ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18004, 26 April 1930, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

STRAND THEATRE. TC-NSGHT’S PROGRAMME. “The Return of Sherlock Holmes,” to he screened at the Strand Theatre to-night, is one of those few pictures in which the atmosphere of the original book lias been preserved. Clive Brook gives a masterly interpretation of the internationally-famous detective, and all the little peculiarities which’ the reader treasures in this great chaacter are seen on the screen. He is fortunate in being able to submerge himself completely in the part he is to play, and that the audience should forget the actor in its admiration for the character is a fine tribute to his efforts. The s+ory 'is that | of an international gang of criminals, ! headed by the notorious Professor j Moriarty, an old rival of Sherlock j Holmes. One is surprised at the dramatic effect obtained from the details of the story. Although they are not new to the reader of detective novels, many of them are quite new to the stage or screen, and the brilliant accompaniment of dialogue is particularly effective. Clive Brook deservedly takes the large share of the credit for the success of the picture, but he is ably supported. Dr. Watson. so necessary and so insignificant., is skilfully played by 11. Reeves-Smith, and Professor Moriarty is played by Harry Morey with considerable force. The dialogue is spoken in unimpeachable English. THE CIVIC. Two great stars, an all-star supporting cast, a delightful story, plenty of comedy and a half a dozen sensational song hits is the combination ; presented in “Sunny Side Up,” Fox Moviestone musical comedy which will open at the Civic Theatre to-night. -Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell, making their musical comedy debut, ■ give an amazing performance. Both have pleasing voices and sing their song numbers in a manner that brings bursts of spontaneous applause from the audience. Miss Gaynor also blossoms out as a dancer and proves she is as proficient in the terpsichor- j ean art as she is in acting. Sharon j Lynn, Frank Richardson, Marjorie j White and El Brendel, in the support- : ing cast of principals give .excellent J performances. DeSylva, Brown and! Henderson, who authored “Sunny | Side Up,” from dialogue to words and j : music, have “clicked" with their first 1 audible production and proved they are as talented in this medium as they are in concocting successful stage . musical comedies. David Butler did a splendid job of directing, and by his work in this production has elevated ; himself to a place among the leading; directors of Hollywood. Seymour Felix, j Broadway’s noted dance director) fairly outdid himself in staging (-he ensembles and song numbers. Summed up. "Sunny Side Up” is splendid entertainment. TALKIES AT CAMBRIDGE. “Romance of the Rio Grande,” to be screened at Cambridge to-nigiit, belongs to that class of screen drama which blends action and love interest. The action is that of the troublous days of old Mexico, during the j construction of railways through llie j country. Warner Baxter, Antonio ; Moreno and Mary Dunpan are the j principal players. A capital story tells j of the adventures of a railway cn- j gineer, Pablo Wharton Cameron, : whose camp is attacked by bandits 1 and who arrives wounded at the ranch i house of his grandfather, an old Span- • ish Don. The young man’s mother :, had incurred, the displeasure of her j. father by marrying an American. At first" there is a decided coolness be- J tween the two men but they later | become reconciled. In the role of the | engineer, Warner Baxter engages in i many desperate encounters before finally taking over the ranch on the death of his grandfather. The picture opens with the attack upon the railway camp, many stirring scenes being witnessed. 111-feeling exists at the ranch between Cameron and a cousin, who had hopes v of obtaining possesion, and trouble is inevitable. Mary Duncan makes an excellent heroine, and her love for Cameron gives a pleasant touch of the story. THEATRE ROYAL. “Jazz Heaven,which heads the new programme at the Theatre Royal tells of a young composer who comes to New York full of ideas and high hopes, but finds that the ways of New York music publishers and New York landladies are exceedingly hard. However, he has a liberal gift of courage and with the assistance of a henpe/.ed nightwatchman and a very charming young lady be eventually struggles through to fame and fortune. John Mack Brown, as the young composer, is excellent. He works quietly but sincerely, and helps to throw into high relief the vivacity and charm of Miss Sally O’Neill. Miss O’Neill is a leading lady of ability and in “Jazz Heaven” she sings, laughs and acts better than eve'r before. However, a considerable measure of the success of the film is due to the leavening of comedy supplied by Jos.eph Cawthorn and Albert Conti. Clyde Cook is cast as a night-watch-man and makes a small part really important by some typically fine comic acting. 'Musically, the film is dominated by the love ballad “Someone.” FRANKTON’S OWN THEATRE.' 1 “Stand and Deliver” will head the programme at Frankton’s Own tonight. There are excellent supports.