ENTERTAINMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 23 July 1929, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

"METROPOLIS": THE WONDER PICTURE The magic art of the motion picture has opened ~the pages of the past, but no man has dared to use the. screen to forecast what will happen in the future —no man save Frit/. Lang, the producer of ".Metropolis," which commences a season of three matinees daily at 3.30 and three evening sessions at 8 at the Regent Theatre. The critic of the "Melbourne Age" in writing of this wonder film,' says: "A few days ago I saw a. private screening of "Metropolis," the wondrous moving picture which tells so vividly the social developments of a century ahead. It is my practice in this page to refer, on the rare occasions when it is justified, to the outstanding films which show how possible it is to make an art out of what is at present merely a business. "Metropolis" ranks as a firstrate achievement. It is even possible that it may prove a great commercial success. Highly imaginative, as it is, with a breath-taking beauty is born of its very austerity, it "is' so full of genuine action and excitement that even the thoughtless, while not getting its full message, will find matter on which to talk for days. "Metropolis" seeks to show what the future will have evolved from the present. A machinemade world, possessing in full measure the material things a mechanical age must inevitably produce, is seen to be lacking in one thing—soul. . . The story of the battle between brain, divorced from human feeling, and brawn crushed into mere blind obedience to a mechanical monster that drives brutally men to whom a slip means, death, is finely told. Australia has seen nothing finer that this picture. It is doubtful if the world has." The plans for "Metropolis" are on view at the Begent confectionery or at the Theatre, telephone 1102. MAJESTIC: DOUBLE STAR PROGRAMME The glamour of the theatre and the human interest that underlies the spectacle of the gilded butterflies of the stage—these are the elements that make "The Divine Woman" the most dramatic and impelling story that Greta Garbo, the famous Swedish star, has yet appeared, in. This new Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer production which will be screened at the Majestic Theatre tonight is a masterpiece. It is based on the, life of the immortal French actress, Sarah Bernhardt, and tells of loves, hates, successes and failures of a peasant, who climbed the dizzy heights to success and became the toast of a nation, only to lose the only man she had ever loved. Lars Hanson plays the leading male role. "Fleetwing," the supporting picture, is a stirring story of the Arabian desert with Barry Norton, as the star player. Plans are at the Majestic Confectionery. Commencing at to--morrow's matinee Emil Jannings' latest picture "The Last Command" will bo shown, for a two days' run. This is claimed to be his best production since "Variety." Plans are now open. "GOING UP" The public of Nelson will be looking forward to the production of "Going Up" by the Nelson Amateur Operatic Society which commences on Tuesday next at the Majestic Theatre for a season of three nights. Previous performance? by the amateurs show that their efforts are greatly appreciated by the, public, who will have pleasant recollections of "Paul Jones," "Geisha," ''Country Girl," "Toreador," "Our Miss Gibbs," "Arcadians," and "Belle tif New York." The final night of "Belle of New York" was devoted to raising funds lor Ihe Christmas cheer of the various local orphanages and hospitals and each institution received a generous cheque. This time the Operatic Society is devoting the whole of the net proceeds of the Nelson season to the Earthquake. Relief Fund, and it is hoped the public will generously respond. A bumper first night house will guarantee a handsome addition to the amount, to be handed over to his Worship the Mayor. The box office plan is at Snapshots, and day sale. 1 ickets are available in the town. An excellent cast has been selected and the chorus, orchestra and principals have hern rehearsing under Mr Lemmcr for the past three months and under Mrs Hulme during the last three week?. ,