ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17981, 28 March 1930, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

STRAND THEATRE. TO-NIGHT'S PROGRAMME. “Street Girl" delighted a large audience at the Strand Theatre last night. The most outstanding feature is the highly successful performance of Betty Compson, who shows convincingly that she ranks highly among the motion picture actresses of to-day. Miss Compson has the role of a young Hungarian violinist, who achieves success in the cabarets of New York. This part she plays to perfection and she lives the character of the little, timidly-assertive stranger in a new land. In her whole demeanour there lurks a wistful' appeal which the part serves to throw into full relief. Theatre-goers will find pleasure in her playing of the violin, and it is about this accomplishment of the waif that the story has been built. There is a most capable supporting cast. Jack Oakie, a young star who possesses an attractive personality, lends satisfying comedy relief with a ready smile and a quick wit. Seemingly as a foil to his effervescent humour in the part of “Joe,” there is the lugubrious presence of “Happy" (Ned Sparks), whose dry utterances are irresistible. In the picture these two, with “'-Mike" and “Pete," form a cabaret orchestra. The part of Mike, who falls in love with the ittie Hungarian violiniste, is taken by John Harron. The girl, a prey to all the loneliness of a big city, is befriended by these four goodhearted musicians. Although they little know if, it is their lucky day when they meet her. She immediately recognises their ability, and it is through her intercession that they are placed on the road to success. There is a pleasing love interest to the story Apart from this many tuneful melodies including “Broken-Up Tune" and others equally catchy, are played. The cabaret scene, in the final portion of the picture, is very well presented and there are some fine stage effects. THE CIVIC. Cecil B. De Mllle has covered a wide field of drama in his first talking picture, “Dynamite," which Ms drawing to the close of a recordbreaking season. The explosion of a mine, and a scene of two girls talking, upside down, gave the tMetro-Gokhvyn-Mayer sound department much concern during their making. However, both episodes were eminently successful. The mine explosion scene placed the greatest strain on sensitive microphones so far recorded. The scene showed a long mine tunnel caving in, letting down hundreds of tons of coal to 'trap the principals, Kay Johnson, Conrad Nagel and Charles Bickford. Dozens of “light valves” were broken by the sound impact, until Recording Engineer Douglas Shearer devised new methods which permitted the full concussion to be recorded without danger to the instruments. The “upside down” scene shows Julia Faye and .ICay Johnson in conversation while rolling over and over in huge aero wheels. If is the first scene of its kind ever taken. TALKIES AT CAMBRIDGE. The present programme at the Cambridge Town Hall headed by ‘ So This is College,” a talkie dealing with life in one of the great American coeducational colleges, is proving one of the most popular presented at the house this season. The plot centres round the rivalry in love and on the football field of the two heroes, Eddie and Biff. The advent of a new flirt, Babs, on the campus 'breaks their long-standing friendship, the seriousness of the feelings they both entertain toward her preventing any reconciliation. It is only when they discover by chance that she is a heartless coquette that 'they are reunited, the manner in which they are thus enabled to win the great college football match forming a fitting climax, hhe witty dialogue and patter introduces much genuine comedy. Ellio't. Nugent Robert Montgomery and Sally Starr appear to advantage in leading roles. 'Pile supporting items include several excellent selections. “THE COCK-EYED WORLD.” “The Cock-eyed World," which has created a sensation wherever screened, will come to Cambridge to-morrow night. The cast is headed by Victor McLaglen, Edmund Lowe, Lili Danuta and El. BrendalTHEATRE ROYAL. Unusual interest should centre in “The Lady Lies,” an absorbing Paramount talking drama, which will commence a season at the theatre tonight Claudette Colbert, one of the most beautiful and talented of the leading ladies of Broadway, is suitably cast in the principal part. 0 he New York stage favourites, including Walter Huston, of “Gentlemen of the Press” fame, and Charles Buggies appear in prominent roles. The main figure is a prominent Jawyei, 1 Rossiter, a widower with Mvo children. When buying a birthdaj Mil for his daughter in a 1-iHh Avenue store, he meets Joyce Reamer, whom lie later discovers to be a gut superior breeding. When the children are home on vacation from college their aunt and uncle, Henry am Amelia Tuttle, visit, the lanulu 01 a rawing nature, they soon bring -o light* Rossiter’s love affair with Lie beautiful shop assistant, and through them the children soon become acnuainteel with the facts. They decide to take a hand in the matter and m Rossiter’s absence summon Joyce o their home. There sire is told, n effect, that she is ruining their family life and that their preference lor a step-mother lies in Ann Gardnei, the choice of the aunt and uncle. A com pi etc reversal of -the attitude of the children puls everything in a differ - cut light, however, and the film doses satisfactorily.

FRANKTON’S own

“Craig’s Wife,” featuring Irene Rich,' will head to-night’s programme. A Gazette and a comedy are included.