ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17963, 7 March 1930, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

STRAND THEATRE. “Gentlemen of t..c Press” is having a very successful season at the Strand Theatre. To-night will be the last screening. The star of ttiis film, Waiter Huston, served his apprenticeship in the hard and wise old school of vaudeville. About five years ago Broadway discovered him, and it has noi let him go since. The author is Ward Morehouse, of the editorial staff of the New York Sun. He wrote about what he knows. Bartlett Cormack, another newspaper man, adapted the play for (he screen. The theme is tense drama behind the rush of the reporting room—the work that always keeps a man—a fascinating story of the people who make the world’s news. Tlie cast is composed of Broadway favourites. Catherine Francis is the vamp of the picture, the woman whose lure for men does not lake one man from his work of ncwspapering. Charles Buggies and Betty Lawford are the most important new faces that appear in this picture for the first time on the screen. “Rio Rita.” Tremendous interest is being taken in the screening of “Rio Rita,” the film version of the great stage success, tomorrow night. Bebe Daniels and John Boles have the leads. Against the most lavish sets yet seen on the screen is played and sung, the magnificent drama of the Mexican borderland by Bebe Daniels, John Boles and a supporting cast of- hundreds. Mighty vocal choruses, inspiring dance routines and beauty assemblies show for the first time, the endless possibilities of the speaking screen. TALKIES AT CAMBRIDGE; “The Unholy Night,” thrilled a large audience last night. Based on the sensational story, “The Doomed Regiment,” from the pen of Ben lieeht, it tells of a dastardly attempt to wipe out the 14 surviving officers of a famous British Regiment long after the war was over and done with. The story opens in* a London fog. which affords effective cover for petty and major crimes. A party of British officers in uniform is seen making merry with bowls of wine and war-time songs, when one of their number is done to death in the very midst of the revels. Uncanny spiritualistic seances, a mysterious Turkish woman, and an outcast British nobleman, who leaves a million of money with a curse on the beneficiaries who accept it, are among the rich ingredients served up in this remarkable drama, while a series of terrifying murders keep interest at high tension throughout. The play is splendidly acted by a big cast of talented performers. Ronald Young, the famous British stage star, does outstanding work as Lord Montague. Ernest Torrence makes the character of Dr. Ballon, fiance of the stately lady Vi, stand out boldly. The picture has an added interest for New Zealand audiences by reason of the fact that that capable actor, Claude Fleming, who is so well-known here as the leading man for J. C. Williamson musical comedies, is seen to splendid advantage as Sir James Itumsey, the Scotland Yard chief. THEATRE ROYAL. “Behind the Make-up" drew another large audience to the Theatre Royal last night. "Behind the Make-up” is another back-stage melodrama, but different and real this time. Hal Skelly is a restrained Pagliacci, and Fay Wray, William Powell, and Kay Francis are good in the supporting cast. “Behind the .Make-up” is a talking, singing, dancing drama of life behind the comic mask. It tells the story of two showmen—one a man of great selflshn 'ss, thinking only of himself, and t milling hearts as he goes through life; the other thinking only of others, ineir love for the same woman brings about an intensely interesting situation, and a strong drama, with comedy touches, develops. T 1 e short subjects include two funny Christie comedies, which the audience found very amusing. This programme will be repeated fur the last time to-night. ERNIE LOTINGA COMPANY. Those playgoers with any knowledge of English theatrical matters will doubtless be glad to learn that definite arrangements have been made for the appearance here at the Theatre Royal on Monday, for one night only, of the inimitable London comedian, Ernie Lotinga, together with his complete company of 20 English artists, including the talented actress, Miss Kathleen Barbor. He will present the best, most humorous and most successful play in his vast repertoire, “House Full,” which was written for Mr Lotinga, and gives the famous comedian unlimited opportunities to display his genius for creating genuine and wholesome fun. The initial performance uf "House Full” will be preceded by the presentation of one of the world’s greatest headline vaudeville acts, the Hardgrove. Brothers (“The Midshipmen”), whose clever and original dancing proved the outstanding- feature of the very successful Australian production of "Clowns in Clover.” During the progress of the Great War, Ernie Lotinga and his company were commandeered by the military authorities to entertain the soldiers, and many New Zealanders will retain pleasant memories of -the efforts ol’Mr Lotinga in Paris, London, and the provinces of England to help them forget the battlefields of France. The company supporting Mr Lotinga includes Harold Wilkinson, Arnold Bell, Arthur Ellis, Jack Frost, Max Avieson, Lawrence J. Lawrence, Doyle Crossley, Jack Deering, Fred Luck, Adolph Lock, Ida May, Daisy Bindley, Rie Costa, and other well-known English artists. The box plans are now open.