ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18170, 7 November 1930, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMMES. STRAND THEATRE. Last night's audience at the Strand Theatre 1 uproariously acclaimed “On With the Show,” the 100 per cent, natural colour, talking, singing, dancing picture a Warner Bros, and Vltaohone production (in technicolour). The colour is soft and glamorous and has none of the eye-offending rawness which has marked other attempts at reproducing the hues of nature, Vitaphone. perfect,.' In rendition of the speech and son'gs and music of ” On With the Show’,” is given marvellous reality by this innovation. The story has to do with a company of stranded troupers, who, while - their amusing adventures go on, are playing a musical fantasy known as 11 The Phantom Lover.”

No brighter star has shown in talking pictures than Betty Compson, and added lustre gathers about her name for her performance in this colourful picture of show life. Arthur Lake is one of America’s youthful favourites. All of his personality shines forth in this picture, where he plays the role of a romantic juvenile on the stage, and just a hungry kid, back of it. THEATRE ROYAL. Marty Reid, according to Coach Wilson, is the best quarterback Sanford College ever had, but he hates to take punishment. In one game he gets put out by a bad clip on the head. In every game he is singled out by the other team for crippling. At the beginning of the picture Sanford and Whittier are tied, 7 to 7, with two minutes to play, Reid, already badly crippled, Is sent back into the game by Wilson as a final hope. He makes first down by a pass, but his plans to drop-kick go wrong. He faces a last down and the necessity to forward pass again, when he is scared by two huskies put Into the game to “ smear ” him. The pass fails, and the game ends in a tie. Going home on the train that night, he announced to his pay, Captain “Honey” Smith, and to Coach Wilson that he will never play football again. Ed Kirby, who does not like Reid, sneers that he is yellow. And then things happen!

ROXY THEATRE. “ Seven Days’ Leave ” tells of the leave of a Highlander of the Canadian Black Watch, who plans a desertion while in London. How he fares, and the reason he returns to the front, form one of the most poignantly human dramas that have ever found their way to the screen. It is taken from the stage play by Sir James M. Barrie, “ The Old Lady Shows Her Medals,” and stars Gary Cooper as the Highlander. As the old lady, Beryl Mercer makes a' characterisation that will live for a long time. -

TALKIES AT CAMBRIDGE. The talkies at Cambridge are a verypopular attraction. To-morrovvj night, when “ Hot for Paris ” will be screened, free buses will run from Hamilton, and are sure' to be well patronised, for a run in the moonlight is very pleasant, especially when it is capped by a good talkie programme.

’ “ Hot for Paris ” combines romance and action in entertaining fashion.

MAVIS LAURENSON’S RECITAL.

Rehearsals are going well for Miss Mavis Laureiison’s dance recital, “ South Sea Rose,” which will be presented in the Theatre Royal next Wednesday. A particularly attractive bill of fare ' has been arranged, including three principal scenas “ South Sea Rose,” “ Hawaiian Butterfly,” and “ Spanish Cabaret,” in which will be introduced the latest song and dance hits. Hildreth’s Orchestra, the popular local combination, will supply the music for the recital. Part of the proceeds are to be devoted to the Welfare League, for work among the needy, so patrons will not only be entertained to a first-class exhibition; of the terpsichorean art, but will ’ also *be assisting a worthy cause. The box plan opens to-day. CIVIC THEATRE. “Anna .Christie,” which will be screened for the last time to-night, features Greta Garbo in her first talking role, “Anna Christie,” daughter of a wastrel barge captain, goes to New York to join her father after‘spending her girlhood on a_.farm in Minnesota. Determined to make up for his misdeeds as a father, the old captain decides to take her aboard his barge, warning her particularly against followers of the sea who make poor husbands and fathers “like I was.” Anna is a morose, despondent young woman, embittered against her fate, and so accepts her life on the barge without enthusiasm. In a storm her father rescues some sailors, among them the big Irishman. Matt, who promptly falls in love with Anna. Intensely dramatic complications ensue before Anna finds' happiness. Marie Dressier and Charles Bickford play the principal supporting roles.