AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21102, 12 August 1930, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

STRAND THEATRE. ‘ The principal attraction at the Strand Theatre this week is “ Dark Streets.” The picture provides a novel sidelight on talking film production, as it presents the leading role in dual parts. The player who fills the double role is Jack Mulhall, one of the best-known screen actors. He takes the parts of twin brothers, one a policeman and the other a crook. The photographic art is of such a standard that the audience is } able to see both characters on the screen at the one time. Mulhall also makes the necessary change of voice. Supporting this capable actor is another famous, player, Lila Lee. i’he difficult mechanical feat of having Mulhall shown twice in the one scene and talking to himself is carried out without a flaw. The climax is novel, and quite unexpected, fringing to an end a picture which holds the attention of the audience from first to last. The supporting programme includes the usual news reel and a good cartoon. “ The Lemon ” is a comedy which, should amuse any audience, and the Dick Rich Orchestra plays several excellent numbers. The “Record Boys,” a comedy song group, is also a very acceptable item. OCTAGON THEATRE. “The Adventures of SX3” is drawing large audiences to the Octagon Theatre. Very cleverly incorporated in the picture is an interesting demonstration 'of the “ Momsen lung,” a device which allows the crew of a submerged submarine to be sent to the surface in comparative safety. In the picture the crew of Sl3 is saved by the invention. An interesting feature of the film is the depiction of the Shanghai “Bund,” on which the opening scenes of the story are laid. The striking cosmopolitan nature of the population is reproduced with startling fidelity, and in addition to the fine photographic scenes of the “Bund” and its people, one actually hears the babel of the many tongues and the thousand and one sounds ins"parable from such a locality. The production as a whole provides excellent entertainment from first to last. Kenneth MKenna is seen in the leading role, and his characterisation of the mysterious petty officer of the submarine is a particularly fine sketch. He has a good speaking voice, which reproduces perfectly, and so deftly does he present his part that it is, at times, difficult to realise that he is acting Frank Albertson is also well cast as the inexperienced ensign, of which part he gives a most convincing rendering. Others in the cast are Farrell M’Donald. Warren Hymer, and Stuart Erwin, There is, in addition, an enjoyable and varied supporting programme. “ SPLINTERS.” “ Splinters,” which will he presented at the Octagon Theatre next Friday, is the spirit of the British Tommy shown in a series of' fragments of humour, pathos, song, and dance by the famous concert party whose efforts made a little oasis of forgetfulness in a dreary world of mud, monotony, and danger—fragments which helped. to maintain the morale which won the war., The general commanding a certain division wished that “they could get, something to amuse the men in the evenings. Couldn’t -they organise some sort of a show —a concert party or something? ” Advice was sought from the staff sergeant, who said an orderly. Private Brown, might be useful; he had some 1 connection with the stage. It transpired that Brown’s stage connection was in the capacity of a carpenter, but he knew a “comic” who could, to use his own words, “ make a cat laugh.” The “comic” was Private Hal Jones, who was in a regiment which was at that time enjoying a little firing practice with the enemy. A muddy and bewildered Jones reached army headquarters in due course, and was told that he was wanted to organise a concert party. "H. Jones, sergeant," invited artiste for a concert party, and gave * auditions which provided a great deal of merriment for the boys, but no artiste. Hal, however, was not easily daunted. Reg. Stone, “the world’s most famous female impersonator,” came down the line, and gradually the divisional concert party was rehearsed for “opening night-. So u Splinters )} was born, and it lived to become the greatest of all war-time revues. 'Thin fact has kept it running continuously on the English stage, for the past 11 years. British Dominion Films Company obtained Jones and Stone for parts in the film, augmented the cast by adding Nelson Keys, Sydney Howard, and Lew Lake to it. and placed the production in the bands of Mr Herbert Wilcox, the most famous producer in England. EMPIRE THEATRE. Presented by an all-star cast, gorgeouslystaged, and incorporating a host of musical novelties, “Paramount on Parade, which heads the current bill at the Empire Theatre, is a picture which should appeal to all tastes. An interlude of special merit is that in which Ruth Chatterton assumes t, the role of a Montmartre girl singing of her lover, an Amen can marine, who promised to come back, but never did, Ruth Chatterton has a fine sense of the theatre, and couples with her unmistakable dignity a talent which is possessed by few of her contemporaries. Clara Bow does some characteristic roistering with a lot of sailors, and - charms everyone with her dazzling smile. Dennis Kings fine voice makes the most of a stirring Russian