ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19899, 30 May 1936, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES. “A TALE OF TWO CITIES." 1 AT THE REGENT THEATRE. “A Tale of Two Cities," the film version of the classic by Charles Dickens. tells of the joys and sorrows, the adventures and the trials at a small group of people, English and French, who are caught in the mael—strom of the French Revolution. Essentially it is the story of Sydney Carton, a brilliant wastrel (played by Ronald Colman), and his hopeless love for Lucie Manette (Elizabeth Allan). Even if Lucie were not in love with Charles Darnay (Donald Woods) the ‘aflsir was. doomed from the start. This is the situation upon which the story is built. The dramatic climax is but one of many aspects of the production which make it worthy of the great story. As Sydney Carton faces the guillotine the camera moves slowly from the condemned man to the whirring death machine, and then to the clamorous moh. It is a stirring scene. Ronald Colman gives one of his best performances, and Elizabeth Allan makes an ideal Lurle Nanette. A touch 01’ brilliant humour is given by E. E. Clive as a bored English judge in an Old Bailey suene. The strong cast includes Edna. May Oliver, Reginald Owen. Basil _llalhbone, Blanche Yurka, Henry B. Walthall. —""‘_‘ l “THE MUSIC GOES ROUND." 1 AT THE CIVIC THEATRE. “The Music Goes Round," now being shown continuously, is a spec-1 tacular, melodious and romantic pron duction. Introducing the popular sonSl "The Music Goes ‘Round and Around." it has comedy in full mes-sure, negroi dancing or a droll type, and catching; tunes. The picture starts with at ityplcsl American film battle of words, i the participants being a New Yorkl theatrical producer who refuses to see 1 the merits of the “round and around" ‘ song as an item, and a popular stage and radio star who does. The star. Harry \Vallace (played by Harry Richman) throws aside all his contracts and disappears. He flees as far as the Mississippi River, where he joins the Courtney Players. Wallace. assisted by Susannah Courtney (played by Rochelle Hudson), popu—larlses the show and also realises how their saccharine dramatic performance would succeed as a comedy item be—fore a sophisticated New York audience. A theatrical producer agrees to buy the troupe and feature it in his next revue. To the chagrin of Susannah the audience roars with laughter where in the part she had expected tears. and a pretty romance is nearly ruined. Richman's singing of “The Music Goes 'Round and Around" at the conclusion of a remarkable ballet is delightful. Another excellent item is “Rolling Along." The tenor voice of Maurice Bartlett is heard in several numbers. i 0n the stage Tony McManemin is seen in some clever tap dancing and pleases greatly in his impersonation of Fred Astaire in “ Top ’Hat.” ‘ ‘ Features of the supporting mm pro—gramme are an address by Mr )1. J. Savage and a coloured cartoon, “Dr. ' Bluebird.“ ——._.. ‘ .“MUTINV ON THE BOUNTY." i AT THE THEATRE ROYAL. i ___._. ‘ .\[an's imagination has never created :1 more thrilling or adventurous story, a greater trihule to courage, a more vivid drama of sacrifice and tragedy than “Mutiny on the Bounty,” the true story of the relentless arm of maritime law. No playwright iltls ever penned better drama than the historic trial of Midshipman llyam, unjustly accused of being it ringleader of the llounty mutiny. Charles Laughton gives a striking performance as Cap—tain Bligh, itli‘l almost as good are Clark Gable and Franchot Tone. For the spactaculur film the original 11..