AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21530, 30 December 1931, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

ST. JAMES THEATRE . In " Broadminded,” which is being screened at the St. James Theatre this week, Joe E. Brown scores one of the most conspicuous successes in his career as a comedian. The opening .scene of the film is a particularly uproarious one. It is the “ baby party ” of a young woman who is destined to play an important part in subsequent events, and it offers great opportunities to Brown, who has the part of Ossie Simpson, a young man who extracts as much enjoyment as he can from life, and who is obviously a very popular person among his friends. It so happens that he is also popular with a wealthy financier, his uncle, whose son finds himself forced into an engagement. Young Hackett is told that he must leave the city for a time in order that he can break with his old associates, and Ossie is sent with him as a guardian. The situation, of course, is one from which the audience expects a great deal, and it is not disappointed. After soipe exciting experiences in a small car, the pair are able to assist two young ladies who are having some trouble with their car, and this is the start of a double romance which lias some very unpleasant interruptions. The supporting programme consists of a variety of short items which include some enjoyable singing and not a little humour. The news films contain a description of the last Oxford-Cambridge boat race. The box plans are at Hall's fruit shop and the theatre. “SON OF INDIA.” Aptly described as “ The Sheik ” of the “ talkies,” “ Son of India,” the muchheralded Ramon Navarro-Conrad Nagel success, will commence on Friday at the St. James Theatre. The following commentary on this sensation was made by the critic of the Christchurch Sun: —“It is hard to believe that ‘ Son of India ’ was made in Hollywood, so elaborate arc some of the Indian scenes. Clever photography and brilliant settings, aided by the able direction of Jacques Feyder, combine to create an illusion of exotic charm and barbaric beauty. ‘ Sou of India ’ presents an unusual and satisfying entertainment. The story is taken from F. Marion Crawford’s novel, ‘ Mr Isaacs,’ and in its screen form deals with the subject of ‘ East is East and West is West,’ etc. There have been many books and almost as many films made about this subject, but * Son of India,’ although it deals with impossibility of marriage between the white and coloured races, is treated with a spirited touch that gives novelty to the theme. Whatever education and the intermingling of the races may have accomplished, caste and the colour bar still exist to keep happiness from those who attempt to defy the conventions, and so the*lndian hero and the European heroine are left separated, believing in the philosophy of the Orient, that the perfection of real love is only to be found in its renunciation, and content to wait for its sublimation in the life to come. Novarro fits into his part like a hand into a glove, but he is not the only notable one in the cast. The role of Janice is taken by Madge Evans, who once used to be a child star in the silent films, and now after a successful career on the New' York stage, looks a s if she is going to develop into an adult * talkie ’ star of great brilliance in the Hollywood heaven. She speaks well, looks well, and acts even better. Others of importance in the really excellent cast are Conrad Nagel, Nigel de Brulier, John Miljan, Marjorie Rambeau, and C. Aubrey Smith.” The box plans are at the Bristol. STRAND THEATRE Heading a generous offering at the Strand Theatre is “The Girl of the Golden West,” featuring Ann Harding, James Rennie, and Harry Bannister, It was into a reckless atmosphere, where law and order w'ere absent, that David Belasco brought his girl, where she lived among the wild miners, to one of whom she eventually gave her heart; he was not worth it, but through the girl’s influence she worked a change in his nature which set him on a new' trail, and in the. end the girl’s belief in him was quite justified. The story is dramatic and full of thrills, “ Wedding Rings,” the second production, is a story of a different type. The