REGENT THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 190, 13 August 1932, Page 11

REGENT THEATRE

‘‘GOOD NIGHT, VIENNA” g I All the gaiety, melody and romance c of the pleasure capital of Eastern I Europe Delore the VVar are captured * in “Good Night, Vienna,” the British and Dominions film which opens today at the Regent. Theatre. Jack Buchanan, the musical comedy favour- ( ite, says the reviewer, who won great J popularity in “Monte Carlo” andy, “Man of Mayfair,” again takes the 3 role of a lighthearted and debonnair ( man-about-town whose greatest faults j result from the very same irrespon- . sible spirit which makes him so charm- . ing in other respects. lu this film the 1 English producers have spared no expense to provide the appropriate settings to the gay Viennese life which forms tho basis of the picture. The magnificent palace scenes and the idyllic settings of the “House in the Trees” form delightful spectacles. Herbert Wilcox proves himself to be one of the most outstanding rivals to the great American producers. At the time the story opens, the central figure, Captain Maximilian JSchletoff, belonging to a noble family and an aristocratic cavalry regiment, has become attached to a young flower girl, Viki, a part charmingly played by Anna Neagle. For once it appears that the young officer has a real romance opening before him; but the young lovers’ hopc6 are shattered by the Emperor’s arrangement of a marriage between Captain Max and the Countess Helga. The young man resolves to defy everyone and marry tho girl of his choice. Just as the two are about to flee together war breaks out and it becomes impossible for the captain to see Viki before leaving. A note to the girl goes astray and in the general confusion of tho war years that follow no communication from her lover is received by the girl, who, in the meantime, has achieved international fume as a singer. With the break-up of the old order Captain Maximilian is forced to accept a position as an assistant in a shoe shop, and it is here that he meets Viki again. Tho irresistible way in which the ex-captan arranges a full and happy reconciliation forms an appealing climax to the film. Apart from the story, the picture gains much of its entertainment value from the splendid musical score accompanying it. Jack Buchanan’s ability as a a light singer is well known, but chief honours go to Miss Neagle, whose voice , has a clarify and a simplicity which > is all its own. The orchestral accompaniment which is heard in many of the scenes is particularly fine. “BLUE ROSES” MADGE ELLIOTT AND CYRIL RITCHARD Madge Elliott and Cyril Rif chard are . undoubtedly two of the most popular musical comedy artists who have ever 5 visited New Zealand under tho J. C. Williamson management, and tho fact . that these two very brilliant stars are 1 to make their appearance hero at the ) Opera House on Tuesday, August 23, z backed up by an exceptionally strong i- combination of musical comedy artists, j in the latest comic opera triumph f “Blue Roses,” is creating unusual inj forest among playgoers. “Coo-ees from I all parts of the theatre,” wrote a Syde ney critic, “'and stamping and clieerV ing, greeted Madge Elliott at her n appearance at Her Majesty’s on Satur--1 day night. The ovation accorded

Cyril Bitchard was, if anything, more enthusiastic, and undoubtedly the initial production in Australia of ‘Blue Boses’ was one of the most impressive ever known in the Commonwealth.” “After seven years’ absence abroad, during which their names have become household words in England, Madge Elliott and Cyril Bitchard,” wrote another critic, ‘ 1 must have appreciated the sincerity of the wonderful welcome which was accorded them. ‘Blue Roses - ' might have been written for them, so well did they fit their respective roles, and their exquisite dancing created a veritable furore of enthusiasm.’ 1 Miss Elliott and Cyril Bitchard are supported by a particularly talented number of singers, dancers and comedians, including the brilliant character comedian, Mr Cecil Kellaway, who has on former occasions delighted us with his genius for providing laughter; L<f) Franklin, who was one of the principal comedians in “The Girl Friend”; Frank Leighton, who was tho juvenile lead in “Sons o’ Guns,” also Dulcie Davenport, a talented young comedienne, Alathea Siddons, Arthur Cornell, Elven Jay, Hean Duncan and other* noted artists. The work of the ballet is a feature of the production, and the operatic chorus and orchestra, which includes a number of saxaphone players, will be under the direction of William Quintrell. The box plans will be opened at the Bristol Piano Co. on Friday morning next, nt nine o’clock. A queue will be formed from 8 a.m. COMMUNITY SINGING THURSDAY NIGHT FIXTURE Wanganui’s first community sing this year was a tremendous success. The second was not so good. The third showed that Wanganui could, with local talent only, stage a community singing evening that would do credit to any city. Next Thursday night another gathering will bo held in tho Opera House with the same organisations in charge as before. Proceeds will go to the Mayor’s Relief of Distress Fund. Hong leaders will be Mrs T. L. Spcrring, Mr L. Travers, while Mr A. Sutcliffe will again be at tho piano. This time further novelties are to bo included, and judging by advance reports of what the evening might develop into, it has every possibility of becoming even a grcaio: >uccos.-, ‘bar- tho last..