AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20964, 1 March 1930, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

STRAND THEATRE. “Interference,” starring William Powell, Clive Brook, Evelyn Brent,, and Doris Kenyon, is the principal attraction on the new programme at the Strand Theatre. With such a east to enact it, practically any story- would make good entertainment, hut “Interference,” besides being presented by some of the screen’s best players, is a story which has a gripping interest from start to finish. Briefly, it concerns Deborah Kano and Philip Voaze who is a suave roue. For a time he is faithful to Deborah, but, meeting Faith, he falls in love with her and marries her. His dissolute habits kill her love for him, and when he goes to the war and is reported to have been killed, she marries Sir John Mar lay. One day, at a memorial service to the men who fell in the regiment to which Philip had belonged, Deborah sees him, and follows him home. He insults her openly, though she tells him she still loves him, and he tells her that Philip Voaze is dead, and that he is now living under an assumed name. Philip is ignorant of his wife’s second marriage and her whereabouts, and, for revenge, Deborah blackmails Faith, who, rather than let her husband know that she is a bigamist, pays. Sir John is a specialist and Philip calls at his office for a physical examination. There he is astounded to meet Faith. The story reaches a dramatic climax in which grim tragedy plays a large part. Powell has become well established as a favourite on the talking screen, as has Brooks. Both players are seen at their best in “ Interference. ’ Evelyn Brent and Doris Kenyon are also well known to picture theatre patrons, and the remainder of the cast has been well chosen. The supporting films include a Pa the Pictorial News reel which contains an abundance of interesting matter, a novelty number by Eddie Cantor, who rings two songs and talks in an entertaining fashion, and another comedv entitled “ Pusher in the Face.” The last picture has a moral which should fae taken to heart by those people who, in a theatre have insufficient consideration for those sitting near them. OCTAGON THEATRE. “Flight” has proved so popular with picture patrons that it has been decided to show it for a further terni at the Octagon Theatre. There is no question but that “Flight” is amongst the most interesting and most attractive motion pictures that have been screened in Dunedin. The plot contains novelty and covers a field. It contains a great deal of thrilling action, and there is a realism about what is seen which makes the picture more than ordinarily acceptable. When on the football field, “Lefty” Phelps is held responsible for a blunder that loses his side an important match, and is consequently in disgrace. He enrols as a pupil at a flying school, where the story of his misfortune has preceded him, and he nveets with a rather cool reception. His tutor in flying is “Panama” Williams, a daredevil pilot, and it is Willioms who is responsible for spreading the rumour that Phelps is responsible for the blunder that lost the football match, and that it was done with the deliberate intention of losing the Consequently Phelps does not like Williams, who makes a point of impressing upon his pupil his general uselessness. At this juncture there enters upon the scene a dainty little nurse named Elinor, to whom Phelps loses his heart, not knowing that Williams has aspirations in the same direction. Elinor favours Phelps, who gradually becomes more proficient the art of flying. The day comes for his trial flight, in which he fails, owing to contemptuous chaffing. He crashes and is saved from the burning plane by Williams. Both men, suffering from burns, are admitted to the same hospital. As Williams cannot put the momentous question to Elinor, who is engaged in the hospital, he asks Phelps to do it for him, which Phelps, after some hesitation, agrees to do. The result of an interview with Elinor on the subject is that Phelps learns that it is he, and not Williams, that Elinor i s attached to. The instructor is not in the least pleased with the result of the interview, and a quarrel arises. Mobilisation is ordered, and the scene shifts to Nicaragua, whither the planes have been sent to quell a bandit rising. Then are witnessed some wonderful feats in mid-air. The leader is shot down, and Phelps has to take command. And so the story goes on till a happy climax is reached. Ralph Graves represents Phelps, Lila Lee Elinor, and Jack Holt Williams. The supporting programme consists of a Fox Movietone News, an entertaining Australian gazette, and scenes depicting a tour through Hollywood. .Regent theatre. Dining the past 12 months the management of the Regent Theatre has introduced to its patrons many pictures of distinct merit, but it is doubtful whether it has ever screened a production of such all-round excellence as “The Trespasser,” which had its initial screening yesterday. If only as a vehicle for Gloria Swanson to display her wonderful histrionic talent, the picture would fully justify itself; but it by no means stops at this, for it tells the story of a woman's self-sacrificing love with intense dramatic force and extraordinary realism. Indeed, it is the complete naturalness of the whole of the action that makes the picture the outstanding screen feature it undoubtedly is. Running through the story is a note of poignant pathos, which, in the hands of a less capable cast, and with less care on the part of the producer, could easily descend to melodrama; but so convincingly is the story told, and so deftly is any