AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21019, 7 May 1930, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE; main picture on ■ the current gramme at the Regent Theatre is " Their Own Desire” in which the leading role is taken by Norma Shearer.' The peculiar beauty of the musical; discourse.;made by an exceedingly competent saxophone 'band will undoubtedly make £t very definite appeal to a great many people,; and this item m the supporting-programme must be commented upon, but what will meet with far more general approval is the singing of the Miller brothers, Ed. "and Lou., who are very pleasing in “Auf VViedersehn impressive in ah English duet from Rigoletto and captivdting in High Upon the Hill Tops.” -Charles 9I SP- a » - a finale “ Climb . Those trolden Stairs in a very pleasing style, but enjoyment of this number reaches its height when the entire company Joins in a chorus that is as melodious as it is colourful. Another feature that must command attention is the comedy item in which Harry Langdon demonstrates that fm ’s ns capable of entertaining with his talkie offerings as ever he was in the silent film. The Fighting Parson ”is e 'rn ll1 Tj ?. 00d The vocal overture. Ihe Belle of New York,” is a notable feature of the programme, but cue is inclined to appreciate Liszt's "Liebestraum, more because of the manner in which it is played. 9 "DEVIL-MAY-CARE.” The principal .attraction on the programme which will be commenced at the Regent Theatre on Friday will be “ Devilin which Ramon Novarro has the leading role. Novarro. as Armand, a lieutenant of Napoleon’s Guard at the time when the “Little Corporal” was exiled to finds himself in the throes of adventure in escaping from Royalist officers, the fight eventually landing him in the boudoir of Leonie, the daughter of a Royalist family. She shields him from his pursuers, but regrets her action when she discovers who he is. Later he returns to her in the guise of a footman, from which point on there are complications, suspense, and many surprises It was stated that a lengthy search was made among both screen and stage players m an attempt to find a feminine for Novarro, who could satisfactorily the requirements .needed for the role of the charming Leonie. and the choice anally rested on Dorothy Jordan, whose omy previous film experience was in Black Magic” and in the FairbanksPickford screen adaptation of “ The Taming of the Shrew.” Other members of the . cast are Marion Harris, George Davis, John Miljan, William Humphrey a - .Clifford Bruce. Novarro sings a number of songs in the picture, written by_ Herbert Stothart, co-composer of Rose Marie.” 1 STRAND THEATRE. “ Hard-boiled: Rose,” a story of an aristocrat named Jefferson Duhamel who has lost heavily at .the-gaming table of Julie Malo m the principal attraction at the Strand Theatre this week. Jefferson has lost 200,000 dollars, and Julie’s son Edward and Steve Wallace—who really run the gambling den—are well aware of Jeffersons plight. _ Rose Duhamel returns homelrom a finishing school, and straightway falls in love with Jopn Trask, her father’s private secretary, and accepts his offer of marriage, Duhamel approving. Duhamel and Julie, of the gaming house, nave a violent quarrel, and as a result immediate payment of the gambling debt is demanded. As a result, the aristocrat Duhamel hurries off to his office, steals the firm’s securities, .hands them over to Julie, and shoots himself. Trask allows himself to be imprisoned for the theft. Then Rose—exceedingly well played by Miss Myrna Loy—discovers that Trask is innocent, finds- out the’ whereabouts of Julie Male s gambling den, and, through Julie S ' bob Edward, discovers where the securities are hidden. How Rose eventually saves the situation for Trash makes a satisfactory conclusion to the picture. There is a strong supporting programme, EMPIRE THEATRE. _A story of a matrimonial tangle, “ Tonight at Twelve,” is the principal offering on the programme of the Empire .theatre. It tells how the wife finds a note, written by her husband to some per-, son unknown', making an appointment for 12 o clock that night. Burning with jealousy, she invites her three best friends and their husbands to her house, and when the men folk are absent accuses her; friends, singly or collectively, of carrying on an intrigue with her husband. The men eventually-hear of the trouble, and instantly the seeds of suspicion are sown, and,; although vehement declarations of innocence are immediately made by the' suspected .wives, • confusion and bitter? wrangling break, out. Further complica-’ tions, arise when it is hinted that this iri not, the only intrigue existing within the small circle of friends, with the result •that the general confusion is multiplied’ tenfold. A dramatic but highly aatisfac--' tpry solutionyto the problem is at lastarrived. at, and all parties are reconciled.-; rh j r Vr ß a ® trOD ,S supporting programme,' and Mr Joseph Wayne again renders several excellent numbers on the Christie organ. , “ THE MIGHTY.” ■ The management of the Empire Theatre" has a wide range of entertainment to. offer to patrons, commencing next Friday; evening. Mons. De Rose and 12 of the; leading orchestral players of Dunedin and Mr Joseph Wayne at the Christie organ will give a combined conceit Selections V 1 be played from 7 o’oUck till 7.45' o clock, when an excellent' picture pro-: gramme will- 1)0' presented. rnusientpresentations will be continued every even-'

iae at.the same.tim.* and-will also be held on Saturday afternoons’. George Bancroft’s latest picture, “The Mighty," is the principal item, Bancroft starts off as the gunman who has much contempt for the law —so much contempt, in fact, that it takes four military policemen to put him in the army when he disregards a draft notice. He goes overseas a private. his valoui secures many decorations and promotions'for him, and he emerges a major and a hero. He is offered the position of chief of police, which be accepts Esther Ralston is the sister of his old friend,' and knows his past, but he does not know this. They are in love. A big police picnic is given in honour of Bancroft. The gang.prepares to strike. In the middle of the celebration he learns of their plans, and from then on the picture is lull of action.