principal parts are taken by H. B. Warner, Lois Wilson, and Olive Borden. Cornelia Quinn, am attractive young’artist, loves Lewis Dike, whom she meets in an art gallery. Dike, a wealthjr clubman, also loves Cornelia until he meets Eve, her selfish, beautiful sister. Eve thinking that Dike wmuld be a very profitable match, gets out to win him from Cornelia, and before long Eve and Dike arc married, despite Cornelia’s efforts to keep them apart. The conclusion is really startling. “FIVE AND TEN.” Marion Davies is starred in “ Five and Ten,” her best Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer production, which will open on Friday at the Strand Theatre. This film is of particular interest because it affords the star new latitude for her talents, supplying her with a more dramatic vehicle than the light comedies in which she recently appeared. Miss Davies’s characterisation in the new production is a striking one, demanding emotional intensity as well as the comedy flair for which she is famed. The story was adapted by Edith Fitzgerald from the Fannie Hurst novel of a newly-rich family, first appearing in serial form in Cosmopolitan Magazine, later attaining best-seller prominence in book form published by Harpers. It is a distinctly modern story, dealing with the futility of piling up wealth and the fight of. two very modem young women of opposite ideals for the affections of a man. The picture has as its locale New York, and the principal motivation is obtained in the founding of the Rarick fortune upon a world-wide chain of five-and-tcn-cent stores. As a monument to this achievement the elder Rarick builds the tallest skyscraper on earth. His daughter, Jennifer, anxious to win the young architect, obtains the contract for him, but in so doing is misunderstood. Berry, believing she tried to .“buy” him, promptly weds her society rival. Tragic complications are brought about through the suicide of the young brother, heartbroken at the discovery of his mother’s amours and the probable compromising of his sister. Particularly imposing is the supporting cast with which Miss Davies has been surrounded in her initial dramatic effort. Leslie Howard, distinguished young British stage star, plays opposite her as Berry, the architect of proud ancestry but impoverished purse. Howard will be remembered for his stage and screen work in “ Outward. Bound.” He last appeared in films in “Never the Twain Shall Meet.” Included in the splendid cast are Richard Bennett, lather of Constance and Jean, Kent Douglass, and Mary Duncan, the screen’s diminutive siren, who plays the part of the “other woman.” OCTAGON THEATRE “Fighting Caravans,” featuring Gary Cooper and Lily Damita, is still attracting large audiences to the Octagon Theatre. Cooper is seen as a young scout, who has been brought up by two old frontiersmen, played by Ernest Terence and Tully Marshall, who continue the characterisations they created in “ The Covered Wagon.” These three constitute the principal scouts for the train, but dissension enters in through the appearance of a girl, played by Lily Damita, who is travelling alone and who is befriended by Cooper. About this time the wagon train is coming into the “bad country,” and when a burning stage coach is found beside the trail, with the crew lying near it, the scouts redouble their efforts to pick up traces of the Indians in the vicinity. Included in the band of men accompanying the train is a suspected traitor, played by Fred Kohler, who is looked on by the old scouts with not a little suspicion on account of the fact that he was the sole survivor of an attack on an earlier wagon train by Indians. How well-founded their suspicions are is given striking proof when the train is attacked by ferocious red men just as it is fording a' river in the fastnesses of a wild range of mountains. The train is divided in half by the river and a fierce fight breaks out. but the Indians have the advantage of information supplied through the treachery of the renegade. When all seems hopeless, a daring act by the young scout defeats the efforts of the opposing forces, and a portion of the train wins through to safety. There is a strong supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol.

