AMUSEMENTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20063, 9 October 1939, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

KING'S THEATRE “ROSE OF WASHINGTON SQUARE” United again after “Alexander's Ragtime Band," and associated with the famous A 1 Jolson, Tyrone Power and Alice Faye are tile stars of “Rose of Washington Square,” which will conclude at the King's Theatre to-night. “Rose of Washington Square” features the original Jolson of the black face. A dozen or more of the familiar songs of yesterday are featured. —“The Return of the Cisco Kid” To-morrow” Warner Baxter dons chaps, six-gun holsters and broad-brimmed sombrero and mounts his trusty steed again after a long period in sophisticated roles, in “The Return of the Cisco Kid,” opening to-morrow at the King’s Theatre. Baxter was excellent as a dashing horseman of the Wild West in “In Old Arizona” and “The Cisco Kid,” and he is just as good, if not better, in his latest “horse opera,” according to reports from places where this film already has been shown. He is ideally suited physically to the part of O. Henry’s famous character, and his grand performance sets an example that is followed by Lynn Bari, Cesar Romero, Henry Hull and C. Henry Gordon. The story deals with the adventures of the “Cisco Kid” and his romance with a beautiful young border belle.

REGENT THEATRE

GLORIOUS MUSICAL FILRf: “THE GREAT WALTZ” Inspired by the colourful life of Johann Strauss, king of waltz time, “The Great Waltz” is playing to large houses at the Regent Theatre. Strauss lived amid the gaiety of old Vienna, and its love of care-free pleasure, the zest for joyous celebration displayed by its citizens, has been recaptured in the magic melody of his music. Leading roles in this magnificent production are taken by Fernand Gravet, as Johann Strauss, Miliza Korjus, as a gifted and glamorous Polish opera singer, and Luise Rainer as Poldi, Strauss’ wife. One of the most beautiful scenes in the picture is when Johann, seeking refuge from an angry mob of revolutionaries, flees with tire opera singer into the woods. There, enchanted by her loveliness amid the beautiful forest glades, he receives the inspiration for his famous “Tales of the Vienna Woods.” The manner in which he receives the successive melodies from natural forest sounds is a sheer delight to watch and to hear. The high standard of the programme is maintained in the short associate films. . A delightful item on the programme is a colourful operatic ballet danced on the stage by the pupils of Maureen Keany, this forming a prologue to “The Great Waltz.”

MAJESTIC THEATRE

FINAL DAY: “THE GRACIE ALLEN MURDER CASE” & “LAW BEYOND THE RANGE” A packed house simply rocked with laughter on Saturday night at the antics of Grade Allen as a G-woman and her dizzy campaign to capture Benny the Buzzard. Miss Allen is supported by Warren William (Philo Vance), Ellen Drew and Kent Taylor. The programme includes “Law Beyond the Range” and “Buck Rogers.” —To-morrovy: M.Q.M. Presents Wallace Beery in “Sergeant Madden” — A grimly gripping story of the New York police ancl of a father who must put a halt to the criminal activities of his own son, “Sergeant Madden,” commencing to-morrow at the Majestic Theatre, presents Wallace Beery in his most masterful characterisation to date. As Sergeant Madden, 30-year veteran of the force, soft-hearted, plodding and idealistic, Beery epitomises the finest traits of “New York’s Finest.” He is the policeman on the beat to the minutest detail, and as the father who must track down the son whom he has failed to impress with the traditions and ideals of the job, Beery is magnificent. A trio of youngsters presses him hard for honours. Alan Curtis as the son who tries a short cut to promotion and finally is forced to turn bank robber, plays a meaty role to the hilt, with a finelyshaded progression of character from the time he finds himself a victim of the prize-fight racket to the climatic moments when he is the snarling, cornered criminal. In a difficult role as the Irish waif whom Beery adopts and who marries Curtis, Laraine Day comes through with flying colours in this, her first important featured part, auguring well for a memorable career. She is sensitive, clear-cut and convincing even to her Irish brogue. Tom Brown, as the adopted son whose loyalties are torn both ways, shows a fine conception of another colourful characterisation. Outstanding in supporting roles are Fay Holden as Beery’s wife, Marc Lawrence, enacting the racketeer, David Gorcey as the young thief, , Marion Martin as his sister, Donald Haines Ben Welden and Etta McDaniel. A fine array of featurettes includes “Fruit Protection,” “Going Places," a comedy cartoon, and the latest newsreels. RADIO REVUE The secret is out. It is Aunt Gwen and Uncle Ed of radio fame who are to be the visitors to Gisborne on Saturday, October 13, and with them they are bringing their radio family, in. their spectacular musical revue “The Music Store,” with which over £4OO has been raised for charity over the past 12 months. As listeners will know, Aunt Gwen and Uncle Ed are in charge of the 2YH children’s sessions, which are relayed every Monday evening from Hastings. All the “stars” will be coming in one of the brightest and happiest revues ever staged in Gisborne. The box plan is now open at Tattersall and Bavly s.