ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17964, 8 March 1930, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS.

STRAND THEATRE. The eagerly-awaited “Rio Rita" talkie version of the great stage success will be screened at the Strand Theatre to-night, and it is safe to predict, a record season. As a picture “Rio Rita” is firing, the world with enthusiasm even greater than did the Zicgfold stage production in its 62 weeks in New York. Harry Tierney’s music that set the world a-humrning lives anew now that it, can be heard by infinitely larger audiences. Several of the same players who were prominent in the original stage production arc seen and hoard in the screen version. Outstanding among these are Bert Wheeler, Robert Woolsey and Helen Kaiser. John Boles, who plays Captain Jim Stewart, chief of Texas Rangers, sings as a past-master of the operatic art, yet Bebe Daniels, who makes her debut as a songbird in “Rio Rita,” is a worthy partner, both in vocal and acting ability. Dorothy Lee lends a sprightly air to the picture, and sings several effective numbers with Bert Wheeler. In addition to “Rio Rita," “Following the Sun Around,” "The Kingajou," and melodies from the original show, two new songs are heard. These, also composed by Harry Tierney and Joe McCarthy, are: “Sweetheart, We Need Each Other,” and “You’re Always in My Arms." TALKIES AT CAMBRIDGE, “The Unholy Night,” which is thrilling large audiences at the Cambridge Town Hall, 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. 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 cast is excellent. 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 Rumscy, the Scotland Yard chief. THEATRE ROYAL. “College Love,” the first full feature length, all sound and dialogue college picture to be screened anywhere, will be screened at the Theatre Royal to-night. “College Love” is a clean story of modern youth—of keen rivalry on the gridiron, showing a football game in sound; tells of the rivalry between two grid stars for the same beautiful co-ed, and the sacrifice of ono of them 'for the glory of his alma mater. Two glee clubs famous over the country sing in the picture tbo campus songs whioh urge their football warriors on to victory, and the entiro film, directed by Nat Ross, the veteran of collcgo pictures, is repleto with all tho colourful action of Hie campus. George Lewis, Dorothy Gulliver, and Eddio Phillips, who have become the screen idols of college folk and their families through the “Collegians,” tho earlier and shorter series produced .by Universal, play in the new feature 'film the characterisations similar to these which broke entertainment records all over the world. FRANKTON’S OWN. " The Prince of Adventurers," one of the best pictures produoed, is the reigning attraction at Frankton’s Own. There are excellent supports. ERNIE LOTINGA COMPANY. Ernest Lotinga, one of the most versatile of London’s comedians,with an English company of talented artists, will make his bow to a Hamilton audience at the Theatre Royal on Monday, and will appear for one night only. To crowded houses in London, and later in Australia, Ernest Lotinga and company appeared for many weeks in “House Full,” a comedy-burlesque. “House Full" shows the lighter side of life, and in the presentation Mr Lotinga has scored success after success. There is melodrama in this cleverly-constructed play, but it is not Hie major theme. Boisterous comedy Holds sway, and in the hands of such an experienced, volatile artist as Ernest Lotinga it is humour of the very best. “Ernest Lotinga possesses no medical diploma,” wrote the critic of the London Daily Mail, “but he has dispensed more effective and heartening tonics than any of the notabilities of Harley Street. At a national purveyor of pleasure germs, and exhilarating tabloids his name is worthy of inclusion in the scroll of fame.”

Tliis noted stage artist comes to New Zealand at the head of a splendid all-round company of English actors engaged in London by the representatives of J. G. Williamson, Ltd. ' The combination includes such favourites as Kathleen Barbor, Ida May, Daisy Bindley, Rie Costa, Jack Frost (popular comedian), Adolph Luck, Doyle Crosslev, Harold Wilkinson, Arnold Bell, Fred Luck, Bichard Costa, T. Arthur Ellis, Lawrence J. Lawrence, Max Avieson, Jack Deering and others. The box plans are now open. BUSH G3RL AND SNAKES. One of the features among the sideshow attractions at the Ngaruawahia Regatta next week will be Minerva, the Australian bush girl, who handles various reptiles which, fortunately for New Zealanders, do not exist here. She fondles them, and they are alive. Minerva, before she was allowed to bring her pets into New Zealand, had to obtain a special licence and leave a heavy bond on them, but patrons have no need to worry, as a special pit has been constructed and they are well out of harm’s way, although on full view to patrons visiting the amazing attraction-