PRINCESS THEATRE. The time is not long past when it was thought that the talking picture was merely an innovation of which people would soon grow tired, and which would never be a serious rival to the legitimate stage. “ Disraeli,’’ however, and pictures of a similar standard, prove very effectually the capabilities 6t a “ talkie ” production, and proof of its general popularity is contained in the Tact that it is now in its third week at the Princess Theatre. And, after all, if the sound studios are able to, maintain a standard of quality consistent with that set by Disraeli ” the loss' of the legitimate stage is not likely to be'so keenly felt. Perhaps the most outstanding feature of this picture is the clarity and purity of the diction. There is no need to strain to hear.. Every word is, broadcast perfectly, and every note of music, vocal or instrumental, comes across to the audience to a nicety. The acting of the principals, and particularly George Arliss, who has. the title .role, is of an exceptionally high order. .• Arliss has • a hundred and one mannerisms and movements which are in themselves as expressive as many of his words. His supporting artists' are, like liluieelf, English in speech and demeanour, and as a result’impart to the film an English atmosphere refreshingly novel and acceptable to English audiences. Nothing that the Warner Bros,’ studios have sent to this country in. the past has made the appeal that “ Disraeli ” has made, nor have any previous films exhibited the technical and dramatic qualities which make this a very definite milestone in the history of the progress of the articulate screen. An entertaining series of short subjects, is also shown. ■

OCTAGON THEATRE. A story of the private life of those who provide the world’s ; amusement from the stage,. “ Nix on Dames," is still drawihg large .houses .to the-Octagon Theatre. In the' story the acrobatic team of Bert Wills and Johhny Brown form a womanbating duet. They have fought together as pals at the war and on and off the stage for years, but no woman’s smile had ever served to separate them. In practising a new balancing- act Wills is injured, and he and his partner take rooms at an actor’s boarding house in New York. It is here that they meet two women—a dancer and a singer—and the acrobats eventually find themselves interested' in the dancer. The story of the complications which ensue, and of- the ultimate happy. ending, -makes an entertaining picture., The second picture -is 11 The a that - for sheer thrills and hair-raising situations has few equals.' - The -' stoty deals with a fiend known as • “The Wrecker,’-’ who is responsible for-many disastrous railway accidents, several of which are depicted in the film. An all-British cast, including Benita Hume, Carlyle Blackwell, Pauline Johnson, Winter Hall, and Joseph Striker enact its roles with ■ dramatic assurance. In-addition to the two main feature films, there is an excellent Fox News, and. the musical • items by the unseen . orchestra add a. finishing touch to the new programme.

“A SONG OF KENTUCKY.” ■ "A' Song of Kentucky,” a romantic drama between a wealthy society girl and a composer, will be commenced - at the Octagon Theatre on Friday. It is ; said to , be , a P, interesting story with suspense and thrills, particularly during the Ken-, tucky Derby, which was actually photographed during that famous race. Miss Moran is the heroine,'arid Joe Wagstaff makes a very 'good hero. The cast assembled for the supporting roles is a cap l able one, and includes Dorothy Burgess, Hedda Hopper, .Herman Bing, Edward Davis, Douglas Gilmore, and Bert Wood-, rnfi- , .The College Coquette,” a, Columbia all-talking picture, - will be the second feature on the prdgrariime. The story deals ■mth the careers of two girls at a coeducational university. Although they arc very close friends, they are of entirely different personalities. The. contrast between the two girls is clearly brought out. The difference in the inanner that they meet their problems and the widely divergent results are claimed to comprise a plot that ia fast moving and full of .surprises. Ruth Taylor and Jobyna Hals-. to “ .two girls, and John, Holland and Wuham Collier, jun., have the masculine leads. '

, PLAZA THEATRE. ’Last night the management of the'Plaza Theatre offered ft complete change of programme to its patrons. The principal picture was “ Broadway Daddies/ a story of the New York stage life, in which the' leading roles are taken’ by Jacqueline Logan, Alee. B. Francis, and Rex Lease. In the picture Eve Delmar (Jacqueline Logan) is seen as a dancer in a night club on Broadway, who is surrounded by a host of: wealthy admirers. The girl, however, prefers the company ;of Dick. ■ Kennedy (Rex Lease), whom,she believes ‘to be a poor man, when, in reality he is the son of a millionaire. Dick makes an appointment with Eve, intending to ! confess his real identity, but on the way he is delayed. On arriving at the ren- : dezvous late he finds that Eve, angry at l his failure to keep the appointment, has , gone away An announcement appears that Dick has become engaged to Agnes Forrest, and Eve, in revenge, accepts the ■ attentions of James Leech.' John Kennedy, Dick’s father, sees Eve stepping 1 out of Leech’s car,' andwhen later Dick , and the girl are reconciled, be succeeds in having the engagement broken off. . Eventually Eve . succeeds in convincing : the father he has misjudged her, and the ■ caches a satisfactory conclusion.’ ! The supporting picture, “ Unseeing Eyes,” 1 is a tale of adventure in the mountainous j region of Western Canada, jn which many j beautiful scenes’of-the Rocky Mountains • are presented. One of the most exciting j points of the story is the race between : two aeroplanes < over the snowelad peaks iof the mountains. The Plaza Orchestra , supplied incidental music during the ■.screening of the films, and Mrs K. B. I Johnstone rendered the violin solo, ; “ Mazur ” as an entr’acte.

! KING EDWARD THEATRE. . The main picture bn the programme at I the King Edward Theatre, which had its initial screening last night, ’ was “ Chinajtown Charlie,” with Johnny Hines in the ! leading role.. The supporting . film was : Keep Smiling,” in which the chief | honours in the cast are won by Alonty ! Banks.