ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 36, 6 November 1933, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. “The Lord of the Manor,” a Paramount British Productions’ release, which is at tic Regent Theatre, is a wholly delightful comedy of English gentry life. In it is contained sparkling repartee of the very brightest order, and the captivating English background ,the wholly charming love interest, and the wholesome bits ot comedy, go to make a picture of first-class entertainment. Frederick Kerr presents a ■wonderful impersonation of &ir Henry Bovey, the “peppery” and fidgety type ot English gentleman, while Betty Stockfeld plays the part of Barbara Fleeter m n compelling and delightful manner. Frank Bertram is' exceedingly well cast, as Jim Bridge, the bronzed colonial/and Kate Cutler makes an excellent Lady Bovey. The programme also includes a stage novelty entitled “1934 I‘ igure Moulding,” in which Ruth Hay and girls present a remarkable exhibition of physical culture. Included in the supports is one of the cleverest Mickey Mouse films yet seen. “The Squatter’s Daughter.”

An action-packed epic of Australia s rrpat open spaces, “The Squatter’s Daughter” will begin at the Regent Theatre on Friday next. Produced by Cinesound Productions, Ltd., the makers of “On Our Selection,” on an elaborate scale for world-wide presentation, this is a typically Australian story, rewritten and modernised for the speaking screen, lhe colourful romance of the great wool-in-dustry is cleverly interwoven with reallife thrills in “The Squatter’s Daughter,” which also delightfully reveals all the glory and grandeur of Australia s treat natural wealth and beauty. Up to the present no Australian girl of any treat photographic possibilities lias been given a chance to star in Australian films. Many Australian girls have become famous in pictures from British International Studios, at Elstrec. England —Nancv Brown, Betty . Stockfcld and Judy Kelly, for instance—and Cinesound have actually blazed a trail for. Australian youth, eager to win through in their own pictures. Jocelyn Howarth, their m-st screen star, who plays the title role in “The Squatter’s Daughter,” is a very beautiful blonde, and is certain to be a Croat favourite. The rest of the big cast, headed by Grant Lyndsay, Fred. Mac-. Donald (“Dave” of “On Our Selection ), John Warwick,MV. Lane-Bayliff, Dorothy Dunckley. and ;Katie Towers, are all worthy of this truly great Cinesound picture, a sparkling screen gem that delightfully entertains,. and reflects unlimited credit on the young Australian industry »f motion picture production. The story tells of a more-or-l'ess bad young man, who. during the absence of his-father in England, stoops to low cunning and even treachery to gain possession of ’Enderby” sheep station, owned by a fearless daughter' of Australia.' A raging bush Sre. filmed with amazing realism, plays «n important part in the climax of the well-thought-out theme.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. “The . Stranger’s Return,” which is It the Majestic Theatre, is a piclure far removed from the sophisticated films of modern life. It is a simple tale of simple people, which goes straight to the heart because of its simplicity. The story centres around an ancestral farm in America, to which the prodigal grand-daughter returns .from New York. She is welcomed by her grandfather, but is resented by his rela-tions-in-law, and around these circumstances the whole story is delicately woven, Lionel Barrymore rises to great heights in his characterisation of Grandpa Storr, who prefers, against' doctor’s ordera. bacon and eggs for breakfast rather than “them cardboard foods, and who conceals a sympathetic and understanding heart beneath a mask of irascibilitv. Miriam* Hopkins handles the difficult part of the unpopular granddaughter with credit, and forms an attractive background for the routine life on the farm. The supports include a Charlie Chase comedy and scenes from the American women's tennis championship, showing Miss Jacobs beating Mrs. WillsMoody.

GRAND OPERA HOUSE. Having, had a successful season at the Regent. Theatre during the past fortnight, “The Working Man” is now at.the Grand Opera House. In this production George Arliss plays the role of John Reeves, one of the biggest shoe'manufacturers in the United States. Hartland is another. They both loved the same girl, and Hartland won her.. In business they, are friendly enemies—until Hartland dies. It robs Reeves of some of the zest, and he becomes actually perturbed when he sees the Hartland business beginning to fail. The Reeves business flourishes the more on that account, of course. Reeves takes . aholiday. happens to meet Hartland s son and daughter on their own yacht, and with fine chivalry he sets about getting the Hartland business back on the rails.

DE LUXE THEATRE. • “Doctor Bull,” a picture adapted from James G. Cozzant’s novel, The Last Adam,” screens at the De Luxe Theatre. Doctor Bull, played by Will Rogers is the dear old rough diamond general practitioner of New Winton, getting on m years, vet working like a dog for everyone s good health and happiness. The picture is redolent with the dry humour native to Witt Rogers, and will be appreciated by all who find entertainment in the foibles of smalltown society. The programme.also includes Fox and Universal news reels, some magnificent views of Italy s share of the Sahara desert, and a comic Romeo and Juliet” cartoon., Miss Iris Mason plays a “Rose Marie and other selections on the Wurlitzer organ. “Frisco Jenny.” A treat is in store for patrons at the De Luxe Theatre at the end of the week, when “Frisco Jenny” will be shown. Ruth Chatterton is the star m this film, which is described as her greatest triurn ph since the memorable Madame -X. ST. JAMES THEATRE. The extremely popular William Powell, star of numerous successes, has the support of that talented actress. Ann Harding. in ‘Double Harness,” a briliantly acted R.K.O. release. which is at the St. James Theatre. “Double Harness is an essentially modern type of show, the theme of which has a universal appea>. The story deals with a girl who has somewhat old-fashioned ways, but who na~ verv modern idead in regard to marriage. She' deliberately ensnares a hitherto unensnareable bachelor into matrimony, and then has a merry time trying to keep her “play-boy” husband from being won from her by a gay widow. Heading the excellent supporting‘bill is a film that will be of the greatest value to all interested in contract bridge, and even to those who are.not bridge enthusiasts. It is. the first of a series of bridge pictures, in which Ely Culbertson demonstartes his methods of calling and play. Not onlv bridge players will find these novel entertainment, for each one is made in the form of a little story which, while not detracting in any way from the demonstration of the game, makes the acceptanblc to one and all as bhight, original .... a> ' ; ' PARAMOUNT THEATRE. The popularity of Jan Kiepura "'the irresistible musical comedy romance, leu Me To-night,” is unbounded. The Paramount Theatre was filled again on Satur- : dav evening and the management reports that quite a number of people have seen the magnetic entertainment three or four times. Jan Kiepura’s singing is a source of delight. He is heard in the ‘ Poet s Song” from “La Boheme,” “Questa Quella” from “Rigoletto,” the “Drinking Song from “La Traviata.” “O Sole . Mio, and the melodic theme song, lell Me 10Night.” The brilliant players of a splendid cast are Sonnie Hale, the London comedian who scores a personal triumph and is heard .to advantage in the comic duet “Not. For Myself Alone,” sung with clever Athene Seyler; Edmund Gwcnn, who is delightfully comic as the Mayor of Kern; Bervl Chester, and that tine vocalist, Audrey Mather. A very, fine subject on this programme is Our 1 ighting Navy.”