ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18625, 2 May 1932, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

“PASSIONATE PLUMBER.” gUSTER KEATON’S FUNNY ANTICS. AT THE THEATRE ROYAL. The "Passionate Plumber,” screened at the Theatre Royal on Saturday is one of the most mirth-provoking P °" 1 auctions seen locally, Buster KeaLo the “frozen-faced” comedian, eclipsing his previous performances in thi uproarious farce. When there are two sterling funmakers like Jimmy Durante and Polly Moran support the effect is such as to make ! J*® “Passionate Plumber" a succession of laughs and chuckles. The sto 5 , whfch is a hectic and fast-moving one of love and misadventuie, depicts Buster Keaton in the role of a somewhat shiftless plumber, who falls in love with Patricia Alden while repan - ing some plumbing at her house. The part of Miss Alden is well acted by Irene Pursell. Polly Moran is seen at • her best as Miss Alden’s maid, whose attempts to keep Tony, Lagorce, Patricia’s ardent but fickle suitor, from the house, are indescribably funny. Gilbert Roland, a handsome and taletited aotor of the silent screen, gives an excellent portrayal as ’lony, ■ the inconstant Latin loMer. Jimmy Durante, who is only excelled for his hilario'us antics by Buster Keaton himself,' plays the part of Miss Alden's "handyman” ahd acts as Buster Keaton’s second in a farcical duel with Tony Lagorce. Oth.er accomplished players who assist to make the picture an outstanding success are Mona Maris, an alluring Spanish actress, who is also in love with Tony, Maude Eburne, the downtrodden servant in “Mother’s ; Millions,” and Henry Armetta, who usually appears •• as an exasperated Italian restaurant propiretor. The supporting programme Includes the amusing comedy “War Mamas, ’ featuring the funny Zasu Pitts and the beautiful Thelma Todd; William Tilden in a demonstration of tennis technique (volley and smash); and interesting News Reels.

STRAND THEATRE. A different and gripping mystery drama, capably enacted, smoothly written and deftly directed, opened on Saturday at tho Strand Theatre, and delighted the audience. It is "The Silent Witness," the film version of the stage success which thrilled Broadway audiences last season. All the characters are clearly and realistically etched and the action reaches a great dramatic climax in the revelation of the strangler of the beautiful wanton for whose death a baronet stands trial to shield his son. As the baronet Lionel Atwill, long distinguished on .the stage, gives a performance that is the highlight of tho picture. This international stage star, who makes his screen .debut in the picture, is superb in every line and gesture as the proud English father is he faces the court and is tried for the crime in place of his vacillating "inti irresolute son. Having played the same role' for more than 200 times on the stage, Mr Atwill enjoyed the advantage of perfection in his lines and a lack of self-consciousness in action. In the role of the son is Bramwell Fletcher, Who played with Mr Atwill in the stage production, and his performance Is particularly good. A Cockney chauffeur Is played by Herbert Mundln, who was in New Zealand a few years-ago as principal comedian in the stage version of "The Desert Song. He keeps the audience In hilarious mood. Two other players who s give excellent aocounts of themselves are Helen Mack and Weldon Heyburn. Phar Lap winning the Agua Callente Handicap and scenes at Captain de Groot’s trial for the Sydney Bridge incident were interesting portions of the supporting programme, and a comedy, "The Hot Spot,’’ kept the audience amused.

CIVIC THEATRE. From the opening scene there is no halt in the pace of the riotously funny film, “Splinters in the Navy.” Sydney Howard, ,tho forlorn comedian, with his escapades and elephantine antics in the boxing ring, is the mainstay of the production, but is well supported by the rest of the cast. There is the burly Alf. Goddard, who makes an admirable foil for the timidity of the leading character, In the part of a vindictive pugilist regarded with nervous terror by the remainder of the battleship’s personnel. Fred. Bentley (who was in New Zealand as principal • oomedlan in the stage version of "Rose Marie”), Lew Lake, Hal Jones, Reg. Stone (the olever female Imper- • sonator), and the inimitable "beauty ballet," are others who add to the gaiety. But It Is undoubtedly Sydney Howard who dominates the humour from first to last. His hands are particularly expressive. There have been uproariously funny boxing bouts in films befoare, but few can compare with that in which Mr Howard, as the helpless Joe Crabbs, meets the, naval champion (Mr Goddard). It is a "scream” from beginning to end. The supporting programme Includes a popular Cine-sound Review, a Silly Symphony cartoon, a “travelaugh” through Reno, ancl views of movie stars in private life. ROXY THEATRE. "Captain of the Guard,” is a dramatic musical spectacle of the French Revolution, co-starring John Boles, singing star of "The Desert Song,” “Son of the West,” “Rio Rita" and’ others, and Laura La Plante. The “Marseillaise," the dramatic national hymn of the French nation, is dramatised both in picture and music to a height of intensity that sweeps every emotion before it. This song is the 'theme behind the picture, the immortal music that carries forward the beautiful Jove story between Boles as Rouget de Lisle and Miss La Plante as" Marie Marnay, who becomes the flaming leader of the early revolutionists, known to them and to the whole of France as “The Torch.”

HAMILTON PLAY-READERS’ CLUB. The Hamilton Play-‘’readers’ Club, which was inaugurated last season by •Mr J. F. Montague, and which held many successful evenings, will resume its meetings next Thursday evening. The readings enable those interested to keep in touch with modern plays and to get a better insight into (he works of modern writers, and to do this wilh a minimum or effect. Mew members are solicited, both readers land non-readers. The readings take [place fortnightly.