ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18256, 18 February 1931, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMMES. CIVIC THEATRE. Produced with a lavisliness seldom before seen on the talking, screen “Dixiana.” the colourful musical drama beads the programme at the Civic Theatre. Bobo Daniels, who will be remembered for her performance m “Rio Rita,” has the part oi a beautiful entertainer in one of the fashionable gaming rooms of the New Orleans o 1840, and much of the comedy m which the picture abounds is provided by Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey, the inimitable comedians of "Rio Rita ’ and, more recenly, “The Cuckoos, _ hhe storv running through the film is more substantial than in the majority of p ctures of this type and aifords Miss Daniels full scope for her dramatic powers. It outlines the growth ot a deep rivalry between “Royal” Montague, the owner of the gaming houses, and Carl Van Horn, a wealthy young planter. No expense hase been spared by The producers to reproduce faithfully the picturesque New Olreans ot the early part of last century, and some remarkably fine scenic effects have been achieved. The final setting, depicting the coronation of Dixiana. as queen of the great Mardi Gras carnival, filed in technicolour, is among the most spectacular -scenes the talking screen has produced. , STRAND THEATRE. Nancy Carroll, petite and. charming Irish colleen who captivated old and young with her comedienne parts in “ Sweetie ” and “ Honey,” will be seen and heard in an 'entirely new type of scren portrayal when she comes to the Strand Theatre to-day in Paramount’s " The Devil’s Holiday.” In this picture of modern life in the wheat belt, Miss Carroll is the golddigging manicurist who works hand-in-hand with plotting salesmen of farm implements in putting over their deals with unsuspecting farmer prospects. Much of the action takes place in a big hotel, the rendezvous for wealthy farmers and tricky city folk. Miss Carroll tries her bunco game on Phillips Holmes, son of the wheatking of that region, and later regrets her shameful trickery when she discovers that he loves her. The play is charged with dramatic scenes. Miss Carroll, as the central, starring figure, has to carry much of the highly explosive burden of acting. How she does it stamps her as an eminent genius in this type of role. THEATRE ROYAL. A British picture, a film farce entitled “Raisins the Roof,” will head the new programme at Ihe Theatre Royal. Betty Balfour, that charming English comedienne, has the lead, and is said to give a great performance. She is supported by ail excellent cast. The second attraction will be “The Great Divide,” featuring Dorothy Mackaill. In “The Great Divide,” Miss Mackaill portrays an emancipated, cocktail-imbibing modern girl. She lias an opportunity for splendid dramatic work when she is kidnapped :by the man she bolh loves and hates, and is brought to the silent desert of Aril zona. lan Keith portrays the role of I the Westerner. The Mexican fiesta scenes are especially colourful, showing a group of 40 dancing girls in ’the rhythms of Spanish and Mexican dances. In the cast are Lucien Littlefield, Ben Hendricks, Myrna Loy, Frank Tang, Creighton -Hale, George Fawcett, Jean Lafferty, Claude Gillingwater and Roy Stewart. ROXY THEATRE. Marion Davies’ newest all-talking picture for Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer, “The Gay ’Nineties,” is a story of romance in the ’9o’s. An imposing cast was 'Selected, Including Lawrence Grav, Sam Hardy, Nance O’Neill, Ilka Chase, Vivian Oakland, TTB Prouty and other favourites. The picture will recall to mind the hustles and -tightlaced waists, the old hansom cabs, muffs, plumed hats, and many other things that have faded from presentday existence.