AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20961, 26 February 1930, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

STRAND, THEATRE, A strong attraction at tlie Strand Theatre is “ The Younger Generation,” which deals in entertaining fashion with a family living on the east side of New York. Morris, the son, is the favoured member of the family, but it is with Birdie, the daughter, whom the family hardly notices, that the audience has most sympathy. She marries a girlhood friend of hers, who is wrongfully imprisoned. Then a child is born, and when Birdie’s father learns that he is a grandfather he is filled with joy. It is then that the daughter receives her full recognition, and the story works up to a very satisfactory climax. There is an exceptionally strong supporting programme. OCTAGON THEATRE. Claimed to be greater even than “ Wings,” the Octagon Theatre’s present attraction, “ Flight,” ogives a wonderful insight into the lives ot aviators, and the experiences which they must undergo in the execution of their duty. Jack Holt, so .well known to patrons of the silent 'screen, is seen as “ Panama ” Williams, a daredevil aviator, and it must he said that the part could hardly have been more capably_ filled. _ Apai’t from considerable histrionic abiljty, he is possessed of' a resonant speaking voice which reproduces perfectly, and altogether he gives a portrayal or ‘outstanding merit. “ Lefty ” Phelps—the hero—is played by Ralph Graves, who gives a most convincing and natural characterisation of the well meaning but blundering “Lefty.” who, after many vicissitudes, eventually attains ‘happiness. Lila Lee is also well cast ns Elinor, and makes a winsome and very lovable nurse, who ultimately' brings to ‘ Lefty” his heart’s desire. The subsidiary parts are capably filled. There is an entertaining supporting programme. REGENT THEATRE. One of the best mystery pictures whicu have been seen in Dunedin for some time is “ The Unholy Night,” which is at present being shown at the Regent Theatre. It is necessary to refrain from makiii" a disclosure here in order that those who see the picture will be able to appreciate it to the full. There is -some , JR 01 ’ 1 n . “*e story, but it is clever and skilfully introduced, and there is also some excellent singing which helps to give the story its appeal and to make it more realistic. Ronald Young, ar Lord Montague, proves himself a remarkably accomplished actor, and although he comes under suspicion, as do almost all of the many other members of the cast, he is a likeable character, and even when it seems proved almost to the point of certainty that he is the culprit, one cannot but admire him. Ernest Torrance, as Dr Ballou, gives a performance of whichI*one 1 *one would not have thought him capable, and he is one of the outstanding members of a cast of remarkably .fine‘actors. Dorothy Sebaetian gives a fine interpretation of a difficult and trying part, and for the part of oir James Eumsey no better choice cou!d have been made than Claude Fleming. There is a strong supporting programme, which includes a Hearst Sletroton News, a bright revue, and an excellent comedy entitled “ Stepping Along.'

“THE TRESPASSER”

