ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18025, 21 May 1930, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

'THEATRE ROYAL. TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMMES. An outstanding attraction will be presented at trie ’Theatre Royal tonight, when Buddy Rogers, one of the most popular stars of the screen, will be seen in “Ilusion.” ‘ In this ti m there are romance, action, and all the other ingredients of a successiiu talkie, with the handsome Buddy giving a very fine performance, supported by an excellent cast. The interest is maintained from start to finish by the intriguing story, with its lavish setting and fine production. The supporting programme is lull of interest and entertainment. TALKIES AT CAMBRIDGE. “ Love, Live and Laugh ” is a film distinctly out of the ordinary. _.lt is based on the successful stage play, “ The Hurdy-gurdy Man,” which has its setting principally in New York’s “ Little Italy.” There, among his count'rymen, lives Luigi, a cheerful young fellow wiih all the loquacity to match a Latin temperament. He is a 'hurdy-gurdy man, living, loving and laughing in a care-free existence. He is a confirmed optimist—at any minute, he says, something wonderful is likely to happen. This is the role that George Jessel, an American actor of high standing, wears like a glove. He is the excitable little Italian to the life, singing, talking a little too much and supremely that luck must some day come his way. An element of drama is added when the cheerful Luigi' goes off to the war and is reported missing. He returns, blind after three years in an Austrian, war prison. Without his eyes he commences a search for his Margherita, the girl he left when he went to fight for his beloved Italy. He sings tc little children in the parks,- until, one day, a great surgeon gives him back his sight. He goes to his home to thank him and there finds that the mail who gave him hack his eyes had, all unwittingly, taken from him the girl for whom he had been waiting.

THE CIVIC. “Madame X,” is filling the Civic Theatre nightly. Nothing more impressive has been seen on stage or screen than Ruth Chatterton’s 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 Haokett 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 !hat there were few dry eyes in the theatre as the sad end came. In this part of the film particularly Miss Chatterton and 'Mr Hackett rose to emotional heights never before witnessed on the screen. “ Madame X ” tells a gripping story that never loses its hold on the audience. STRAND THEATRE. In “ The Love Parade,” now entertaining large audiences at the Strand Theatre, Maurice Chevalier’s nonchalant manner, his French accent, his winning smile, his gay boyishness, and his singing give him an attractive screen personality. Miss Jeanette .MacDonald is one of the loveliest women seen on ,the screen and she sings delightfully. “ 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 fun-makers are Lupino Lane and Lillian Roth, Alfred’s valet and 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 he and Miss MacDonald join in the singing of “ The Love Parade,” and “Anything to Please the Queen.” Miss Roth and Lupino Lane give a delightful interpretation of their idea of more humble love in “ Let’s Be Common.” Among the choruses “ Song of the Grenadier ” is an arresting number. 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.