clement of pathos avoided, that the whole production is a veritable triumph for actors and producer alike. It is the old, old story of the humble girl marrying into a wealthy family without the family’s consent or knowledge, and the inevitable split between father and son. Up to a ‘point the plot runs along. the orthodox lines, but there comes an intriguing twist when the girl, who, to save her;, husband from the wrath of his father, disappears with her child and conies under the protection of her former employer. Her father-in-law in the meantime has the marriage annulled. It is her employer’s infatuation for her that causes all her trouble, for, on his death, ho leaves her a huge fortune, news of which, of course, is featured by the press. Then arises an ugly rumour regarding her son’s parentage which is strengthened by the fact that, besides accepting her ex-employer’s bounty, she was, whilst he was alive, constantly seen in his company. Determined to quash this rumour once and for all, and equally determined that her son shall be known to his father, she has an interview with her husband, who, after marrying again, has met with an accident, in which he and his wife are injured, the latter so seriously tl\at she becomes an invalid for life. Torn between his duty to his present wife and his love for his first wife and child, the husband at length decides that the child and its mother come first, and after a stormy interview with his father he goes to them. To her, also, comes the wife, and out of her love for her husband, offers to give him up, but the mother, seeing where her duty lies, refuses, and sacrifices herself to the extent of letting its grandfather have the child, whilst she again disappears. Another novel twist in the theme brings the story to a happy ending. This is but a brief summary of a picture of which much more might he written, but to describe the work of the principals, some such summary is necessary. Dominating the picture is Gloria Swanson, captivating as a sweetheart, loyal and loving as a wife, and noble and tender as a mother. She has a difficult part to play, but she comes through with flying colours, and those who have seen and admired her on the silent screen, will find that she has a voice that is a worthy concomitant of her striking stage personality. Her die-

tion is flawless, and although she is wonderfully restrained even in tlie more dramatic passages, she makes every word tell. Moreover, she proves to be a vocalist of more than average merit, and renders a bracket of songs with exquisite taste. Robert Ames as Jack Merrick, the husband, has a good deal to do, but it cannot be said that his acting is as convincing as it might be in some of the scenes. The part of the father is taken by William Holden, who gives an excellent character sketch of the heavier type, and Purnell Pratt is well cast as Miss Swanson’s employer. A little gem of quiet comedy is Blanche Fredericks portrayal of the maid, as is also little Wally Allbright as the baby, Jackie plays his pretty little child part with charming grace and naturalness. The supporting programme includes a Metro-Goldyn-Mayer news gazette, containing items of general interest from every part of the world, and a very fine New Zealand scenic picture depicting the grandeur of Mount Cook and the adjacent peaks. Miss Marion Harris, a clever soubrette,. sings “He’s Mine, All Mine,” and an all-talk-ing comedy, "Madame Q,” is also shown. “RIO RITA.” At tbe Regent Theatre on Friday next will be shown the film “Rio Rita,” which should prove to be one of more than ordinary interest. “ Rio Rita ” is eminently suited for transference to the silver sheet Csays the Auckland Sun), and its producers have no doubt lit a torch which will be handed down from company to company as the popularity of this phase of screenic entertainment grows. It takes a truly great entertainment to hold the interest and attention of an audience for two and a-half hours, hut “ Rio Rita ” on Saturday did more than merely hold interest. It literally enchanted its audience, and to such a degree that the majority of those present heaved a sigh of regret when it was all over. The remark of London’s most carping film critic that “ Rio Rita ” was the finest production that has ever come out of Hollywood found many supporters. The producers of “ talkie ” films have an unrivalled fieflld in the production of musical comedy such as this, and it was realised that the screenic phase of the picture must trenscend any stage production, but nothing so utterly gorgeous, so redolent of humorous dialogue and sparkling music bad been for a moment anticipated. The second act, filmed in technicolour, left one breathless with the very immensity and magnificence of its backgrounds and settings. One had all the familiar airs, handled as they have never been handled before. The vocal work throughout was of the highest quality, the chorus work being unsurpassed. The comedy work was in the hands of two of the brightest artists, and throughout their tenure on the screen these two had the audience convulsed with laughter. The Ziegfeld ballet girls were seen to advantage in the technicolour sequences, and the orchestral work was perfect. Through the medium of the Western Electric sound equipment the reproduction throughout was as near perfect as has yet been reached. It was all great entertainment of a standard hitherto undreamed of. EMPIRE THEATRE. An uproarious farce, providing entertainment guaranteed to dispel the despese gloom, “ Embarrassing Moments,” the present attraction at the Empire Theatre, continues to receive strong public support. In the principal role