AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20709, 6 May 1929, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. Two excellent pictures are being shown at the Regent Theatre this week. “Four Walls” is the principal attraction, and has the popular John Gilbert in the leading role. He is reported to.be the highestpaid artist on the screen to-day. Joan Crawford is seen _ playing the feminine load. The picture is purely a drama, and is full of gripping situations. The picture gives John Gilbert his strongest role since he appeared in “The Big Parade.” As leader of an underworld gang, his life a vortex of conflicting elements from defiance of the law to abiding romance and lurid drama, he again finds scope for expressing the full extent of his genius. One minute finds his fury unleashed in dealing with merciless foes without—the next, he is struggling poignantly with himself, striving to build up a new life clear of_ the “Four Walls” of his previous existence. Benny _ (John Gilbert), gang leader, shoots a rival because of Frieda, Benny’s girl, protrayed by Joan Crawford. _ Sullivan, a detective, has him sent to prison for four years, during which time _ he resolves to reform. However, on his release, Frieda .fights to win him back, though his mother wants him to marry Bertha, a quiet, homely girl, who lias lived with his mother, and brought her consolation throughout the terra of Benny’s imprisonment. However, in a cabaret fight in which Benny is unwittingly- embroiled, Frieda risks her life in his, and after the police prove their innocence the couple find happiness at last. A battle between police and gangsters as seen from the roof of a New York skyscraper is one of the unusual -scenes shown in the course of the pictures. The battle takes place in and around the East Side Political Club, when two rival gangs engage in a free-for-all fight. John Gilbert and Joan Crawford escape from'the hall to the roof and from this vantage point lean over the parapet and watch the fight in the streets below. A happy conclusion, however, is reached. “ My Friend from India,” is the supporting picture, rind has the comical Franklin Pangborn in the title role. The picture is full of humorous situations, and is a laugh from start to finish. The Regent Orchestra, under the baton of Mr Neville Ravel, adds much to the evening’s enjoyment. EMPIRE THEATRE. Another packed house at the Empire ■Theatre on Saturday manifested complete satisfaction with the which will be presented for this week. The first picture is “ Three Week-ends,” in which Clara Bow is exceptionally good. The other production is “ Eve’s Leaves,” the star actress is Leatrice Joy. There is an abundance of merriment provided in the two pictures named. An additional and one that has now become an institution at this popular playhouse, is the excellent budget of local news that is contained in the Weekly Gazette. These pictures, all of which are produced in tbe_ most approved style, cover a wide, variety of happenings in the city throughout the past few days. “ Thrccf* Weekends” is n story of youth and its inevitable impulsiveness and endless misunderstandings, but, like all good stories, the ending is a happy one, at least for the two principals who really matter. Clara Bow makes all the fun, and introduces the greater part of the romance also, the hero and the convenient millionaire (Harrison Ford) being kept quite busy enough giving her sufficient openings for the exercise of her surprising energy and her peculiarly charming manners. Gladys O’Brian lives in a tenement flat with her father, and mother, and afterabout ,18 years of it is heartily sick of the constant disagreements, ranging from wordy battles to free fights, which seem to be the common round qf tho neighbouring tenants. Determined to ensnare some eligible and wealthy young man, she is attracted by a splendid limousine and an immaeuately-clad yojith whom she takes to be one of the sons* of wealth. She was not. to know that he was merely one of the hired servants of wealth, and the situation becomes more than complicated by the, fact that love at first sight is mutual. The first week-end is interesting, the second romantic, and the third exciting, finishing up on a delightfully humorous note. The picture is well produced, the story is irresistibly told, and the casting is good. “Eve’s Leaves” concerns a young lady whose life on her father’s tramp steamer leaves no time for the cultivation of the, adorning graces of femininity. She never misses them until a romantic old sea cook lends penny thrillers and love stories that sets her dreaming of Prince Charming. She cannot at first understand why the first young man she is attracted by exhibits no sign of reciprocal interest. The kindly cook tells her she lacks -sex appeal, and provides her, : . with a guide to the cultivation of that very necessary female weapon, and as a result the determined young lady changes her dungaree trousers and flannel shirt for less modest but ’more revealing attire. The result is amazing. OCTAGON THEATRE. There is no sign of a falling off in the attendances at the Octagon Theatre, which fact speaks volumes for the popularity of the Fox movietone pictures. _ The present programme has been retained for a further period, and Saturday was as large an attendance as ever. It is wonderful how clearly the voice comes out, and patrons hear many notables that, but for the movietone, ' they probably never would hear. A conspicuous feature is a speech by his Majesty the King, delivered only a short while before the illness that caused the natioft such grave concern. The voice comes out with wonderful distinctness, the occasion of its delivery being the opening of the new bridge at Newcastle-on-Tyne, and his Majesty, accompanied by Queen Mary, is not-only seen, but heard performing the ceremony. For a full two minutes his Majesty speaks, every word coming from the reproducer with astonishing clarity. So perfectly is the voice synchronised with the movements and gestures of the speaker that the whole scene is brought before the audience, so that they might actually be attending a similar event in their own city. The cheers of the immense crowd present and all the