AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20892, 5 December 1929, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

STRAND THEATRE. The Dunedin season of “The Lono Wolf’s Daughter," which has been this week’s principal feature at the Strand Theatre, will be brought to a close this evening. The story centres round the adventures of Michael Lanyard, who, after coming to grips with the police in Vienna, moves on to New York. Although watched by detectives and hunted on every side, he pursues his way serenely, until, through a peculiar chain of circumstances, he meets the girl ho loves, and the story ends happily. The supporting programme is an unusually good one, and provides an hour of delightmi entertainment. i "LADY OF THE NIGHT." , An opportunity was afforded yesterday, i at a private screening, of seeing the pic- ■ ture which will be commenced to-morrow at the Strand Theatre, “Lady of the rught* It is not an mil-talking film, but it cannot be said tbit it loses anything from this fact. Only at certain dramatic points are dialogue and singing introduced, but they are handled in such a | manner as to give some idea of the pos- i sibilities of the talking picture. The theme, if somewhat delicate, is so skilfully dealt with that the most susceptible could not find anything to,cavil at. The story opens in the Prussian legation at Paris, last century. A young diplomat. Count Karl von Arnim (William Boyd) is grudging the time which must elapse before he can be with his fiancee, Countess Diane des Granges (Jetta Goudal). As soon as he is free he makes his way to her house, only to find that she is false to him.' In his rage at her infidelity, he breaks the alliance, and tells her that he would sooner marry a woman of the streets. “Hell hath m* fury like a woman scorned,” and the Countess, who has great influence at the French Court, decides that Arnim shall do so. She summons_ the aid of Baron Finto (Albert Conti) to find a woman of the lower classes who will attract her former lover enough to cause- him to marry her. Finot takes Nanon del Rayon (Lupe Velez), a dancer in a decidedly questionable cafe, and proceeds to educate her into the ways of a “lady.” A good deal of amusement is provided in this passage, as Nanon docs not prove very tractable to the teaching of her effeminate tutor, played by Franklin Pangborn. The night of the ball comes, when _ the erstwhile cafe dancer, who is strikingly beautiful," is displayed to catch the eye of Count von Arnim. Her singing of “ Where is the song of songs for me? " immediately attracts the attention of. the impressionable young diplomat, and save for one or two lapses in etiquette, Nanon does full justice to her _ mentors, _ She, however, returns Arnim’s affection. It is not long now before Arnim asks her to • marry him. Before ho does this, however, Baron Finot, who has become disgusted with the part he has played in tpe affair, tells Nanon that she cannot marry Arnim, who must find out about her former life. The Count is accordingly rejected, but the Countess des Granges, in ■ pursuance of her vengeful plan, persuades Nanon that she should accept the man whom she loves. Nanon is very grateful for this counsel, and. as a favour to the Countess, allows her to give the wedding ■ dinner. The last cruel thrust has yet to be made, _ however, and this comes when the feast is at its height. The Countess has engaged some eccentric musicians—the ones who had accompanied Nanon’s singing and dancing in the cafe. The leader of the band, recognising his former associate, and realising her position, counsels his men to. silence. The countess asks Nanon to sing, and when she has reached the end of a very pathetic rendering of Where is the song of songs for me?” the denounement comes. Arnim is disgusted with his bride, and they part—he to nurse hia outraged dignity and she to resume her life in the cafe. It is not long, however, before they are reunited, and the story ends happily, as all good romances should. Throughout the picture there is not the slightest indication that the characters are not perfectly at home in their parts, the acting of Lupe Velez and Jetta Goudal being especially worthy of mention. The singing of Miss Velez is such as to cause great surprise if the Strand Theatre does not have a very successful season with “ Lady of the Night.” EMPIRE THEATRE. To-night “ Charming Sinners,” which has been the principal feature of this week’s bill at the Empire Theatre, will have. its final screening. The admirable synchronisation is a feature of the picture, which stars Ruth Chatterton, on whom much of the success of the picture depends. Miss Chatterton has had the opportunity for making much of a light comedy part, and does not miss it. Clive Brook gains the good opinion .of patrons by his “ erring husband.” impersonation. William Powell is the “other man,” and Mary Nolan is the interloper who gets the married man into trouble. Ths supports include two gazettes, a nature study film, a bracket of songs by the noted English tenor, Charles Hackett, and a very fine rendering of the quartet from “ Rigoletto ” by the Metropolitan Grand Opera Quartet Party. Mr Harvey presides _at the Christie organ in his usual finished manner. "THE BLACK WATCH.” “The Black Watch,” said to be the biggest and most spectacular talking picture made since the development of that particular entertainment, will open its Dunedin season at the Empire Theatre to-morrow. Not only has artistry been happily combined with very fine technique, but out of America has come a production that anywhere, it is said, would pass as 90_per cent. British. It is the story' of “ Kjiff —of the Khyber Rifles,”’a novel by Talbot Mundy. The officers of a Highland regiment are dining together on the eve of their departure for France. The toast is “ The King.” One of their number, Captain King, is detailed for special duty in India. His mission is to defeat a plot, hatched among the hill tribes above the Khyber Pass, to invade India. He is sworn to secrecy, and part of his task is to leave his regiment on the eve of active service under suspicion of cowardice. From the officers’ mess of the 42nd Highlanders, and from Whitehall and Waterloo station, where the hero sees his regiment entrain, the story flashes to a border town m India, near the Khyber Pass—the dreaded back door of India. There also is Ki“S. of the Khyber Rifles, who in a tale or heroism and high adventure defeats the plot to invade the vulnerable north-west trout igi*. There also is set the story of the White goddess, who risked an empire ™ s “T and os *-- There is no jazz in The Block Watch,” or. “King.—of the tvhyber 1 vines,” as the picture should be named: But there is the music of the pipes so wonderfully recorded in “ Bonnie and “ Blue Bonnets Over the Border, and mens voices rich and poignant lifted-in “Auld Lang Syne” and other songs_ of Scotland. It is music that adds intensity to a story of high dramatic n l er , l , t - retcu* M'Laglen plays the role of Captain Donald King. He-is said-to play to perfection the type of hard-work-ing, conscientious British officer, concerned only in doing his job. Miss Myrna Loy is the seductive Ynsmani. Both the stars speak English devoid of twang. The speaking throughout is described as being of a I high standard, particularly that of the fanatical priest, who harangues the hillmen in the Cave of Echoes. Spoken in perfect English, and with telling emphasis every word comes clear and distinct. Another very fine role is that of the Indian oinccr, ft tall, bearded Sikh, who verv artistically combines the business of prayer and war. The supporting cast is particularly strong, even the smallest parts being entrusted to capable speaking actors. The photography and the musical effects are also of an exceptionally IfHi standard. The sessions (thrice daily) arc at 11 a.m., 2.15 and 7.45 p.m. OCTAGON THEATRE. To-night will be the last opportunity for seeing “The Valiant,” which is just eoi cluding a successful weeks run at the Octagon Theatre. The picture is a very fine depiction of a son’s unselfish love for Ins mother, a subject from which an enthralling plot may be. and is, obtained laid Muni assumes the principal role with pre-eminent succors—it would be difficult to improve upon the impelson.ifi£ n c’o * h :° B - , He nnd Marguerite Churchill. who plays opposite him, arc r,, 1 to the film world. Miss Churchill’s attractive personality and graceful bcar’ng arc features in her performance The plot centres round the self-sacrifice of a young man. who, sentenced to death, refusas to reveal his identity for fear he should cause his mother suffering. Excellent supports are also shown.

