AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21145, 1 October 1930, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE 'THEATRE. Photoßraplied entirely in techmcolour, "Mamba," •which is the principal feature on the current bill at the Empire Theatre, has Jean Hersholt and Eleanor Boardman in the leading roles, and tells the story of the marriage of a gross halfbreed trader. August Bolte. to an aristocrat —purely a marriage of convenience, and one by whi(+ he hopes to raise i himself in the social scale. Romance in i the shape of a handsome young German officer steps in, and after many thrilling ■incidents all ends Tiappily. The time of the story iajust prior to the outbreak of the Great War, Then wnT bleaks out, and 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, are reproduced with extraordinary fidelity. An excellent supporting programme is also shown, and the Empire Orchestra renders a first-class programme of music.

“THE HUNGARIAN RHAPSODY. Kinema^l*-Films’sound picture, “Hungarian Rhapsody,” which will commence at the Empire Theatre on Friday, is said to be the roost extraordinary example of how sound may be used to advantage on the _screen. Rea) Hungarian peasants, singing their wild primitive folk songs at harvest time, and gipsy minstrels—the most romantic people in the world —playing fiery melodies on 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 entrancing serenades in beautiful moonlit nights; 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..- The supporting feature is the English burlesque comedy, “All Riot on the Western Front,” featuring Donald Calthrop and a host of other Cockney characters. This comedy is said to be exceedingly humorous, and has been a decided attraction wherever it has been screened.

OCTAGON THEATRE. Featuring the famous tenor, Joseph Hislop, with Eva Gray and Dorothy Seacombe in the supporting roles, “The Loves •of ‘ Robert Burns,” which forms the principal attraction at the Octagon Theatre this week,' deals mainly with Burns’s life and career as it was affected by two women, known wherever the English tongue is spoken —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 congre pation, is in keeping with the spirit of the story. The star’s acting reaches a v very high standard, and his interpretation af tho part of the passion- : ate, yet weak, wayward, but very human poet, is something which those who see it will not soon forget. .

“PRINCE OP DIAMONDS” Melodramatic' adventure unfolded in colourful 1 settings make, it is said, “Prince of Diamonds,” the Columbia alltalking drama, which will open at the Octagon Theatre on Friday, an extremely thrilling film Briefly, the story has'to do with the rivalry that exists between Rupert Endon, an impoverished English aristocrat, and Gilbert Crayle. a wealthy diamond merchant. Endon wins the affections of Eve Marlcy, Crayle’a former finanoee. Crayle, in a spirit of revenge. ■ plana with Eve a rascally brother to send Endon to prison on a trumped-up charge. As soon as Endon is safely in the hands of Scotland Yard detectives, Crayle offers to release him on condition that Eve marries himself. She does, and Endon escapes to the Far East. The denouement is said to be entirely satisfactory. The first all-talking-moving picture of the baseball diamond. Paramount's “ Fast, Company,” will be the supporting feature. • 1 REGENT THEATRE. Heading a cast which includes sucb notable screen-players as Marie Dressier and George F. Marion, Greta Ghrbo is seen in her. first talking picture, - " Anna Christie/' which is the leading i picture at the Regent Theatre this week. Miss Garbo is east 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 home to him and, although .soaked in alcohol, he does bis best to make a borne for her on the barge. He determines that she shall never marry a sailor. Bow his calculations are upset by the advent of a rollicking Irishman, and bow 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. .

“THIS MAD WORLD" A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production, “ This Mad World,” featuring Basil Ra.thbbnc and Kay Johnson, mil 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 opera* tions, the drama being based on' an emotional crisis brought about as the result of a nfeeting 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 put her out of the way in order to carry out bis plans, and follows her as she leaves the house to izo to the German headquar ters.. Catching up with her. he lures her to- a ruined chateau nearby with murderous intentions, but here fate takes' a band and Paul falls in love with the beau-' tiful Victoria. From this point on the story deal with the’ tragic conflict between love and patriotism, and is said to con elude with a totally unexpected but logical climax The three players associated with Rath bone and • Miss Johnson are Louise Dresser as Paul’s mother Veda Buckland at Anna, the maid, and Louis Natheaux as co-conspirator. PRINCESS THEATRE. John Boles, who has the leading role in “ Song of the West,” this week's principal attraction at the Princess Theatre, is provided 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 prouounced.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 another very delightful musical number., and “ I Like You as fou Are ’’ is a melodious interpolation that is as pleasant in tune as it is in meaning. STRAND THEATRE. Carol Lombard and Robert Armstrong are seen m the leading roles of “The .Racketeer," which heads this week’s programme 'at the Strand Theatre. 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 fragic in its ultimate unfolding. “ The Racketeer,” carrying all the menace of underworld influence, is one of the moat astonishing exposures of the far-reaching power of gangster rule in America. “ 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 Delraar’e 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 Beltnore, and others are in the cast, - —

ROXY THEATRE. A first-class programme headed by “ It’s a Great Life,” with the Duncan Sisters in the principal parts, is being presented at the Roxy Theatre thsi week, “ It’s a Great Life ” contains both humour and pathos, and the acting is done in such a natural unassuming way as to win immediately the sympathy and approval of 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. 1

“THE THIRTEENTH CHAIR.” As the title suggests, “The Thirteenth Chair”'is said to contain the elements of a weird and mysterious production and patrons may be assured Of good entertainment when this picture commence# at the Roxy Theatre on Friday. Among the well-known list of etage and screen stars appear the names of Conrad Nagel, Leila Hyams, and George 'Metcalfe. ~ Among the many unusual scenes there is a realistic seance which involves 13 persons. There will be no children’s matinee until Saturday, October 11.

KING EDWARD THEATRE. Norma Talmndge will be seen in the principal role of the' film “ New York Nightsat the King Edward Theatre to-day. The picture is described a# a faithful reproduction of the life of ,Broadway, with all its bustle and hurry against which is played the story of a chorus girl Who fell into the clutches of a racketeer and escaped disaster almost by a hair’s breadth. Supporting Miss Tahnadge are such players at Gilbert Roland. John Wray, Lilyan Tashman, Roacoe Kama, and Mary Doran. The director was Lewi# Milestone, who is said to have succeeded in making a most unusual production.