AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20991, 2 April 1930, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS.

STRAND THEATRE. The main .picture on the current bill at the Strand Theatre this week is The Squall,” and that it is by no means waning in popularity is evident from the crowds which have attended the performances nightly. The story, which has as its principal character a gipsy girl named Nubi, is highly interesting, depicting as it does the primitive power of Nubi and the effect which that power has when ruthlessly applied by one so devoid ot restraint as is the Romany girl. Alyrna Loy, in the role of the gipsy girl, scores a distinct success, and is well supported by a capable cast. The second feature, “Women They All Tail: About,” a highly humorous production, also provides bright entertainment, and rounds off a programme which well merits the suppoit which is being accorded it by the public. REGENT THEATRE. What' 13 new and interesting is generally to be seen at the Regent Theatre, and “ The Hollywood Revue ” is no exception to the rule. It goes beyond a pictorial stage, and amounts to a diverting musical revue. There are the comedy stars, the ballets, and choruses that form inseparable parts of a vaudeville production. There are numerous and varied dances, and the tableaus are wonderfully worked up, and very effectively presented. Not one of the crowd of performers, sometimes seen all moving, in combination, over loses the rhythmic measure of the music. Two of the outstanding melodies arc " Your Alother and Aline,” and “ Singing in the Rain.” These are, however, only a few of the many gems_ in music of a light and tuneful description. “ The Hollywood Revue of 1929 ” is certainly up-to-date in every respect, and provides a good afternoon's or evenings entertainment. " AIARIANNE.” Alarion Davies will be seen in “Alaiir a n ne,” her new Aletro-Goldwyn-Mayer starling picture, which will be opened on Friday at the Regent Theatre. Incidentally, it is Aliss Davies’s first all-talking picture. As the courageous French peasant girl who mothers a brood of war orphans as well as the regiment of Allied soldiers who billet , in her barnyard, thCj dainty star brings a sparkling character? sation. She is said to be right at home in the hilarious comedy moments which afford her an opportunity, for another screaming male impersonation when she dons a French officer's uniform to save her sweetheart from gaol. “ Alarianne,” believes her French lover dead in the war, and is willing to accept her Allied soldier sweetheart when he urges her to return home with him. Just as she is about to admit, her love for him her French lover, blinded in .the conflict, returns. Remorseful and moved deeply by “pity, she resolves to send her American away, giving her life to earing for the blind man. He, however, senses her real love for the other man, and realising what a burden he would be to her, finally sends her back to the arms of her new sweetheart. . OCTAGON THEATRE. Amongst the, moving picture houses that keep well abreast of the times is the Octagon Theatre, where patrons can always rely upon seeing something, of a superior class. The latest attraction js “ South Sea Rose,” with Lenore Ulric in the principal female character, which she fills very charmingly and very effectively. She has the part of a beautiful French girl, known amongst the South Sea islanders ns “South Sea Rose,” who is induced by Captain Briggs to go away with him. He marries her, and thereafter there arise money troubles, the captain expecting to obtain money from the girl’s nnclc. A Dr Winston, appears on the scene, and the end ot it all is that Rosalie’s dearest hopvs are all fulfilled. “ Barnum Was Eight” is also screened. "THE COCK-EYED WORLD.” “ The Cock-eyed World,” Raoul Walsh's masterful Fox Alovietone effort, will be, screened at the Octagon Theatre on Friday. Based on a story by Laurence Stallings and . Alaswell Anderson, who were responsible for " What Price Glory? ” it features. Victor M'Laglen, Edmund Lowe, and Lily Damita—Lowe and ■ APLapleu again the fighting marines, but now, in times of peace, confining their chief battles to passages at arras over their various lady loves. The trend of the story takes the marines to Russia, to the tropics, and to New York and Coney Island. Lily Damita is their girl of the tropics; Delia Karnelly their Russian girl, and Jean Bary their New York girl. Quelling an uprising in the tropics is their only opportunity, to do the .battling the marines are noted for, and Walsh is said to have even in this comparatively minor engagement eclipsed for drama, force, and, thrills any battle of “What Price Glory?” The supporting cast is excellent, with El Brendel, former star ot musical comedy , and vaudeville, reaping honours with his incomparable portrayal of a Swede marine, Olson. Joe Brown, Bobby Burns, and Ivan Lin.ow also have important roles. In addition to the dialogue, there are several song numbers, especially written for this production by Conrad, Alitchell. and_Gottler, including the theme song, “ D®ar io Ale,” sung by Bobby Burns; sung by Lily Damita; and So Long, a marine marching song. EAIPIRE THEATRE. The Empire Theatre this week has an exceptionally strong programme to offer its patrons. " Under the Greenwood Tree,” the principal film, is a British production of a type rarely