ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17984, 1 April 1930, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. 4 JY i .- ‘ ‘ "BROADWAY” TO-NIGHT. A top-price Broadway revue and a New York play hit rolled into one at the price of a motion picture—such is “Broadway,” the Universal super talking and. singing production which opens at the Theatre Royal 10-nigiil. “Broadway,” to begin with, was a sensational play which kept New York itself on edge for almost two years. The-action of the play has been faithfully reproduced in the picture. It addition, everything which could nob be shown on the stage lias been added to the picture; all the exterior scenes which so materially enhance the vivid drama of the story, and, more notably still, the Paradise Night Club itself, around which revolved so much of the action, but which could only be spoken of, not seen, on the stage. In a setting much more lavish than anything hitherto seen on the screen, a full revue is presented, complete with a chorus of beautiful girls and marvellous music. The characterisations of the play, as enacted by Glenn Tryon as Hoy Lane, Merna Kennedy as' Billie Moore, the “hoofer” team; Evelyn Brent as Pearl, and others, are excellent. THE CIVIC. “ Big Time ” drew another full house last night. The slory, one of absorbing human interest, depicts the triumphs and tribulations of people who make their living behind the footlights and in the glare of the lights of a motion picture studio. It moves swiftly and convincingly throughout. Lee Tracy portrays the role j of Eddie Burns, the arrogant and con- j ceiled small lime hoofer* whose ego finally wrecks his happiness; while I Mae Clarke is seen as the devoted and understanding wife, who, after being deserted by her husband, becomes a motion picture star in Hollywood. As Hie egotistical hoofer, Tracy gives an outstanding performance. Miss Clarke, I also a New York stage recruit, is charming and appealing as Lily Clark, the wife. Daphne Pollard, one of the best known of screen comediennes, appears in a trained seal act and furnishes much good comedy, but the biggest laughs are created by Slepin Fetchit, that incomparable coloured comedian, who portrays the role of Eli, keeper of the seals. Josephine Dunn appears as “the other woman” and gives a creditable account of herself. The final scenes arc in a’motion picture studio in Hollywood and a most spectacular and gorgeous sel was provided for Ihe climax. STRAND THEATRE. “Behind That Curtain,” to be screened to-night, is a dialogue drama of love and mystery, with a profound' secret set forth in the beginning and not disclosed until a crashing- climax. ; Based on a book of the over-welcome j kind that, the reader cannot put down ; until it. is finished, tlie audible screen j version holds Hie ears and eyes un- ; Jiagginglv throughout as the fast- J moving intrigue develops among a J group of interesting- persons including i a famous explorer, a beautiful young j wife, a cunning and courageous oper- ' ativc of Scotland Yard and a certain ; evil-doer against which the detective’s | wits are constantly matched. One of the most dramatic sequences of the picture, adapted from Earl Derr Biggers’ widely-read Scotland Yard romance of the same title, is laid in the Persian desert, with Warner Baxter in

the role of “John Beetham,” and Moran portraying Eve Mannering-,. travelling with a caravan bent upon.: archaelogical exploration. . Gilbert ‘ Emery is also featured. He plays Sir Frederick Prince. Scenes of this part of the absorbing narrative were filmeu and recorded in Deatli Valley, a barren waste in' the far west that is far below sea level. TALKIES AT CAMBRIDGE. “The Cock-eyed World” attracted another overflow audience to Cambridge last rA*?ht. “The Cock-eyed World” combines humour and pathos, drama and romance, lavishness and simplicity, excitement and quietness, beauty and'primitiveness in one merry-;o-round of racy enjoyment. It feaurcs Vic lor McLaglen, Edmund Lowe, nd Lily Damita- —Lowe and McLaglen gain Ihe fighting marines, but now, ,i limes of peace, confining their chief battles fo passages at arms ever their various lady loves. The story takes the marines lo Russia, to the tropics and lo New York and Coney Island. Lily Damita, more fascinating than-ever, is their girl of the tropics; Leila Karneily their Russian girl, and Jean Bary their New York girl. Quelling an uprising in the tropics is their only opportunity lo do ihe battling the marines are noted for, and Walsh has- even in this. comparatively minor engagement, eclipsed for drama, force and thrills any battle of “What Price Glory.” “The Cockeyed World” lias every ingredient that ? makes for real pastime—humour, sparkling dialogue, hectic love scenes, tense drama and a happy combination of all those things (hat appeal from the ’ screen. The supporting cast is excellent, with El Brendel, former star of musical camedy and vaudeville, reaping plenty of honours with his incomparable portrayal of a Swede marine, “Olsen.” In addition lo the. dialogue there are several song numbers. _ FRANKTON’S OWN. To-night’s programme is headed by Ihe feature, “Man Made Woman.” There are good supports, including a gazette and comedy.