AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20870, 9 November 1929, Page 19

AMUSEMENTS.

STRAND THEATRE. ** The Iron Meek ” has met with such unprecendented suacess at the Strand Theatre that the management has decided to screen the film for several more days. The production is a depiction of the final adventures of the three musketeers, Athos, Porthos. and Aramis, -with their leader, the dashing D’Artagnan. Douglas Fairbanks, as D’Artagnan. is seen at his best in “The Iron Mask.” The quartet wield their swords to some purpose in defence of their king and his infant son. and many are the hazardous undertakings in which they engage. The photoplay is ushered in by the birth of an heir td the throne, and while the French nation is rejoicing over' the event another son is born. Information of the birth reaches Cardinal Richelieu, and he hastens to the bedside of the queen. He persuades Anne of Austria that she has a duty to perform by hiding the fact that a second child has been born. The child and Madame Perroue disappear. They are smuggled away to Spain, and Constance is sworn to secrecy. Richelieu’s henchman gets on inkling of the position and determines to turn his knowledge to good account. He abducts Constance, who is banished to the seclusion of a convent. It happens that D’Artagnan is in love with Constance, and he forces from Rochefort the secret of her hiding place. D’Artagnau hastens to the place, accompanied by bis trusty comrades, with the object of effecting a rescue. When he reaches the convent he finds that Constance has been killed. He is broken down with grief, which is intensified when he discovers that Richelieu has decided that the four friends must be parted. D’Artagnan returns to the service of France and his king. He is summoned to the deathbed of Richelieu who' pledges him to devote himself to tue service of the little prince, A coin is halved, one portion being handed to the musketeer, and the other to the prince. This is the beginning of a friendship between the musketeer and Louis XIV. The second twin has been abducted from his hiding place. Then follows a great deal of intriguing and scheming, and the twin is smuggled into the royal palace, and Louis XIV is imprisoned in a distant fortress. In the closing scenes D’Artagnan and his three musketeers are reunited, and the throne is saved. There is an excellent supporting programme of short silent and sound pictures.

EMPIRE THEATRE. Antarctic exploration and aviation in the frozen regions of the South Pole is the theme of “ Conquest," the featured film on the new programme at the Empire Theatre this week. Spectacular photography is combined with an intriguing instance of the eternal two men and one woman —and one man is made. to learn that no matter what untraversed regions he may conquer, the first conquest to be made is that of self. “ Conquest ” is a sound production in which the speaking voice and the noises attendant upon the action of the film are excellently reproduced. One thing, however, the American moving picture producer has taught us that we did not know before, and that is that there are natives in the Antarctic regions to succour unfortunate explorers. Monte Blue and Lois Wilson have the leading roles in a story that has its beginning in New York, and the greater part of its action in the southern regions. The tale concerns two young men who set out upon the conquest of the Antarctic _by aeroplane, the one with the hope of winning the hand of a pretty girl on his return and the other with the firm conviction that his suit has been unsuccessful. There is v a crash, and the fortunate suitor is severely injured, so severely that his companion realises that in saving him he will risk his own life. _ He returns home, leaving his friend to die in the snow. Once back at home, ho has little difficulty in convincing his friends and the world at large that he is a hero, and that he left his friend only after he had buried him in a hero’s grave. It is not surprising, therefore, that the girl the supposedly dead man should have married should eventually forget her loss and marry the returned hero. Everything would have gone well had the lost explorer not been rescued by the kindly “natives” in the Antarctic. Eventually he made his way home to find his friend installed as the wife of his fiancee. See ; ing that the pair are happy together, and fearing that exposure might wreck the life of the girl he loved, he refrains from telling the story that would have ruined the other man. Not long afterwards his sponsors prevail upon him to make another attempt to reach the Pole. He sets out again with the same companion, and this time they are successful in reaching the Pole, hut on their way back to the _ base the cowardly companion attacks him in the air with a hammer. A struggle ensues and as a result the plane crashes again. This time the tables are turned, and the one who was left to die last time is unhurt while the fortunate one on the previous occasion cannot move without assistance. However, no one is left to die this time, and the pair eventually reach safety, and are seen abroad ship on the journey home. Remorse, however, overcomes the one played the coward on the first trip, and he conies to the conclusion that the only way he can repay his friend is by removing himself so that the right man may go home and marry the woman in the piece. The story ends with this dramatic denouement, only discarded garments indicating' the fate that has overcome - the man who pays for all his shortcomings in a final conquest of self. There is an excellent supporting programme of sound shorts.' the features of which are the singing of “On the Road to Mandalay ” and •‘Dima,” by Reginald u errenwreath, and the singing and dancing in “A Moonlight Romance” of Douglas Stanbury and Maria Gambarelli. A special banjo item by America’s foremost exponent of this class of music is also of great interest, A Fox Movietone film provides the customary budget of world nows, and Mr Jack Welsh demonstrates once again his skill with the camera by local topical gazettes, the photographv of which reflects great credit upon his workmanship. The subjects he deals with include the dirt track racing at Forburv Tark and the opening of the yachting and motor boating season on the Otago Harbour. Mr Leslie V. Harvey, at the organ, has several delightful selections trom his repertoire. His first number is Kreislers "The Old Refrain,” which he handles with engaging sympathy, and he follows it with_ " Sweetheart of My Dreams." which is no less attractive in its rendering.