seen in Dunedin, and the fact that the picture is an adaptation of a story by Thomas Hardy is in itself a guarantee of something above the ordinary. In addition to the merit of the story, however, the English actors, with their cultivated diction and their ability .to catch the atmosphere of a Dorset village of 100 years ago, raise the standard of the whole film to a point of excellence rarely reached before in films seen in this city. The music; which ia of an exceptionally nigh standard, is a feature of the picture. Interest to New Zealand audiences is added by the fact that the leading male role is taken by John Batten, himself a New Zealander, who had achieved considerable fame in America before he was chosen for this part. There are in addition a number of interesting gazettes which depict events in different parts of the world, and the Empire Concert Orchestra, under the direction of Mr C. Roy Spackraan, renders a number , of musical selections which add considerably to the enjoyment of the night’s entertainment. “THE RETURN OF SHERLOCK HOLMES.” In the production of “The Return of Sherlock Holmes,” which will be commenced at the Empire Theatre on Friday, Paramount spared. no trouble and expense to make the picture essentially English. Holmes ie the creation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and his exploits have thrilled millions the world over; but the detective has always been British. In selecting that fine English actor, Clive Brook, to head the cast of this all-talking picture, no better actor could have been chosen. Betty Lawford, a well-known actress of the English stage, ie the leading lady, and others in 'he cast, whose English is above reproach, are Phillips Holmes, H. Rgcvgs Smith, Donald Crisps* and Harry Alorey. The whole was directed by Basil Dean, whose productions of the London stage have been the talk of Europe and America. KING EDWARD THEATRE. “Ladies’ Night,” the principal attraction at the King Edward . Theatre, had its initial screening . last night before ■ a large and appreciative audience. I he main roles are taken by Dorothy AlacUaiU and Jack Alulhall, and supporting them is a strong cast which includes such wellknown players as Jemmy Finlayson, Reed Howes, Ethel Wales, and Sylvia Ashton. The supporting picture, “ The Big Show, is also an excellent production, in which the leading parts are' takn by Jenn Powell and Evangeline Russell. CONCERT AT SEACLIFF AIENTAL HOSPITAL. On Saturday Begg’s orchestra and concert party, under Air J. F. Himburg, paid a visit to the Seacliff Alental Hospital. The afternoon was spent in sightseeing, under the direction of the members of the Justices of the Peace Association, Everyone was much interested in the organisation of the institution. In the evening the patients were entertained at a concert, which was very much enjoyed. The following was the programme:— Begg’s orchestra (conductor, J. F. Himburg)—march, “Gypsy Caravan,” plantation melodies. “ Ole South songs. Air

J. Clarke, “Bedouin Love Song" and " Smugglers’ Song ”; violin solos, Mr E. Ruffell, “ Simple Aveu" and Toesolli’a “ Seronata songs, Mrs J. Aitcheson, “ It’s Only a Tiny Garden ” and “ I Love the Moon”; Begg’s orchestra, “In a Persian Garden ” and “On Hike songs, Mr Poole, “ Bells of the Sea ” 'and “ Requiem”; songs. Miss Davidson, “June is in My Heart” and “,I Did Not Know”; horn solo, Mr J. Himburg, “Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes”; Begg’s orchestra, “Ye Olde English Melodies”; songs, Mrs J, Aitcheson, “Dream Minuet” and “String of Pearls"; songs, Mr D. Poole, “Sea Fever” and “Just A-wearyin’ for You ”; violin solos, Mr E. Ruffell, " Intermezzo," “ Cavaleria Rusticana," and “ By the Waters of Minnetonka "; songs, Miss Davidson, “ Throne of Roses " and “ Little Old Garden ’’; Begg’s orchestra, “ Broadway Melody " and ‘ Flying Ace.” Dr Childs, on behalf or the staff and patients, thanked the entertainers for the very fine concert. Air L. G. Gumming and Air J, J. Alarlow, on behalf of the Justices of the Peace Association, also thanked the performers, special mention boing made of the work Alias K. Whelan had performed, in playing all the accompaniments, as well as playing with the orchestra, and also to Air J. F. Himburg for arranging the programme. The hall was cleared for dancing, and the orchestra provided the music, _ the old-time dances being very much enjoyed. SIAION PHILIPOFF’S RECITAL. To-night, in the concert chamber of the Town Hall, Dunedin music lovers will have an opportunity of hearing Air Simon Philipoff give a recital through the medium of a balalaika, the national musical instrument of Russia. Mr PhilipoU, it is said, displayed outstanding musical ability while a child, when his violin playing attracted considerable notice. Later he changed his instrument for the balalaika, and soon became recognised as the finest player of this instrument m the orchestra of his college. His reputation increased, and He made a successful tour of Southern Russia, Poland, and Hungary, In 1022 ho succeeded in escaping from Russia by tolling the authorities that he intended to take ux> work aa a fisherman. This occupation, however, he quickly relinquished, and since then he has made a successful tour through the East, having performed in China, Java, the Straits Settlements, the Philippine Islands, and Australia before coming to New Zealand.