AMUSEMENTS

Wairarapa Daily Times, 17 March 1932, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

COSY THEATRE.

“CITY OF SONG.”

In the production of ‘ ‘ City of Song,” the British talkie masterpiece, which is to be shown again at the Cosy Theatre to-night, artificial studio sets have been discarded for the genuine, and much of the fascination and rare charm of the picture lies in the wealth of natural settings through which the story moves. Naples, the Isle of Capri, and the ruins of Pompeii, lend their far-famed splendours to enrich this delightful romance, which will linger long in life’s most pleasant memories. Jan Kiepura, the “new, handsome Caruso,” and beautiful Betty Stoekfield are the stars of “City of Song,” and in one sequence of the story Kiepura’s golden voice rings through the ruins of the ancient city •of Pompeii. Ilis song is the Love Song of Naples, and he sings in a large open-air theatre, in which the inhabitants of this once prosperous city listened to Greek tragedy and Latin comedy, while Vesuvius frowned down upon them. Vesuvius still frowns today, but the theatre has not echoed to the sound of an actor’s voice for nearly two thousand years, and Kiepura’s only audience, in addition to Miss Stoekfield, is rows of broken stone seats and the crumbling remains of Pompeii’s once stately edifices. In striking contrast to this “City of the dead” is the gaiety and life in the other picturesque settings of the production that quickly moves on to the Isle of Capri, to Naples—City of Laughter and Life, City of Song, and then on again to London, City of the World, as its delightful story unfolds. Reserves at Vare’s, ’phone 1333. THE REGENT. “THESE CHARMING PEOPLE.” “These Charming People,” a clever and amusing comedy, with Cyril Maude in the leading role, is to be shown finally at the Regent Theatre this evening. Reserves at Vare’s, ’phone 1333. “THE CUBAN LOVE SONG.” Stirring romance under Cuban skies; melodies more haunting than the exotic story of love unfolded on the screen, tense drama and thrills are promised in “The Cuban Love Song,” a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture, which heads the new programme to be presented at the Regent to-morow night. “The Cuban Love Song” is essentially a love story. Lawrence Tibbett is seen in Cuba, where he meets and loves a little Cuban peanut seller. A war, duty, and fate conspire to break a romance and kill a love that was really only a memory. Tibbett as the dare-devil hero, proves that in modern roles he is as colourful a figure as in costume and uniform. His singing of “The Cuban Love Song,” “The Halls of Montezuma ’' and other musical incidentals is said to be superb and his acting gripping. The fiesta, with its strange Cuban orchestras, with the fiery Lupe Velez doing the Rumba, and the wealth of colour that is Ilavanna’s are speciallv interesting. Comedy is taken care of by Ernest Torrence and Jimmy Durante, as Tibbett’s two fighting companions, and Louise Fazenda scores as “Elvira.” Lupe Velez, as the fiery little Cuban charmer, has a role such as she has not had in a long time, and her captivating manner, piquant charm, and clever dancing in the Cuban episodes are outstanding. The musical score and songs add great charm to the production, and the fiesta, in its tropical garden, the vivid episodes at sea, and the battle sentiences arc staged on a spectacular scale. Reserves at Varc’s, ’phone 1333.