AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21173, 3 November 1930, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

PRINCESS THEATRE. “The Song of the Flame” is enjoying exceptional popularity at the Princess Theatre at the present time. It is a romantic drama of the Red Terror days of Russia, pivoted around the figures of a prince of the royal blood and a picturesque daughter of the people. It is unlike any previous “ talkie ” in that it ie startlingly individualised. The director has invented a curiously effective hand-over-hand method of treating his visual and sound images, climbing as it were towards his conclusion with alternate grips of sight and voice, the two always held firmly together, but one always a handhold ahead of the other. So many of the scenes in “ The Song of the Flame ” catch the spirit of the story so shrewdly. They have been resolved finely and have been created with p firm economy of line that is all too rare. This film has achieved what we must assume the sound studios have been struggling towards for the past two years. It has crystallised the position of ■ the voiced kinema as the right and logical medium for the dramas of a voiced world. Its music is so removed from the meretricious compositions with which the American would tickle the ears of the groundlings. There is a body and vigour and soul about most of the numbers that lifts them far above the level of syncopation and makes them good to hear. " The Song of the Flame ” itself is an inspiring sort of thing, and one can readily imagine it rousing Slavonic youth to revolt. The dirge of the peasantry bemoaning the decline of Russia is another effective number sung in chorus and “ Here’s a Toast to Petrograd ” is just as good. The Cossack’s song to his- sweetheart, the drinking song, “ One Little Drink,’’ sung by Noah Beery, and ail of the choral fragments that crop up here and there—all these are worth remembering. The leading roles are taken by Alexander Gray and Bernice Claire, both of whom are possessed of impressive voices. Bernice Claire has appeared in other “ talkies,” but never has she used her delightful voice to better advantage than in_ her role of the Flame. Her singing is a delight and the recording is perfect. OCTAGON THEATRE. “The Mississippi Gambler" is the attraction at the Octagon Theatre at present. / Joseph Schildkraut is cast in the title role —that of Jack Morgan, a handsome young man' who is working the Mississippi boats with his “ Come-on " assistants, Beardsley (Otis Harlan) and Suzette, who is in love with him. This is not the first -time Schildkraut has appeared in a picture having this type of setting, for he filled the role of the young lover in “ Show Boat," which was screened in Dunedin some time ago, and local audiences are familiar with his talents Certainly, no better player could have been found to fill a difficult role. The part of Lucy Blackburn, the heroine, is very ably filled by Joan Bennett, whose blonde beauty is well known to all picture-goers. The story is a simple one. Morgan lures an old man into a poker game, quite unaware that he is the father of the beautiful Lucy. The old man has little chance against-the experience of the professional gambler, and he loses all his money. In an effort to regain his losses, he uses money that does not belong to him, and it follows the rest. In the meantime, Suzette becomes enraged with jealousy at the attentions Jack is paying to' Lucy. Then the last-named finds her father on the point of committing suicide. From this point the picture works up to a really thrilling climax; in which two people gamble their all, and one makes a great sacrifice. In the other feature picture, ■“ Pointed Heels,” there are five principals—William Powell as Robert Courtland, the millionaire theatre manager, Fay Wray as Lora Nixon, Helen Kane as Dot Nixon, Richard Galagher as “Dash” Nixon, and Phillips Holmes as Donald Ogden. STRAND THEATRE. “Oh! Yes! " is the principal attraction at the Strand Theatre just now. “ Oh,. Yes! ” f tells , a delightful pie-, tore story of what, happens when two railroad men fair in love and are involved in a train wreck. The production features Robert Armstrong and James Gleason in highly important roles. When these two companions get together, whether it be on the stage, before the screen, or in the privacy of their own homes, they are highly amusing. In “ Oh. Yes! ” they are two likeable fellows and,'‘as the principal characters, are reminiscent of the Arm-strong-Gleason roles in the stage success,,, "Is Zat Sol ” Patricia Caron and Zasu Pitts are in the cast, with Paul Hurst and Frank Hagney in important roles. The droll humour of Zasu Pitts adds to the entertainment value of the picture. Armstrong sings “ Love Found Me When I Found You” in a tuneful and pleasing manner. In addition to this attraction, the Strand Theatre management offers a supporting programme of short talking and silent films of very high merit. These include a New Zealand scenic, which in itself provides excellent entertainment, besides being of an educational nature. “Good Old Schooldays ” is a splendid cartoon, and plenty of fun can be obtained from the highly-amusing comedy, “ His Operation.” Another very interesting film is a talking. News reel. Picture patrons will find plenty to entertain in such a well-selected programme. EMPIRE THEATRE. Comedy and romance are provided in “ Troopers Three,” which is bing shown at the Empire Theatre. The story deals principally with the trials and tribulations of three raw recruits in a cavalry post, and abundant material is to hand for sheer farce, as well as lively humour. The principal role is enacted by Rex Lease, who gives a very convincing portrayal of the young man who’ imagines himself an inspired entertainer and charmer of the female sex, as well as a ; particularly clever fellow. A great proportion of the comedy work falls to the lot of Slim Summerville, whose lugubrious countenance and awkward figure make him an outstanding success in his part, whilst Roscoe Karns also undertakes much of the lighter work of the production with considerable credit. The principal feminine role is played by Dorothy Gulliver, who makes a charming heroine, her graceful bearing and delightful speaking voice makin K her performance particularly attractive. the supporting programme is of excellent worth and includes a Pathe Movietone News,.