“FIN AND HATTIE.” An outstanding cast will be seen on Friday next at the Octagon Theatre in “Fin and Hattie.” In “Fin and Hattie” Leon Errol appears again, and audiences will roar with laughter at his ridiculous legs, his witty sayings, his amazing facial expressions, and his unbounded sense of humour. He himself has said that he “ never enjoyed playing a part so much ” as the role he essays in this production. The story deals with the! trip to England of “ Fin and Hattie,” with their daughter and nephew, and the situations that arise during the journey and when they arrive arc most humorous. “Hattie” is played by Zasu Pitts, and she is convincingly natural, and performs brilliantly, helping along the laughs with the greatest of ease. Mitzi Green is the daughter of “ Fin and Hattie,” and were the grown-ups in this production any less brilliant than they are, then little Mitzi, with her consummate art and brilliant flair for comedy, would, it is said, walk away with the picture. As it is. she plays the part of her life. Jackie Searle, who will be remembered as the “ nasty little boy ” in “ Skippy,” is the nephew, and gives a masterly performance, and other parts are delightfully played by Lilyan Tashmau and Regis Toomey. REGENT THEATRE Maurice Chevalier, the genial Frenchman, has a role which could not have suited him better in “The Smiling Lieutenant,” which is being shown at the Regent Theatre. In addition there is the delightful little dancing pantomime arranged by Miss Lily Stevens and Mr A. Regan to make the evening’s enjoyment complete. “ The Smiling Lieutenant" has the quick charm of unexpectedness. It is a very exceptional talent that can handle character, plot, talk, and whimsy so unerringly, making of the most ordinary tale a sparkling, vivacious comedy--romance of the most striking kind. Chevalier gives his customarily brisk and spirited performance in the role of Nikki, the romantic young lieutenant, whose illtimed smiles and winks on parade are intercepted by a royal princess, who imagines herself to be the subject of them. And Claudette Colbert, the fascinating brunette with the beautiful eyes, makes a completely delightful and enthralling Franzi, with Miriam Hopkins as Princess Anna, coming into her own at last, sitting at a piano in daringly alluring negligee, tempting her husband by her vigorous rendering of_ “Jazz Up Your Lingerie,” an exhortation which she herself follows with startling and romantic results. The pantomime is beautifully and excellently done. The opening chorus and dance last night were perfect, and among the items which followed “ The Dance of the Wooden Doll ” was as good as any, although the delightful little costume duo featuring “A Bicycle Built For Two ” was no less enthusiastically received. The news series contained in the supporting programme are of more than usual interest, including scenes from some of the world’s greatest speed experiments, such as the Schneider _ Cup event, the speed boat championship of the world, and other international feats. Mickey the Mouse, with the equally amusing Minnie, ■ provides a delightful interlude in the form of “ The Birthday Party,” a cartoon comedy in Disney’s best vein, which cannot fail to please. “ MOTHER’S MILLIONS.” “He married you for your money!” That is one of the oldest and truest and most fearsome accusations since civilisation established our system of matrimony. How can a girl be certain that she isn’t being married for her money? How can parents train their children so that they can be as self-reliant when thev come into their majority, into their money become of marriageable age, as their parents would like to have them? All the wisdom of the world does not reside in the parents or in older people. A woman of 40 can be just as foolish as one at 20. But the proper upbringing, and training, the proper environment and the inculcation of the proper aspirations will go a long way toward solving these vexatious problems. These are some of the problems dealt with in “Mother’s Millions,” which will be commenced at the Regent Theatre on Friday next. May Robson, who achieved remarkable success in the original stage production, plays the role of Harriet Breen, a female financial genius who apparently handles her children with the same ruthlessness that she uses in fighting her rival giants on Wall Street. The climax of the story, however, is startling in its revelation of a really beautiful character under the mask of a shrewd, relentless business woman. Miss Robson takes stellar honours in this one. giving to her portrayal a remarkably dynamic performance. Her support including Janies Hall. Frances Dade, Lawrence Gray and Edmund Brcese, is more than equal to the task of making the cast uniformly excellent. The theme of the story is that of a mother’s love, hidden through fear of her enemies’ attempts to reach her and hurt her through her children. In doing this, she must appear to treat her children with a coldness and aloofness that threatens to ruin their happiness and kill the romance that have come into their lives. How she eventually understands and rewards their loyalty gives to the pictures its poignant sense of drama. The story was written by Howard M'Kent Barnes especially for Miss Robson, and the picture as directed by James • Flood, follows the original story