"FOUR FEATHERS.” A curiously fabricated motion picture, in which strikingly devised fcinema glimpses of life in, the Sudan, made ou tne actual locale, arc combined with a picturesque Hollywood melodrama, will make its appearance at the Empire Ihoatre next Friday. The best scenes in the picture, it should hardly surprise one to learn, are those that were obviously taken on the Cooper-Schoedsack espedition. There is. for example, a grand episode m which th« Arab slave traders S 'r ,v l c ,t° a Perched jungle, wherein two. of the heroes are hiding, and out of it rush a terrified but fascinating looking group of simians. It is said to be almost as fine a scene as the stampede of the elephants in ‘‘ Chang.” Then there is the rail to arms of the Sudanese Camel Corps, which is photographed with fine effect At the same time it must be confessed that the combining of the African and the Hollywood scenes has .been arranged so smoothly that it is frequently imposs;bJe to .tell on which continent individual episodes were made. As a matter of fact, the local Xoah Beery, manages to look considerably more frightening than any of the savage Sudanese, The storv is said to be sympathetically acted by the talented Richard Arlen. In addition to Mr Arlen there arc such dependable actors as V illmm Powell and Clive iirook. The most striking portravals. however, are contributed by a little Negro boy and by a tiny monkey that can handle pathos and comedy with the best of them.

OCTAGON THEATRE. -,/■ T .J le C’ohens and Kellys in Atlantic O.ty the Lniversial part-talking picture which forms the principal item on the programme which was screened for the first time at the Octagon Theatre yesterday, is the story of the latest* adventures of that humorous pair of 98 per cent. Americans—they deducted 2 per cent, for cash—who have amused motion picture audiences on many memorable occasions. George Sydney, as Mr Cohen is as irascibly wordy a.s ever, and his’ partner. Mr Kelly, played by MackSwain. is the same Irish comedian wlo has always been the perfect foil for Cohen. Both these players, and also Vera Gordon and Kate Price (Mrs Cohen and Mrs Kelly respectively!, are .veterans of the stage, where they all enjoyed the best of reputations, and they have a'so

