ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18343, 1 June 1931, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMMES. CIVIC THEATRE. “Citv Lights” is having a long and successful run at the Civic Theatre, having been in season since last Tuesday night, with several sessions daily. Charlie Chaplin presents himself In his world-famous character and he Is the central figure in the turmoil of the city. A blind flower girl Is the second of Importance and brings to the screen for the first time Virginia Cherrill, who until assigned the leading feminine part in the picture was a Chicago society girl. The other of the trio is an .eccentric millionaire, portrayed by Harry Myers. Important to the telling of the story is the flower vender's grand-mother, enacted by Florence Lee; the eccentric millionaire's butler, Allan Garcia, and a prize-fighter, Hank Mann. Although there is not a spoken word from the beginning to the end of “City Lights” the production is completely synchronised with music and sound effects. In this respect, Chaplin adds another accomplishment to his versatility, introducing for the greater part entirely original music of his own creation, the arrangement of Which is credited to Arthur Johnston. STRAND THEATRE. Two starg of the screen who have been associated with several outstanding successes —Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell—-appear again In “The Man Who Came Rack,” the talkie version of the great stage success, which, was screened at the Strand Theatre on Saturday. ■; The story is a powerful one of regeneration. Briefly, it tells of the ruin of the only son of one of New York’s richest men, through having too much money to spend and little moral stability. When he is forced out into the world on his own resources, he rapidly goes down hill until he lands in the lowest dive In Shanghai. There he meets a little cabaret singer. A tiny spark of love is kindled, into .flame, and together they fight their way back to the sunlight. Miss Gaynor gives a - splendid characterisation of the cabaret singer whose love, faith, and courage bring about the regeneration of Farrell, who plays the role of the ne’er-do-well convincingly. William Holden does a brilliant piece of acting as the irascible Wall Street financier. Kenneth MacKenna, as the “menace,” reveals great ability in his big scenes. Other roles are well handled. Beautiful settings, created 'by Joseph Urban, celebrated scenic artist, add muoh to the entertainment value.

A particularly entertaining first part was provided. There was one of those intensely interesting travelogues which are so popular, this time the audience being taken through the little-known Siam and Korea.'"Several Gazettes and a really l'unny comedy, • hit Was a Lovely War,” were also included. “The Middle Watch.” The British film, "The Middle Watch," an exceedingly funny and romantic comedy, will commence a Hamilton season with a mid-night matinee to-morrow night. The aotion takes place exclusively on the deck of H.M.S. ‘“Falcon,” where an amorous Captain persuades his fiancee, Fay Eaton, to remain behind after the remainder of the ship’s guests have departed, with most exciting and amusing results. An excellent cast includes Owen Nares (the London Idol), as the Captain of a British war vessel; Jack Raine, Margaret Halstan; two admirably comic Cockney Marines, played by Henry Wenman and Reginald Purdell; and Dodo Watts. The leading feminine role is.played by Jacqueline Logan, who is the one American in the picture. 1 THEATRE ROYAL. “For the Defence” presents Powell as the leading criminal defence lawyer of a big city—a man whose brilliance before the bar of justice has earned him world-wide fame. Powell wins case after case, securing the release from legal toils of many a man whose guilt seems positive before Powell takes up his defence. To hire Powell as attorney “for the defence” is to be sure of winning against the Jaw. But there comes a day when Powell is forced to the wall. The girl he loves is arraigned on a charge of manslaughter. Believing her guiltless, Powell brings every hit of his prowess as a legal genius into play, in the midst of the trial he is confounded to learn that the girl IS guilty I and this leads lo a thrilling climax. “Night Work,” the second attraction, is an entertaining comedy featuring Eddie Quillan. He appears as a window dresser, Jack-of-all-trade 3 and general goat in a department store. One day he meets a pretty nurso and a baby, then his life is changed and there develops a delicious comedy packed with drama, laughs, pathos and song. ROXY THEATRE. Life on the “inside” in a great overcrowded penitentiary is echoed, in thrills, sensations, grim episodes, comedy and heart throbs, in “The Big House.” There is a great prison riot, with a thousand men quelled by machine guns and army tanks; there is a pathetic story of the friendship of Uvo ■ convicts, and the regeneration of one by love, and the startling spectacle of a boy first offender thrown into the company of hardened criminals until he becomes worse even than they. Chester Morris, Wallace Beery and Robert Montgomery play the central male roles as three cell mates about whom the riot, hate, and ferment revolves.