REGENT THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 220, 13 June 1936, Page 16

REGENT THEATRE

“The Amateur Gentleman'’

The vast number of the public who took joy in reading Jeffery Farnol’s excellent story, “The Amateur Gentleman,” over a decade ago, may revive that pleasure bi’ seeing it acted on the screen at the Regent Theatre. This picture, presented by United Artists, features Douglas Fairbanks, jun., and Elissa Landi, as Barnabas Barty and Lady Cleone respectively, but they are but two of a long and capable cast, which does justice to this fine sporting story of Georgian days. Many will remember how the Snake, Cmchester, even while seeking the hand ot Lady Cleone, robs her father, the Marquess, of much money and a string ot valuable pearls, and then sees honest old John Barty, inkeeper and ex-prize-fighter, accused of the theft, convicted, aud sentenced to lie hanged. It is young Barney's mission to sheet home the crime to the guilty party, and to do so he take® on the aspect of a gentleman, and, posing as John Beverley, Esquire, gains an entrance to society. To gain the wherewithal to sustain the role lie has assumed. he actually enters the ring, and knocks out the champion of England. Then in a scries of stirring scenes he helps his father to break jail, and at the same time proves Chichester to'be a liar and a thief, aud in so doing wins Lady Cleone. Good work is done by Gordon Harker, Athole Stewart, Basil Sydney, and Hugh Williams. The programme includes a Regent newsreel, a comedy, “Smart Work,, an aerial trip over Chile, and “Cock o the Walk,” another brilliant coloured symphony by Walt Disney. PLAZA THEATRE “King of the Damned” “King of the Damned,” the GaumontBritish'’production which headed the new programme at the Plaza Theatre yesterday, is a thrilling drama based on a convict revolt for better conditions at the penal settlement of Santa Maria, in the Caribbean Sea. Although the revolt is successful, and the convicts become virtual rulers of the settlement, the news is conveyed to distant authorities, and the story raees to a great climax when the island settlement is almost blown to pieces by a gunboat, which comes to the rescue of the governor and his warders. That powerful actor, Conrad Veidt, does most convincing work as Convict S 3, secret leader of the criminals, and instigator of the revolt. The beautiful blonde Hollywood star, Helen Vinson, enhances her reputation by her splendid acting as rhe daughter of the prison governor, who i® drawn into the intricacies of the. rebellion, and eventually falls in love with the leader of the revolt. Noah Beery, the screen’s arch-villain, scores a distinct success as Mooch, the genial, gross and murderous accomplice of No. 83, who, in the end, cheerfully gives liis. lifc in erder that thousands might be saved.. This great actor lends power, vitality end humour to a distinguished cast. Cecil Ramage makes the repellant character of the brutal commandant' stand out arrestingly, and Edmund 'Willard plays the part of a craven traitor with conspicuous success. The film is a gripping canvas of skilfully blended incidents, which are all colour and movement. “King of the Damned” deserves a niche in the library of great dramatic pictures, for its wide and spectacular canvas is handled with the skill of genius. MAJESTIC THEATRE “The Bohemian Girl” Six men who have made a sjiecialty of comedy construction worked for weeks manufacturing the “gags” with which “The Bohemian Girl.” the new attraction at the Majestic Theatre, abounds. Those inimitable funsters, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, who are starred in the production, contributed their quota in the construction of the hilarity, and the result is laughs aplenty. “The Bohemian Girl" is a worthy successor 1o "Fra Diavolo” and “Babes in Toyland.” The gencral theme of Balfc’s famous ojieretta has been retained, but the work has been adapted to fit the talents of its stars. All the Balfe music has been retained., and one new number, “Heart of a Gipsy,” has been added. Laurel and Hardy are members of a gipsy band. Hardy’s wife. Mae (Mae Busch), falls in love with Devilshoof (Antonio Moreno), of whom the Gipsy Queen is also enamoured. He decides, in order to raise funds for his elopement with Mrs. Hardy, to rob the castle of Count Arnheirn. fie is caught redhanded and whipjH'd. Inspired by thoughts of revenge. Sirs. Hardy abducts the count’s little daughter, the Princess Ariine, and introduces her to her husband as her own child. Later she elopes with Devilshoof, leaving Stan and Ollie to rear the princess as best ns they can. From this point the film changes to a period 14 years later, and there is an exciting climax before the princess is finally restored to her father. Included in a strong supporting programme is a short .subject entitled “Basketball Technique.” It shows the enorjnous advance competitive basketball has 'made in America, and the high degree of skill developed. "The Hit-and-run Driver.” Carrying the recommendation of the Automobile Association (Wellington), an extremely timely short subject is being screened on the Majestic’s new programme. It deals graphically with the tragedy left in the wake of the hit-and-run motorist. Every week accidents of this nature nrc reported, and the film is most opportune, depicting the horror of smashed bodies and lives abruptly ended through carelessness and callousness on the roads. KILBIRNIE KINEMA “Street Singer's Serenade,” which comes to the Kilbirnie Kinema to-day, io sparkling, delightful enterlainment, based on the real-life stories of its two world-popular co-stars, Anna Neagle, whose rise to the starring heights began as a chorus girl, and Arthur Tracy, the original "Street Singer.” whose sensational climb to fame is one of the greatest romances of the entertainment world. Lavishly and spectacularly produced to the merry rhythm of irresistible song and dance bits, "Street Singer's Serenade” has been acclaimed “The Happiness Picture of 1936.” Jack Hulbert, ne of the triumphant grin and cheery demeanour. has an entirely new type of role in “Bulldog Jack,” which is alco on the programme, a mixture of heroiew and comedy, a role which fils him like a glove. He is ably assisted by his brother Claude Hulbert, aud Fay Wray.