ENTERTAINMENTS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 279, 7 September 1936, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

ST. JAMES THEATRE. “THOROUGHBRED.” Featuring the popular American actress, Helen Tw r elvetroes, the Australian made film, “Thoroughbred,” will have its final screening at the St. James Theatre to-night. In the cast is also Elaine Hamill, the talented New Zealand actress. The story is a typical Australian racing tale and has been exceptionally handled by the actors and actresses, as well as by the technical staff. There are good supporting films. Seldom has a funnier or more completely entertaining photoplay come to the St. James Theatre than “Three Live Ghosts,” which will be shown tomorrow and on Wednesday.. Giving Richard Arlen one of his finest opportunities at the head of a notable cast, the picture moves with lightning speed through a series of adventures which are at once hilarious, thrilling and romantic. In its earlier forms, the story was an international hit, first as a book and then as a play, but the screen gives it a scope and freshness that was impossible in its earlier presentations. The story is of three soldiers —an American, a Cockney and a titled Englishman, who return from the war after imprisonment in a German camp, to find themselves officially listed as “dead.” For varying reeasons they decide to remain hidden behind this official cloak of anonymity.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. The screen version of Wilkie Collins’ mystery masterpiece, “The Moonstone” heads the double feature hill which will be shown finally to-night at the Majestic Theatre. It is a modernised version and differs considerably from the original, but a good mystery film lias been made from it. The second film is “Beggars in Ermine,” featuring Lionel Attwill, and patrons on Saturday night found it to be a very entertaining offering. Hattie, the best-looking girl on the waterfront, lives in a fisherman’s shack with her always-tippled father, her sister Lil, Lil’s husband, and their two impish children. Hattie and Lil work in the tuna-canning factory owned by Nick Appopolis. Dutch Miller is the huskiest blowhard in all the fishing fleet, a rough, tough guy with an amazing conceit, a born breaker of women’s hearts. That doesn’t prevent Hattie from adoring him—and covering her affection with a feigned scornful sarcasm. As for Dutch, he doesn’t give Hattie a tumble. Red Belcher, a professional agitator, tries to foment a strike among the fishermen. Brains McCall, the union leader, knows a strike is just what crafty Nick Appopolis wants, but lie can’t hold the men. Ho appeals to Dutch, who forces them hack to work. His complete mastery of the crowd further intrigues Hattie, who manages to save him from the police by a ruse. Still Dutch doesn’t notice her. But that is only the start of things in “Riffraff,” starring Jean Harlow, at the Majestic Theatre tomorrow night and on Wednesday night.

SCOTTISH SOCIETY’S DANCE. . There was a record attendance at the fortnightly dance of the Ashburton County Scottish Society in the Orange Hall on Saturday. Monte Carlo waltzes were won by Miss O. Samuels and Mr W. Watson, and Miss M. Miller and Mr J. Hill. Cook’s orchestra supplied the music. Extras were played by Mrs McGregor and Messrs G. Chilton and G. A. Dolphin. Messrs G. Chilton and T. McGregor were Masters of Ceremonies. The gathering was most enjoyable.