AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21198, 2 December 1930, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE THEATRE

Presented by all-star players, two British pictures, “ Loose Ends ” and “ Not So Quiet on the Western Front,” form the programme at the Empire Theatre this week—a programme it is safe to s%y —which for all-round entertainment value, has rarely been excelled in a Dominion picture-house. “ Loose Ends '* is the story of a man who, after serving a lengthy term of penal servitude for what would appear to be a perfectly justifiable homicide, finds himself suddenly brought into the whirl of presentday London society. His history unknown, he falls in love with, and marries, one of the ultra-smart set, only to find that their ways do not lie along the same lines, and that in 15 years a startling change has come over the world he used to know. He is appalled at what he considers to be the loose ways of his wife’s friends, and still more upset to find that she takes them quite in the natural course of events. Then comes the exposure of bis crime of 15 years ago, and he finds who are his true friends, a discovery which leads to a somewhat surprising, but altogether satisfactory climax. “ Not So Quiet on the Western Front ” forms the supporting feature, and it also, as comedies go, indicates the high pitch of perfection to which the Elstree studios have brought their list. It is an hilarous comedy, which is one long laugh from beginning to end. Including some clever dancing and tuneful songs, it is an intensely humorous burlesque of war time. The _ Empire Orchestra has now become an institution with music lovers, and under the direction of M. de Rose it presents this week—Overture, selection of British airs; and entr’acte, “ Semirainide ” (Rossini). REGENT THEATRE. The principal attraction at the Regent Theatre this week is undoubtedly the Regent Revuette, which is presented by Mr Alec Regan and a small but capable company of _ local performers. Miss Tui Northey, Miss Anita Winkel, and Miss Rita Holmes each give several songs, and Miss Winkel takes part in one extremely amusing sketch entitled “ The Square Triangle.” Messrs Jim Macfarlane and Stan Lawson also appear frequently and Mr Reg. Richard’s very pleasing voice is heard to considerable advantage in several vocal numbers. The “Regent Rockets,” a ballet of eight charming young ladies do all that can be expected of a ballet and also offer one or two numbers in an extremely pleasing manner. The picture programme is no less entertaining than the stage presentation. Ramon Novarro has the leading role in " In Gay Madrid,” and he plays the part of the selfish, conceited lover of high life to perfection. The scene of the picture is the gay city of Madrid, centre of the high-life of modern Spain, _ Ricardo, leader of the younger set, is in one of his favourite haunts, a night club of not very good reputation. Goyita, the vamp, sings, and Ricardo goes to meet her afterwards. Rivas, a famous bull-fighter, appears, and there is a quarrel over the girl. Ricardo tries to conceal the escapade from his father, but the newspapers have the story and his father is not to be denied. He decides that a quieter atmosphere would be more suited to one so high spirited, and he informs Ricardo that he will jgo to college in Santiago. The boy is appalled at the idea of living in such a place, but he takes heart when he is introduced to his school fellows and to the sister of his friend, Ernesto. “THE RICHEST MAN IN THE WORD." “The Richest Man in the World,” an intimate story of family life, will open at the Regent on Friday next, with a cast which includes Louis Mann, Elliott Nugent, Leila Hyams, Robert Montgomery, Francis X. Bushman, jun., Mary Doran, Robert M‘Wade, Henry Armetta, Jeane Wood, Lee Kohlman, and a number of child actors. Nugent is not only acting in the picture, but collaborated on the story with his > father, J. C. Nugent. The story deals with an old lovable German who settles down in an American town. How he rears his family, his ups and downs, the lapses of his children, and the grand and happy climax make this “short simple annals of the people ” somethmg worth while. Three generations of the old German’s family are shown in the picture. It is said that “The Richest Man In the World ” can really be termed a splendid human document.” Mann, who is probably one of the world’s best actors, plays the featured role of the old German barber, and as the man who sacrifices everything for his children only to see them drift away from him, the vetfran actor has a part for which he is eminently qualified. STRAND THEATRE. “The Furies,” a production of an extremely melodramatic character, with a strong seasoning of mystery and romance, is the current attraction at the Strand Theatre. There is a John Sands, a wealthy man, whose love affairs are the common talk of New York. The result of his philanderings is that he is constantly in trouble with his wife, who cares very little for him—that is the key that opens the door to the whole story. _ A dinner is given by Harvey Smith in honour of Sands’s wile, and at that dinner things materialise. When the guests are about to sit down to dinner, Sands’s son rushes in with the news that his father has been murdered. Bedlow tries indirectly to accuse M'Donald, Mrs Sands’s lover, of the murder. Sands’s wife tells the district attorney the truth about her relations with M'Donald. The woman feels that in the mind of her son she is being tried for complicity in the murder of her husband. She realises that the only way she pan clear herself in the eyes of her son is to ask Bedlow (the lawyer) to take over the case and prove that M'Donald is innocent. Unexpected situations arise _to complicate matters, but after a series of tragic revelations the tangle is smoothed out. There is also a strong supporting programme.