acquired considerable eminence on the screen. Nora Lane has the part of Rosie Coben, and Pat Kelly is enacted by Cornelius Keefe, The story, it must be remembered, is one to appeal more strongly to the American audience than to other*, for the theme itself —the friendship of a Jew for an Irishman—is one of _ the most ludicrous that can be imagined by an American, to whose mind 6uc h an alliance is the height of improbability. The picture is part sound synchronised and_ part talking, and in those parts in which the voices are heard the reproduction is excellent. So good If ,indeed, that, despite the fact that the characters speak with a mixture of their respective accents and the American twang, every word can be easily understood by the audience. In the new picture, Cohen _ and Kelly are seen in the bathing suit business. Their rooms ate untidy and their stock is antiquated, and they are unable to see why no customers come to them. Young Pat Kelly, however, sees what is needed, and he sends the pair away travelling for a month. While they are away henaa the othce renovated, and introduces all modern ideas of selling his goods, not the least of which is a bathing beauty parade at Atlantic City. In the midst of the preparations, Cohen and Kelly arrive "omc. and the former pockets the money winch Pat has intended to use as a prize for the competition. Pat and Rosie determine to carry on, and set +1 • i - for ,; Atlant '° City, and Cohen, thinking they have ‘doped, gives chase _ with Mrs Kelly, whose spouse immediately jumps to the conclusion that his wife is eloping with Cohen. The latter, before he goes, sends off a. telegram for the Atlantic City police to detain a man named Kelly with a girl named Cohen, but the police make the mistake of arresting Cohen and Mrs Kelly. , ’ 3 ,, 1S sufficient to complicate matters, out the mix-up becomes worse and worse at time goes on. and Kelly and Mrs Cohen are also apprehended, Cohen is in gaol, and he has the prize-money for which lat is waiting anxiously as the bathing beauty parade takes place. Further complications m the gaol see the two women and Kelly released, but no sign is to be round of Cohen, who, handcuffed to a huge ruffian, has been forced to escape during the night. ' Many adventures he lias to go through before he is released trom his unwelcome fellow prisoner, but he clings to the money through thick and thin. Finally, Kelly meets him, and the pair are united. They appear at the parade in time to find that; Rosie has been declared the winner. Cohen is asked to make the presentation, and Rosie is informed by her parent -that he will keep the money and give her the interest. The scenes in the parade are particularly attractive with their complement of pretty girls and artistic scenery. The supporting programme is a strong one. It is commenced u ith a Fox Movietone news reel depicting many events of topical interest. There is next a budget of English news under the title of a Pbonofilm pot-pourri. Clapham and Dwyer are two comedians of the English stage who present an amuses interlude entitled “ Spontaneous Spasms. One of the best items on the programme is a short scene in which J, Squire s octet is heard in two very enjoyable items. The first of these is a medley of national airs, and the second m the Cavalleria Rusticana ” intermezzo. Both are admirably recorded and excellently reproduced. Finally, there is George Robey in "The Barrister." ait exceedingly amusing monologue. The overture is “ The Teddy Bears’ Picnic " (Bratton), and the entr’acte is “Rustle of Spring" (Sinking). The Octagon story teller is in his usual good form with a fund of new stories and patter.

REGENT THEATRE. To combine the best of the principles embodied in the stage play with the most modern facilities and amenities of the motion picture is an object which has been triumphantly realised in “Madame X, ’ the new picture which was shown at the Regent Theatre yesterday. Prom the stage is taken the dialogue, which furnishes a tasty sauce, to the meat of the entertainment, and the 'art of make-up. In make-up it seems the actors have recovered’ many of the tricks and skilled subtleties which used to make this “lost art ’ such a striking feature of the legitimate stage. Instead of selecting players whose faces fit the character, and makjng the plot conform to their limitations in other, directions, the producer of “Madame X” has selected people who can act, and has left to them the task of making, themselves fit the characters, not only in action, hut also in appearance. The result is admirable, and audiences may go to this picture confident that they will see a gripping and realistic drama, in every sense of the word. From the motion picture are taken the action of the plot, and the rapidity with which one is transported from scene tp scene. With a breathless rush the locale of the drama shifts from Paris' to China, to Honolulu, to South America, and back again to Paris. The storv is in its essentials. simple. The unfaithful mother, torn .with anguish when her child becomes ill. is ordered away by her husband,.still cold, but broken-hearted at her deceit. The woman is driven to a life of ehame, and when, years later, she .becomes a murderess, rather than let her son he blackmailed, it is, unknown to him, her son who defends in court the dying woman. This is. the' framework upon which is.built a picture which has lifted the talking picture by one masterstroke into a place in the very forefront of dramatic entertainment, be it stage or screen. The rest is left to the producer and the .actors. Although the story has a sustained note of. bitterness and tragedy, it yet leaves no bitter taste. The comfortable sop of a happy ending, however. ha.s not been allowed to spoil the effect of drama at its best, and the picture ends amid scenes that might, in less capable hands, have left a feeling of sorrow.