Reginald Denny, who in silent films was acclaimed as a comedian of more than’ considerable worth, acquits himself in such a manner as to increase his already l.arge section of admirers. Playing opposite to him, Merna Kennedy enacts a difficult role with refreshing delicacy, whilst William Austin and. Otis Harlan contribute irgely to the success of the production. The story concerns a girl who, coming back to her home town after attending an art school in New York, is met by the whole township, including her father, her nance, and the latter’s mother. During the evening. when her homecoming is being celebrated her friend Mae turns on the wireless, aud the strains of a New York orchestra playing a familiar dance tune inspire her to commence a modern dance. The villagers are all thoroughly shocked, with the result that she hands back the young man his ring. When her father presses her for an explanation she invents a story of another man in New York, and, on being questioned as to his name, states that he is called Thaddeus Cruickshank. By a stroke of coincidence, a man by that name is discovered living in New York, and then complications of a most humorous and apparently hopeless nature arise. In the supporting programme Mr Leslie V. Harvey’s farewell presentation easily takes.pride of place. His organ items are Lizst’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2, “ I’m Painting the Clouds With Sunshine,” and the Hawaiian farewell, “Aloha Oe.” He is also heard iu a number of piano solos, including “'Rustle of Spring” (Binding), a medley of popular airs, and “ Softly Awakes My Heart” (Samson and Delilah). . “MARRIED IN HOLLYWOOD.” Norma Terris, beautiful and talented stage star, who is eo-featured with J. Harokl Murray in “ Married in Hollywood,” the Oscar Straus Operetta which will commence at the Empire Theatre next Wednesday, is noted for her imitations. and impersonations. Miss Terris imitates many famous stage and screen stars. This lovely singing star reached the high point of her career when she played the loading role in “ Show Boat ” for two years in New York before going to Hollywood to make all-talking and singing pictures for Fox Movietone. Equally prominent was Murray, wh6 had the leading role in “ Rio Rita ” for two years and a-hal£ on Broadway. ,A distinguished cast supports them, prominent in which is Walter Catlett, leading comediam'of a score of musical comedies; Tom Patricola, famed aa an eccentric dancer; Irene Palasty, star of “ No, No, Nanette ” for three years in London; Leila Karnelly, who has been compared with Pavlova ; and others. “Married in Hollywood ” boasts of a chorus of 1(30 voices and 60 trained dancers, in addition to the principals. The story, dialogue, and lyrics are by Harlan Thompson, who was also in charge of stage direction. Additional music is by Dave Stamper, and the dancing was staged by Edward Royce. Marcel Silver directed the production, which is reported to be even a greater success than his "Fox Movietone Follies of 1929.”

"SUNNY SIDE UP. - ’ Janet Gaynor turns her talent to musical comedy for the first time in “ Sunny Side Up.” Since the advent of talking pictures the diminutive little actress has been preparing for her debut'as a singing and dancing comedienne. Lacking actual stage experience, she really had to start all over again. Her success in “ Seventh Heaven,” “ Street Angel,” “Pour Devils,” and "Lucky Star,” her first pictures, plainly indicated that unlike so many screen stars who have been submerged by the audible film wave, Miss Gaynor is destined to rise to even greater heights. When D. Silva Brown and Henderson, authors of eight highly successful Broadway musical comedies and scores of popular song hits, prepared “ Sunny Side Up ” for Fox Movietone, they had Miss Gaynor in mind, and cleverly wove her personality into the highly interesting story for the production. No fewer than seven new song hits are played and sung in the course of the screen and musical comedy. A 35-piece jazz orchestra, under the direction of Howard Jackson, a 42piece boys' band, a society charity show, a water carnival, an East Side fourth-of-July block party, and a beauty chorus of GO are unusual features of “Sunny Side Up,” which will be the feature at the Empire Theatre shortly. David Butler, who has “ Prep and Pep " and “ Fox Movietone Follies” to his credit, directed this production. One of Broadway’s foremost dance directors staged the ensembles.

BENEFIT CONCERT. The concert to be given in the concert chamber of the new Town Hall on . Monday nest at 8 p.m. should attract more than usual attention. The programme, which has been arranged by courtesy of the Bristol Fiano Company, in conjunction with Madame Martinelli Reggiardo, consists of musical items to be given by leading performers. The event of the evening will probably be the demonstration of the new His Master’s Voice radio-gramophone. This instrument, which has just been received by the Bristol, has already caused something of a sensation. On this occasion the combination will be used only as a gramophone, but tests have proved radio reception it is without equal. Another new instrument which should stimulate the interest of patrons at the concert is the “ Barnard Recording Piano.” This remarkalile roll-actuated piano has already been seen and heard to advantage by many Dunedin citizens. This instrument, which throughout the evening will not only be played through the medium of the music roll, but by hand in the usual way, will serve to illustrate the extraordinary state of perfection to which the roll-playing piano has been brought. The box plan arrangements are advertised.