NEW STRUCTURE PLANNED

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 961, 2 May 1930, Page 14

NEW STRUCTURE PLANNED

ST. COLOMBA’S CHURCH At the annual meeting of the St. Colomba Anglican Church, Grey Lynn, held last evening, the vicar, the Rev R. H. Hobday, presided. Mr. Hobday’s report showed the satisfactory state of the various organisations, especially the Mothers' Union, the Sunday School and Bible Classes and the Women’s Guild. The treasurer reported a better financial position than last year, with an increased revenue from collections, due largely to the envelope system. Detailed plans for the new church were discussed. It is hoped to make a start with the church in the near future. The election of officers resulted as follows:—Vicar’s warden, Mr. Woodall; people’s warden, Mr. Harris f* vestry, Messrs. Bishoprick, Harden, Hiscock, Robieson, Taylor and Mrs. Watson, with others to be added from St. Cuthbert’s sub-district.

GREY LYNN CINEMA

At the Grey Lynn Cinema "The Desert Song’’ is continuing its success. In fact, heralded by the stage production, the all-talking film has a fascination all of its own. The story, which is now well known, is that of a Frenchman who becomes a sort of Robin Hood of the desert, and who inflicts punishment upon those who do injustices to the natives. At the head of a band of desert tribesmen, he is disguised as the Red Shadow. His capture is sought bv his father, commander of the French garrison. John Boles scores a great success with both his singing and acting as the Red Shadow, and Carlotta King, as Margot, also sings her way into favour. Johnny Arthur and Louise Fazenda, as Benny and Susan, supply the comedy, while Myrna Loy make's an alluring Azuri. There is also, In addition to the feature, a fine supporting programme.

MODERN SETS IN “WHAT A WIDOW”

Gloria Swanson’s next picture, "What a Widow!” is now in rehearsal, under di-

rection of Allan Dwan. With Owen Moore and lan Keith heading th« supporting cast Margaret Livingston, Gregory Gay Herbert Braggioti, Adrienne d'Ambricourt, Buster West, Elizabeth Patterson, Billie Bennett and Arthur Hoyt are also in the cast. Josephine Lovett, who wrote the original story, is also responsible for the dialogue. The sets, which are as modern ?3 the sophisticated story, are the work of Paul Nelson, American graduate of Beaux Arts. He has gained considerable recognition through his work in modern design in Paris.

“RAINBOW MAN” AT GRAND

Another enjoyable talkie programme opens at the Grand Theatre today The chief film is “The Rainbow Man,” a happy tale of a travelling minstrel show in the small American towns Eddie Dowling, famous Broadway singer and. entertainer, appears as Rainbow Ryan, a singer of a particularly happy disposition who looks after the son of a dead friend. The role of the little boy is played by Frankie Dairo, Marion Nixon is charming as the girl with whom Ryan falls in love, Hardy appears as manager of the minstrel show. One of the song of tllls Picture is “Sleepy Valley ” The supporting programme at the ls headed by an amusing Micky the Mouse cartoon.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND EMPRESS

V nt£ aZZ ti, Hea £ en, ’l t he main Picture at both the Crystal Palace Theatre E ? en ’ an «i the Empress Theatre, Newton, combines an interesting ® 1 - v with melody and comedy The story deals with the adventures of a young composer who goes to New seeks fame and fortune. John Mack Brown has the leading part as the young composer, while Sally O’Neil Plays opposite, revealing her capabilities both as a singer and an actress Joseph Cawthorn and Albert Conti add’ °f, rlc h comedy, while Clyde ?P°i t la the role of a night watchman, cioes some fine comic acting In addition, the love ballad “Someone, With its tuneful melody runs throughout the picture in a oaMheme. provlcle s the dominant musi-

Culinary knowledge gleaned in the jungles of Africa by \V. s. Van Dyke when directing “Trader Horn” foV Metro-Goldwyn-Maj-er in Africa, was lecently expounded to his friends at the studios. “There are 507 ways of cooking curry in the jungles, and when >ou cannot remember any of them just clean up everything in the kitchen, put in curry pow-der, and boil. “That," says 'an Dyke, is how the natives do it.”

