AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20828, 21 September 1929, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

STRAND THEATRE. -“The Donovan Affair ” is still-the feature of the programme at the Strand Theatre, and another large and appreciative audience enjoyed its thrills and mystery last night. Every one of the players in the distinguished cast speaks his lines, and the picture is in reality an all-talkie production. The plot of the film depends entirely upon the dialogue, without which it would be quite impossible to appreciate fully the mysterious significance of the story. " The Donovan Affair ” is a picfciwe that can be relied upon to attract the attention and hold it to the last fadeout. It is an enthralling and absorbing drama of- the best kind. The story deals with the fortunes of Jack Donovan, a society blackmailer. He has many acquaintances. to most of whom he has given every cause to hate him.- It is in a darkened room, in the company of these acquaintances, that he meets a violent death. The actual identity of the murderer is not divulged until the conclusion of the picture, when the criminal is trapped by a very clever ruse. The plot is thrilling, but the suspense is relieved by flashes of humour and broad comedy, w filch arc so cleverly woven into the story that they become part of it. The cast is a very strong one.. Jack Holt, in the role of Inspector Killian, is the dominant figure. . Dorothy Revier, Agnes Ayres Hank - Jlann, and John Roche fill the remaining, parts with credit. The supporting programme is also a good one. There are two entertaining gazettes, one of which is remarkable for its delicate technicolour. and-.there is an interesting film depicting life in Central Africa. The unseen orchestra provides an entertaining programme of incidental music, and this is further enhanced by a very good rendering of Suppe’s “Light Cavalry.” EMPIRE THEATRE. The Empire Theatre celebrated its first anniversary yesterday with the screening of a picture, the quality of which was in keeping with so important an occasion. It is entitled “The Divine Lady,” and has as its theme the love story of Lord Nelson, one of the greatest heroes of Bri tish history, and the beautiful Lady Hamilton. The story' is comparatively well known, and it was to be expected that sooner or later a tale so romantic and of. such interest would find its way to the screen. It has come in a form that will make it a pleasant memory in the minds of all who see it. It is ap parent from the start that the making of the picture was no easy task. The story itself is of such a nature as to require careful handling, and the fact that many of the scenes call for the best that producers can give and the expenditure of a great deal of money is probably the reason why the story has not previously been presented as a moving picture. The fact that the scenes are laid in one of the most romantic periods of British history gives the picture instant appeal, and the beauty of England at the time has been faithfully reproduced. Indeed, one of the outstanding features of the production is the beauty of the scenery, and it is obvious that in this respect great pains have been taken to make a- picture well above the ordinary. “ The Divine Lady ’’ is not an " all-talkie ”, picture, but sound is introduced on many occasions to make the numerous spectacular scenes more real, and also, in parts, to add to the beauty of the production. Told with due delicacy, the story is a singularly beautiful one, and woven into it are passages that arc stirring in the extreme. Such outstanding events as the battles of the Nile and Trafalgar are depicted with remarkable realism. One sees the British and- French fleets sailing into battle and hears .the booming of the broadsides and the crash of falling masts, as well as the multitude of other sounds which accompanied the fierce sea fighting of the period. From an historical point of view the picture has its instructive value, and one is giv *n an insight into the glorious times' in which Nelson lived that reading could probably, not convey. In short. “The Divine Lady ” combines ell. the features that go to make a first-class picture, and if is one that should suit all, tastes. The story opens in a beautiful little English village, whence • Emma and her mother have come to act as maid and cook respectively in the home of the Hon. Charles Greville. Greville is struck by the beauty of . the girl, and between them there grows a' friendship' which, on the part of Emma at least, ripens into love. Then‘Lord Hamilton, the British Ambassador at Naples, comes fco visit Greville, and he arranges to take Emma with him on his return. Greville promises to join them later. At Naples Emma studies in order to become as accomplished as_ a lady of the period should be, but Greville does not join her, and in despair she, agrees to marry Lord Hamilton, whq is many years her senior. While she is- at Naples she makes the acquaintance of Nelson who has the rank of a captain. He is struck by her great'beauty. The war between England and France is becoming more serious, and the little kingdom to save hersell has to observe a strict' neutrality. Thus when Nelson returns a second time the ports are closed to him. His men are dying of scurvy, and he is unable to obtain water “ and