AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20905, 20 December 1929, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE THEATRE. « the vel 7 successful run which ihe Desert Song ’ experienced at the Empire Theatre comes the Paramount alltalking picture, “ River of Romance," today.. Set in the plantation days on the Mississippi River before the American Civil Avar, “River of Romance” embodies both love and adventure. Thero is a distinctive and novel atmosphere about the picture which is based on the renowned American author’s story, “ Magnoha. “River of Romance" compels interest from the beginning because in the first place there is the love element, and in the second a wealth of dramatic acting by Charles Rogers, who assumed the principal role, that of a young man turned away by the father on the grounds of dishonouring the household. Rogers, the son of a Southern family, returns to his father s plantation from the East and dees not understand the cusWmß and codes of honour his father obeys- In one sequence he is challenged by a snady charac- ■ ter to a duel, but he refuses to fight, and so u cast outside with the brand of a coward over his head. In a gambling den he suddenly realises he is still a Southerner, and, after assuming the name of the notorious Colonel Blake, goes back ...“is home to settle accounts with the villain. It is a new kind of role for Ixogers, who. in the costume of the '. eighties,’ is said to. give a very' good portrayal. Mary Brian is bewitching as the demure Southern girl who loves Buddy, and June Coliyer, as the coquette, is effective. Excellent character work is furnished by-Wallace Beery, Fred. Kohler, Mrs George Fawcett, Henry B. Walthall, and Natalie Kingston. The supporting programme will be a feature of tho entertainment. Pride of place must go to the local news, which depict the artke Governor-General and Lady Alice iergusson in Dunedin, the inspection of Girl Guides at the Queen’s Gardens by Lady Alice, and their Excellcncies at the Red Cross Home, Montecillo Ihe-, British short film, “Trooping the Colours, is said to be really good, as are the other items. “ AVELCOME DANGER." ‘'AA’elconie Danger,” Harold Lloyd’s nisfc all-talking picture, Mrill be presented Dunedin audiences at an early date. Welcome Danger" has not yet been officially released in New Zealand, but J) e Porf 8 to hand from America say that Welcome Danger ” is by far the greatest Lloyd comedy yet made. Further announcements will be made soon. STRAND THEATRE. To-day at _ the Strand Theatre the Dunedin public will have the opportunity seeing for the second time the picture The Singing Fool.” The film deals with one ot the greatest emotional factors in human life, and the producer handles his delicate material with engaging skill and tack He has produced a work which sets imagmatnm going and keeps it going. It it does not actually achieve truth and beauty itself it may very well be the cause of the perception of truth and beauty by other men. A 1 Jolson carries the greater part of the burden of the entertainment on his own ample shoulders. His singing of “ Sonny Boy," according to the mood of the story, ‘is said to be a delight, and he makes the verv best of such numbers as “There’s a Rainbow Round My Shoulder" “It AU Depepds on You," “True Blue,” and “I’m Sitting on the Top of the AVorld.” But his singing is not his only contribution to the enjoyment of the evening. He proves himself an actor of high qualifications. His role is no sinecure, but he Uaucllcs it perfectly. Hie supports play up to him well. Among them is Betty Bronson, a charming little actress, who moved Sir James Barrie to such enthusiasm that he declared her to be the darhngest little actress in the world," Josephine Dunn, in the leading female role, also acquits herself with distinction in a part that gives her ample opportunif*e®. i'° r the display of her outstanding ability. Next to Jolson himself, however and better even than any of the stars who support him, is little David Lee who is made to play the part of “ Sonny Boy,” who is after all the kernel of the story, bnch childlike simplicity and naturalness as he displays are very acceptable, and provide a delightful change from the studied artificiality of the films which makes them so machine-lifcc, KING EDWARD THEATRE. At V, the „ K i n S Edward Theatre to-dav the film Black Magic ” will be prestarring Josephine Dunn and John Holland. The second feature is named • The City Gone AVild," which is described as a film of the underworld. Included jn the cast are Marietta Millner, , bred Kohicr, and Louise Brooks.