AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21244, 27 January 1931, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. What is undoubtedly one of the finest pictures yet turned out by the English studios is "On Approval,” which is now being screened at the Regent Theatre. With three such well-known players as Tom Walls, Winifred Shotter, and Edmund Breon in the leading roles of a picture based on a play from the pen of Frederick Lonsdale, it can scarcely be otherwise than that the production will be an outstanding success as was “Rookery Nook,” in which the same cast was seen. Wall, of course, is the commanding figure as the Duke of Bristol, but he does not hold the stage to the exclusion of the others —that were impossible. The duke's cynical attitude towards life, his cavalierly treatment of women who, to his notion, merely exist to please him, is in delightful contrast with the downtrpdden demeanour of his bosom friend. Richard Wemys (Edmund Breon), who loves the termagant Maria. The fact that Maria’s salary is £25,000 a year and hie a pitiful £3OO, has prevented him "from revealing his heart, but stimulated by the duke and helped considerably by Maria herself they come to an arrangement. Incidentally the duke himself is interested in Helen Hayle (Winifred Shotter),'a beautiful heiress, whomi he is willing to make the Duchess of Bristol, remembering that his estate is bankrupt. The arrangement is that Maria and Richard are to repair to Maria’s house in Scotland, and if they can stand each other’s company for three weeks they will marry. The plot works up. to an hilarious climax, which is exceptionally well presented. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol. “NAVY BLUES.” William Haines, as a hard-boiled sailor, washing out clothes on the deck or a dreadnought, making faces behind the backs of “ non-coms, or coming out of a free-for-all unscathed, between the legs of bruised and beaten colleagues, will not surprise his admirers who have long been accustomed to seeing him do just that sort of thing. However, in “ Navy Blues," which will be shown at the Regent Theatre on Friday, he will probably surprise a good many people, for in this picture he not only gives hia usual light-hearted, funloving impersonation, in this instance of one of Uncle. Sam’s isailors, l?ut he also •has a dramatic part, something which’ he has wanted for some time. Whether because of_ a fear of going stale in playing the continual clown or merely because of a legitimate desire to show the world that he can do something other than make people laugh, William Haines is given an opportunity in “Navy Blues” to do some acting which' 1 will be found to be on a par with any done by screen stars Vho have built up.a reputation on their ability to put over an emotional scene. Often the tragedy lies in the fact that the star has so long been habituated to the one type of-role that when the time comes when he is expected to exhibit a chameleon-like change of colours he is unable to do so. Fortunately, a temperament of broad human interest saves William Haines from this fate, and in “Navy Blues ” it is said, that* he produces conspicuous evidence of his ability to “ come across ” any time the . “ movie ” public is ready for it. Many of the scenes were actually filmed aboard a destroyer fleet —interesting and intimate views of crews at work and play. They fight, love, and seek adventure with careless disregard for the consequences to themselves and to others. They supply more infectiously funny escapades and . hearty laughs than one will ordinarily see in half a dozen pictures. In addition to William Haines and Anita Page, the supporting players are Karl Dane, J. C. Nugent, Edythe Chapman, and Wode Boteler. EMPIRE THEATRE. With the settings for its story laid amidst the grandeur of the Swiss Alps, The White Hell of Pitz Palu,” which holds pride of place on this week’s programme at the Empire Theatre, is an altogether amazing picture, which although not a “talkie” is none the less effective on that account. The picture is" a remarkable achievement from the point of view of photography, and the story unfolded is not lacking in dramatic effect. It certainly catches and holds the imagination of the spectators. The story tells how Hans , hnd Maria, who have just been married, decided to spend their honeymoon in, a rest cabin on the lower slopes of the ' Swiss Alps. They are joined at the Cabin by Dr Johannes Krafft, who, when on a visit to the Palu when he himself had just been married, has had a most tragic experience, l his wife being swept away in a big avalanche. Dr Krafft has returned to the Alps in another endeavour to find the body of his wife, and he is persuaded by • Hans and Maria to let them accompany him in his hazardous climb. As the party ascends the mountains the weather conditions become worse and worse. Hans is badly injured in a, fall down a crevasse, and in rescuing him Dr Krafft is also severely hurt. No party could have been in worse-plight, and they have practically given up hope when they are found by Udet, whose flight tip the valleys and over the ice-covered ijlopee is a really remarkable achievement. The supporting programme is an Unusually entertaining one and the Empire Orchestra, under the baton of M. de |lose, renders an excellent programme of music. