AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21225, 5 January 1931, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

PRINCESS THEATRE. More and more motion picture producers are coming to realise tire possibilities of the talking film for the expression of the problems which are facing the world to-day, and “ Son of the Gods," which heads the current bill at the Princess Theatre, deals with one of the greatest of America’s problems, that of race prejudice. “ Son of the Gods ” posseses a dramatic content which few films achieve and the remarkable story, which comes from Rex Beach’s widely-read novel of the same name, is interpreted with rare distinction by Richard Barthelmess, supported in the leading role by Constance Bennett, and a handful of principals of more than ordinary merit. A young man of means and education attracts the attention of his fellows, and wins the affection of a girl of high place in society. She falls in love with him and becomes engaged to him before she learns that he is Chinese, high-born, but undoubtedly Chinese. Follows a public horse-whipping scene in an exclusive cafe and the estrangement of the parties, the girl seeks to drown her troubles in fast and riotous living, the man seeking the same oblivion in a return to the manners, life, and habiliments of his fathers. Then the startling disclosure is made that he is not a Chinese, but a foundling adopted by his socalled parents and brought up' as their son. On these facts Rex Beach has built up a highly-accusing story which for all its exaggeration and extravagance finds an undoubted mark. There is also a strong supporting programme. The box plans are at the Bristol.

EMPIRE THEATRE. Claudette Colbert, a young but very brilliant actress, has the principal role in “ Manslaughter,” which is now being screened at the Empire Theatre. Miss Colbert is seen as a self-willed and pampered, but altogether fascinating, heiress, Lydia Thorne, who, although young, is beginning to find life somewhat boring. Romance, in the shape of Dan O’Bannan, a conscientious and seriously-minded district attorney. enters into the picture, and this marks the beginning of 'Lydia’s troubles. Temperamentally and otherwise, he is her direct antithesis, and although her love for him is very real, she cannot agree with what she considers his somewhat antiquated ideas of love and matrimony, Their first quarrel occurs when O’Bannon takes exception to her bribing traffic inspectors. This passes over, but when Lydia’s maid is sent to gaol through the carelessness of her mistress, whose innate selfishness prevented her from speaking the word which would have freed the girl, O’Bannon upbraids her again over the telephone. Stung by his tone, Lydia determines to see him personally and give him a piece of her mind, and, boarding her ear, she dashes off, scorning all rules of the road. She is chased by a traffic policeman, and just as he is about to overtake her, she, in a fit of fury, deliberately skids her machine, with the result that it crashes into his mount. The death of the policeman has its sequel in the district court, where she is tried and convicted of manslaughter, her lover, through the irony of fate, being the prosecuting attorney. Tom between love and duty, he has to go through with the prosecution, hut duty comes first, and Lydia goes to prison. The trial scene is probably the best part of the picture, but the climax is also extremely dramatic. The box plans are at the theatre.

STRAND " T IE ATP R. Unfolding a romantic drama of the Canadian wilds, “ The Storm,” which is the principal attraction on the current bill at the Strand Theatre, features a strong cast of capable actors, who handle a difficult plot with considerable artistry. Paul Cavanagh and William Boyd are cast as the old friends who are torn by desire for the one woman. Both add to their distinguished reputations by their acting in the picture. Lupe Velez is ideally cast as the vivacious French Canadian girl around whom the love interest centres. A feature of her performance is the singing of “ Chansonette of Pierrot and Pierrette.” Miss Velez has never been seen to better advantage than as the French-Canadian girl. The players who appear in " The Storm ” spent weeks in the Sierra mountains of California in order to obtain the proper location for the outdoor scenes. There is another notable feature connected with the picture. Many actors have worn the scarlet and gold uniform of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who have never, been members of that famous organisation. It remained for “ The Storm ” to bring about a situation wherein a picture including the Canadian Mounted Police also included an actor who had been a member of the force. The actor in question is Paul’ Cavanagh. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Saskatchewan for nine months. “ The Storm ” is undoubtedly one of the most entertaining outdoor talking pictures of the dramatic variety seen in Dunedin for some time. Excellent supports are also shown. The box plans are at the theatre.

OCTAGON THEATRE. Heading the bill at the Octagon Theatre this week is “ Hell’s Island,” a thrilling picture of the adventures of two Americans in the French Foreign Legion and on the penal colony of “ Devil’s Isle.” From the very first scene of the French Foreign Legion plodding its weary way across the sand of the Sahara to the thrilling climax, the picture is one which must appeal to all lovers of a really exciting and well told story, and although the production at first appears to be sneer comedy, verging at times almost on farce, so skilfully have the elements been interwoven that it develops into one of the most dramatic stories seen on the screen for a long time. The two popular stars, Jack Holt and Ralph Graves, known to all picture-goers for their inimitable comedy work in “ Submarine ” and “ Flight,” are seen in the leading roles, and aided by a motley crew of daredevils of all nationalities they pursue their merry way until they both run into trouble over the same girl— Marie, a sophisticated and unscrupulous little dancer in a cafe at the military base at Bel Abbas. For those who enjoy action there is the spectacular campaign against the hostile

tribes of Northern _ Africa, with the Riff horsemen charging headlong into the fire of the French machine gnns; the escape of the legioniarre from the penal colony, and a grim struggle between Holt and Graves. These two, in their roles of legioniarres equal, and even, it might be said, excel their successes in 1 Submarine ” and “ Flight.” Humour in abundance is provided by their exceedingly funny heckling of one another, and their efforts to steal one another’s girl friends, whilst in the more dramatic sequences they are convincing to a degree. An interesting supporting programme is also screened. The box plans are at the theatre.

