ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18338, 26 May 1931, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMMES. CIVIC THEATRE. “A Warm Corner,” a British production, adapted from the celebrated Prince’s Theatre (London), sets out to tickle the risible faculties of audiences, and it does so with success. This is not to be wondered at, seeing that the chief fun-maker' in the play is Leslie Henson, England's premier comedian. Henson’s face-play in the picture is itself rich comedy. His bustle, his comedy sense displayed in gestures and movements, and his olever use of his voice keep the merriment at top note in a succession of humorous situations. One scene in K particular—his panicky attempt to get a telephone number quickly—is a Joy to watch. He is supported by. a band of brilliant artists. Connie Ediss particularly gives a great performance . as. Mrs .Corner. MIDNIGHT MATINEE. . . “ City Lights ” will commence a Hamilton season with a midnight mat- • ■ inee at the Civic Theatre to-njght. “ City Lights,” Charlie Chaplin himself describes as a romantic comedy lh pantomime. To the public, he Is the same tragic, little tramp with the typical Chaplin appeal and he is' the same uproarious oomlo' whose gags seem to be without equal in the world of the cinema. Always an Individualist, Chaplin has made “ City Lights” without the sound of a single human 'voice, though sound is used with strik- .' ing effect. STRAND THEATRE. ,V 9 Marion Davies achieves the finest performance of her career, in "The Bachelor Father,” As the madcap, ..■vivacious and pugnacious little child-of-poverty heroine, Miss Davies registers a characterisation perfect In every respect and delightful to beholdAlways a convincing performer, Miss Pavlas, in this splendid talkie, reaches Inside the role She plays and brings 'jt to' life, deftly shading the high comedy with intervals of sentiment that tug strongly at the heart-strings. The very amusing plot deals with the adventures of a harem-scarem girl who is transplanted, as it were, to an acistocratio estate in England, where a grumpy aristocratic Englishman tries to make her a lady, She rebels at practically everything that transpires except In the case of an incipient romance with the baronet’s personable young attorney. A thrilling air smash forms the climax of this funny plot, and brings about a happy ending, ' C. Aubrey Smith, noted'English stage star, who created the. title role in the 'original play, repeats his charmingly blustering performance on the screen. Hnlpli Kcirb.es is splendid in the roman--1 tic lead, and ethers in the capable cast arc ijulnn Williams’ Doris Lloyd, ■ David Torrance, Hay Millard and James Gordon. ••The Bachelor Father" is veal entertainment.

THEATRE ROYAL. . . r ’ . - :. : A , . » “Anybody's War" presents the 'Two Black Crows, Moran . and Mack, ,in second starring Paramount picture. It Is an"original story, paoked with new jokes and novel situations. Unlike their first adventure on the ' audible screen, “Why Bring That )• Up t"‘ Moran and Maok in “Anybody's War" play throughout in blackface, "creating the kind of shuffling, drawl"'"kg'Voles that made them famous. The romantic leads are well played by Neil Hamilton and Joan Peers. “Anybody’s War’ ’traces the hilariously funny adventures of the two blackfeoo comedians from the little town of Buforcj, Tennessee, to the battlefields of Franoe and back again. Whereas ; “Why Bring That Up?" was a parallel of the real rise to fame of “The Two B]aqk Crows," and was biographical ' in effect, “Anybody’s War" has no pretensions to actuality. It shows the well-known Amos Crow and Willie Crow in character all the‘time, it is a complete funny-bone tickler all the way 1 through. MIDNIGHT MATINEE. “ Compromising Daphne,” a British production, will be introduced to Hamilton at a midnight matinee at the Strand Theatre to-night. “Compromising Daphne," Is the story ■of a young man who for faroicai flnan- • clal reasons is supposed to compromise a young lady oalled Daphne before marrying her, but by mistake he compromises her friend Sadie, with amazing and' amusing consequences. A fine oast includes Jean Colin, Charles Hiokman, Viola Compton, C. M. Hallard, Leo Sheffield, Phyliss Konstam and Barbara Gott. ROXY THEATRE. " You oan’t legislate love Into the hearts of a man and a woman." This is the philosophy of Judge George A. Bartlett, famous divorce magistrate of Reno, Nevada, the sanatorium for broken hearts, where " Llghtnin’," Will Rogers’ third starring vchlole.for Fox Movietone was produced in part. “ Llghtnin’,with its divorce background, affords Rogers an opportunity " to express his views on tiie momentous subjeot of divorce during the ( ! action of this intensely human screen play.