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol, ) OCTAGON THEATRE. ;■ “Song o’ My Heart” continues to be a strong attraction at the Octagon Theatre, despite the fact that it is now being shown for the second week. John M'Cormack, the world-famous singer makes his film debut in the picture, and he proves his ability as an actor as well as a 'singer. The story, with - all its Irish pathos and charm, has been entrusted to a cast than which one more perfectly fitted for the task- could scarcely be imagined. They enter into the spirit of, it with a sympathy and an understanding which are the hall-marks of the true artist, and they carry it with them in such a manner that one forgets one is looking merely at the flickering screen, and seems instead rather to be a spectator watching a drama of real life played out against a background of . music and poetry. It must not be imagined that the production is one long succession of passionate lyrics interrupted only by emotional love scenes; it is a typical genuine Irish story, and, with the Irish, laughter and tears ever go hand in hand. The box plana are at the Bristol and the theatre. LIGHT OF WESTERN STARS.” ;• Outdoor action dramas have captured the public taste. _ Now Paramount has brought forward its second outdoor talking romance, “The Light of Western Stars,” a Zane Grey story, with Richard Arlen, Mary Brian, and Harry Green. It will be shown at the Octagon Theatre on Friday. A strong cast, a great production, and a story that is brimful of melodramatic action, interspersed with clever comedy, and the whole knitted together with a strong romantic theme—the film has everything a moving picture should -have, for good entertainment, and, in addition, it is inspiringly spectacular, filmed on a big, imposing scale. Zane Grey’s stories are the outstanding tales of Western life to-day. The novels have been read by millions; and, in silent form, such pictures as “The Wanderer of the Wasteland,” “The Call of the Canyon,” “The Thundering Herd,” and “ The Vanishing Race ”_were gems of the screen world. With dialogue, Zane Grey is, without doubt, one of the greatest authors writing for the screen. “ Wild Company,” a;: Fox movietone all-talking drama of human emotions, the supporting feature — is an absorbingly interesting picture in which tense moments alternate with comedy periods in a well-blended plot. Frank Albertson and H. B. Warner play the leading roles of father and son, while ■Sharon Lynn appears in-the leading feminine role, a beautiful siren who lures the boy from the path of rectitude. Claire M’Howell portrays the mother role,, and others in the cast are Joyce Compton, Richard Keene, Frances M'Coy, Kenneth Thomson, Mildred Van Dorn, Bela Lugosi, Bobby Callahan, and George Fawcett. The picture was directed by Leo M'Carey.

PRINCESS THEATRE. Cleverly acted, abounding in witty dialogue, and constructed around a well-de-fined and intriguing plot, "Holiday,” which heads the current bill at the Princess Theatre, has now definitely established itself as one of the outstanding pictures of the year. What one is compelled to realise immediately is the extraordinary realism with which the various characters are drawn, and as the play goes on the fact that one is watching a screen production becomes less and mss apparent—so much so that it is only when the final fade-out takes place that one suddenly comes to a realisation that one has not been the privileged observer of a story of real life. In entrusting Ann Harding with the leading role, the producers made a fortunate and happy choice. Her very voice, which reproduces perfectly, is a thing of joy, and her every tone, every look carries conviction. The characterisations of the remainder of the players are none the less arresting. There is, for instance, that inimitable funmaker Edward Everard Horton, whose puck-like humour and gay mock cynicism flash like a golden thread through the fabric of the story. Monroe Owsley and Robert Ames also draw two accurate. and very lifelike portraits as the father and. the prospective son-in-law respectively, and William Holden is a complete succes as the somewhat weak-willed but entirely lovable son. Mary Astor is well cast as Ames’s fiancee, and makes an admirable foil to Ann Harding. A firstclass supporting programme is also shown. The box plans are at the theatre and at the Bristol. STRAND THEATRE. “ Hearts in Exile,” starring • Dolores Costello, Grant Withers, and James Kirkwood, is the principal item on the current programme at the Strand Theatre. In the picture ’Miss Costello, as Vera Ivanova, is faced with the problem of marrying the man she loves and remaining in the slums of Moscow, or leading