ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18023, 19 May 1930, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

I TALKIES AT CAMBRIDGE. 70-NIGHT’S PROGRAMMES. In “ Devil May Care," which opened a season to a large audience at Cam- • bridge on Saturday evening,. Ramon i Novarro achieves an outstanding success as the leading actor in a picture 1 of the romantic times of Napoleon s jf‘ Hundred Days.” Excellent settings, ! thrilling escapes, good singing and romantic love-making, combine to make “ Devil May Care ” a picture that holds the audience from the first to the last scene. Novarro has a very clear speaking voice, while his singing voice is well modulated and pleasing. As Armand Treville, the young supporter of Bonaparte in the ■days when he was exiled at Elba, Novarro is condemned to death for plotting to restore the Emperor. By a clever ruse, he escapes at the last imoment, but in his flight is forced tc ; seek shelter by force in the room of j a young girl, Leonie, who is portrayed | very appealingly by Marion Harris. The \ two do not meet again until Leonie visits her cousin’s house. Here Armand has found it necessary, for purposes of safety, to adopt the role of a footman. Leonie does not recognise in him the fugitive from the Royalist forces, hut, although he is to her a r ‘‘ menial ” she slowly falls in love with him;/ Finally, on the eve of her-wed-ding to; “a flower of the French aristocracy,” she is carried away on horseback by her lover, and she succumbs to' romance. Numerous songs are introduced, one of the best being the “Old Guard" male chorus sung by the Bonapartist troops.

STRAND THEATRE.

“The Love Parade,” featuring that Parisian who has won all hearts with ■his appealing personality, Maurice Chevalier, opened at the Strand Theatre on Saturday night, and, as was only to be expected, there was a very large audience. In the leading role of Count Alfred, Mourice Chevalier plays the part of a dashing young cavalry officer, who has been recalled from an embassy in Paris because of his indiscretions. His queen summons him to administer a reprimand, but she falls in love with him, and it is not long before he attains the position of Prince Consort. This is too subservient for him and serious trouble arises until he is made king of her subjects, as well' as of her heart. Chevalier’s , nonchalant manner; his French'accent, his winning smile, his gay boyishness, and his singing give him an attractive screen personality. Mis Jeanette MacDonald is one of the loveliest women seen on the screen and she sings delightfully, and perhaps it is not her fault that she I’iils to suggest the Queen she is .supposed to be for the story jumps from musical comedy to drama in rather bewildering fashion.

“ The Love Parade ” is rich in tuneful and catchy, music, and there is an undercurrent of humour. Maurice Chevalier and Miss Macdonald contribute to this, but the principal funmakers are Lupino Lane and Lillian Roth, Alfred’s valet arid the queen’s personal maid. Miss MacDonald’s singing is a joy always, from the opening bars of “ My Dream Lover. Chevalier sings “ Nobody’s Using It Now ” and “ Paris, Stay the Same,” and lie and Miss MacDonald join in the singing of “The Love Parade,” and “ Anything to Please the Queen.” Miss Both and Lupino Lane give a delightful interpretation .of their idea of move humble love in “ Let’s Be Common.” Among the choruses “ Song of the Grenadier ” is an arresting number.

THE CIVIC. “Madame X,” one of the films which has made talkie history, headed the new programme at the Civic Theatre on Saturday.'There were three screenings—at 2.30, 6.45, and 9.15 p.m., and at each session the theatre was crowded. In “Madame X," which is the talkie version of the great stage success in which Pauline Frederick and Muriel Starr did fine work, Ruth Chatterton made a name for herself, and immediately jumped Into prominence as one of the outstanding personalities of the screen. Nothing more impressive has been seen on Stage- or screen than her performance as the woman who gradually deteriorates until she reaches the dregs, and then is redeemed through love for the son who has never known her. Raymond Hackett as the son and Lewis Stone as the husband also give fine performances. Especially moving are the final scenes, in which the son defends his mother, not knowing the relationship between them, on a charge of murder, and it is safe to say that there were few dry eyes in the theatre as the sad end cme. In this part of the film particularly Miss Chatterton and Mr Hackett rose to emotional heights never before witnessed on the screen. “ Madame X ” tell a gripping story, that never loses its hold on the audience.

THEATRE ROYAL. A double-star programme entertained a large audience at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night. Hoot Gibson, the popular Western actor, has a part well suited to his capabilities as an accomplished horseman in “The Long, Long Trail.” He is cast as a bashful cowboy who, by his disorderly habits and lawless mode ot living, has earned an unjustified reputation as a drunkard. Although professing a scorn for women, he falls in love with the daughter of his employer. The- events of the tonguetied lover’s courtship make excellent comedy, the plot progressing through a number of entertaining sequences to the exciting climax/in which a thrilling horse race plays a prominent part. The film contains some interesting scenes taken at a big Western rodeo. The strong cast appearing in support of Gibson includes Kathryn McGuire, James Mason, Archie Ricks, Walter Brennan and Howard Truesdale. “Half Marriage,” featuring Olive Borden, combined romance and action in entertaining fashion, and introduces some delightful musical numbers.

FRANKTON’S OWN THEATRE. An English racing story “The Lady Owner” is the featured picture at the above theatre to-night. A comedy and gazette are also to be screened. MATANGI FOOTBALL DANCE.

Another of the pleasant dances organised under the auspices of the Matangi Football Club is advertised for Tuesday evening. Arrangements are entrusted to a capable committee, ahd preparations will be complete for the comfort of dancers.