incidental sounds are also reproduced with startling fidelity. Another celebrity tjiat is listened to is General Godlty who is officiating at a welcome to some American visitors to Gibraltar. There are. several other instances in which the movietone creates wonderment. “ In a Music Shoppe” is a novelty, and is illustrative of incidents in the life of Sephen Collins Foster, writer of “My Old Kentucky Home,” and other plantation melodies. The little playlet presents many pleasing and attractive features. The Roxy Theatre Orchestra, with its 110 performers, lends interest and beauty to “ The Red Dance,” which is exceptionally well placed. Dolores del Rio and Chares Farrel are seen in the leading roles. The plot centres round incidents in the Russian Revolution, and Miss de. Rio takes the part of Tasia, a Russian girl, whose mother and father were tortured by the Cheka for no other reason than that they taught the villagers to read. The mother dies, the father is thrown into prison, and' Tasia swears revenge. Then comes into the picture the Grand Duke Eugene, a haughty aristocrat, who, by all the laws of the Soviet, should be her deadliest enemy. And so he is until his charm and gallantry and the fact that hia sympathies are really with the people, completely overcome the girl’s enmity. She loses her heart to this man, and after further adventures the pair find their happiness. STRAND THEATRE. “ The Woman Disputed,” the current film at the Strand Theatre, is still attracting good houses. Norma Talmadge is admittedly one of the most charming personalities that has been seen on the screen, and her impersonation in the leading role in “ The Woman Disputed ” is both clever and artistic. The story may be somewhat grim, but there is a good deal of realism about it, and it is not made too grim to be unpalatable. As Mary Ann Wagner, Miss Talmadge is seen in a great pictorial character. Mary meets with two . army, officers, and the acquaintance changes the tenor of her whole life. Both Paul and Nika (Austrian and Russian respectively) fall in love with Mary. Then war breaks out, and Nika gets his first blow in by telling the girl he loves her. Unhappily for him he discovers that the Austrian has got in ahead of him, and that Mary loves the Austrian. Naturally the Russian is furious, when he finds he has been beaten in a matter of affection. He,. unfortunately, obtains bis opportunity when Mary is brought in amongst a, number of other prisoners. A terrible torture is devised, but to save the other prisoners, the girl sacrifices herself. Eventually the lovers are united, and everything is explained away. Though the story is as old as the hills, it is wonderfully portrayed by Miss

Talmadge and those associated with her. The supports are very good, while, under the baton of Mr L. D, Austin, the Strand Orchestra provides sonJe well-chosen music. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE, “The Crimson City” is the principal attraction at Everybody’s Theatre. The production deals with the adventures of Gregory Kent, an Englishman wrongfully accused of embezzlement. He flees to China, and becomes involved in many startling adventures. Ho intercedes for Nan Toy, a slave girl, who is tortured by her Oriental master. Kent is thrown from the place. The story hinges on the fact that a former sweetheart of Kent is visiting Brand, a wealthy oil magnate, who himself loves the white girl. Proof is sent from England that Kent is not guilty, and then follow the complications which involve all the actors in the thrilling, drama. How Kent’s former sweetheart comes to claim him, and how Nan Toy fights to keep his love, makes the picture a very exciting photoplay. Myrna Loy plays the part of the brave and broken Nan Toy., Excitement and suspense, as well, as unusual scenic beauty, are seen with the showing of "Wild West Romance," the second feature picture. Rex Bell, a new cowboy star, makes his first appearance in this production, which iis a fitory of the modern West, hut o£ a section of the range country which has not been wholly tamed. The story deals with life in a small Western town, and concerns itself principally with a goodnatured youngster, played by Bell. It is a logical, fast-moving story, in- which Bell falls in love with an evangelist’s claugli-, ter, who he wins after capturing a gang of robbers, A fine cast of plyacrs supports the star,, including Caryl Lincoln; in the feminine lead. GRAND AND PLAZA THEATRES. The new programme at the Grand and Plaza Theatres is one of high merit. The principal picture is “The Luck of the Navy,” and the screen version of the stage play is likely to prove more popular than its stage original. Miss .Evelyn Laye and Henry Victor are the stars in a very cast. They play the parts of and Lieutenant Clive Stanton, R.N., respectively. Incidental to an absorbing story there are hand-to-hand fights, a brilliant ballroom scene, a mobilisation of the fleet, and many other attractions. The story tells how Admiral Maybridge, his ward, Cynthia, and her brother await the return of Clive Stanton, a nephew of the admiral’s. A young foreigner puts in an appearance, ’ and rather upsets matters. He is in love with Cynthia, and jealous of Stanton. The foreigner is involved in a debt and cannot repay the money lender. From this stage the plot is thrilling. The well-known child actor, Jackie Coogan, is the mainstay of the supporting picture, “Johnny, Get Your Hair Cut.” Jackie takes the part of a little orphan boy, whose ambition is to become a successful jockey. He becomes the pivot of some thrilling adventures, rescues a. little girl, who is the daughter of a famous horse owner, and becomes the hero of the hour. . KING. EDWARD THEATRE. With Emil Jannings in the leading role, “ The Street of Sin ” is the chief attraction at the King Edward Theatre. Jannings is cast as “Sledge-hammer Bill," a giant bully,,of the London slum areas. The story is a fast-moving one, and is full of thrills. The two- leading women are Fay Wray and Oga Baklanova. In support is “ The Crimson City,” with Myrna Loy in the featured role of Nan Toy. a Chinese slave girl. The story concerns an Englishman who comes out t» China after being- wrongly accused of embezzlement.