AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20028, 9 September 1930, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

"THE VAGABOND KING." REGENT THEATRE. 'Vila Vagabond King," at the E«S® at Theatre, ia a, first-class entertainment because of the beauty of its settings, 'he swing oi its music, the interest of ita story, an tile sly humour that underlies the whole. It is based on the legend of Francois viu > the French poet of the Middle Agea, wb °,' made the perpetual and attractive hero. Jfilin does not pretend to shape itself on i life of the poet, but it exalts him to sucn an extent that his very weaknesses appear l make him noble. , , Seldom has thero been a villain «'h° through his ill-starred career to such an a companiment of music and beauty as Vagabond King. Dennis Kingj as the ira - c-oia Villon of the picture, smiles and srni and is not a villain at all, and his > has ft ■ muscular' sonority that is :nspiri n o- j lie flings himself into a tur.fl as into battle, while Jeanette MacDonaid, who the Queen in "The Love Parade," is at tr.e onpobita extreme of gentleness and repo • Probably th« finest acting is that of O. rHeggie as Louia XI. He brings a brilliant, sardonic humour to the part, and creepa through the picture the very shadow of cuj nine; and duplicity. . ... | The direction, by Ludwig Berger, sbo*» great imagination and a very tine lighting sense. He has utilised the beautiful shapes and shadows of his mediaaval architecture m such a way aa to make the very scene move with the picture. His direction is the one thing that gives distinction to (lie production, which ia photographed throughout in techniooloar. , After enjoying years of success on tno musical comedy otago. it is only natural that Vag.ibond King' should be transferred to the screen. Those who have seen too play will be able to revive pleasant memories, particularly of the singing, v.'hilo Ihjso who have not should not miss this opportunity. MAJESTIC THEATRE. * "THE ARIZONA KID." I I Revivals of the old Western type as have been exhibited in Christchurch have been appreciated, and "The Arizona Kid is certainly one of the most successful of these. With Wr-ier Baxter in tl)8 title | vole, this film was well received at its initial screening at the Majestic Theatre last night. It is a drama full of action, with ola Arizona as its setting. Warner Baiter is in a role peculiarly suited to his forceful portonality—that of the reckless and dannj caballero, hard-riding, hard-fighting, and hardloving. At complete variance with law ana order, he is much sought by the police of many States, but, a charming mixture of bad man and good, he never lacks tor friends to give hira shelter in times of need. Humour thero is in plenty, and many amusing scenes are ivided by the nuji' eroua clashes • tween the feminine leads, Mona Haris and Carol Lombard, the one a vivacious Spanish girl, the other the demure product of the towns of the East. Each, kowover, is an ardent admirer of Chico, the Arizona Kid, and upon each that unconventional young man confers his favours wltuout discrimination. The supporting programme is one o exceptional mcrif. The Movietone contains • descriptive aequcnco dealing witn the construction of the Sydney bridge, thero are also musical and humorous snorts. CRYSTAL PALACE. ♦_ "THE CUCKOOS." The seafcon o£ "The Cuckoos," n the Crystal Palace Theatre, has been extended a week. This, indeed, is not at oil surprising, for it is without doubt the funniest and most cheerfully irresponsible comedy ever shown in the City. "The Cuckoos" is a picture which is of the musical comedy persuasion: it has a delightfully droll plot, aome remarkable ballets (the "Dancing the Devil Away" ballet is a wonderful effort), tuneful and humorous songs; but most ef all it ha* a lot of irrelevant and extraneous scenes which are frankly inserted so that Messrs Wheeler and Woolaey may have a further excuse to conTii.s# the crow-da with their amasing foolery.