£ beautrful colour production entitled Hawaiian Love Call," a happy sketch, an animated cartoon, and an “ Our Gang” comedy entitled “Moan and Groan. A delightful programme of musical selections is provided by th e Empire Concert Orchestra under the direction of M._ de Rose, the presentation of Auber’s bright and melodious overture “ Massamels” being particularly attractive. REGENT THEATRE. The management of the Regent Theatre offers a double attraction this week The mam picture is “They Learned About Women. r Those two inimitable comedians, Van and Schenck. are the prmcijmls, with Bessie Bove in the leading female role. Bessie Love supports the featured pair in a story dealing with two baseball players who desert the ball diamond for the vaudeville stage. In some respects the story resembles the life of the well-known vaudeville entertainers who actually were ball players before they entered upon stage work. Briefly, the plot of the new film concerns Jack and Jerry (Joe Schenck and Gus Van), big League ball players who fill in winter seasons singing in vaudeville. Both of them love Mary (Bessie Love), but she is engaged to Jact, who subsequently is vamped ” by a chorus girl (Mary .Doran). Broken-hearted, Mary promises i .™ arr y Jerry when the partnership is split up by jealousy. The chorus girl romance flounders, however, and Jack returns to find the girl he really loved about to marry .his erstwhile pal. The second attraction is the Regent Revuette, a . delightful hour of vaudeville. Prominent local performers such as Alec Regan, Stan ’ Lawson, ’ Anita Winkel, R, Wilson Brown, Tui Northey, Arthur Clapp, and J. Maefarlane give of their best, and the entertainment which they provide cannot fail to be admired. “THE DIVORCEE.” The most pretentious audible picture production in which Norma Shearer has yet appeared is to be screened for a week at the Regent Theatre commencing on Friday next. Th 8 name of toe film, is

"The Divorcee,” and we have been advised that it la undoubtedly one of the most outstanding talkies of the year. Extraordinary business was done with this picture in Christchurch, despite the awkward conditions experineced through lack of lighting, and “ The Divorcee ” has caused an absolute sensation throughout the' whole of the North Island. A tremendous amount of money was expended on scenes and costuming for this picture, the locale shifting from New York to a mountain resort and then to Paris, and including on the way a yachting sequence, which alone was said to have cost a fortune. Inasmuch as the characters of the story are represented as being members ot the better class, it was necessary to construct sets appropriate to the homes, amusement places, and other environments in which such persons gathered, and in no other picture has there been seen so ■lavish a display of smart interiors and striking costumes. The story itself deals with a woman who, in an attempt to meet tne standards of a sophisticated society, giTCs herself up to a promiscuous living, and almost succeeds in losing her husband into the bargain. The supporting artists include such well-known names as Chester Morns. Conrad Nagel, Robert MontgoS\ F mrT,! ldri( l? e ' Helene Millard. Kobert Elhott, Mary Doran, Tyler Broke, 4 , j Sears, etc. This super-film was produced by Robert Z. Leonard. “ The Parrott 6 iS baSed ° n a novel by Ursula ROXY THEATRE. “ Th ,® Bishop Murder Case ”is the main attraction at the Roxy Theatre. The adaptation of one of S. S. van •Lh_ne s best sellers, the story has gained rather than lost by its trausference to the screen, for on the talking him it is possible to introduce in a manner which the written novel could not to ri y.M>. Ml to® mystery and suspense, the flitting shadows, and the weird, terrifying sounds which are connected with his tale of a perplexing series of murders committed by a brilliant but diseased mind. Prom the opening scenes until the final fade-out leaves the naystery solved, the attention of the audience is held almost. spellbound, the occasional flashes of genuine humour, provided by a very confident, sergeant of police, scarcely breaking or in any way relieving the eermesa of the production as a whole. KING EDWARD THEATRE. With an abundance of drama, comedy, and melody, the Rathe production, .Lucky m Love/* which 1 heads the -new •programme at the King Edward Theatre, can faq described as a most engaging didlogue and singing picture. Aside from the. fact that the cast is composed almost entirely of well-known stage players, the settings are unusually fine, and the music of a quality that must win praise from any audience* The scenes of the picture are laid in Ireland and New York, and the story concerns the love romance of a girl of the nobility and a stable boy with a rich voice. . The role - of the stable boy is filled by Morton Downey, and he gives a delightful screen creation of his part. The story provides Downey with an ideal role. in the story he mils in love with Lady Mary Cardigan. ' Their romance is threatened with disaster, but the finale is a happy one. Betty Lawford, a delightful young English actress, plays opposite Downey. Important roles are filled by Colin Keith-Johnston, Halliwell Hobbes, J, M, Kerrigan, Edward M'Namara, Mackenzie Ward, Louis Sorin, Elizabeth Murray, . and Sonia Karlov. The production is notable for the exceptionally fine photography work. “Lucky In Love ” is a sweet love story, told in song and picture. There is also a very fine supporting programme of short films. MOULIN ROUGE SKATING RINK. Interest in roller skating in Dunedin is showing no signs of waning. Indeed, it would appear that it is rather on the increase, and that the public generally realises that this new form of entertainment offers something particularly exhilarating. Qn Saturday evening a new rink was added to those already in existence, when the Moulin Rouge Skating Rink was opened in what was formerly known as the Roslyn- Theatre. The management has , gone to considerable trouble and expense m' adapting the theatre to' the needs of a skating rink. The . floor has been specially prepared, hand railings have been run round for the. sake of beginners, and the hall has been decorated with streamers and gaily-coloured Chinese lanterns. Music is provided from a gramophone with an electric amplifier attached to loud speakers. The floor itself, which .has a total space of approximately 3200 square ..feet, will., accommodate a large number of skaters,, and should prove quite satisfactory to patrons." A number of attendants are present during all sessions to aid and instruct beginners and to exercise control over the floor. As soon as the doors were opened on Saturday evening a number of skaters took the floor, and by 8.30 p.m. there- was a large crowd present, both of skaters and onlookers. Judging by Saturday night’s attendance, it would appear that the Moulin Rouge Rink will be a popular place of amusement in Roslyn.