AMUSEMENTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20074, 21 October 1939, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE

ZANE GREY’S “HERITAGE OF THE DESERT,” AND “UNDERCOVER DOCTOR”

Exceptional entertainment value is offered for the holiday season at the Majestic Theatre in the two popular features which delighted large audiences yesterday. “Heritage of the Desert" is the filmisation of Zane Grey’s western classic, spinning the fortunes of an easterner who goes west to find out what has happened to his lands, and why a once prosperous estate is now worthless. The easterner, realistically portrayed by Donald Woods, has his suspicion confirmed when an attempt is made upon his life. lie later finds out that O. Henry Gordon, his representative, has not only been cheating him of a fortune, but that he has been using his name as a shield for his other schemes. Robert Barral, an upright cowman, rescues Woods after Gordons gunman has given him up for dead. The pious rancher and his lovely daughter, Evelyn Venable, nurse the easterner back to health. Meanwhile, Woods and Evelyn find they are atattrnclcd to each other. Ohors in •' well-chosen cast arc Mussel Hayden. Sidney Toler, Paul Fix and Willard Robertson. The associate ieature, “Undercover Doctor,” is based on one of the many actual episodes of the G-Men's fight against the United States’ desperadoes, as recorded by ■I. Edgar Hoover in his book, "Persons in Hiding." The Paramount crime film tells of a conspiracy involving a brilliant but weak-willed surgeon, a building contractor who poses as a pillar of society, and a gang of ruthless killers. The surgeon becomes the undercover doctor for the criminals.

KING’S THEATRE

“THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK”

Love, war, sword-play, a King s wickedness, and all the glamour of the France of Louis XIV, adorn the United Artists’ picture, “The Man in the Iron Mask,” now showing to capacity houses at the King’s Theatre. When the Infanta Maria Therese (Joan Bennett), went to Paris from the Court of her father the King of Spain to become betrothed (and eventually married) to the King of France, she was mystified to find that the French King was at one meeting a licentious reprobate, and. at another meeting, a model of kingship and of manly dignity. To the Infanta it almost seemed that the King must be two Kings. And so, in fact, he was. The King’s twin brother Philippe (stolen since birth, to prevent succession difficulties) had suddenly arrived at the Royal Court, and the King had asked his long-lost brother to "double” for him. The real King could not tolerate virtue in a twin brother, and the later was put in prison.

REGENT THEATRE

MYRNA EOY & ROBERT TAYLOR IN “LUCKY NIGHT” A carefree picture, one aimed at complete entertainment and one that hits that mark with great effect, is “Lucky Night,” which continues its successful season at the Regent Theatre. Co-starred in their first film arc Robert Taylor and Myrna Loy. Miss Loy is given an opportunity to display further her talents in comedy and Taylor is given a chance to prove that he can be a comedian, and'a very engaging one. The story is a light, inconsequential piece that presents a bored society girl and a penniless man about town,, They meet, and as the title of the film indicates, they can do nothing wrong. They capture a bandit and collect a fat reward, they win a let of money, and to cap all they wake up one morning and find themselves bound by a*marriage certificate. However. even at this stage, their luck does not let them down, Henry O'Neill plays the leading featured role in this delightful modern romantic comedy, which is replete with Smart American dialogue and situations amusing enough for any film-goer. On the excellent supporting programme is a “Crime Doesn’t Pay" feature, one of .the entertaining M.G.M. Miniatures, and the latest news reels.

—Tuesday: Sequel to “Lives of a Bengal Lancer”: "Storm Over Bengal”—

The dashing Bengal Lancers are brought again to the screen in “Storm Over Bengal,” which has been booked to play a three-day season at the Regent Theatre contmencing next Tuesday. It is set in a small native State, whose ruler is friendly with the British, but whose hillmen are easily stirred to revolt. It is left then to the regiment stationed there to do what it can to ensure peace, not an easy task when every steep valley through which the soldiers pass may become a death trap, with thousands of fierce hillmen wailing in ambush. This is the setting of the climax of the film, but the heroism of a single man enables this most colourful of regiments to show its full worth. Behind this general story lies another of human emotions, for two brothers, both officers in the army, are in love with the same woman. It does not matter that the girl will have nothing to do with one of the brothers; the conflict is only made more bitter. In these leading roles are Patric Knowles, Richard Cromwell and Rochelle Hudson, while Colin Tapley is also in the cast.

OPERA HOUSE

TIIE GREAT NORTH CHINA TROUPE The box plan for the forthcoming season of the world-renowned troupe, the Great North China Troupe, who

are supported by six European vaudeville specialties, opened at Tattersall and Bayly’s this morning. The company left'Hong Kong by the Changtc on August 12 for Sydney, and reshipped by a steamer, arriving in New Zealand in September, and have had remarkably successful seasons in Auckland and Wellington. They commence their season at. the Opera House on Thursday, October 2!». The Capetown Advocate of April 10, 1929, says: "The entertainment provided by Lau Fu Chung and his band of la Orientals has no equal on the variety stage ... so much entertainment is given that imitation would be prohibitively costly. The muscular gymnasts, who swing dangerous knives, balance each other on bamboo poles, and twirl around horizontal bars with such ease and reckless abandon, must surely be the pick of the Orient’s strong men.” The first half of the programme, comprising specially-selected vaudeville acts from London, is headed by the two Campbells, whose musical offering, interspersed with brilliant dancing, is worthy of a pilgrimage, as is the acrobatic dancing of Latona and Sparks.

CIRCUS AND ZOO

PERRY PROS.’ COMBINATION OF ARTISTS The traditional atmosphere and glamour of the sawdust ring will come to Gisborne next Wednesday, when Messrs. Perry Bros.' Circus and Zoo will be located next to the Okilu Cooperative Dairy Company's office. The jew modern, circus includes fill international star aets and IB cages of jungle animals, together with a herd of elephants. Heading the outstanding irray of talent is the Flying Dunbars, who perform miraculous feats 40ft. up in the air and who have thrilled live continents. The Roberdillas arc extraordinary wire-walkers, and Albert Roberdilla is claimed to be the only wire-walker in the world to perform from an upright position both forward and backward somersaults on the wire. There is also Professor Leon, who has mastered the irt of training sheep, and the two Laconas, .sensational aerial trapeze artists.

In addition, there is a big variety of other acts, with a team of Continental clowns introducing a new era • fun and merriment.