PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 21093, 4 May 1932, Page 7

PICTURE THEATRES

REGENT Few better opportunities for eino- • tional acting have been given; in recent films than in ‘The Rosary,’ at the ‘ Regent Theatre. An appropriate at- ' mosphere is created for the picture by Miss Rita Holmes’s singing of ‘ The Rosary ’ as part of a well-arranged stage prologue. Though the main | theme is the portrayal of a woman’s | sacrifice for the happiness of her I younger sister, the story touches many lives and follows the play of many human emotions. As the elder sister, ;] Margot Grahame has a role that calls I for much dramatic acting, and shows | groat art in making the most of the 1 part while stilt restraining it within the bounds of normal human behaviour. And if the virtue of the leading character is a little beyond the experience of ordinary people, they will find some sympathy for the varied types that arc k portrayed by Elizabeth Allen as the 1111- ' scrupulous, selfish younger sister, Walter Piers as the impecunious father and self-confessed forger, Leslie Perrins as the employer who spends a week-end . with his typiste but falls really in love with virtue, or Charles Groves as Hornett, butler in the Mannering house-, hold, and his master’s accomplice in ! forgery. The nobility of the theme and the haunting melody of ‘ The Rosary’ song, faintly heard at intervals, seem to lift the whole story to-a higher level than forgers, stenographers, and murderesses usually attain, and to lift the audience with them. EMPIRE The technical excellence of ‘ Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde,’ the Paramount talkie which is now enjoying success at the Empire Theatre, cannot be faulted; the plot development is a masterpiece of suspense. As a matter of fact, Director Mamoulian has succeeded almost too well in striking the emotions he sought. Frederic March has the dual roles. As Dr Jekyll his performance is remarkable ; it expresses everything. Transformed into Mr Hyde, his ape-like make-up nearly eliminates all need for histrionic talent. Both the feminine players deserve mention; Rose Hobart, for her restraint as Muriel Carew ; Miriam Hopkins, for the sympathy she commands as Ivy Parsons, the ill-fated Cockney victim of Mr Hyde. Dr Jekyll, a brilliant young doctor, who believes every man has a dual personality, experiments with himself, eventually creatmg*a potent drug capable of transforming him into a fiend who passes as Mr Hyde. Dr Jekyll • loves Muriel Carew, a society girl; but marauding as Air Hyde, he terrorises Ivy Parsons, cheap cabaret girl. Whenever he desires he can allay the effects of the drug and return to his real self, but gradually it masters him, and he kills Ivy. Fleeing from justice, he finds himsel. cut off from the restorative potion for a time ; and when at last he gains access to it he is too late, and is slain by his pursuers. Mr Paul T. Cullen presides at the organ. Several interesting featurettes precede ‘ Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.’ ST. JAMES In ‘ The Cuban Love Song,’ at the St. Janies Theatre, Lawrence Tibbett proves that he has ripened into an actor lit to rank among the screen’s best. He is more polished, and lie displays a remarkable versatility. His part in this picture must have been difficult to portray. He is at once a great comedian and" a great dramatic artist. His comedy work is of particular merit in that it is unique. It cannot be compared with that °f any other actor because Tibbett is not an actor of a type, but is an individualist, and it is here that theatregoers find his humour so refreshing and his mannerisms so amusing. Of the several songs which Tibbett sings throughout the film ‘ The Cuban Love Song ’ is perhaps the tit-bit, and it is certain to become one of the season’s song hits. Of a uniformly excellent supporting cast the work of Lupe Velez perhaps stands out. She sings two songs in good voice, while her characterisation in the role of Nenita leaves little to be desired. The part suits her particular type of acting, and in that type Lupe Velez is a specialist. Ernest Torrence and Jimmy, Durante introduce most, of the comedy. These two comedians enhance the reputations they gained with i their contribution to the success of ‘ Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford.’ ‘ Dive In,’ a most interesting swimming film, is included in the fine budget of supports. STRAND The successor lo ‘ Riders of the Purple Sage,’ which recently proved so popular with Dunedin andtences, * The Rainbow Trail,’ the Fox film version of Zaire Grey’s thrilling story, is now Showing at the Strand Theatre. Tossing a taunt to organised outlawry, stealing a beautiful girl from under the very nose of a bandit gang, George O’Brien is said to make everyone’s ideal of manhood como true in the new picture. Laid in a section of the old West, where corruption was so deeply entrenched, the new film teaches a much-needed lesson lo members of the present generation. Reported to be packed with alternating heart throbs, thrills, and laughs, ‘ The Rainbow Trail ’ is enacted by a notable cast, which, in addition to O’Brien, includes Cecilia Parker, Minna Gombell, Roscoe Ates (the stuttering comedian), James Kirkwood, and .1. M. Kerrigan, W. L. Thorne, Niles Welch. Laska Winters. Robert Frazer. Alice Ward, and Edward Hearn. OCTAGON Whatever the screen may have lost through the absence from the talkies of Douglas Fairbanks, that popular star of the silent days, it is obvious that “ Doug.,’’ jun., will make a very satisfactory substitute, for be infuses the Fairbanks’ dash into bis acting. With Loretta Young in bis latest effort, ‘ I Like Your Nerve,’ at the Octagon Theatre. he is characteristically lighthearted, and makes the most of one of the brightest comedies of the year. The title induces one to expect something of a fast-moving nature, but the sheer exuberance that is unfolded cannot be anticipated. It is not the empty foolery that is so loosely termed comedy, but a humour that is more after the style of the Ronald Column productions, and the popularity of that actor needs no elaboration. The plot, it is true, lias been exploited many times with different personalities: it is the personalities and the circumstances in this case, however. that make all the difference. •Matheson Lang has the role of a Chinese mandarin in * The Chinese Bungalow,’ the additional attraction. WHO EDWARD Exquisite music is the most enjoyable of the many pleasing features of ‘ Viennese Nights,’ the great creation of the famous collaborators, Oscar Hammerstein 11. and Sigmund Romberg, which comes to the King Edward -to-night for , its fourth Dunedin season. Few melo-

dies of recent years have had the catchy lilt of the Venetian waltz, but this is strikingly evident in ‘ You Will Remember Vienna ’ and ‘ I Bring n Love Song ’ —two of the quaintest tunes heard in many a long day. No wonder they have enjoyed astonishing popularity and still do. Apart from these song's, the picture boasts other music, songs, and choruses, which easily surpass the majority of the “ hits ” of the talking screen; and, what is more, they do not in any way detract from the story—in fact, without its vocal selections ‘ Viennese Nights ’ would be devoid of much of its appeal. Nevertheless, there is a tender and beautiful story, told m a manner that cannot fail to be appreciated. It concerns the fate of a girl who falls in love with a poor musician. She is forced, however, by the aspirations of her father, to marry a rich and titled officer. Vivienne Segal is a glorious soprano, and even though she must capture her listeners with her golden voice she must also command attention as an actress of class. Her work throughout is magnificent. The leading tenor is Alexander (fray, and he. too, sings and plays his way into a loud corner of the audience. The lesser roles are well handled.