ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17805, 2 September 1929, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

STRAND AND FRANKTON THEATREB Gary Cooper is well prepared physically to battle any menace which may face him on the screen. He is an accomplished horseman, a boxer of note, a fencer whose skill was, demonstrated in ‘‘Beau Sabreur,” and expert swimmer, and many other things. In hia latest Paramount picture, ‘‘The Shopworn Angel,” in which lie is cofeatured with Nancy Carroll, the moving picture magnates thought up a new terror for him —a taxicab barrage on Broadway. Much of the action in “The Shopworn Angel,” which the above theatres will feature to-night, takes place right out in the open on the “Great White Way.” It is through a humourous traffic mix-up that the hoy and girl of tiiis queer tangle of circumstance* are brought together. '• THEATRE ROYAL. Betty Bronson is the star actress in “The Tragic Hour,” the leading feature at the Theatre Royal to-night. Other attractions are the comedy “Chilly Days,” the Palhe News and the Topical Gazette. “RIO RITA.” Judging by Hie exceptionally heavj booking for to-morrow evening, Sir Benjamin and Mr John Fullers Rio Rita” Musical Comedy Company should have a record season in Hamilton. Everybody is looking forward with keen" interest to the arrival of this wonderful show. It is only at very rare intervals that theatre-goers id New Zealand have an opportunity of seeing such a magnilleent production as “Rio Rita.” There is a well defined love theme, delightful music and an excellent story told in settings of tempestuous Mexico with a peep into Gaj Paree” and sunny Spain. The theme is handled adequately, garnished with song gems and haunting refrains. The numerous dances are woven into the movement of the play so that the continuity of the story is never. interrupted. The personnel of the “Rio Rita company includes Miss Gladys Moncrieff, hailed by critics as the \vorld‘» greatest musical comedy artist, and Miss Janette Gilmore, a wonderful dancer and comedienne. Messrs Dave Mallen and Charles Norman form the comedy duo, while Mr Laslie Pearce, as Captain of Hie Rangers, shows himself possessed of a very fine voice and commanding stage presence. Lesser roles arc handled by specially imported artists. Australia has admittedly the very finest ballet girls to he found anywhere, and the very cream of these was chosen for the “Rio Rita” ballets. The result is three solid hours of gor-