the life of a lady as the wife of a nobleman. Disgusted with her sweetheart, Paul, a reckless young student, she marries Baron Palma and spends a peaceful year in luxury. Then follows a period of strife, with husband, wife,_ and former sweetheart finally meeting in a Siberian prison camp. Realising that his beautiful wife still loves _ Paul, Baron Palma solves the problem in an unusual and dramatic way. The other members of the cast do splendid work, particularly Grant Withers and James Kirkwood. During the screening of the picture the audience hears the howling of the wind in the desolate, ice-bound country, the babble of the fish pedlars along Moscow’s waterfront, and the gay irresponsibility of the poverty-stricken peasants. The picture has a dramatic climax in the dreary setting of Siberia. In addition to the feature picture, " the Strand Theatre management presents an excellent supporting programme of short films. The box plans are at the Bristol. ROXY THEATRE. V —i—- “ Courtin’ Wildcats,” the main feature on this week’s programme at the Roxy Theatre, has Hoot Gibson in the leading role. , He fills the character of Clarence Butts, a college student,' who poses as a .weakling in order to avoid having to work in his father’s foundry. He figures in a roadhouse raid, in which he comes into conflict with the police, whom he leads on a. wild chase in his racing roadster. The family doctor then gets into touch with Clarence,' and the result is that the latter is placed in a wild west show, where events move rapidly and with plenty of life and excitement. Clarence sets to work to court “ Calamity June,” a good-looking performer, who is a confirmed hater of members of the male sex owing to the fact that a man had once robbed her father of their fortune. One day the miscreant responsible for the robbery puts in an appearance at the wild west show with the police in pursuit of him; He promptly gets his desserts, for June shoots him,'though not fatally. Clarence takes June away from the mob in his automobile, and his wild driving tames her to the extent that she agrees to marry him. “THE TIME, THE PLACE, AND THE GIRL.” . Miss Betty Compson, who has a leading role in Warner Bros.’ latest special production, “The Time, the Place, and the Girl,” is in private life the wife of James Cruze, a famous director of motion pictures. In her latest talking picture Miss Compson has playing opposite her Grant Withers, a popular juvenile of many productions. All the comedy that made the stage play popular has been retained in the screen version of the story, Bert Roach and Gertrude Olmstead have most prominent parts in the picture, which will be commenced at the Roxy Theatre on Friday. KING EDWARD THEATRE. \ Gary Cooper, one of the most popular of present-day screen actors, is seen in what is undoubtedly one of his best performances in the sound-screen version of Owen Wister’s most popular western story, “The Virginian,” which is now being shown at the King Edward Theatre. The story is well presented in the picture with all its shrewd humour and its alluring sentimentality. Wister made the story one of the best westerns ever written, and the producer has caught the writer’s feelings and followed them with considerable skill. There is a good supporting cast. The other pictures on the programme are of an equally high standard. “COURTIN' WILDCATS.” That oI(j favourite of the films. Hoot Gibson, has a typical role in “ Courtin’ Wildcats,” which will be shown at the King Edward Theatre to-morrow. He fills the character of Clarepce Butts, a college student, who poses as a weakling in order to avoid having to work in his father’s foundry. He figures in a roadhouse raid,* in which he comes into conflict with the police, whom' he leads on a wild chase in his racing roadster. Hoot Gibson is ably supported by Eugenia Gilbert, Harry Todd, Joseph Girard, Monty Montague, John Oscar, Jim Corey, James Fancy, Pete Morrison, and Joe Bonomo. SKATING. KING’S RINK. If the consistency of the patronage accorded the King’s Skating Rink may be taken as a criterion, it must be one of the most popular places of entertainment in the city. Ever since the rink was opened, there have been large crowds of skaters at practically every session. The excellent floor surface is all that could be desired for roller skating, and the whole rink is equipped with every convenience that could add to the enjoyment of patrons. The large staff of attendants gives all possible assistance to beginners, and also offers courteous attention to all. MOULIN ROUGE RINK. The need for some place of entertainment on the hill suburbs has long been felt, and the manner in which the Moulin Rouge Rink has been patronised since it was opened indicates that the need has been filled. The floor offers an excellent surface for roller skating, and the services of the attendants go a long way towards assuring patrons of the best of entertainment. Every convenience that could possibly enhance the attractions of t*he rink is offered.