ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18440, 22 September 1931, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MAKING TALKIE TESTS. AT THE CIVIC THEATRE. INTERESTING DEMONSTRATION. At the Civic Theatre last night an Interesting demonstration was given by the True Sound Company of the manner in which talkies are made. Necessary equipment had been installed, with Mr C. Barton as operator and Mr Cyril Paul as sound recorder, and under the direction of Mr John Hopkins several local performers presented themselves for a test. Portion of the stage was flooded with lights from six lamps of 80,000 candlepower, and after Mr Hopkins had explained the mechanism the performers stepped into the brilliantly-lighted patch and gave their items. Miss Zoe Favllle recited “The Pessimist,” a telling little bit of philosophy that has particular point at this time. Miss Laurel Reece sang “The Lilac Tree,” and Mr G. Nlcholls was heard in “Sweet Jenny Lee” and “If I Had a Girl Like You.” Mr R. Mclntosh was at the piano. The picture portion of the programme included a very interesting travelogue of the glaciers' of New Zealand, with Mr Tom Terriss telling a dramatic story. “The Lone Rider,” featuring Buck Jones, combined romance and action very effectively, and held the attention of the audience throughout. Several gazettes, which arc always popular, were also screened. Several further talkie tests will be made tonight, among the performers being a Jazz Band. Other tests will be made to-morrow night and on Thursday, and the results, after being sent to Wellington for development, will be screened in about a fortnight. STRAND THEATRE. Bram Stoker’s well-known story of the supernatural “Dracula" loses none of its eerie fascination in the screen version, which at present is thrilling large audiences at the Strand Theatre. Based on the one-time universal belief in human vampires able lo rise from the grave and prowl around the country seeking victims, the story is remarkable for the vivid sense of mystery and horror it produces. The director, Tod Browning, who is noted for his ability to create "atmosphere,” has played cleverly on the element of belief in supernatural things. To do this full use has been made of clever photographic and sound effects. For the central figure, around whom the plot revolves, the director chose Bela Lugosi, a Hungarian actor, who played the same part in an earlier version. His mere appearance creates a definite feeling of mystery, -yet at no time is he guilty of over-acting. Helen Chandler, Edward \’an Sloan, and others in supporting roles, give good performances. There is an entertaining selection of shorter items on the programme. THEATRE ROYAL. Thomas Meighan returns triumphant to the screen in “Young Sinners,” a production that was hailed with enthusiasm by local audiences on the occasion of its initial showing at the Theatre Royal on Saturday. It is a sirring comed'y-drama that enjoyed tremendous success on the stage, and is the story of a rebellious modern youth ingeniously brought back to a sane life by a rugged trainer. Meighan enacts the role of the hard-boiled physical culturist and gives a splendid performance. 11c was particularly effective in his physical encounters with the untamable youth. Ilardie Albright, a recent recruit from the stage, invests the role of the young man with unusual charm and the buoyant spirit of youth, while Dorothy Jordan, as the incorrigible and pert young temptress, is charming. Special mention must be made of the splendid performance of Cecilia Loftus (the English actress) as the girl’s society mother, James Kirkwood, as the boy's indulgent father, and Edmund Brcese in the role of the dyspeptic attorney. The picture owes much of its powerful effect to the pace and suspense imparted by the imaginative direction of John Blystone." ‘ Young Sinners” is unquestionably one of the most refreshing productions that has reached the screen in many months. ROXY THEATRE. “Song of the Flame" will head the ,iew programme at the Roxy Theatre to-night. This production is all in colour, and some of the scenes are very beautiful and spectacular. It Is i. musical romance, the vocal solos jnd concerted numbers being of a high standard. A gifted cast of principals, musically and histrionically, is engaged. There will be a strong supporting programme.