provisions. How Lady Hamilton persuades the Queen of Naples to sign an order, to allow the ships to obtain provisions, and how her actions enable Nelson to Win the Battle of the Nile, are ■told in graphic’style. Then there are the spectacular scenes on his _ return to Naples, and the story grows in interest ae one is told of the attachment whicn springs up between the victorious admiral and Lady Hamilton, their subsequent life, and the death of Nelson in the hour of victory at Trafalgar. The closing scenes are singularly beautiful and touching, and one must be Indeed hard of heart to view them unmoved. Heading the east is the beautiful Corinne Griffith, whose performance is a particularly fine one, and,there are several other outstanding players, including Victor Varconi. as Nelson, In support of the main picture .an excellent programme is presented. Following the usual news reel is a series of short “talkies," the first of which is given by Bernado de Pace, who shows that he is deserving of the title of “The Wizard of the Mando’in.” He contributes a series of well-known numbers with remarkable skill. • An excellent item is the singing of “ Celeste Aida," from the opera “Aida ’’ (Verdi), by Giovanni Martinelli, who is the possessor of, a remarkably fine tenor voice, and a comedy item by George Jessel is very acceptable. The overture “ Raymond,” played by the Philharmonic Orchestra, is exceptionally fine, and the musical side of the programme is comp'eted by the excellent playing of Mr Leslie V. Harvey, the organist. Though his stay in Dunedin has now become a lengthy one, appreciation of his efforts has not waned, and he is still able to hold the close attention of hie audience by his clever manipulation of the instrument. His chief items on the new programme are “The Glow Worm,” which is made all the more enjoyable by the introduction of twinkling lights, and the popular “Dainty Miss.” So hearty was the applause last night that he was ob'iged to give an encore. and even then some .of his audience would have had more. REGENT THEATRE. Those who have already seen and heard the remarkable sound film, “The Broadway Melody,” at the Regent Theatre will appreciate the wisdom of the action of the management in extending the season for a further week. The enthusiasm shown at the seventh screening of this great picture last night demonstrated the vividness of the impression it makes upon its audiences. 1 Dunedin is by no means alone. in this connection. There has not been a centre at which “ The Broadway Melody ” has been shown that did not demand an extended season. The variety which the producers have crowded into the film is staggering, and the singing, talking, and dancing are all of an excep-‘ tionally high standard. It has been claimed for this talking film that it ig an illustration of how far the wonderful new film development has progressed, and as such it indicates what remarkable success has been achieved in so short a space of time in the new technique. In the dancing it offers an altogether bewildering maze of beautiful movements by a group of vivacious chorus girls, who present a variety of dances. This scene gains in beauty and attractiveness by the fact thatit is produced in technicolour. The stagecraft and the costuming are on a most lavish scale, and the music is of a very taking character. In many respects “ The Broadway Melody ” may be said to resemble a first-class revue, rapid in action, full, of tunefulness, and full of charm and variety. Bessie Love and Anita Page make of the Mahoney sisters a very human and charming pair. Their wardrobe may well be the envy of female patrons.

Charles King, the manly hero, who makes the discovery that he is in love with the wrong sister, is very effective in everything he does. . There is an interestingly varied supporting programme also which finds ready acceptance with the audience. It includes a splendid range of sound productions, such as vocal items by Joseph Regan, the Ifish-American tenor, who sings “ I Wonder ” and “ I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen," and there is also a very fine syncopated turn by a jazz band combination under the control of Jan Garber. The shorts include “The Sunday School Kids’ Celebrating,” “Trooping the Colours on 'the King’s Birthday,” “Sharkey Has His Day at Heme,” “The , Wedding of the Painted Doll," and “ Birth Marks,” the last-named being a thoroughly enjoyable and wellproduced comedy. All. these features, combined with the extraordinary excellence of “The Broadway Melody,” constitute entertainment of the * most enjoyable kind. They make up a programme which the Regent Theatre management need not scruple to offer to their public for two weeks in succession. OCTAGON THEATRE. „ There is not the least doubt that the hour Devils,” which had a triumphant premiere_before a large audience at the Octagon Theatre last night, is a ’prbduolion which compares more than favour-. a !r ” r, th the numerous pictures usually offered to the public. The film successfully combines art and entertainment, inis success has been attained by combining a human, logical story, perfect performance, and flawless direction. ■ In the Four Devils ” there are touches of comedy and pathos, and many thrills. Etched upon a background of circus life, the ‘Four Devils” tells of the lives of four