ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18026, 22 May 1930, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE CIVIC. TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMMES. “Madame X” drew another crowded house to the Civic Theatre last night. • With strong and sustained notes of bitterness and * tragedy the film yet leaves no hitter taste. The dramatist has not allowed the . comfort of a happy ending to spoil the effect, and the picture ends among scenes that might elsew’here and in less .capable hands have l£ft a feel!ing of sorrow. The acting honours are lavished upon the leading players, and in some part of the picture it would be hard to differentiate between the work of such accomplished artists as Ruth Chatterton, whose “Madame” is a piece of brilliant characterisation, and Lewis Stone, cold, hard attorney and self-righteous husband who too late realises the paths in which his uncharitable nature has forced his more human and more frail ■wife. The son, grown to manhood and defending in a court of law the mother he does not know, is played by Ramond Hackett with the utmost understanding and nicety o? action. The fussy, self-confident, domineering old doctor appears for only a few brief moments, but his is a delightful pieceof acting that brings a bright ray of humour in an opening chapter that might otherwise ie oppressive.

STRAND THEATRE. “The Love Parade,” continues to entertain 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. MIDNIGHT MATINEE.

r A novelty, in the shape of a “midnight matinee,” will be introduced at the Strand Theatre on Wednesday ■ night, when “No, No, Nanette” will be screened, commencing at 10.30 p.m. “No, No, Nanette,” as a stage production, was an outstanding success. As will be remembered, it was played through New Zealand by a company headed by Elsie Prince. The talkie version is said-' to be equally / successful, all the gaiety .of the popular musical comedy being retained, while the melodious musical numbers receive' splendid treatment. The “midnight matinee” is sure to be * & very popular innovation.

TALKIES AT CAMBRIDGE. “Love, Live and Laugh,” screened at Cambridge last night, 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 countrymen, ' lives Luigi, a cheerful young fellow with all' the loquacity to match a 1 Latin temperament. He is a hurdy-gurdy man, living, loving and laughing jn a care-free existence. George Jessel, an American actor of high standing, is the excitable jttle Italian to the. life, sinking, talking a little too much and supremely confident 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 4 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 man who gave him back his eyes had, all unwittingly, taken from him the girl lor whom he had been waiting. THEATRE ROYAL. An . outstanding attraction . was presented at the Theatre Royal last night, when Buddy Rogers, one of the most popular stars of the screen, was seen in “Illusion.” In this film there are romance, action, and all the other ingredients of a successful 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. It tells of at young magician, an idol of society, who smashes through its superficial glitter to win the girl of his heart. The supporting programme is full Of interest and entertainment. FRANKTON’S OWN THEATRE. “Out to Win” is the special feature at this theatre. There is also a gazette and comedy.