RECENT THE ' T RE, Starring Rod La Rocque, supported by a strong cast, “The Locked Door” is the leading feature on this week’s programme at the Regent Theatre. The rudiments of the plot are not of a unique or novel character —in fact the same theme has been used in several other productions—but despite that the dressing* of the principal theme and the excellent characterisations given by the principal players places this production in a prominent position amongst film presentations of a similar nature. Perhaps the most outstanding characterisation of the production is that given by Rod La Rocque, who, as the accomplished roue wbo sticks at nothing to gain his ends, is particularly convincing. His suave, polished stage presence, and undoubted talent for a part of such a nature, place him in the forefront of the cast, and despite villainy he is a most likeable scamp.. Barbara Stanwyck is excellently cast as the young wife who, through an early indiscretion, is threatened with disclosure and disgrace bn account of the accidental meeting of her husband’s sister and the man with whom she had been caught in a compromising position 18 months before, whilst William Boyd acquits himself with considerable distinction as the husband who places honour before everything else. Included in the supporting films are a Hearst Metrotone News, an amusing golfing comedy entitled “All Teed Up,” and an interesting presentation of the training and general life of racing greyhounds. A particularly clever and .attractive production in colour, in which a bright little revue is presented by an 1 entirely juvenile cast,- completes a very entertaining programme. The box plans are at the theatre.

“THE SQUEAKER.” Edgar Wallace’s popular novel, “ The Squeaker,” has been adapted to the talking screen, and will be commenced at the Regent Theatre on Friday, To make doubly sure of getting the correct atmosphere, the British Film Corporation engaged the author himself to adapt the story for film purposes and also to produce it. It is not generally known that Wallace has recently produced plays for the London stage with great success. “ The Squeaker ” is, of course, entirely British in east, and was produced in its entirety in England. It has a cast of v/ell-kuown British players, . including Anne Grey. Trilby Clarke, Percy Marmont, Alfred Drayton, Gordon Harker, Eric Maturin, Nigel Bruce, etc, Percy Marmont, who plays the leading role, has done a lot of picture work in Hollywood, and still has American contracts to fulfil. His next picture will be “ The Calendar,” again directed by Edgar Wallace. Gordon Harker has been on the stage for 26 years, but did not come into real prominence until Edgar Wallace gave him his chance in " The Ringer.” Alfred Drayton. after 25 years on the stage, makes his '' talkie ” debut in “ The Squeaker.” A master of all kinds of dialect, he plays a South African Jew in “The Speaker,” with a thick guttural accent, and has the distinction of being the baldest man in pictures. Trilby Clarke was born in Australia and graduated to the famous Ziegfeld Follies. She has played in a number of Hollywood productions, and while on holiday in England was engaged for “ The Squeaker.” Anne Grey made her debut in “ What Money Can Buy ” while studying at King’s College, London. She took a film story to Edwin Greenwood, and described it so dramatically that he offered her an important role in “ Mastet and Man.” She was simultaneously signed - by Anthony Asquith to play' in '* The Runaway Princess ” in Berlin, and fulfilled both contracts by flying backwards and forwards between England and Germany. She is 23 years old, a brunette, with fair complexion and hazel eyes, and was chosen for the role of Beryl in “ The Squeaker ” bcsause of her typically English beauty and exceptionally good recording voice. %

ROXY THEATRE. “In Old Arizona,” which is the main attraction at the Roxy Theatre this week, is a colourful romance of the days of lawlessness in that State. The Cisco kid (Warner Baxter) has killed six men, in more or less fair scrimmages. and " winged ” a much greater number, and this has won for him the love of Tonia Maria. Tonia’s affections are like shifting sands, however, and she very soon transfers them to Sergeant Mickey Dunn, attached to a cavalry troop that has been detailed to capture the Cisco Kid. Then ensue incidents of a highly exciting kind. Dorothy Burgess is extremely clever as Tonia, and Edmund Lowe makes a very vigorous sergeant, full of dash and fire. “In Old Arizona” is founded upon a story by Tom Barry, and the adaptation has been admirably carried out. It is a sight and sound picture of considerable merit, and will more than please picture patrons. The character of Tonia requires much more than the ordinary histrionic ability to play, and Miss Dorothy Burgess meets all requirements very well. Tonia has offered to betray the Cisco Kid, but he gets wind of the plot to effect his capture, and replies with a plan of revenge that is rather startling.

KING EDWARD THEATRE. Harold Lloyd wins fresh laurels in “ Welcome Danger,” which was presented for the first time at the King Edward Theatre on Saturday. He has the part of a young botanist whose father is chief of police of San Francisco. On the latter’s death Harold is called on to take his place, and it is during the course of his attempts to subdue the lawless element in the Chinese quarter of the city that most of the action ensues. Nothing more humorous has been seen than Harold’s strange adventures in this picture, but

bes'ides the comedy there is a love interest -as well. 1 Barbara Kent, who has made a name for herself in talking pictures, plays opposite Lloyd, and the two enact a very pretty little romance. The supporting programme is of a high order.

SKATING,

KING’S RINK. Tho King’s Skating Rink in Dowling street, although comparatively a newcomer to the city’s places of attraction, has established itself firmly with the amusement-seeking public. The artistically decorated hall, the smooth floor, and the’ capable and courteous management ere to a large extent responsible for the popularity of the rink. The provision of every convenience is an added attraction for skaters.

MOULIN ROUGE RINK. The Moulin Rouge Skating Rink continues to receive generous patronage from those on the hill whose tastes for entertainihent lie in that direction. The wellappointed rink and the courteous service of the attendants make an hour spent on the rollers an experience that is at once exhilirating and amusing.