love song, and Maurice Chevalier fills a variety of roles with a distinction peculiar to his own rare talents. He does nothing better, however, than ” Sweeping the Clouds Away,” in which he and an enormous chorus are seen in one of the most amazing kaleidoscopes of colour the screen has ever witnessed. William Powell, Clive Brook, Warner Gland, Wallace Beery, George Bancroft, and* a host of others assist in one of the most' acceptable programmes yet shown here. “THE CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD.” “ The Captain of the Guard,” a story of the French Revolution, with a host of great historical names in the cast, with Rouget de ITsle for hero, and the Bourbon Court,Hhe People’s Tribunal, and the streets of Paris for a background, will be commenced at the Empire Theatre on Friday. It Is a romantic musical play, based on certain facts of history, a lot of it frankly and beautifully romantic, and all of it is a magnificent flourish of brave, dark deeds, gallant men, and pretty women. John Boles has the part of Rou get de I’lsle, who wrote “La Marseil laisfe,” and was a noble who turned revotionary. Boles brings his de lisle up from the south as a debonair, dashing captain of the guards. Laura La Plante plays a daughter of the people, who reveals an astonishing flair of fiery drama, fierce revolutionary sentiments. Sam de Grasse, who has played Talleyrand and Richelieu and Mazarin, and other rulers of French kings, is himself majesty in “The Captain of the Guard,” and Evelyn Hall is “the Austrian,” Lionel Bclinore Dantonor Murat or Robespierre. There is a slender touch of humour now and then in a valet, or an innkeeper, or a recruit that is not amiss. For once a musical play of the screen it not dominated by the chorus, the ballet of the, wardrobe mistress, although everything About the externals of the picture i 6 solid and good. PRINCESS THEATRE. Featuring Pauline Frederick in the leading role, “Evidence,” which is the principal attraction at _ the Princess Theatre this week, is a picture of more than usual merit, and entertainment value. “Evidence” will grip the attention from the start and hold it until the last fade-out. Conway Teavle has an important role which he manages with his customary competence, and William Courtenay acquits himself with considerable distinction. Others who make a good impression are Lowell Sherman, Alec. B. Francis, Myrna Loy, and Madeleine Seymour. " Evidence," it appears, has been recommended by the censor as suitable more for adult audiences than for juveniles, but it would be less than fair to the film to conclude from that fact that it is in any way questionable or vulgar. It is nothing of the sort. Probably what was in the mind of the censor was a conviction that only adults would, be able to appreciate fully the significance of the story and the moral it teaches. The supporting programme this week is an excellent one. An added attraction to to-night’s programme will be the screening of “shots” of the fourth Rugby test match between New Zealand and Britain, which was played at Wellington on Saturday. “SO LONG, LETTY.” The announcement that “ So Long, Letty” will be screened at the Princess Theatre this week will be welcomed enthusiastically by those who can take memory back to the 1917-1918 period when this delightful farce appeared on the Dunedin stage for two seasons. The

.sound studios have -made the talking film version quite as attractive as the original, and lovers of good comedy can look forward to some high class entertainment. In the story Uncle _ Claude Davie, an eccentric millionaire, _ brings his . two grand-daughters, typical flappers, to a fashionable beach hotel. The girls are looking for a riotous time at the beach, but Uncle Claude is looking for quiet and rest. Letty Robbins solicits business for a massage and beauty parlour, in this wav earning enough to keep herself beautiful and also to enable her to give and attend,a continuous round of parties. She tries to drag Uncle Claude into the " beauty shop,” and he, furious at her rough house tactics, dashes away to his nephew's cottage on the beach nearby. He does not know that Letty is his nephew’s wife, and by mistake ne gets into the Miller cottage, adjoining the Robbins’s bungalow, and sees his nephew’s wife, and is- pleased because she is so quiet and demure. He promises them a big cheque. Tom Robbins is' bored because bis wife is never at home, and Harry Miller is bored because his wife will never go out. They discuss changing wives. The girls talk it over and agree to teach them a lesson. A few days after the exchange Tommy is annoyed at Grace’s constant attention, and Harry is worn out from the round of parties Letty has made him attend. The players in this Vitaphone comedy include Charlotte Greenwood (star of the production), Grant Withers, Patsy Ruth Miller, Hallam Cooley, Bert Roach, Harry Gribbon, Claude Gillingwater, Helen Foster, and Marion Byron. REGENT THEATRE. “Journey’s End,” a picturisation of one of the most famous plays of modern times, is drawing large audiences at the Regent Theatre. The picture has an entirely British cast, and all those who have seen and heard “Journey’s End” readily agree that the purity of diction and perfection of matter have rarely been equalled by the sound screen in Dunedin, There