\1.5. Bounty was recreated in exact detail from British Admiralty plans. in the annals of the sen there is no more fascinating story than that told of the Bounty, which set sail from England in 1787, bound for Tahiti. In charge “as Lieutenant Bligh, a harsh taskmastcr. Storms lengthened the Voyage, food ran low, and as Bligh's temper increased he raged at his ttnderi‘ed and embittered crew. The days that followed the arrival at ’l‘iihili temporarily npponsed the men, but shortly after the start of the re—turn voyage liligh's tyranny brought rebellion lo the l‘l'CHliiilg point, and the men rose in mutiny. Then fol—lowed itt’lvrnturos that have since never had their equal in naval hislory. liligh and his is loyal seamen sailing , iOOO miles in an open houl; escaped inulinrcrs scold”: refuge with their wives; illiizh's return and the capture of Suvi‘l‘al of the mnlinorrs: another shipwreck. null Blig—zh again in an open bunt at Iho mercy of the sea on :t :tiuumnilc ri'uisl‘: {Hill the tlnal nzivnl l’l'tlil'i-llllll‘iilll hurl" iu linglnnil, \\iih :tll ils li'ugrtly aunl llnlml hopes. i “CHARLIE CHAN AT CIRCUS." i A'l‘ Tlll‘l 9T.\‘FE THEATRE. i In “Charlie Chan at the Circus" the genial tihinrso detective is fared with many (innm'rs. including a git-int gorilla and n (loudly roiu'a. \\‘nruer Olnntl again plays the title role with the skill that has made Charlie Chan one of the longest—lived ot’ all screen characters. The impl-rlurbable Chin~ eso in involved in a Circus mystery. much to lhe secret l‘rllri’ of the police otllcvr assigned in the case. The co-manan‘er oi‘ the circus is killed during it pori’ormanro, nnd ills strained relations with most of the company result in a bewihlerlugly largo number of people being undvr suspicion. \\‘ith his usual ingenuity and tho ln-lp at his :ippttrt‘ntl)‘ iurxhiiuslililv supply at Oriental pron-rim, howeverv lilmplin «than lights upon sumo important vines—so important. iinlrml, that the uuu‘derrr llliliu‘s .11l :itlrmpt on his ”in, from which he vsmprs only in u decidedly now-l l;l.~lllul|. The CW operation of the ridi'st 01' his numvr~ nus rhildrrn alternately proves in—vulunble nmi ll hhulrnnrv, hilt hrlwt'rn them they rvrnluully bring." lln' rims to .t thrilling and unusual l'linmx. 'l‘wo rngilginrg lllltlSlFlS—tii‘ul‘gc um

Olive Brasno—are prominent in the supporting cast. Dick Foran, the singing cowboy. has the lead in “Moonlight on the Prairie," a new type or \Vestern drama. To a thrilling \Vestern drama of hard riding. roping, two-gun! Gainers and romantic ladies are added‘ the songs of the old \Vost. ‘— “THE DARK ANGEL." _— 1 AT THE ROXY THEATRE. i 3 ~ 3 Frederic March, Merle Oberon and ‘iierhert Marshall appear together in "The Dark Angel,': one of the most ipnworful and gripping romantic |lirnmas to reach the screen. This beautiful love story, set in a quiet corner of lovely rural England, follows tho life of Kitty \‘aue (Merle Oberon) and her neighbours, Alan Trent (Fredric March) and his cousin, Gerald Shannon (Herbert Marshall). Since childhood Kitty has adored the indifferent Alan, and Gerald has adored her. The war takes both men, and in the trenches there comes to Alan a. realisation of his love for Kitty. Home on leave, he tells her, and they plan to marry at once. Then comes a sudden order cancelling all leave. Alan is re—ported killed, and Kitty's life is broken. After the war she resigns herself to an engagement. to Gerald. but Fate steps in and, provides a happy ending. “Front Page Woman," starring Bette Davis, is an entertaining illm dealing with that celebrity who always gets into the principal columns of ‘a newspaper, and provides romance, humour and sensation in liberal doses. “Mickey's Cartoon" is a. spectacular and amusing Gartoon in colour. and Donald Novis is heard in some delightful singing. There will be the usual news session at 7.30 pm. SUNDAY NIGHT OONOER'I'. HAMILTON CITIZENS‘ BAND. Thr- ronrori arranged by the Hamil—tnii (liiizons‘ Band for Sunday evening provides a wxrirwi programme. Besides mart-hrs. the hand will render a. selectiun or :ninsirel melodies, a. humorous fantasia entitlml “Siidin‘ Through the “yo," :1 irumhono novelty number. and several hymns. Two bass quar—toiirs and :1 vornet solo complete the ‘insirnmenial section. The assisting performers are headed by Miss Ana liaio, the brilliant Maori soprano, \\'hosc recordings are so popular. Elorutlonory items will be ‘IIK'UVdE’II by Miss Jenn Laurenson, of .\lnrrinsville. Mr R. Heyworth. a new—corner to Hamilton, will render bass—lmrltmio solos. __.—__—