acrobats —two girls and two boys. These four central figures are helped by & kindly clown to ascend to fame and happiness from the squalid, heartbreaking life of a wagon circus, only to find their deepest sorrow in the midst of success, The “Four Devils” loses none of its attractive and entertaining powers because it is practically a silent film: Occasional .sounds are produced during the filming of the story, these being the plaudits of the circus audiences, the clang of the actor’s warning bell, and the piping of the ringmasters whistle. There is eternal truth in simplicity, and the director has demonstrated .this truth in the “ Four Devils.” The four circus acrobats who figure, in the picture are portrayed by Janet Gaynor, Nancy Drexel, Burry Norton, and, Charles Norton. Miss Gayv nor gives one of the outstanding characterisations of her film career in the appealing role "of the circus trapeze performer. Mary Duncan and Farrell Macdonald are also prominently cast in the picture. Farrell Macdonald’s role of the circus clown is ono /of the most artistic and most human portrayals of all the emotions that a character actor can be called upon to reveal. A white horse, two little girls, an old clown, and' a poodle dog make up the personnel- of Cecchi’s'circus. They are itinerant players who eks out d meagre existence by entertaining at countryside villages. A miser-able-looking woman appears with two small boys, whom she begs the circus master to take, as she can no longer maintain them. The lads, in panic at being handed over to the cruel circus, master, find a friend in the old 'clown .and sisters in the two little girls, Charles, the elder of the boys, is cruelly beaten by Cecchi, who, in a drunken fury, threatens the sleeping children. The old clown, aroused by this cruel treatment, leaps upon Cecchi. and in a terrific ’fight beats him insensible. ' The clown takes the four children away to a new life. In a large circus, many years later; -there is the old clown with his four fledglings, * now grown to circus performers. The boy, Charles, and Marion (Janet Gaynor) both accomplish the death-defying leap. It is at this moment that the greatest attention of the audience is riveted to the screen. Gazing in sheer wonder at the sights of a modern day circus, oue watches the “ Four Devils,” Each one, standing astride two white horses, bounds into the ring and is drawn to the dome of the tent. A gorgeously dressed woman of the aristocracy watches the performance. She is fascinated with Charles, and there are subsequent visits by the youfig acrobat to her. The clown, in' despair, attempts to dissuade Charles, but in vain. Marion follows Charles to the woman’s apartment and pleads with her to save the boy from ruin. There is a sensational climax, but it would be unfair to describe the final sequences. The picture is accompanied by the invisible Roxy Theatre Orchestra. The supporting programme is varied and entertaining. It commences with,the Fox Movietone News; in which the principal events of the day are seen and the voices of those concerned are distinctly heard* An even greater attraction is an all-talking comedy film, 'entitled “Mind Your Business," which provides enjoyment for young and old alike. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. There was a fair crowd at Everybody’s Theatre last night to witness the initial screening of the new programme which consists of two feature pictures and a new episode /of “The Collegians.” This episode proved to be quite as good and fully as popular as the nine chapters that preceded it, the humour, love, and adventures of the young players being entirely to the taste of the audience. The feature of the programme was undoubtedly “Girls Gone Mad,” the latest story of the modern generation, jazzing its way through life with the gay, abandon that has been the vogue ’of youth, whatever critics* may say, from time immemorial. Two of the younger Hollywood celebrities in Sue. Carol and Nick Stuart have the principal roles,’ and are supported by a long list of such wellknown artists as ' William Russell, Roy D’Ai'cy, and The story is similar to mamy which have appeared on the screen , lately. .Baba Holworthy, wealthy and wild, meets her first setback in life when she passes a “ stop ” signal and bumps into Judge- Elliott’s limousine. She receives a traffic officer’s ticket, vjhioh she. tears up, trusting to her father’s political influence to “ shve her skin.” Dan Brown is the officer, and his sou. Buck, wins a scholarship presented by" Bab’s .. father.- Buck becomes friendly with Babe, and Tony Morelli, Holworthy’s boot-legger, appears on thescene and, dances with Babs until be is ordered out of the house by the girl’s father. In the midst of the party Dap Brown presents himself 'armed, with a warrant for. the girl’s arrest. It is then found that Buck is Dan’s son.i, and Babs scorns him. The latter decides to accept Morclli’s invitation to a block party. ' While she is dancing with Tony, he is shot. Buck gets her away from the scene' but is forced to take the two gunmen with him, and old Dan gives chase. He is shot and Buck is thrown out of the ear, his father banding over his badge to the boy with instructions to get the ruffians. In an exciting phase the story works up to a thrilling climax. The other .picture features the winsome little Chinese actress.