincingly. Miss Ekdahl scored definitely in “Who is Silvia” and “I Know a Lovely Garden,” and was heartily -applauded. The trio formed by Messrs Bonctti and 8. Anderson (tenor banjos and V. Martin-Levorson (violin played “American Medley,” “You Were the Blossom of Buttercup Lane,” and showed by their intimate knowledge of their instruments that they were complete masters of the art. Rarely has such good music been hoard in Wanganui. “On Duty*’ and I “League E,” orchestral items were equally enjoyed by the huge audience, and two encores were demanded of Mr 8. Anderson, who was heard to .advantage with his fine singing. The aceompanistes w'ere Mrs Bonetti and Nfiss r. Ekdahl, who acquitted themselves well throughout the evening Throughout the concert the audience sat with its attention riveted on the stage, and when Mr Gray, stage manager. asked it to show its appreciation of the Hawera Hawaiians’performance by acclamation, the applause was deafening. On the conclusion of the concert the visitors were entertained by lady supporters of the Garrison Band. Undoubtedly the concert was one of the best to be staged at the theatre under the auspices of the Garrison Band, which provides such splendid entertainment every Sunday night for lovers of music. MISSION TO LEPERS. The Rev. F. A. Crawshaw, New Zealand secretary of the world-wide mission to lepers, will give a lantern lecture, illustrated by JOO splendid new slides, in St. Paul’s Hall this evening, at 7.30 p.m. The mission is the “Handmaid” of all the Protestant denominations including the brethren, as far as leper work is concerned ami to-day is working in twenty different countries at Jl2 different centres. Mr Crawshaw recently visited India and has an inspiring story to tell of the work, including an up-to-date account of the new treatment and its splendid results. All interested are, cordially invited to be piesent.

regent theatre — — “ 77 PARK LANE Imagine returning to your homt i after In absence of five *0 h™ | that it had become the haunt of. bo- i cietv’s gamblers who were being fleeced by a gang of blaekmai eis. Such is the experience of Lord Brent, who, returning to London after wandering round the world, finds mystery and romance awaiting him. After eel brating the boat-race night in fitting manner Lord Brent buys a taxi from the driver, who has been escorting him during his revelries. With the drn e coat and cap over his evening d he is accosted by a beautiful g.rlwho tells him to follow a man stepping iirto another taxi, Arriving at his own house they discover the secret signal which causes the front door to opem Stepping inside they are greeted by a butler with a foreign accent who orders a dinner which could only be served br an exclusive restaurant or „ rare e hef. And then follows a senes of incidents which have to be seen to be properly appreciated A’though h hall downstairs is darkened and. dust sheets cover the pedestals, upstairsi a large room is full of well-dressed gamb lers. men and women, wno are losing money to an expert gang of Although this gang wins money at the gambling tables, one .of their strong points in their “business is blackmail. To get these well-to-do playerin their grasp and then to sqm e every penny out of them is all in the day’s work. The girl’s brother, as happens, is in the hands of this gang and unbeknown to him they are using him as a catspaw to get his sjster into the grasp of the wily leader. Fortu natelv for her they are prevented manv forces, the police, Brent and their own squabbles and distrust oi one another. It is a good picture It is English and therefore the speaking is excellent. The dialogue is good anU therefore it is amusing and enWrta.mlllg. There is a good plot which holds Ue interest throughout, and, what u more, all the actors aud aet.,oses W

experienced and polished. »ith an these qualifications, tnen, it i» no won der that the picture is as good as is. interspersed with humour he story goes with a-swmg from moment the gnu lues to send the W ford aud Cambridge crews away aua Bi., Bee strikes twelve at mid-day uuul too giant clock records the hour Of midnigut and bliennguam, « gang s leader, lies dead on the fluor of tue big ha,, with a Shattered eandw bra splintered around him. Denn Neilson-Terry gives a splendid perto mance as I.ord Brent with his tree and Xy manner and youMiul buoyancy Being the son of Ellen Terry, aetin o is natural to him. Betiy Sloekneld, as the girl, scores even higher than s did in “City of Song,” for she has greater scope to show her qualities as an actress. The remainder of the ea-t is also exceptionally outstanding and the whole makes a splendid team. Not the least is the inebriated gentlema- : Who hiccoughs on the breast of a gigantic “Robert” and mmmuis feebly “Home-hie-John.” The sup l porting programme is equally en er- , taming, especially the scenes 01 . the mongoose fights and kills a c . snake before dragging him off home tor

the evening meal. Fleas in harness are seen giving an exhibition of dragemu a “sulky.” and dancing in a mid Victorian ‘skirt. The patter in this picture is well worth hearingThere is a good comedy which is amusing and shows the effect of aea -® ie - k v ness on champion boxers where they are in the middle of a bout. Anyone who wants to be interested and amused for two and a-half hours should not fail to come to the Regent, where the best of entertainment and service are given.

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 I one excellent formula than a new hit occurs in an entirely different field. “Consolation Marriage,” the HAW Radio Pictures offering at the Grand Theatre, is the latest. The pmture keeps the cash customers enthralled from the first flicker to the fadeout and they leave the theatre talking about iL It paves the way for a lot of other pictures on the theme it suddenly popularised, ultra-modern, sporting, fair-play marriage relationships. We’ve seen films of clcan-sportsman-ship-despite-heartbreak on subjects of football and cow-punching, war and vagabondage, but “Consolation Mar introduces the sportmanship element as a distinct novelty to the alien field of modern matrimony. Beautiful and talented Irene Dunne o. “Cimarron” fame is the feminine lead in the picture, and she’s just as effeetine as a modern young heroine as she was in the pioneer-woman role of “Sabra Cravat.” Pat O’Brien plays 'opposite her In the role of a newspaper | reporter. John Halliday does a fine managing editor, and Matt Moore, another reporter. The newspaper men. by the wav, are real human being., separate aperies of genus homo entitled “newspaper men.” AH the boys on all the papers of the lan'l owe » vote of thanks to R.K.0.-Radio lieturns and to William Cunningham, an i ex-newspaper man, who wrote trie 1 Story, and to Humphrey Pearson, am ■ other former news bustler, who adapted it and wrote the dialogue