AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21265, 20 February 1931, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE THEATRE. < Once more Clive Brook, it is said, scores a triumph in his latest picture, “ Sweethearts and Wives,” in which he plays opposite Billie Dove. The picture will commence at the Empire Theatre to-day. It represents, it is said, that difficult combination of mystery and bright, breezy comedy which so many producers have striven to achieve and so rarely with success. Besides the two principal players there is Sidney Blaekmer, who has so rapidly become a premier picture figure. “Sweethearts and Wives” tells an enthralling and amusing story in a manner that can only be described as wholly efficient. Perhaps the most striking feature of the film is its revelation of the versatility of Billie Dove. She keeps the audience guessing. Which is she—a French maid, an English lady of the upper ranks, a chance traveller? The story is about a stolen diamond necklace. There is a little lonely inn in the south of France where the action takes place—and it is the sort of action that keeps one on the edge of one’s chair. Also on the programme will be screened the successful Warner Brothers’ Vitaphone production, “ Courage,” adapted for the talking screen from the successful Tom Barry stage play. It depicts a mother’s brave fight to keep her seven children, despite ihe outside influences of a material world. Belle Bennett portrays the gay and lovable spendthrift mother, while Marian Nixon is featured in the role of the eldest daughter. A Fox Movietone News reel will complete the picture portion of the entertainment, and the concert orchestra, under the baton of Monsieur de Rose, will render an appropriate musical programme, including the overture “Joy and Sorrow” (Snoek) and the entr’acte “The Merry Wives of Windsor." The boxplans are at the Bristol and at the theatre.

