AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21144, 30 September 1930, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS.

STRAND THEATRE. _\ " The Racketeer,” with Robert Armstrong and Carol Lombard in the jfading roles, is the attraction at the Strand Theatre. It is admirably presented, and is played by a brilliant cast. The action of the story for the greater part takes place in the upper circles of wealth and fashion in New York, and the theme deals with the love romance of a society girl and a leader in the underworld. It is a romance that appeals, as it proves to be tragic in ita ultimate unfolding. “The Racketeer,” carrying all the menace of underworld influence, is one of the nmst astonishing exposures of the far-reaching power of gangster rule, extending the tenacles of a lawless octopus into the higher strata of society. “PLAYING AROUND.” . “ Playing Around,” the story of a girl who picked the wrong man to have a good time with, will open at the Strand Theatre on Friday. Alice White is featured in this First National all-talking film as Sheba, the girl, and Chester Morris appears opposite her. The plot, adapted from Vina Delmar’s story, “ Sheba,”-, is said to be one of the finest Miss White has had. She appears as a stenographer who is not satisfied with her boy friend, but wants to “ play around ” with other men. There are several big musical sequences for which special songs were written. William Bakewell, Richard Carlyle, Lionel Belmore, and others are in the cast.

EMPIRE THEATRE. Comprising as it does a very fine series of short subjects and a spectacular teehnicolour feature, this week’s programme at the. Empire Theatre is an unusually generous one. "Mamba," the principal feature, has Jean Hersholt and Eleanor Boardman in the leading roles, and tells the story of the marriage of a gross halfbreea trader, August Bolte, to an aristocrat—purely a marriage of convenience, and one by which he Hopes to raise himself in the social scale. His cruelty and bestiality have estranged him from all the white residents of the post, and also incurred for him in the enmity of the natives. Romance in the shape of a handsome young German officer steps in, and after many thrilling incidents all ends happily. The time of the story is just prior to the outbreak of the Great War, when Britons and sons of the Fatherland fraternised freely on the lonely outpost. Then war breaks but, and all friendship goes by the board until the two opposing factions fight together again against _their common foe the natives. Scenes in and around the military stations, and the thousand and one activities of the trading post, with its galaxy of colour and amazing cachinnation of sounds,- are reproduced with extraordinary fidelity. The' Empire Orchestra presents a very fine musical programme. “THE HUNGARIAN RHAPSODY." Kinema Art Films’ sound film, “Hungarian Rhapsody," which will commence at the Empire Theatre on Friday,, is said to be the most extraordinary example of how sound may be used to advantage on the’ screen. Real Hungarian peasants, singing their wild primitive folk songs at harvest time, gipsy minstrels —the most romantic people. in the world —playing fiery melodies oh weird native instruments, are heard with miles of reapers singing.in the fields as they swing their scythes in unison, and the passionate lover and violinist playing 7 entrancing serenades in beautiful moonlit lights. Such is the beauty of this Ufa synchronised operetta which has been adapted from Liszt’s immortal masterpiece. The leading roles are played by Willy Fritsch and Dita Parlo.

OCTAGON THEATRE. With the famous tenor, Joseph Hislop, in the leading role, ‘ and Eva Gray and Dorthy Seacomba in support, "The Loves of Robert Burns,” which heads the current bill at.the Octagon Theatre,-is a picture which reaches a very high standard. The picture - has to do mainly with Burns s life and career as it was affected by two women, known wherever the English, tongue is apokeir—Jean Armour, and Mary Campbell. Everything, from the soft, quiet beauty of the Ayrshire scenes and the hogmannay festivities in the alehouse to the stern denun ciation of Burns before a solemn congregation, is in keeping with the spirit of the story, and at the conclusion one feels that one has been privileged to roll Sack the veil of 150 years and see the everyday life of the. Scottish, people as it was in 1780, Probably never before in Dunedin has such beauty of sound and scene been combined on the talking picture screen as those sequences which show Burns and Highland Mary sitting by the sparkling, gleaming waters of the Alton whilst Burns sings over again to his love the ‘ songs which his genius gave to the world. The singing of Hislop alone would make the picture one of the great successes of the year. But it is not only by his voice that Hislop will be remembered. His acting reaches ,a very high standard, and his interpretation of the part of the passionate, yet weak, wayward, but very human poet, is something which those who see it will not soon forget.

REGENT THEATRE. • Featuring the noted Swedish star Greta Garbo, in the leading role, ” Anna Christie” has pride of place on this week’s programme at the Regent Theatre. Miss Garbo is cast as a woman of the nameless world, who, neglected by her father in her early years, has learned life’s hard lesson before she comes of age. Her father, a wastrel old Swedish barge captain, receives word that she is coming borne to him and, although soaked in alcohol, be does his best to make a home for her on the barge. His great fear is “that old devil, sea,’ which has robbed him of his wife and two sons, and realising through his daughter’s presence on the barge bow much he loves her, he determines that she shall never marry a sailor. How his calculatious are upset by the advent of a rollicking Irishman, and how the two learn the true facts of .the girl’s early life before a happy ending is reached make a powerful and dramatic story which must be seen to be thoroughly appreciated. The very simplicity and naturalness of the theme hold one, and the convincing acting of the principals virtually makes the characters live. Marie Dressier, George F. Marion, and Charles Bickford handle the supporting roles capably.

