ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18283, 21 March 1931, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMMES. STRAND THEATRE. “Holiday," an impelling drama of modern social life, will be screened today. Dealing with two sisters of entirely differing natures, both of whom love the same man, it maintains the interest of the audience from the first to last. Miss Ann Harding gives a restrained and convincing portrayal of a difficult role. She has the part of a frivolous modern young woman w’hose care-free exterior conceals a genuine depth of feeling. The story is a drama of the American wealthy class and in the opening scene the audience is introduced to. the two daughters of the household —girls of entirely different type. Julia is a thoroughly self-sacrificing and practical woman, but her younger sister Linda chafes under the restrictions of convention. Into this household comes Johnny Chase, a brilliant but rather Irresponsible youth, and he is Immediately attracted by the more sedate girl, although her sister Is more in conformity with 'his type. With this situation as a basis a novel plot has been constructed. CIVIO THEATRE. “Monte Carlo,” one of the most delightful productions brought to the screen, will be shown again to-night. “Monte Carlo” is replete with music, subtle situations, amusing comedy, charming romance, and deft touches so familiar to the pictures directed by Lubitsch. Monte Carlo, fascinating gambling place of Europe, a playground of the rich, is the background of the most delightful and Intimate romances the screen has seen. A bride running away on the eve of her wedding, risking her fortune at tho gaming tables; a millionaire posing as a barber, and sfo* losing her heart, but realising he Is but a barber; and then the surprise that gives such a delightful ending to the entertaining story. The cast does splendid w T ork. Jack Buchanan is to England what Chevalier is to France. He is their own musical comedy star. After a brief fling in British pictures some time ago, he returned to the stage. His screen debut is a great success. Jeanette MacDonald delights with her beauty and singing In "Monte Carlo," and reveals herself as an exceptionally talented comedienne. The supporting cast includes that “priceless ass” Claude Alllster, in another comedy role. THEATRE ROYAL. A mythical but picturesque kingdom somewhere In Central Europe forms the setting for "The Princess and the Plumber,” the delightful fantasia to be screened to-night. A feature of the production is the charming musical score, which provides many attractive melodies. The essence of the story’s charm is Its simplicity, its grace and its fantastic humour. Charles Farrell, the principal, is cast as a young Austrian plumbing engineer, who travels to a small village to Instal a heating plant in the palace of the hereditary prince there. His meeting with the princess (charmingly played by Maureen O’Sullivan), complications that ensue when for a joke he says he is a duke, and when later she sees him at work, and the manner in which a highly satisfactory ending is arranged, all make the picture entertaining to a high degree. Much' of the humour with which the film is well provided is supplied by Bert Roach. He plays in a masterly way the part of the leading man of the village who successfully combines the positions of plumber, postman, traffic inspector, burgomaster, bandmaster, organist and chief gamekeeper of the principality. H. B. Warner, as the prince, gives one of his usual exhibitions of polished acting. No pains have been spared to obtain beautiful scenic effects wherever possible in the picture. ROXY THEATRE. British Week will-be continued at the Roxy Theatre to-night, when "Rookery ’Nook” will he screened. This British farce has broken all records wherever screened, and dts tremendous success at a Hamilton Theatre a little time ago is well remembered. It is the screen version of a great stage hit, and the story scintillates with the wittiest dialogue and the most amusing situations. The cast of celebrated English artists were In the long London run of the play, and bring out every point in the most entertaining fashion. "Rookery Nook” should have a very successful season at the Roxy Theatre. ‘‘THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT.”

'"There are so many outstanding features," wrote a Melbourne critic, “in J. C. Williamson's wonderful pantomine,” which is to be staged at the Hamilton Theatre Royal on March 30, afternoon at 2.30, night at 8 o’clock, “that one can hardly take them all in at one performance. One of the prettiest features is that in which six ornate illuminated swings are hung from the front of the stage, and in which the "principal boy" and Hie "principal girl” and four members of the chorus swing out far over tho stalls to appropriate song and music, while the colour of the lighting on the swings changes continually. The wonderful Toyshop ballet, in which the honours go to tho children who take the part of dolls, is another feature of the pantomine.

The part of Dame Barleycorn is played by Jim Gerald. It is generally conceded that Mr Gerald is, by far, the best pantomine the Australian stage has known, and his work with the children at the afternoon performances endears him to the youngsters. Mr Roy Rene is another outstandingly clever comedian. Miss Amy Rochelle is the principal boy, and .Miss Nell Taylor the principal girl. There are over 100 people concerned in the production of “The House That Jack Built.” including a full operatic orchestra and chorus, Children will be admitted at half prices to the matinee on Monday afternoon, and adults will be charged a lower rate than those in vogue for the evening performance. Playgoers will probably appreciate the generosity of J. 0. Williamson. Ltd., directors, who are donating half the profits of the whole of the tour to the Prime Minister's Earthquake Piind. The box plans will bo opened on Friday morning. 0 o'clock. A queue will bo formed from 8 a.m.