ROXY THEATRE. The title of the picture which will receive its initial screening at the Roxy JTeatre to-day is “The Parade of the V\ est. _ The picture revives two rapidlytading institutions that are fast becoming a memory, with all the glamour that made them so picturesquely American — the old-time medicine show and the original wild west show. The picture, thrilling and entertaining in itself, is lifted. ** out of the class of the ordinary by the songs played and sung by Maynard and members of the east, old-time western favourites like “The Chisholm Trail,” “ Down in Union County,” and “ Sal’s Got a Wooden Leg.” Maynard, it is claimed, surpasses all past performances in this, his latest all-talk-ing picture, and is given strong support A y - the T beautiful Gladys M'Conncll and Otis Harlan, of “ Show Boat ” and Broadway” fame, who has the role of the old-time medicine show “ professor ” peddling a. marvellous cure-all. Appearin the picture is “Rex,” the £2OOO king of wild horses.” Maynard was the hrst western ” star to make an all-talk-ing picture. He was quick to realise that westerns, with their fast-moving stones, their rapid-fire dialogue, their songs, and music, and their natural sound effects, were more suited to sound than the ordinary motion picture, and he took advantage of it. To-morrow there will be a special matinee for the children, when free comic papers will be gnen out. and the first 50 children in the Queue will be handed surprise envelopes. OCTAGON THEATRE. “ Common Clay,” now so well known to theatregoers in this city, will enter upon t and final week’s screenin'* at the Octagon Theatre to-day. Its “fine drama, unusual plot, earnestness, purpose, and sincerity make it a picture m a thousand. Constance Bennett is magnificent, and gives probably the finest performance she has ever given in a career full of important, well-handled parts. Among picture-goers good news travels fast. But those who do not happen to have had the film recommended to them can rest assured that the picture is one which should not be missed. The director was Victor Fleming—undoubtedly one of the best in America. His skilful _ hand had wonderful material under it in a cast entirely free from deadheads.” Constance Bonnet', as has been implied, stands out as brilliant, .the theme is a fairly strong one—not entirejy for the young—but at no stage does it become heavy. Moods change rapidly, the spirits of the principal characters are subjected to many and various stresses, and the audience, it is safe to say, becomes vitally concerned in the story’s outcome. A girl of “ common clay,” whose efforts towards rehabilitation and happiness only entangle her more deeply in the web of fate —such is the grippingly dramatic theme of “ Common Clay.” The picture opens with Constance Bennett as a “ hostess ” in a speakeasy. An unexpected raid brings her into gaol, where she listens to a kindly judge’s lecture, and decides to “ go straight.” She obtains a position as a maid in the home of one of the city’s most, prominent families. Both the butler and the young heir of the house make umvelcomed advances, and when the latter is almost convinced that she “isn’t that kind,” his friend, who has known her previously, tells him what he knows. This news leads the other to commence a cautious campaign of lovemaking, which only terminates when, the summer vacation over, he returns to college, leaving behind him a girl who has learned to love him too well. When her baby comes the girl demands justice—and a name for her child. Her past record is brought out, whereupon she insists on a trial to settle the matter. The unexpected revelations that ensue form a most dramatic ending. Lew Ayres, the young sensation of “All Quiet on the Western Front.” has the leading masculine part, and Tully Marshall, Beryl Mercer, Matty Kemy, and Hale Hamilton head the distinguished supporting cast. The supporting short features arc also of good standard, and include a Fox Movietone News arid a laughable talking comedy entitled “ Social Sinners.” 'I ha box plans are at the Bristol and theatre. REGENT THEATRE. Charles Buggies and 'Frank Morgan have the leading roles in “ Queen High,” which will bo presented at the Regent Theatre to-day. This production was originally a Schwab and Mandel musical comedy success in New York. In its audible celluloid form it retains the humourous craftsmanship of the producers (who are billed as the makers and stagers of the film), and all the original wit of the basic piece, “ A Pair of Sixes,” the farce comedy by Edward 11. Peples, which started it. Ruggies and Morgan arc the partners in a business, which they know how to support, but do not know how to support each other’s opinions with any degree of pacifism. After many fights their lawyer suggests that they each draw a hand of poker to determine who will be the -othei’s butler. Ruggies loses, and thereafter is the manservant in the home of Morgan. Laugh follows laugh, but* the luckless Ruggies learns of a way to cud all of Morgan’s lordly ordering about. He makes up to bis “ master’s wile.” That annoys the indignant Morgan. Stanley Smith and Ginger Rogers are excellent as the romantic juveniles of the piece. Fine character comedy is provided by Betty Garde, Helen Carrington, Nina Olivette, and Tom Brown. There are several catchy melodics in the production. “It Seems to Mo” and “I’m Afraid of You,’’ sung by Stanley Smith ami Ginger Rogers, arc the outstanding love songs. Because the players of the talking screen are “ larger,” and thus seem nearer to the eyes of the audience, the acting tempo is much faster than the acting tempo of the stage. Frank Maude!, of Schwab ami Mandel, Broadway’s successful producers, discovered this when preparing the original stage production of “ Quccu High” for the screen. Mandel bad been told that much of the original would have to be eliminated to fit into the time, about an hour and 15 minutes, or an average length feature picture. He did not think so. Accordingly, he sot a stopwatch and enacted every part of the original show at motion picture tempo. He found that this process took him an hour and 15 minutes. This was found to bo true when the screen version was finished at Paramount’s New York studio. Action and dialogue were maintained at a pace so fast that they would have been meaningless on the stage. Thus the finished production contains all the hilarity of lines and action of the original three-hour show, compressed into an hour and 15 minutes. Seats can be booked free of charge at the Bristol or at the Regent.

PRINCESS THEATRE. The new film at the Princess Theatre to-day will he “ Lightnin’,” a picture in which comedy and drama have mingled in the most attractive fashion. Will Rogers lias the lending role, and although he has acquitted himself very well in previous performances in Dunedin, he has ' done nojjiing better than his characterisation of Lightnin’ ” Bill Jones in this production. Rogers is an actor of more than usual ability, and at the same time ho is a humorist of great _ shrewdness and wit. As the habitually idle, whimsical old tipler and dreamer he excels all his performances in the must, making a better impression on his audience than he did when ho drew the amusing and interesting portraits of the principles in “ They Had to See Paris ” and “ So This is London.” The film is in the very best taste, and directs a great deal of very effective satire at the whole idea and system of divorce by arrangement. Rogers laughs at divorce and it." consequences and the audience has perforce to laugii with him. “Lightnin’” is a film that will undoubtedly prove very popular in the ensuing week. The production of the film has been carried out on the most modern lines, and never for one instant does the story lag. It is in every way excellent entertainment, and the photo graphy and recording are alike perfect. A supporting cast, headed by Louise Drawer, contributes much to the success of the picture. Louise Dresse appears in the role of “ Lightin’” Bill Tone’s wife, and makes a very creditable showing. Others in the east are Helen Cohan, Joel M’Crae, Jason Robards, Luke Cosgrave, Frank Campean, Ruth Warren. Sharon Lynn, Joyce Compton, and Rex Bell. “Lightnin”’ io a film that will appeal to both young and old, and should not he missed by anyone who enjoys good, wholesome comedy blended w : tb effective and interesting melodrama. Will Rogers is undoubtedly the star of the film, and proves himself to be a comedian of exceptional merit, as he possesses all the characteristics of a good actor. He appears in this instance ns the owner of a country hotel that happens to be the

