ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17974, 20 March 1930, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

, ~ STRAND THEATRE.

TO-NIGHT’S programme. A' talking, singing, dancing musicaf comedy sensation produced on a lavish scale with an all-star cast opened at the Strand Theatre last night. It is “Broadway Scandals,” a Columbia production with Sally O’Neil, Jack Eagan, Carmel Myers and Doris Dawson. Infectious song hits, comedy, gorgeous costumes and wonderful dancing make this picture a joy to the ear and the eye. The love of romance behind this carnival of danoe and song grips you with its beauty and tenderness.

The cast is excellent. Jack Egan, who plays the title role, is youthful, handsome, and engaging. Egan, who served his apprenticeship in the theatrical game by playing eight- years in vaudeville, makes a typical Broadway song and dance man. He is a great dancer. Sally O'Neil plays the role of a little chorine with plenty of pep.

Some of the song hits are “What is Life Without Love?” “Does an Elephant Love Peanuts?" “Can You Read in My Eyes?” “Rhythm of the Tambourine," “Would I Love to Love You?” “Love’s the Cause of All My Blues,” and “Kickin’ the Blues Away.” THE CIVIC. “The Hoolywood Revue," with which the Civic Theatre opened so auspiciously, is drawing to the end of a very successful season. “The Hollywood’ Revue” is the screen’s first revue. It differs from some musical sound successes in that it contains none of the ingredients of musical comedy nor operetta, but is strictly of the revue type of etnertainment. Interspersed with the song and dance numbers arc satirical skits, “blackouts” and novelty tableaux. The number and the salaries of the celebrities assembled for the revue might make a Carroll or a Zicgfeld perspire. They include Marion Davies, John Gilbert! Norma Shearer, William Haines, Joan Crawford, Buster Keaton, Bessie Love, Charles King, Marie Dressier, etc. They all prove possessors of exceptional talent. TALKIES AT OAMBRiDGE. Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell are scoring one of the most sensational successes of their screen careers in “Sunny Side Up," Fox Movietone musical comedy, which is still drawing large audiences to the Cambridge Town Hall. It is the first time either of the famous Fox stars has appeared in a musical comedy role, and their performances in this De Sylva, Brown and Henderson production proves their adaptability to this style of entertainment. Sharon Lynn, who made her musical debut in “Fox Movietone Follies of 1929,” has a featured role,: as also has Frank Richardson, who; was first heard in “Fox Follies.’” Mar-j jorie White, famous Broadway com-j edienne, and El Brendel, famous! Swedish comedian, also are winning! applause by their performance in this 1 musical comedy of the audible screen.l David Butler directed “Sunny Side Up,” and Seymour Felix, Broadway’s; most famous dance director, stagedthe dances and song numbers. J theatre royal. “The River of Romance,” starring Charles Rogers, drew a large audience to the Theatre Royal last night. In this film the handsome and popular “Buddy” is seen as the romantic Southern lad who is forced to become a “gunman” in the Mississippi district in the crinoline days of 1840. Booth Tarkington’s play, “Magnolia,”. forms the basis of the story. Mary Biian has the featured lead opposite the star. June Collyer, Wallace HeniM W’althall, Walter McGrail, Mrs George Fawcett and Anderson Lawler are also featured in the picture. Up and down the Mississippi t-ie name of Colonel Blake was spoken of in bated breath —adventurer, mysterious man cav terror of the southern •states travelling the river of romance to wipe out the stigma of cowardice. This is a delightful romance of a boy who did not believe in fighting, but proved himself a man. FRANKTON’S own. "Tenlii Avenue,” witli Phillis Haver and Joseph .Fchildkraut, will head the programme. A comedy and a Gazette are also included. MONKEY MOTOR RACES. A novel feature of the Hamilton Free Fair will he .Madame Kamos’ monkey races. The attraction will consist of real monkey-racing in real miniature motor cars on an enonnous speedway motor track specially eousirucled in a large red and white striped marque. Apart from the thrills of the racing the comedy between the monkeys during the races is hilarious, as each performer is a trier, and they stop at nothing to prevent their fellowmonkeys from winning. One monkey Mvcs an imitation of a man diiving a car ' while under the influence of liquor: then another demonstrates a man driving a car to his unpopular mother-in-law’s funeral, all helping to provide good enterahiment and amusement, ‘"This attraction was specially imported for the last Wellinaton winter exhibition, and v,as witnessed by 15,000 persons there. Madeline Kamos lias personally trained these animals, and conducts the enterprise herself. An extra feature is provided in Prince, the tiny morrnoset, which Madame claims to he the smallest full-grown monkey in the world. Tliis aitraction should prove popular with all visitors.