Madame X is remarkable ’for one thing, in particular—the acting of Ruth Chatterton. It is rarely that an actor, who. has made a great name on the stage, rises to anything much above mediocrity on the screen, but in the case of Miss Chatterton. no praise could be too flattering. It is difficult, after seeing the gradual vilification of a woman—perhaps tlie most grim of all Life's cruel jests—after hearing the same woman speak, first as a lady of culture, and then later in the rough, coarse language of a thing of the gutter, which utterly, fails, in the final scene, to cloak the voice of innate womanliness and purity—it is extremely difficult, in fact, impossibly, to sit back c.lmly to analyse the merits of - this powerful story. It is a picture which appeals—which must, appeal—to every person who has any intelligence or any emotional feeling whatever. During the whole course of the. picture there were no restless interruptions or fidgetings in an audience which was keyed up to the highest pitch bv the development of a heart-rending epic of womanhood. Madame X’’ is Ruth Chatterton, but there are other actors who play their parte in a manner which, while not bulking too prominently into the story, are nevertheless complete and perfect in themselves, Lewis Stone is convincing as the cruel arrogant husband, . who believes self-righteously that unfaithfulness can never be forgiven. Both he and Miss. Chatterton have excellent speaking voices, as also have the rest of the cast. But “ Madame X” is a picture in which one does not criticise the speaking. It is only afterwards, when the story is told, that one realises how perfect, how restrained and how unaffected wqs the English spoken by the characters. To say that “ Madams X ” is the greatest talkie which has been screened in Dunedin, is a bold statement, but it is one which was echoed by not a few members of the large audiences which viewed the picture yesterday. The supporting programme • is one of great variety, and provides much wholesome entertainment. After the usual Pathe Sound News, there is a delightful vaudeville offering, which comprises songs by Grace Rodgers. Harry Rose, and the two comedy duettists. Van and Sehenck. and also a novel and attractive orchestral number by the f.'apitalians. Then there is a Government publicity film dealing with the beauties of the Franz .Josef Glacier, and Mount Molkc. one of the lesser known peaks of the Southern Alps. George Dewey AVashihgton. the American • coloured vocalist, is heard in two excellent songs. “ Chloc," and "Just Like a Melody Out of the Sky. ’ This evening a special feature of the supporting programme will bo the Gus Edwards Song Revue, a beautiful colour-tone revue, reminiscent of The Song of the Roses " and ’* The Wedding of the Painted Doll." The musical offerings presented before the performance and during the intermission are exceptionally good, the entr-aete number. ‘•'Lily of Laguna," 'arousing much favourable comment.

“ T)A\VX.” The mm-h discussed film. “ Dawn." wilt be presented at the Regent Theatre next Friday. Sybil Thorndik" takes the part of Xurso Edith Cavell. who suffered dvath at the bands of the Germans during (lie war, Hernr.rd Shaw said of “ Dn-.vn

"The story has been planned by a young film poet, Herbert Wilcox, who has been entirely faithful to his great theme. The film is a work of art, and worthy of the noble Edith Cavell."

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Patrons of Everybody’s Theatre ar* being provided with something distinctly out of the usual run in the programme which began yesterday. " The Wing Commander." Its main attraction is the fact that the leading role in the picture is taken by Sir Alan Cobham, who has earned the title of Britain's most famous airman. Sir Alan served in the K.A.F. during the war and, following demobilisation, became famous for aerial pioneer work in the British Empire, his first journey being .) India and back. In 1026 he flew .. mi London to the Cape, nearly 16,000 miles, and in 1927 he flew to Australia, being knighted on his return. It was then reported that he would take part in _ a moving picture, and theatre-goers will no doubt be anxious to see what-that picture is like. Besides taking the leading part Sir Alan also directed the aeronautics in the film. Estelle Brody also has an important part. A romantic story 'runs through the pie'"’hich has many exciting passages, the arrival of Sir Alan with a fleet of planes containing British blue jackets to quell a native uprising being one of the scenes. The picture is full of interest, and will, no doubt, prove a strong attraction. The second picture is " The Veiled Woman," in which Lia Tora. a famous beauty, and Paul A incenti. a Hungarian actor take the leading parts. The story tells how 2s anon's father, who is ill, must be taken to the south of France,. and A anon, unknown to him, becomes a lure in a gambling house in order to find the money. To defend herself she offends a patron, and Pierre, who also frequents the place, takes the blame and goes to prison. Kanon marries her father’s doctor, who, years later, finds out her past, and they separate. Arriving again Paris, aan on finds Pierre driving a cab and they renew their former romance and find happiness. ~