"THE FALL OP EVE.” At the Octagon Theatre to-morrow the aU-talking comedy-farce, "The Fall of Eve,” will be presented. The cast is a special one. including Ford Sterling, who will be heard at his best as a talking comedian, Patsy Ruth Miller, Gertrude Astor, Ged Pronty, and Betty Farrington. It is said that “The Fall of Eve” is one long laugh from beginning to end. A fine supporting programme will also be screened, together with an item which should prove of more than ordinary interest. This is an Australian and New Zealand Movietone News, showing the New Zealand triumph in the Melbourne Cup. A view at the barrier is obtained, and the horses are in view all the way round. When the leaders turn into the straight and Nightmarch overhauls the two front horses, the picture provides a stirring spectacle. The winner passing near the camera, so that every motion of the rider, R. Reed, can bo seen, while the excitement is augmented by the excellent reproduction of the shrill cries of the vast crowd on the course.

REGENT THEATRE. “ The. Letter,” which will have its final screening at the Regent Theatre to-night, is one of those screen melodramas which the student of talking-picture development should not miss, nnd he will find artistic interest not only in the emotional work of Miss Eagels, but also in the excellent speaking and acting of Mr O. P Heggie (the messenger in "A Message from Mara”) as the upright lawyer, of Mr Herbert Marshall as the murdered Hammond (brief though his part is), and to some extent of Mr Reginald Owen J? husband. All the artists mentioned have come from the legitimate stage, and so has Lady Tsen Mai, who plays the half-caste mistress. The supporting programme is an unusually fine one. " DIVORCE MADE EASY.” There are very few film actors who do not receive unfavourable criticism from some section of .the community, but one of these seems to be Douglas Mac Lean, the star of Divorce Made Easy,” which will be commenced at the Regent Theatre tomorrow'. His career in pictures dates back, to such successful light cothedies as Twenty-three and a Half Hours’ Leave." Mary’s Ankle,” and others. A little later he went in for farce and light comedy, such as “The Hottentot,” “Going Up,' tf Never Say Die,” and a dong string of popular pictures. More recently he appeared in “Let It Rain” and ‘'Soft 1 Cushions " for Paramount nnd still under the Paramount banner he made “The Carnation Kid ” under the genial supervision of A 1 Christie. “ Divorce Made Easy ” is another comedy from the studios of Mr Christie. “ Divorce Made Easy ” is said to be-far and away the.best farce Mac Lean has ever starred in. Abundant comedy is furnished by the supporting players also—Marie Prevost, Johnny Arthur. Dot Farley, Frances Lee, and Jack Duffy. A strong supporting programme includes Lily Roth, a famous musical comedy star, and her piano boys, nnd another of the Santley musical and dancing revues.