is a crisp, conciseness about the merest commonplaces which the characters utter that cannot fail to claim the close attention of any audience. The director has accomplished wonders with this perfect talking film of the war. It can be claimed as a masterpiece. . The character of Captain Stanhope in ‘ Journeys .End ” is one of the most impressively lifelike portrayals yet seen on the screen. It is a portrait of a man which will not be easily forgotten. Colin Clive, hitherto a stranger to Dunedin audiences, will be remembered for the new standard of screen acting he has set. His is by no means the pantomimic play-acting of the ordinary film. He brings to his part an understanding and appreciation of the character his author created which could surely not fail to delight R. C. Sherriff himself. He reasons, acts, and speaks with', a natural effectiveness that is astonishing in its perfection. If the Dunedin pictnregoer could determine to any extent the appearances of film actors - there would be many early returns of this talented And accomplished player. He is supported by a cast of players of scarcely less outstanding ability than that which he possesses._ “Journey's End” |is a picture that will appeal to all. “CHASING RAINBOWS.” , "Chasing Rainbows,” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's new mukical romance drama,-will open at the Regent Theatre on Thursday. Its tuneful numbers are woven into glittering dancing ensembles, spiced with techmcolour sequences that delight the eye. It is a drama of the footlights possessing a powerful appeal, and reintroduces the two stars of , “The Broadway Melody,” Charles King and Bessie Love. They are responsible for some more delightful team work, and their songs will be on everyone’s lips for ,a lonir time to come. . “ Lucky Me—Lovable You,” one of their love son®, is rendered especially effectively. Bessie Love sings and dances with the entire ensemble the number “Everybody Tap," and provides an excellent piece of chorus work. Marie Dressier, the famous comedy star, stands out brilliantly among a big cast of stars, and her song, “ My Dynamic Personality, is a delicious piece of character work. She radiates humour right through the show. Polly Moran also scores a great success. Created by Sammy Lee, the famous Broadway. ballet master, a spectacular technicolour scene is built around the song “Happy Days Are Here Again, one of the many big numbers or the show, A dancing and singing ensemble of 200 participates in this ' remarkable finale number. An excellent cast is completed by Jack Benny. George K, Arthur, Nita Martan. Gwen Lee, Eddie Phillips, and Youcea Trouhetzkoy. ROXY THEATRE. The feature .picture now being screened at the Roxy Theatre is “So This Is College,” in which the principal parts are taken by Sally Starr, Elliott Nugent, and i Robert Montgomery. An important .member of the cast is Cliff Edwards, who is known as Ukelele Ike, and who assists considerably towards the musical success ! of the production. .Several very pleasing song numbers are featured in this story of American college life. There is an attraction in “Campus Capers," “I • Don’t Want Your Kisses,” “Until the End,” “ College Days,” and “ Sophomore Prom,” All these numbers are thoroughly in accordance with the tenor of the picture. An excellent cast is seen in support, the principal members being Phyllis ’ Crane, Dorothy Dehn, Max Davidson, Ann Brody, Oscar Rudolph, Gene Stone, Polly Moran, and Lee Sbumway. “So This is College ” is certainly one of the best pictures of its type which has been seen in Dunedin for a considerable time. An hilarious Hal Roach comedy named “Leaping Love,” in which Charlie Chase has the leading role. A Metrotone News Reel, and an interesting gazette complete an excellent programme.' PLAZA THEATRE. An attractive programme is , being screened at the Plaza Theatre this week. The pictures have been well chosen, and include two features of more than average merit. The programme is Headed by “The Canary Murder Case,” with William Powell, James Hal], Louise Brooks, and Jean Arthur in the principal roles. The story concerns Broadway’s most ambitious show girl “gold digger,” who is found strangled in her apartment. Philo Vance, who has gained fame as an amateur detective, is brought in on the case, and an exciting story follows The second picture is “ Two Flaming Youths,” featuring Chester Conklin and W. C. Fields in an amusing comedy. W C. Fields, as Gabby Gilfoil, the owner of Gilfoil’s Nonpareil Circus, is dispossessed of all bis animals, and he and his daughter Mary find themselves stranded in Arkosa. Tony Holden goes to their rescue, and incidentally confines his activities to Mary. Many exciting incidents follow, but all comes right in the end. The supporting programme includes a cartoon, a comedy, and a gazette. KING EDWARD THEATRE. A story of circus and business life will be shown at the King Edward Theatre to-night in “No Control,” which depends for much of its hilarious humour on animals. ’ The well-known actress, Priscilla Dean, executes a spectacular 90 - foot dive in the course of the second picture, “ Jewels of Desire." John Bowers and Walter Lony also have prominent parts, and an excellent supporting east includes Raymond Wells, Ernie Adams, Syd. Crossley, and Marie Perclvale.