PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 20685, 7 January 1931, Page 7

PICTURE THEATRES

REGENT

A dramatic scene was enacted at the bachelor apartment, where Frank Devereaux (Rod La Rocque) was shot, when Lawrence Reagan (William Boyd), husband of the woman accused of the shooting, confessed to' police that he and not his wife, Ann (Barbara Stanwyche), had fired the 38-cahbred ball into Devereaux’s chest. District Attorney White refused to take the confession seriously, in the belief that Reagan was shielding his pretty young wife. Mrs Reagan, was discovered locked in the room with Devereaux when the Bellevue Hotel manager and part of his staff burst through the locked door on which a sign reading “ Don’t disturb,” was hanging from the outside. A call for help, and the reports of two shots came through the switchboard of the hotel, when the telephone was tipped over in a struggle. Reagan and his wife work their difficult problem out satisfactorily in ‘ The Locked Door,’ an all-dialogue production, now showing at the Regent Theatre. An excellent supporting programme includes several particularly entertaining featurettes. The box plan arrangements are at The Bristol and at the theatre.

PRINCESS

‘ Son of the Gods,’ the new First National and Vitaphone special starring Richard Barthelmess, which is attracting large crowds to the Princess Theatre, contains a great deal of the ancient wisdom of Confucius, the Chinese philisopber. In the story, which concerns the thrilling life of an American boy raised by a Chinese patriarch under the impression that he himself is Chinese, there is considerable dialogue between the aged Chinese “ f ather ” and his “son.” When difficulties face them, when tragedy seems to stalk them, the slant-eyed patriarch resorts to Confucius and finds therein gems of wisdom which console him and nelp him to bear the blows of life.

The story of * Son of the Gods ’ is so unusual, and gives Barthelmess such rare histrionic opportunities that the picture is assuming sensational boxoffice proportions throughout the country. The largo supporting cast is headed by Constance Bennett, and several very talented players also appear in various roles.

In addition to this splendid Rex Beach story, the Princess presents a full programme of short subjects,, that assist in passing away the first hour in delightful style. The box plans are at The Bristol and at Hall’s fruit shop. COMING AT LONG LAST.

Sir Benjamin and Mr John Fuller will present for the first time in Dunedin at the Princess Theatre on Friday afternoon 5 the all-talking., singing, and dancing production, ‘ Under a Texas Moon,’ which is photographically reproduced entirely in technicolour. Tne picture is described as being one of the most fascinating yet turned out by the producers of ‘ Gold Diggers of Broadway.’ The unusual plot deals with the adventures of Don Carlos (Frank Fay), a handsome devil-may-care caballero, who is a modern Don Juan swearing undying devotion to every pretty senorita he meets. This irresponsible adventurer makes lying a fine art, a first-class amusement, a game of wits. The story of the Mexican jumping bean that was his friend and saved his life is said to take rank with Mark Twain’s leaping frog. ‘ Under a Texas Moon ’ tells the glamorous story of this remarkable dabbler with women’s affections, in a spectacular picture, the settings for which . are mostly taken from Nature. The female star of the cast is Armida, the clever and highly-temperamental actress who show 7 ed such* excellent work with John Barrymore in ‘General Crack.’ Armida is the shortest woman in a star position in talking pictures. Among the supporting players are Noah Beery, Myrna Loy, Raquel Torres, Mona Maris, Fred. Kohler, Tully Marshall, Charles Sellon, and many others. ‘ Under a Texas Moon ’ is from the hook by Stewart Edward White. The box plans are at The Bristol.