- Anna May Wong, who ig supported by Henry George and Mary Kidd. The title, is “ Show Life,” and the story concerns;a girl who is the partner of. a man who earns bis living an a knife-thrower in a cabaret show. There are many exciting scenes, including a railway hold-up. . The 1 whole programme is very satisfactory . entertainment. GRAND AND PLAZA THEATRES. At the head of the new bill presentedfor the first time at the Grand and Plaza Theatres yesterday is “The Joker,” which is based upon a .not unfamiliar play by Noel Scott. It is a British Dominions film of considerable merit. Gilbert Borwick, one of the leading characters, is a solicitor who engages in Blackmailing* and incidentally obtains possession ot love letters and a locket which he turns to pecuniary account. He, begins to look for the lady who is involved - in the matter. In a gambling den he wins heavily from Sir Herbert Penning, and later loses all his winnings to a man known as “ The Joker.” Berwick recognises in Lady Penning the woman of the locket, and he makes a deal by exchanging the locket for a valuable pearl necklace. His next attempted deal is to obtain money for the letters. “The Joker,” watching Berwick, recovers the necklace. After a period, and in the absence of Sir Herbert, Berwick insists upon marrying Monica, the sister Of La'dy Penning. His price is 'silence. - v Sir Herbert returns, and hears from Bofwick many villainous insinuations. Monica takes her sister's guilt upon herself, and is ordered to leave the house. “The Joker” attempts to intervene, but is forcibly prevented. ■ Berwick drugs a glass of champagne which Monica is ordered to give to “The Joker,” who arrives in due course. He exchanges the glasses, but feigns to be drugged, and when Borwick emerges from bis biding place compels him to drink the drugged wine, and takes Monica away. Henry

Edwards is cast as “The Joker,” Milas Mander playing equally , well as Borwiofc, Elga. Brink makes a very charming Monica, and the titled characters arc filled by Rene Heribal and Gabriel Gabrio. Another picture gives a remarkably good exhibition of fancy swimming and diving. It is a slow motion picture. In addition a very laughable comedy in “It Can be Done” is screened, in which Glen Tryon and Sue Carol are prominent. The story tells how a bright youth loses his situation, but “finds the girl of his dreams.” ; KING EDWARD THEATRE. The outstanding picture at King Edward Theatre for the week is “ Girls Gone Wild,” and.the principal artists are Sue Carol and Nick Stuart. Sue. impersonates Babs Holworthy, a girl of the wealthy, gay, and care-free class. Babs passes through a number of “ experiences," including bumping into Judge Elliott’s limousine, and tears up a ticket presented to her by a traffic officer, relying on her father’s influence to protect her, and generally sets everybody and everything at defiance. Such is the character Sue Carol is called upon to fill, and she meets all requirements exceedingly well. The same may be said of Nick Stuart who plays the part of Buck Brown, son of the traffic officer. The villain of “ Girls Gone Wild” is Tony Morelli, a bootlegger. Tony gets on friendly terms with the beautiful Babs. There is much fighting and shooting, three gunmen making their appearance on the scene. Throughout all this Buck is very active, and to*, wards the end performs deeds that win him gratitude and bring him the love of Babs. “ Marquis Preferred,” with Adolphe Menjou and Chester Conklin in leading . roles, is the other picture. It concerns a bankrupt nobleman who agrees to allow his tailor, his valet, and his chef to find him a, wealthy wife. The tenth episode of “ The Collegians ” is also screened. MOSGIEL PICTURES. Fred Thomson and Silver King, two popular figures of the screen, will be seen at the Mosgiel Pictures to-night in “Kit Carson,” a picturisation of the romantic life of the famous scout of the West. A notable cast, including Nora Lane, supports the star. MR WILLIAM HEUGHAN. An American critic; writing of William Heughan, said:— “ The incomparable actor-singer is his title by reason of the union of every gift of Nature, every accomplishment or perfect training—a magnificent vocalist.” Yet another wrote: “He has an equipment quite uncommon on this contemporary stage—his singing voice is a rich baesbaritone, his speaking voice full of winning. inflections, bis figure of heroic proportions, and bis features radiantly bandsome. Add to these' the easy assurance of a trained artist and the total is impressive. His songs ranged through all the moods of comedy, romance, and tragedy.” “ All done with authentic art, a wedding of the. arts of acting and song. H g performances were not to be surpassed by any artist who comes readily to mind.” This latter quotation Is from a Detroit critic who has heard all the great artists for many years past., “One searches vainly • for superlatives that might furnish adequate comment on the superb recital by Heughan” was what the leading Toronto critic said. The Edinburgh Scotsman joined in the chorus, and said “he has set a new standard for Scottish song.” Mr Heughan will , give concerts in Burns Hall next Tuesday and Wednesday. This will be his last appearance in Dunedin before sailing for Canada and the United States. The box plan arrangements are advertised.