PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 20784, 5 May 1931, Page 7

PICTURE THEATRES

ft REGENT ‘Plunder’ the brilliant British comedy, is drawing packed houses to the Regent Theatre this week, and ‘ Plunder ’ is a, clever and uproarious Ben Travers farce, presented by the same first-rate group of players who recently delighted Dunedin audiences . with ‘Rookery Nook.’ It might well have been thought that in Kookery Nook’ Ben Travers had reached a height in comedy he would never again attain, but ‘ Plunder ’ is every bit as good, and, with its predecessor, will be a bright spot in the memories of those who see it for a long time to come. In the leading roles Tom Walls, Ralph Lynn, Winifred Shottoi’j and Mary Brough maintain their high reputation as artists. . , Seats should he reserved either at The Bristol or the theatre. EMPIRE “A singer cannot bo great until his heart has been broken.”_ This pit-re-peated formula for operatic lame is the basis of Ramon Novarro s latest pic- ‘ Call of the Flesh,’ now playing at the Empire Theatre. It is a_ drama of a youth who pays for operatic lame with d'.is heart, whose sacrifice on the altar’ of public adulation leads to tragedv, and whoso realisation that love is stronger than fame proves his ‘ Open Sesame ’ to happiness. Tho story is laid in Seville and Madrid. Novarro sings opera arias in tho opera scenes and. catchy popular songs in the otherscenes ; he and Renee Adoreo do a Spanish dance together—and finally he and' Dorothy Jordan figure in a dramatic situation breath-taking in its magnitude. Novarro starts the role as _ a light-hearted youth, and ends it with one of the greatest dramatic characterisations. Dorothy Jordan is delightful as the little convent girl whose love he wins In addition to ‘Call of the I'lesh, the Empire shows a full list of sound featurettes, and Mr Leslie W. Harvey presents his usual pleasing organ solos. PRINCESS ‘Tho Big Trail’ at the Princess Theatre, is a spectacular production in every sense of tho word, and from the timethe pioneers set forth in their search of new lands beyond until thenjourney’s end there is not one dull moment. The story, which deals with the adventures and perils of_ the early American pioneers, when they were searching for new land in tlicir prairie schooners, is not a new one, yet the whole picture has been treated from a different aspect. In previous films of the same type, one saw the Indian attack on the wagons, but not on the same magnificent scale as shown in ‘The Big'Trail.’ The supporting features are highly entertaining, and seats for this programme should be reserved according to the box plans advertised. STRAND Lupo Velez, the appealing Mexican actress, who has formerly appeared as if Spaniard, a South American, a French gin, and a Canadian, interprets tho part of Ming Toy, tho role of the Chinese girl made famous _on the stage by Fay Baiuter in ‘ East is West,’ tho [Universal production which is delighting large audiences at tho Strand Theatre. Lewis Ayres, the youthful actor, who achieved fame almost overnight as Paul Baumer in ‘ Ail Quiet on the Western Front,’ arid who has since appeared in ‘ Common Clay,’ plays the part of an idealist young American tourist, who purchases the girl in order to free her from a life of bondage. The young man returns to America, where he again meets the fascinating Ming Toy, who falls in love with her benefactor. Ho reciprocates her affection, but parental prejudice against an inter-racial marriage threatens w upset tho romance. Both the boy’s mother and father, however, aro finally won over by the fenuinc sweetness and charm of Ming by, but it is not until tho unscrupulous plans of a menacing Chinese are thwarted that the story ends on a happy note. ‘LOVE IN THE ROUGH.’ Hilarious complications abound -in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer comedy of golf and laughter, ‘ Love in the Rough,’ that will bo screened at the Strand Theatre on Friday next. A great cast is featured, including such ipopular players as Robert Montgomery, Dorothy Jordan, Benny Rubin, J. C. Nugent, Dorothy APNulty, and Tyrrell Davis. ‘Love in tho Rough’ has been described as “the most refreshing screen faro of tho season.” It was filmed for the most part out of doors, and the fun on the golf links between the comedians and the hero and heroine is tremendously amusing. There are some bright musical hits interspersed into the comedy, and altogether the picture is said to provide sparkling entertainment that should please all classes of patrons. OCTAGON Jack Holt’s new picture, ‘ The Squealer,’ at tlie Octagon Theatre, presents one of the best casts seen in many days. Opposite Holt, who in this picture deserts his debonair portrayals of out-of-door heroes for that of a strong, stern man who directs the crime world from v, place high in social and business circles, charming Dorothy Revier plays the leading feminine role. Miss Revier’s reputation and popularity as a screen star need no description. Who has endeared herself by a long list of excellently portrayed heroines, in productions of outstanding merit. Little Davey Leo, who rose to fame with A 1 Jolson, and who is rapidly on his way to take 1 tho place on the screen left by Jackie Coogan wL.n that young worthy outgrew the cherubic age, has another lovable role in ‘The Squealer.’ Matt Moore, one of filmdoin’s elite, lias another of his quiet, sympathetic roles. Zasu Pitts, that natural and clever comedienne heads the list of minor players A fine supporting hill is shown. Book at cither The Bristol or tho theatre. ANOTHER POWELL DRAMA. ■.Two women are tho motivating forces in William Powell’s latest starring picture, ‘Shadow of the Law,’ which will be shown at the ''ctagon Theatre on Friday. One of them, the blonde Natalie Moorhead, holds Powell’s future in her hand; the other, beautiful brown-haired Marion Shilling, is the girl ho loves and cannot woo. ‘ Shadow of the Law ’ brings Powell to tho Octagon screen in an even more thrilling picture than ‘Street of Chance.’ Hero Powell is an innocent, highly-cultured man convicted of a crime which he di ’ not commit, sentenced to life in prison, and floes, after a breath-taking escape, to find tho woman who can prove him innocent. The story of ‘ Shadow of tho Law ’ is a desperate fight of one man against the unwarranted claim of society on his life.

ROXY ‘ Murder Will Out,’ a mystery story in which blackmail, supposedly by the Chinese, is the main theme, is tho current attraction at the Roxy Theatre. In tho early stages of tho story an agitated nervous man, moving in good society, is seen wracked with terror at a "communication ho lias received from a supposed Chinese secret society, tolling him that unless a certain sum is handed over lie will die at midnight. A male friend is appealed to, and his sympathies are easily enlisted, his help in a practical form following, much to the disapproval of his fiancee. Tho nervous man is found at tho appointed hour for tho deed —midnight—in a dying condition, duo to some subtle method of the mysterious kind. As the story progresses the atmosphere of mystery is fully maintained, and an unexpected climax is reached. There is also a good programme of supporting pictures. KING EDWARD Warner Baxter and Mona Maris assume the principal roles in ‘ The Arizona Kid,’ tho featured attraction at the King Edward Theatre. The story tells of an army commander who is required to provide a likeness of a famous outlaw for Sheriff Andrews of Rockville. Chico Cabrillo (the Kid) takes part in an attempted highway robbery in order to obtain the photograph," and later becomes entangled m an intrigue. Nick Hoyt and Virginia, posing as brother and sister, when in reality they aro man and wife, becomes associated with Chico, and learn of his real identity. Hoyt plans to capture Chico, but events take a sudden and startling turn, and an impressive climax is reached. There is also a good supporting programme.