EMPIRE

The Empire is at present showing a fine Paramount drama entitled 1 Manslaughter/ in company with several entertaining featurettes and a delightful programme of musical selections by Monsieur De Rose’s orchestra. Tne film has been adapted from Alice Miller’s celebrated book story cf the same title. ■ ‘ Manslaughter ’ is a heart-gripping, nerve-tingling story of Lydia Thorne, a pampered daughter of high society, who lives her frivolous life at high speed until bitter experience and realisation bring her heart of gold to the surface, and she wins through to become an ideal woman. Claudette Colbert, whom Maurice Chevalier says “ is the best of all my leading ladies,” plays the part of Lydia Thorne, and her performance is of a high standard. The leading man is Frederic March, who played the principal part with Ruth Chatterton in ‘ Sarah and Son.’ Brilliant comedy relief runs through every section of the play. Box plans are open at the theatre. TUNEFUL ROGERS’ TALKIE. The Empire Theatre presents a spariding 1 Buddy ” Rogers Paramount picture, ‘ Safety in Numbers, on Friday. . . , ‘ Safety in Numbers is the breezy and highly-amusing tale of a young man who is about to receive an inheritance of £87,500,000. His guardian uncle, deciding that the lad needs to be “ wised up ” to the wiles of the big world, sends him to New York, to bo the guest of three Follies girls. The idea is that if anybody knows what it is all about, it is certain to bo Follies girls. Bat the handsome youth captivates the girls, and one by one, they fall m love with him, although they have spurned other men for years. Buddy also succumbs to the phone operator in the building where the girls have their home. They chill this romance, but he pots out of bounds again, and becomes intrigued by a vamp from the chorus of the Follies. . . Finally, he finds that he is in love with Kathryn Crawford, sweetest-na-tnred of the three “ guardians.” _ It takes a fistic encounter with his rival to win her in the uproarious finish. This sprightly plot is interwoven with catchy new melodies, three of them in all, and “Buddy” does a large share of the singing in the picture.

QGTAGOH

1 Hell’s Island ’ has been a popular attraction at the Octagon Theatre this week. Jack Holt and Ralph Graves, screen’s favourite “pal” team which achieved such success in / Submarine and ‘ Flight,’ interpret similar roles in this production. Dorothy Sebastian, attractive and talented player, is the feminine lead. Others in the cast are Harry Allen, Richard Cramer, and Lionel Belmore. The film has a basis of fact taken from the Riff uprising a few years ago. The fanatical bravery of these Arab tribesmen, their

superb horsemanship, the cool daring of the famous, Legionnaires are all depicted with broad strokes. The supports are interesting. Box plans at The Bristol, and later at the theatre.

NEW CHAPTER OF FRONTIER DATS.

Brimful of realism, of action, of suspense, of romance—with its scenes laid among the scenic wonders, of Zion National Park, in South-western Utah, and marvellous photography keeping pace with its rapid and delightful stoTy—with the peerless Warner Baxter and the charming Mona Maris in the leading roles—that describes ‘The Arizona Kid,’ the Fox Movietone offering for the Octagon on Friday. Baxter, again essays the alluring role of a gay,reckless bandit who captures hearts as he does everything else. Those who enjoyed him in ‘ In Old Arizona | should enioy his performance in this new, chapter of frontier days. Miss Mans gives a fine portrayal as the fiery and primitive dance-hall girl, and CaroL Lombard and Mrs Jiminez head the supporting cast to admirable effect.

STRAND

The current programme at the Strand Theatre contains a good deal of variety, the feature picture being ‘The Storm.’ Paul Cavanagh and William Boyd, two old friends, are torn by. desire for the one womap. Lupe Velez is ideally cast as the vivacious FrenchCanadlan girl, around whom the love interest centres, and has never been seen to better advantage than in this role. The players who appear m The Storm ’ spent weeks in the Sierra. Mountains of California in order to obtain the proper location for the outdoor scenes. The box plans are at the theatre.

RIN-TIN-TIN AGAIN,

A fine film of the wilds is due at the Strand on Friday, when Rin-Tin-Tin will return in his latest talkie,‘Tiger Rose.’ Elaying in this stoisr are H. 13. Warner, Monte Blue, and Lupe Velez, and the plot holds numerous surprises in store for intending patrons.

ROXY

‘ In Old Arizona,’ at the Roxy Theatre, offers remarkably fine acting and stirring scenes. Dorothy Burgess is extremely clever as Tenia, and Edmund Lowe makes a very vigorous sergeant, full of dash and fire. Warner Baxter, as the Cisco Kid. who has killed six men in more or less fair scrimmages, and “winged” many additional ones,is beloved by Tonia, but only for the time being, her affections being transferred to Sergeant Micky Dunn, who is attached to a cavalry troop detailed to capture the Cisco Kid. There are ample supports. Friday’s attraction will be ‘Romance of Rio Grand©,’ a ravishing romance filled with action and nielody.

KING EDWARD

‘The Leatherneck,’ starring William Boyd and Robert Armstrong, comes to the King Edward Theatre to-night. The story deals with a party of British soldiers stationed in China. Disappearing mysteriously one night, three of them are posted as deserters. After some time they reappear dramatically.One walking upright bears across hia shoulders the dead body of the second? while the third staggers along in the rear bereft of his reason. The sane man is court martialled, and the sensational story lie recounts makes a fine tfieme for a dramatic tale. A talented cast is associated with. Boyd, f