GRAND AND PLAZA THEATRES. The new programme at the Grand and Plaza Theatres will easily hold its own with the many which have preceded it. Of the two pictures screened. 'The Lost iatrol is one, and the story, briefly told, is that a sergeant and the men composing an English cavalry patrol, got lost in a desert, through the secrecy of the chief officer in keeping destination orders to himself. The patrol camps in an oasis m the desert, which they are \?*y lucky to reach, and in the morning , discovers that the sentry posted orernight is dead, the corporal badly wounded, and their horses have been stolen. The occupants of the oasis are gradually picked off by'Arab snipers until tbo sergeant alone is .left. He proves to ,be a difficult problem for the Arabs; how difficult the picture tells in graphic form, “The Lost Patrol” is an example of British pluck during the Ijreat liar in Mesopotamia. The impersonation of the sergeant by Cyril iM-Laglan and the other impersonations by those supporting him can scarcely be too highly spoken of. For once in a way a heroine is left out of the picture, put it is, notwithstanding, very interest* }PEv«i, more elaborate lines comes Children of the Rita,” featuring Dorothy Mackaill and Jack Mulhall. To put the story in brief form, Angela Pennington has been spoilt, and makes love to the new chauffeur, Dewey Haines. Haines ia not, however, inclined to receive her evident preference without demur and keeps hia place." She k interesting, but, to him, unapproved of. Haines has. a sister, Margie, and she and her boy friend have a “ sure tip ” on a i*?nn C %! nes ris ks a bonus of £SOO at 20 to 1. His bet turns out well, and he gets his 20 to 1, end ao becomes wealthy. As a chauffeur, lie is sent to Wing Angela home from a “ fast ” partv He rescues herefrom a wealthy wastrel named Jerry Wilder, and. as Angela likes cave men of the rough and ruds order, she rides home in hia arms. Then follows a strange development. Angela fitiir thinks Haines is poor. He accepts her love, and they are married. The match is not very happy. Angela proves an expensive luxury to a generous man, and as the irrenressable Jerry Wilder again appears upon the scene, quarrels arise .between husband and wife. Haines is ruined m pocket, has to drive a cab, and Angela returns to her family. This 1? Jerry s .opportunity, and he poisons the womans mind against her husband. Angela lias not sense enough to thor* ougnly investigate, and petitions for a d °rce She meets Haines one night 7 hl > he IS dri ™S Wb cab, and comes to her senses. But he will not listen to h® r implorings. He treats her a trifle - a P j’cecian is called upon to D v.V a l d Ha ices is ordered to take Angela mto hie cab. From this point the fated re t<r*w- I f P conclusion caleuSrAf l! s ', - tbe most fastidious leaders of schoolgirl novels. The comtulcll haTe been at the Plaza Theatre were continued in the evening, and those remaining will pak ticipate m the finals to-nightT P

KING EDWARD THEATRE. An attractive programme i* being tI 1 ™? King. Edward Theatre! Heading the new bill is ‘' His Tiger Ladv ” which features Adolphe Menjom 3le& R 6 part an extra raan of the Fohes Bergere Pans, whose street wardrobe consists of an old shiny suit, which is ruined through a practical joke on the . part- of Ins colleagues on the stage. He woos .and wins a wealthy woman after dressing in his stage costume, that of a maharajah. His act consists of sitting majestically on the back of an elephant in the opening scene of the French perform- !£ ISS E l‘ e!yn ® ren t i« the leading ladj She portrays the role of a ladv of wealth, and is ardently admired by three ot the most prominent characters in Paris. \\ hen she asks them to enter a tiirer’s m . or j?I to prove their love they hud it 100 difficult'to muster the courage, fhe second picture is "The Veiled Woman," with Lia To'a and Paul Vinceuti in the principal roles. It is a Fox production, and an absorbing -story of . lansian life and types. “ The Veiled Woman is a dramatic story with the scenes laid in Paris, and ifc is played bv a notaWe cast. In brief, the story shows that Canons father must bo taken to Southern France because of his illness. • ? I su * s£e< l uen t sequences disclose that the girl has to shoot a patron of the gambling house in order to defend herself. Nanon weds the doctor who attends her father, w hen the doctor finds out her post years later they part. She returns to Paris, and, finding her former lover, they renew their romance and find happiness.