ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18394, 30 July 1931, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMMES. STRAND THEATRE. Tiie majesty of snowswept forests and men whose passions are as stark, contrasted with Olliers whose Ideas of duty are as unchangeable as tin mountains, romance, beauty, terror, and drama that rings true, are characteristics of “River’s End,” James Oliver Curwood’s great tale of the Far North, which began an engagement at the Strand Theatre yesterday. The grimly glamorous picture opens with a man hunt in the icy wastes of the Arctic; and when fugitive and captor meet they find themselves as alike in appearance as though they were brothers, but as far apart in temperament as the poles. On the way hack through the wilderness the captor dies and the hunted man dons his clothes and makes an attempt to bluff his way through the outposts to freedom. Once there be finds that he has been proved innocem of the murder of which he had been accused, but dares not divulge his identity without subjecting himself to the charge of having killed his pursuer. Into this tangle of circumstances comes a girl and a little boy, and the story rushes to a tremendous and unexpected climax. Charles Bickford is splendid in his portrayal of the dual role of pursued and pursuer. His vigorous manliness is evidenced in-the trying part, and EAaljn Knapp is charming as the girl loved by both of them. Everyone loves honest melodrama. Here is it with the bigness and sincerity which lifts is from the hackneyed. “River’s End” is one of the finest melodramas of the great outdoors. THEATRE ROYAL. One of the most famous of the -stories of the gold-rush days, David Belasco’s “Girl of the Golden West,” opened at the Theatre Royal last night,' with Ann Harding as the girl. The story is a drama of redemption and regeneration, James Rennie playing the lead, Dick Johnson, who is also secretly known as Ramirrez, the road agent. Rennie is splendid in this part, and gives a characterisation that is filled with the spirit of the old West. Harry Bannister is highly effective as Jack Ranee, the sheriff, who loves the girl, but is rejected by her. Especial praise Is due to the casting of a number of small but important character parts, among them those played by Ben Hendricks, Jun„ J. Farrell MacDonald, George Cooper, John Walker, Arthur Stone, Arthur Housman and Joe Girard. The action of the story moves fast, and the'interest is always tense. John Francis Dillon, the director, has obtained the true flavour of the gold-rush days. “Around the Corner,” an amusing comedy featuring Charlie Murray and George Sidney, was also screened. CIVIC THEATRE. Nancy Carroll and Charles Roge-s are again united on the screen m “Follow Through,” which shows at the Civic Theatre to-night. Supporting the splendid work of the stars are Zelma O'Neal and Jack Haley. Together this quartette prove a delightful foursome, mixing love and golf In a manner that is a joy to behold. Nancy Carroll plays the role of a golf champion, and Charles Rogers Is a famous golf “pro." Rogers takes one fleeting glance at Nancy and decides that he must help her with her golf. And Nancy, knowing a good man when she sees one, accepts his proposal, although it may be suspected that putting and driving are.far from her mind. However, there is a blonde In the case, a beautiful blonde who knows how to handle men, and, as can be imagined, she causes no end of trouble by her “vamping” ways. Zelma O'Neal sings two hits—“ Button Up Your Overcoat" and “I Want to Be Bad.” Charles Rogers and Nancy Carroll introduce a new song, "A Peach of a Pair.” Two other numbers are, “It Must Be You’ and “Then I’ll Have Time For You.” ROXY THEATRE. Nancy Carroll, petite and charming Irish colleen who captivated old and young with her comedienne parts In “ Sweetie ” and “ Honey,” is seen and heard in an entirely new type of screen portrayal, “ 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. DAWSON-HAMBOURG CONCERT. ■ Mr Hugo Larsen, tho Danlsh-Aus-tralian entrepreneur, whose venture In bringing Mark Hambourg and Peter Dawson lo New Zealand to perform on one platform has earned him the gratitude of music-lovers, says there will be something for everybody on the programme. Both artists are popular, and the very distinctness of their styles will be a relief to many people who feel that they can have too much of even an exceptionally good thing, when it is supplied by one performer. Mark Hambourg, who is regarded as the greatest player of Beethoven to-day, has also a facial likeness to the master composer Peter Dawson, who will appear on the same platform with Mark Harnbofirg, occupies Ihc position of being almost tlie first artist to establish a repula - lion by IDe indirect method of the gramophone. He holds the world’s record in Ibis respect by a comfortable margin, 10.000,000 of his records having been sold. His wonderful voice and admirable method of using it are therefore familiar lo many New Zealanders, a number of whom heard him on the platform in pre-war days. The. programme will include items from the classics and modern composers. The box plan is now open.