CIVIC

“PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ” The current programme at the Civic Theatre Trill have its final presentations there this afternoon and this evening. This comprises the talkie. “Such Men Are Dangerous,” the accompanying items, and the musical selections by Ted Henkel's Orchestra and by Fred Scholl. One of Broadway's most brilliant personalities comes to the screen world for the first time in “Puttin’ cn the Ritz,” the United Artists’ all-dialogue musical extravaganza, which opens its local engagement at the Civic Theatre with a midnight premiere this evening. That personality is Harry Richman, perhaps the most versatile of all the masters of song and comedy along the famous street of entertainment. For three years the star of George White’s "Scandals,” Richman is celebrated in many ways in the American entertainment world. In “Puttin’ on the Ritz” he adds another testimonial to his versatility by adapting himself to the medium of the talking screen. Although the medium is new, it was not particularly difficult for Richman to learn its technique. Before realising that he was a singer as well as a pianist, Richman had considerable experience on the legitimate stage, playing in stock companies. "Puttin’ on the Ritz” indeed combines two great popular musical personalities, for several of the songs

Richman sings in the picture were especially written for him by Irving Berlin, who cut short a European trip on a call from Joseph M. Schenck, and travelled a good many thou- I sand miles to lend a hand on the picture.

Considine’s story, as a matter ot fact, closely parallels Richman’s own experiences in the world of the theatre, although it was not written with the star's background in mind. The plot traces the career of its principal character from an obscure vaudeville player to a musical comedy and night-club iavourlte. * nto the picture has been woven the authentic atmosphere of smalltime vaudeville, night clubs, and backstage in the glittering New York musical revues—an atmosphere familiar to both writers of the storv and the players in the picture. James Gleason, noted as both stage co?o„ and P laywri **t, Plays a role of colour and humour as the small-time vaudeville player, partner of the prinnf a e c !’ a r act * r - Gleason, whose bril“ta Vnf ioSS® s ? a . rklcd through his „“ at s ° 7 and "The Shannons of Broadsaj, added many original lines a S d .*?°, me<iy touches to his role in Puttin on the Ritz." „ J pan . Een ” ett - in the leading femimne role of "Puttin' on the Ritz” ?n- e mct eS h . er , flfth outstanding talkfilm industry” S than 3 yCai in the Pringle, in a character not of the stage, but of New York society Tuc.k a o 1 Pr ß^ic r l- rO,e ’ as ha " MchSi Pnll L? ~K , a ne - and Purnell 11. Ptatt, both well-known stage players.

A brilliant supporting * >ro *Sßß pictures and music -will “Puttin’ on the Itiiz” during land season. The Civic’s new the overture. 11 Guarany by Ted Henkel’s Civic cliestra. the playing 'of b~*j and a humorous item by * and a number of bright 5U H

PLAZA

LAST DAY OF “HAPPT I ‘‘Happy Days.” the glorioußl tacle with all the stars of tbei and screen, and dozens of newi Ln a minstrelly melody drun,< eludes its season at the PlaxaH today, together with The accoaVl talkies. From tomorrow, when an ft new programme will be preset** 7»laza will present the powerful lrama. “Such Men are DaK" lirect from the Civic Elinor Glynn tale stars Warntrl ter and Catherine Dale Ow«« i story of a millionaire who di*JJ rom an airplane crossing the* Channel and underwent a mil* acial operation. j Full supports will also be pH* l PRINCE EDWARD The inimitable Maurice who was introduced in “Idm* Paris,” scores another decided ] cess in his second screen venturi Love Parade.” .which is to be this evening at the Prince Theatre. Chevalier. whose che€r iv humour pervades the whole a congenial role, that of diplomat. Recalled from the in Paris on account of his **** and somewhat indiscreet lov«® Chevalier falls in 'ove with bi*J and later marries her, thus b*®“ Prince Consort. The singing J* ette McDonald is a feature of duction. Excellent supports are ako shown. SYMPHONY CONCEIT An unusual treat for promised at the Civic Sunday evening. when ar? symphony orchestra concert presented. Orchestral items will be P rC *!L Tr professional musicians v** direction of Ted Henkel, Civic grand organ will b« Fred Scholl, and solos will by Mr. Ernest Snell. Mr* ” Singer will act as accompaiuj. The proceeds will be devotee Musicians’ Union Benevolent Fund. AKARANA YACHT CLUB * The Akarana Yacht Club its opening Saturday the season in the Mechanics’ Bay. tomorrow free bus runs from Endean’s “ FANCY DRESS BAtf A plain and fancy children’s partv will be he* Town Hall on Thursday even** under the auspices of ttie Association. A number of fancy cress will be given, l —