ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19065, 2 October 1933, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

“FRA DIAVOLO.”

AMUSING COMIC OPERA.

AT THE THEATRE ROYAL. ‘‘Fra Diavolo," melodious and amusing comio opera, has been brought to the screen very successfully. Its musical and singing numbers alone mate the production an attractive one. Dennis King, principal of ‘‘The Vagabond King,” is heard in several musical numbers, supported by a splendidly-trained chorus of 150 voices. The song of the bandit chief, Fra Diavolo, is particularly fine. Hardly less colourful and tuneful are the other numbers, notably “Lady Pamela,” “Drink for Joy Bestowing,” “Robbery Song," “Victoria,” and “Proudly and Wide My Standard Flies." But stirring singing is not the sole attraction of this entertainment. Graceful dancers and clever comedians, scenes of love and laughter, and picturesque backgrounds combine to make a delightfully romantic story, full of sparkling wit and humour.

As Fra Diavolo (the Devil’s Brother) Dennis King is seen in the picturesque role of a brigand-marquis. Fearless, handsome and courteous, he makes an ideal bandit chief. Notwithstanding all misdeeds, he will be admired for his audacity and courage, and his voice will charm, everyone, even as it captured the heart of Lady Pamela, in the main supporting roles Dennis King is specially fortunate to have associated with him three such versatile artists as Thelma Todd, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Thelma Todd as Lady Pamela appears in the role of a lady charmed by the masquerading robber, who woos her for her priceless jewels and her husband’s money. Most of the humour and hilarity emanates from Stanlio and Ollio (Laurel and Hardy), whose clowning is mirth-provoking to a high degree. Forced to join Diavolo’* gang after having been waylaid and robbed, these two simple souls arc inimitab'e as the servants of the bandit chief. A scene impossible to describe a"ises from the over-lengthy stay of Stanlio in the wine cellar of a tavern. “.MELODY CRUISE.” “Melody Cruise” will be screened at the Theatre Royal on Wednesday, and should have a successful season. It is a tale of romance and melody, with a strong cast of players, headed by Greta Nissen (and Charles Ituggles.

STRAND THEATRE. Wit and satire, sincerity and charm, have been deftly blended in “Reunion in Vienna," one of the most entertaining films seen in Hamilton for a long time. This penetrating, sophisticated and cynical commentary on royalty in exile reveals Robert E Sherwood as one of the most brilliant contemporary satirists, and it has lost nothing in its transference to the screen. Diana Wynyard, fresh from her. triumph in “Cavalcade,” and John Barrymore, in a part _ which gives his exuberance full rein, act as they have never acted before. The story deals with the fallen Hapsburg monarchy, and the settings are fittingly regal and luxurious. But the outstanding clement in the production is comedy, in which John Barrymore is supreme in violent, mirthmaking situations. In striking contrast is the characterisation by Diana Wynyard of the one-time lover, still deeply devoted to the royal personage, but now married to an eminent psvchiatrist with whose dogmas there are many clashes. Then there are the fine character studies of Frank Morgan a? the husband who handled a delicate situation with the utmost tact; May Robson, whose portrayal of the domineering hotel -proprietress subdued only by Prince Rudolph is a splendid piece of acting; Henry Travers, a really comic -character, as the inoffensive and rather simpleminded father of the household, who is invariably sent, to bed when anything interesting is about to happen; and Una Merkel, in a small part as one of the doctor’s many patients. The strange motley of members of an aristocracy who attempt to revive the glamour of former times in a sort of grand .costume parade is interpreted with remarkable fidelity. WEDNESDAY'S PROGRAMME. Two special features will be screened on ’Wednesday—“The Medicine Man,” starring Claude Allister, the “Silly Ass” comedian and “Galled Back,” a drama of romantic Spain and Red Russia, with a cast headed by Dorothy Boyd and Franklin Dyall.

ROXY THEATRE. In “No Man of Her Own” Clark Gable has the role of Babe Stewart, suave card-sharp. Because he tries to desert her, Dorothy Mackail, decoy for his card games, threatens to turn him over to the police. In a small country town tie meets Carole Lombard and marries her on a bet. To the girl, however, the marriage is the real thing, and before he knows it the gambler falls in love. The solving of the problem makes interesting entertainment. Well cast, clever and exciting in story, “Shop Angel” deals with the tempations and pitfalls that men of wealth throw out as hurdles to gins of ambition and charm.

CIVIC THEATRE. “Jewel Bobbery” fascinates and amuses theatregoers with its witl its subtle satire and its gay, polished rascality. William Powell appears ss a polished bandit who gracefully eludes the smartest police agents of Europe. Kay Francis is the spoiled wife of Vienna's richest banker, whose proud boast it is that no man can give her the thrill that a new jewed affords her. The afternoon that her hiding husband is about lo purchase fur her a celebrated diamond at Vienna's most exclusive jeweller's is t lie afternoon Rial, “The Robber’’ has chosen lo pay the same jewo.ilor a professional visit. Even while she is being robbed the Baroness 'forgets her passion for precious stones in her admiration for • the aristocratic outlaw who so gallantly erlieves her of her jewels, as a mere Incident to the looting of the shop. Her heart, she finds, is irrevocably

gone. She finds she has been robbed of more than her jewels. The coloured cartoon, llncc Little Pigs,” is a charming feature of the supporting programme. “DR. JEKYLL AND MR HYDE.” “Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde," that striking story of a dual personality, will be screened cat the Civic Theatre to-morrow. In this 'film (Frednc March gives a marvellous performance in the two widely-divergent parts, and lie has splendid support from ttu resn of the cast.

HAMILTON OPERATIC SOCIETY. The Hamilton Operatic Society, of which the town and district are justlflablv proud, will hold another season of comic opera next week, commencing on Monday and running until " Firefly” is a very entertaining production, with many spcctaculfU7 fca turcs. It is full of melodious musical numbers, gay humour, charming romance, snappy dances, and elaborate ballets, while the costumes and scenery (obtained from Sydney) are very striking. Under the direction of Mrs. Tnbor-Gregory (producer), Mr. Harold Piper (mus.c director), and Mr. George Kingston (ballet master) pearly 100 people have been rehearsing assiduously for months, and ns a result next week’s production of “The Firefly" promises to maintain the society's high reputation.

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