rendezvous of divorcees. He eventually finds himself in the divorce couila ,and the whole production ..centres round the manner in which lie saves his own affairs and how he introduces romance and marriage into the life of his daughter. It is an intensely dramatic and absorbing story which Will Rogers and his colleagues tell and patrons of the Princess Theatre may rest assured that they will be offered very acceptable entertainment during the week which will commence with the matinee performance this afternoon. The box plans are at the Bristol. STRAND THEATRE. “Up the River” is the title of the film which will be screened at the Strand Theatre to-day. Centring around the uproarious activities of two gaol breakers who do their best to carry on a romance between two youthful inmates, the story is said to be outstanding in film annals. With one of the largest casts ever assembled for a dbmedy production, the direction of John Ford and the original scenario by Maurine Watkins, the author of “Chicago,” “Up the River” has been breaking all records elsewhere, and is expected to attract unusual crowds to its local showings. The highly personal repartee in the gaolyard, the arrival at the gates of the noted gaolbrcaker, who assures the warden and the assembled reporters of his intention to leave “ as soon as he looks over the lay-out”; the earnest but misguided efforts of the lady welfare worker to maintain her own standards of deportment and modesty among the inmates; the gaolbreaker’s championing of the timid suitor’s ease; the boy’s release from the institution; the mirthful “benefit” given by the inmates, under cover of which the two principals make their getaway; their return to the home gaol just in time to wind up the romance and save the baseball game for the inter-peniten-tiary cup —these and hundreds of other laughable incidents make “Up the River” one continuous laugh.. Spencer Tracy and Warren Hymer have the roles

of the gaolbrcakcrs, with Claire Luce and Humphrey Bogart as the lovers in a notable supporting east. KING EDWARD THEATRE. Joseph Sehiklkraut, the hero of many a romantic motion picture, lias the leading role in “The Night Riders,” which is now being shown at the King Edward Theatre. He is supported by Barbara Kent, Do Witt Jennings, and several other wellknown players. “ The Night Raiders ” is a story of crime in a large city—Chicago —and the efforts of a pair of young pressmen to trace the instigator of the crime.". There are many dramatic situations, and the plot is well presented. The supporting programme is of an equally high standard. “ SLIGHTLY SCARLET.” Evelyn Brent and Clive Brook have the leading roles in “Slightly Scarlet,” which will be shown at the King Edward Theatre to-morrow. Author and director have built up a clever suspense angle throughout the story. And yet “ Slightly Scarlet ” is not a mystery story. It is romance, adventurous romance, in every sense. The tenseness of its situations makes for unusual suspense, however. Paul Lukas is seen in “ Slightly Scarlet ” in another of those delightful menace roles which have made him so popular with film audiences everywhere. And laughter-provoking Eugene Palette struts and blooms in dress clothes. The cast includes Henry Wadsworth, Morgan Farley, and Virginia Bruce. SKATING. KING’S RINK. Roller skating at (he King’s Rink is undoubtedly one of the most popular pastimes available at present. The floor of the rink is crowded at almost every session, and the number of patrons seems to increase daily. * The excellent surface offered by the new floor is one of the

most outstanding features of the rink The management has left out nothing which could possibly add to the attractions of the rink, and the careful attentions of the staff go a long way towards ensuring the enjoyment of an hour’s skating.