ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18159, 25 October 1930, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMMES. BTRAMD THEATRE. The ability of British producers tq make an outstanding film is proved by “ Harmony Heaven," which will he shown at the Strand Theatre to-day. Filmed in technicolour, it has lavish settings, an excellent musical score and a strong cast of English actors, headed by Polly Ward, a'well-known vaudeville artist on the London stage. The story that runs through the. picture is full of romance and interest and holds the attention of 'the audience from beginning to end. The film proves again that British producers have little to fear from the Americans. Another big attraction on the -.programme will be “ Hot Dog,” irv which all the “ actors ” are dogs. The film is a great novelty, /and extremely amusing. TALKIES AT CAMBRIDGE. “Ladies of Leisure," the drama of New York night life with Barbara Stanwyck, Lowell Sherman and Ralph Graves in the leading roles, is one of the liveliest, snappiest, motion pictures of the year. It is a simple story, but in its simplicity lies its charmAn idealist—an artist—becomes interested in a girl of the street and" asks her to pose for him. She falls in love with him. Without being aware of it, she becomes indentical with his ideal of womanhood. He falls in loye with his creation. Interference on the part of the artist’s aristocratic parents, who do not accept the girl for what she has become but rather for what she has been, eventually separates the young people. This story is unfolded against the diverting back grounds of cabarets, artists’ studios, and the boarding-houses of the socalled “ ladies of leisure." CIVIC THEATRE. •Following close on his tremendous success of "Bulldog Drummond,” Ronald Col-man’s latest staring, picture,! “Condemned!” comes to the Civic' Theatre to-night. Set as it is in the famous French penal colony of Devil’s Island in South America, with a. brilliant cast of stage and screen favourites, “Condemnedl” is said to be Colman’s greatest picture.' Colman’s role is that of a dashing French thief sent to serve a term in the hideous prison which the French ■ call “ The Island of Living Death.” Opposite him in the cast is Ann Harding, noted Broadway; stage, star. A famous author and a famous playwright are responsible for the story of “Condemned!” Sidney Howard adapted the story to screen form from “ Condemned to Devil’s Island,” last year’s best-selling novel of life Tn_the French penal -colony,, by Blair Niles. The fever-infested swamps which make escape from Devil’s Island practically impossible,.;,the.,sordid horrors of prison -ships and squalid cells, combined with the growth of a pure love between a convict ,and a beaulliful girl, give “ Condemned 1” unique and picturesque qualities. THEATRE ROYAL. To-day a new policy is inaugurated at the .Theatre R-oyal, with -cheaper prices and no charge for booking. This should appeal greatly to the public. To-day’s programme is headed by “ The Hide-Out," an exciting comedydrama of college life. “The Hide-out” is full of romance and gay colour, with that college setting which is always so popular. The east is a particularly strong one, and they succeed in telling this interesting story in a very convincing way. The supporting programme contains much that is very entertaining. ROXY THEATRE. “ Love, Live and Laugh,” a PoxMovietone drama in which the American comedian, George Jessel enacts the main role, will, open to-day at the Roxy Theatre. The principal is ca-st as a young Italian immigrant who loses his American sweetheart when he goes to the Great War and is reported killed. While primarily a poignant drama, the story has many light touches of come'dy, in which Jessel fully demonstrates his versatility. Lila Lee, who plays opposite the hero, is given one of the most effective characterisations of her career, handling the dramatic scenes .with admirable restraint. David Rollins, Kenneth McKenna, Henry Kolker, Henry Armeta, Marcia Manon and Dick Winslow Johnson fill other prominent parts. JAN KUBELIK. The life story of Jan Kubelik, violinist, reads like a fantastic fairy tale. Born at Michle, near Prague, he showed extraordinary talent at an early age. At the age of eight he played with remarkable daring compositions of Wieniawski and Vieutemps. lie entered the Prague Academy of Music in 1892, and six years later, having completed his studies, left for Vienna, where he made a modest debut. His crystalline pure execution, his genuine musical style and personal modesty quickly secured him public recognition. Now, in the year 1930, the “boy-wonder” who toured New Zealand many years ago, returns to again dazzle with his violinistic talents, 'which have -earned for him the recognition of the world. When he. plays at Hamilton on Tuesday he will use his famous “ Emperor ’’ Stradivarius, one of the three best in the world, which is valued at £25,000. The box plan is now open. The 5s tickets will be sold on day of concert and 3s tickets at theatre door.