“THIS MAD WORLD/' „. M. et f o-Goldwyn-Mayer ‘ production. This Mad World,” featuring Basil Rathbone and Kay Johnson,. will receive its initial screening at the Regent Theatre on Friday. It is described as a gripping love drama arising out of the World War It deals with a phase of the World War rather than with actual military operations, the .drama .being based on an emotional crisis brought about as the result of a m eet r ln 2 between a French spy and the wife of a German general who is billeted in the home of the spy’s mother on German occupied territory. When Victoria, the general’s wife (played by Miss Johnson), discovers Paul Parisot (Rathbono) to be in the employ of the French' Secret Service, she determines to reveal his identity. Paul believes he will have to P u t her out of the way in order to carry out his plans, and follows her as she leaves the house to go to the German headquarters. Catching up with her, he lures her to a ruined chateau nearby with murderous intentions, but here fate takes a hand and Paul falls in love with the beautiful Victoria. From this point on the story deal with the tragic conflict between love and patriotism, and is said to conelude with a totally unexpected but logical ct'roax- The three players associated with Kathbone and Miss Johnson are Louise Dresser as Paul’s mother, Veda Bucklaud at Anna, the maid, and Louis Natheaus as co-conspirator.

PRINCESS THEATRE. Heading the programme at the Princess Theatre is “Song of the West,” r . ta l| , of , ear Jy Western America. John Boles has the leading role, and he sings his way straight into the good opinion of his audience. He is provided in Song of the West ” with a rare selection of ballads and romantic songs, and he acquits himself throughout with even more than his usual distinction, Vivienne Segal is a charming actress with a pronounced personality and a clear, sweet voice that is admirably adapted to the sound screen. Even more striking than her singing voice is her rich speaking

voice. The perfect enunciation of every word which characterises , her conversation is one of the delights of her appearance. She is an actress who may be relied upon to appeal to local audiences, and Dunedin picture-goers will be glad to see more of her. “Along the Covered Waggon Trail” is inother very delightful musical number, and I .Dike You as You Are" is another melodious interpolation that is m ?a R is meaning. The Bride Wore White ” is one of Joe Brown a star turns. "The One Girl That 1 Love is another musical feature that finds excellent expression by both solo arttsts and chorus Joe Brown in the farcical role of Hasty the inebriated friend of the outcast cavalry officer, gives one of his befit delineations to date, and he changes trom nonsense to real dram- in the last act with the ease of a master. " Song of the West will bo found to be a very eeeii I<? S “ nd Bhould Mainly be ROXY THEATRE. h An attractive programme headed by Its a Great Life,” with the talented Duncan Sisters in the feature roles, is being shown at the Roxy Theatre. The Duncan Sisters are famous American.enter tamer a. “It s a Great Life ” contains both humour and pathos, and the acting is done b such a natural, unassuming way as to win immediately the sympathy and approval pf every type of audience. It may be said that there is a great deal of comedy in the picture, and just enough pathos to make the whole story well flavoured. In a way, the story tells much of the personal life struggle of the Duncans in their spectacular climb up the ladder of musical comedy fame. “THE THIRTEENTH CHAIR.” As the title suggests, " The Thirteenth Chair _is said to contain the elements of a weird and mysterious production and patrons mav be assured of good entertainment when this picture commences the Koiy Theatre on Friday. Among the weH-known list of stage and screen stars appear the names of Roland Young, Conrad Nagel, Leila Hyama, and George Metcalfe, Among the many unusual scenes there is a realistic seance which involves 13 persona. There will be no childrens matinee until Saturday, October KING EDWARD. THEATRE. .Reginald Denny and Merna Kennedy fill the leading roles in “Embarassing Moments,” which is being shown at the King Edward Theatre. The story is based on the trial marriage ” theme. The girl, home from art school, tires of her stodgy village life and her small town fiance. She invents a mythical "husband” and tells her family she has entered into a trial marriage with one “Thaddeus Crmckshank. Strangely enough, there happens to be a man by that name .in New York. Her father svfcnmons tbe teal Crmckshank to the village home and brings the supposed “husband" and the girl face to face. here the story works up to a satisfactory conclusion. “NEW YORK NIGHTS.” Norma Talmadge will be seen in the talking picture “New York Nights” at the King Edward Theatre to-morrow. Associated with her will be such wellknown players as Gilbert Roland. John Wray, Lilyan Tashman, Mary Doran, and Koscoe Kama. The production, which was adapted from the Broadway stage success “Tin Pan Ally," deals with the rapidly moving hf e of New York, and tells the story of a chorus girl, who, married to a weak, hut well meaning, busband,_ with a passion for writing songs, falls into the clutches of a racketeer who stops at little to gain , his ends. The director of the picture was Lewis Milestone, who was responsible for “Two Arabian Nights" and “The Racket.” REGAL SKATING RINK. 1 Kagal Skating Rink continues to thi n T of . the followers of « onn r - ol , Ie ? Bkat ‘ n B- The attrac+l°^™ tkl ? nn j? have been increased by Bka . tln (? competitions for . CU P S - All patrons are eligible to ln th , e competition for the most graceful, couple. • The preliminary selecneHfinn 110 madefor the final C omFn * °j her competitions are also beR&lf „ ” ged ’ i° nd t r e value of tk e Regal Kink, aa a place of amusement is ever increasing Jn the estimation of the enter-tainment-seeking public.