Everything that ia. magnificent in womanhood is said to be vividly expressed in • Won a Swanson’s first all-talking picture, The Trespasser,” which will commence at the Regent Theatre on Friday. That Miss Swanson has made a great picture there can be little doubt, after reading the eulogistic praise betilY ed „ up ? n the picture by the leading reviewers in England and America, where the production has created a great sensation. Powerful in theme, with a story lull ot action, surprises, brilliant dialogue, pathos and heart-warming romance. “The Trespasser” tells of a woman s heroic fight against wealth, gossip, and life to hold her child and iier mao. Miss Swanson's singing voice fwA* 0 be the finest heard far Q the screen. The role enacted by Miss Swanson enables her to once again wear the beautiful clothes for whichshe has become famous on the screen. While f“® etar s wardrobe recalls the days of her first kinema triumph, it is a new Gloria Swanson that the talking screen reveals m the United Artists picture. The rich tonal qualities of her voice give fit* ting oral expression to her abilities as a fiinwUrl actress - With a story that is The Trespasser" is. said to usher jn a new era in the audible kinema. Edmund Goulding, author and director of the United Artists picW is said to have evolved a new art in the vehicle,_ so that the method of telling the story is as novel as the theme itself “ Love”^i7 rote the c ol T nal numbei.' Jj°ve, which is one of the two pieces screen Ts C °tl,e VPW* are Purnell Pratt, Henry B Walthall Wally Albright. William Holden Blanche Friderici. Kay Hammond, Mary Forbes, and Marcella Cor- • . ' “RIO RITA.” sSw U TfJ will be screening should fiuri f which picture patrons te?«t Th!a°l “d- 6 ordinary ini • i IS , IB , l 0 Rita," the talking film which has had a most successful S fTa > vh !f ever ;t kas been shown! Included in the cast are a m-niber of wdlknovvn film stars. John Boles, who scored a great success in “The Desert s™„“ has a leading role. Another star who ifas slebrD.uT ’ kn T V ’ n t 0 film entliusiasts! in the dfeuf succ ? ssful as'she was in trie silent pictures, is said to cain liigber renown and brighter laurels in this production. The latter half of the dusting 6 of*°th n p 1D n - tural co]our » M the messing pt the various actressoQ ic i feature of the entertainment this special attraction should add greatly to the cutertamment value of the picture ° EMPIRE THEATRE. mi 6 double attraction at the Empne Theatre to-morrow, but it will not be in the form of two feature pictures. Instead, there will be the “s“ a l dialogue film, and Leslie V. HarveyTul or"anfst° e m! T ek as or anist. Mr Harvey has made himself f^ ry + po Pular during his engagement at the theatre, and Dunedin will be sorry bun go to Christchurch, where he p! i a^e up the position of city organist In response to numerous requests Mr Harvey will also be heard af the piano m a special setting on the stage “ Embarrassing Moments," the picture to be e e d ” and t? e « ina,d l Vs? taiMe, and the popular comedian has been, given a really excellent stoiy It s a talking picture with rapid-fire and humorous dialogue Dennv Jfe”! K Broadway, as his chief support The home 18 Ti aSed - °, D , the “ trial marriage " tVos of g l i ho “n from art school. ‘m ill tnu f fi. gy c-'; lllago H£e and her rnl “i i n She invents a mythical husband ” and tells her family S m has entered a trial marriage with on» i Haddens Cnnckshank.” Strangely enough, there 'happens to be a man of that name m New York. Her father sumK°mo tlie l i ea i 9 ruicks bank to the village ’» aIK ) brings the supposed “ Inisb‘™d . and the girl face to face. Their frllmv a ' n ' lz oment. the eonii)lications that the nlof ” d * l -° T ( | eh Kbtfu! working out of the plot is said to make one of the mo«t engaging stories seen on the screen hm-e in tJenny lias a strong cast odv f o tUl . C - Tu ad( ! ltio n to Miss^Ken-Willi’-i, A 1!, 1 !'-' 618 v" 1cI ’ ,clc otis Harlan, William Austin, Virginia Sale, Greta Granstcdt, and Mary Foy.

“MARRIED IN HOLLYWOOD” On Wednesday next the Empire Theatre will present the film “Married in ilollywood in winch there arc nine distinctive Juts, one of which is “ Dance Away the Night, with music by Dave Stamper and lyrics by Harlan Thompson The same composers have evolved another tuneful number 'Until One Comes Alone v winch will nm Dance Away the NHit’” a close race for popularity. Still a third entrancing number is “Deep in Love'’ with the music by Oscar Straus and lyrics H n in ara i" Thompson. “Married in Hollywood is based on the operetta hv Oscar Straus Harlan Thompson wrote the story and dialogue, ami Marcel Silver who directed l<ox Follies of 1929 ,5 directed this new attraction. The cast is notable from the fact that four former stars of musical comedy and opera are featured. J, Harold Murray, for more than two years singing star of the original “ Rio Rita ” company,- Norma Terris, beautiful star for 72 weeks of “ Showboat J ; Waiter Catlett, star of a dozen musical comedies, and Irene I‘alasty. beautiful and youthful Hungarian priiria donna and the toast of Berlin during her

long engagement in (h c stellar vole of •No, No. Nanette,’’ form the quartet of piincipals. John Garrick, Tom Patricola, Douglas Gilmore, Gloria Grey, and a score of other notables comprise the supportin'* cast. Not second in importance to the principals arc the ensembles composed of a singing chorus of 100 and a dauenw group of 00. winch were managed by Ed" ward Roycc, internationally famous stage director. h KING EDWARD THEATRE. ■ The King Edward Theatre has an .^ l ' ou " attraction in “ Craigs Wife, which was commenced last night Ihe supporting picture is “The Tragic Hour, a very gripping film. ■ b