PARIS APACHE QUARTER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21356, 9 June 1931, Page 10

PARIS APACHE QUARTER

SUDDEN RAID BY POLICE. More than 200 people were carried off by the police in a raid on the Paris apache quarter at the Rue de Lappe, behind the Bastille, recently. It is a narrow street, into which, from dusk till midnight during the season, crowds of tourists are set down ,from charabancs to take a peep at the typical apache quarter of the city. Guides lead the way through dimlylit passages and alleys to one or other of the numerous “ bals musettes ” squalid, barn-like dance halls, so named because payment is made at the rate of halfpenny per dance to a man who col-' lects the* money in a bag slung round his neck. The police mingled with the crowd. Suddenly a signal was given. The music (usually an accordion) ceased. “ Hats and coats and into the cars,” a police officer shouted. One man put a serviette on his waistcoat and pretended, unsuccessfully, to be a waiter. All the 200 were questioned at police headquarters. Some were to be ch arged. love. The presence of another girl who lures Gerry into a game of strip poker brings about complications, and, at one stage, love’s young dream appears to have been shattered completely. The story works up to a dramatic climqx, however, and the ending is completely satisfactory. There is also a musical cartoon and a comedy and a news reel. KING EDWARD THEATRE Ruth Chatterton, who has become famous for her dramatic portrayals in screen productions, has the principal role in “ The Lady of Scandal,” the current attraction at the King Edward Theatre. Miss Chatterton plays the part of Elsie Hilary, a musical comedy star on the London stage. Into the story comes John, son of Lord Crayle, who becomes more than a little infatuated with the girl, much to the disgust of his father, who, fearing that his son may lower 'the dignity of the family by marrying beneath him, writes to the actress offering her a sum of money to give him up. This enrages her, and John, hearing of the matter, immediately announces their engagement in the newspapers, and takes her to meet his family in his father’s castle. Included in the family gathering is Edward, a rather sophisticated nobleman, who is in the midst of an affair with a married woman. Elsie’s charm captivates them all, and she and Edward fall in love. John, realising before it is too late that he has made a mistake, frees Elsie from her promise, but a strange twist of fate changes the complexion of matters considerably, and Elsie goes back to the stage. There is also a strong supporting programme.

SKATING KING’S RINK. Excellent attendances continue to be recorded at the King’s Skating Rink in. Dowling street. The floor offers what is practically an ideal surface for the pastime of roller skating, and the easyrunning and comfortable skates winch are provided bv the management for the use of patrons go a long way towards making the rink as popular as it is. The ventilation of the building is such as to make it remain fresh throughout the night, and the musical programmes also enhance the enjoyment of an hour spent at the rink.