closely. Janies Hall, as the secretary of Harriet Breen, handles his role with great finesse. Frances Dade is charming and puts just the right amount of drama into her role as the young daughter of the female financial giant, and the sweetheart of her mother’s secretary. Lawrence Gray as the young son will win sympathy, and Edmund Breese as the rival financial genius does a fine and stimulating piece of acting. EMPIRE THEATRE Probably the finest musical production yet brought to the screen, “ Song o’ My Heart,” is proving an exceptionally strong attraction at the Empire Theatre this week. Even without John M'Connack, the famous Irish tenor, the picture would be an outstanding one, but with M‘Cotmack it becomes an epic of the screen. Aa a simple and understanding villager with a broken romance. M'Cormack has the sympathy and affection of all his neighbours, and it is small wonder that that marvellous voice of his, enriching the still evening air, makes him the adored centre of a group of enchanted children. Again, as the master of melody in a great New York theatre, he holds some of the most critical audiences in the world under his magic spell. The singing in the theatre, indeed, is a masterpiece of recording. The marvellous recording ot “ I Hear You Calling Me ” is one ol the triumphs of the sound screen. No less appealing, however, is his song to his old sweetheart, “Rose of Tralee,” just before he departed for America. In contrast with this is a merry little song for the young villagers, “ Kitty My Love, and again the song “ The Little toy Dog is Covered with Dust,” stirs the emotions with its sweet pathos. The actual story has been entrusted to a highly accomplished cast, and the groat performances of J. hi. Kerrigan and Farrell Macdonald, who as the two old Irish cronies sincerely attached to each other and yet cloaking their affection by a sort of continuous quarrel, is but another instance of the exceptional quality of the production. Maureen O’Sullivan makes a charming little heroine with all the Irish warmth and sincerity, and the difficulties that her crabbed old aunt places between her and her sweetheart win a ready sympathy from tlie audience. A delightful comedy and a news reel complete the programme. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol. “ THE MAN IN POSSESSION.” Robert Montgomery is starred in “ Tim Man in Possession,” the now Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer feature, wbicb will open at the Empire Theatre on New Year’s Day. The play from which the picture was adapted is one of the most recent works from the pen of the distinguished British author who wrote such successes as “ The Mask.” “ The Hotel Mointb,” and “ The White-headed Boy.” Heading the supporting cast is the elongated (jharlotto Greenwood, stage comedienne, who recently added to her laurels with outstanding screen roles in “ Parlour, Bedroom, and Bath ” and “ Stepping Out.” In the new film she plays the part of an English maid with an especial dislike and mistrust for the new butler, the part played b\ Montgomery. Irene Purcell, New York stage actress, plays the romantic lead opposite Montgomery in the new film. Miss Purcell, who won overwhelming success in the New York production of “ Dancing Partner," recently repeated this role with William Haines in the screen version entitled “Just a Gigolo.” Others in the imposing cast are C. Aubrey Smith, of “ Im-

personating a Lady” fame; Beryl Mercer, distinguished character actress, who last played in “The Public Enemy”; Reginald Owen, who recently starred on the stage in “ Candlelight ” ; Alan Mowbray, who last played in “ Topaz ” on the stage: Maude Eburne, Forrester Harvey, and Yorke Sherwood, noted British players. The locale 1 of the story is in England, and Montgomery plays the part of the young ne’er-do-well who becomes a sheriff’s deputy, serving attachment writs. His duty takes him into the home of a ravishing widow, and he is persuaded to impersonate a butler to spare her the humiliation of having an attachment guard in her house during an important dinner party. There are many hilarious highlights, climaxed in the ousting of the widow’s suitors and admirers. Of course, the butler wins the lady fair, amid gay circumstances. The dialogue is sprightly and effervescent, and the story moves smartly with a sophisticated motivation. It is charmingly set in an English cottage, and the costumes and backgrounds are especially worthy of comment. SINGING ORGANIST ENGAGED. The Empire Theatre has engaged Paul Cullen, the singing organist, to play at the theatre for a season, and he will make his first appearance on Friday next. Mr Cullen has had engagements at the De Luxe Theatre, Wellington, and the Regent Theatre, Auckland, and has proved a strong attraction to the public. He possesses a beautiful tenor voice, and sings his numbers while playing the organ. KING EDWARD THEATRE Commencing to-night at the King Edward Theatre, Lawrence Tibbett will be seen in a modern role in “ The Prodigal.” He appears as a prodigal son who has been roaming the country with a band of tramps. He goes home to see his mother, and for the first time becomes acquainted with bis brother’s wife, Antonia. Antonia is miserably unhappy with her tyrannical husband, and is about to elope with a former lover. _ In his attempts to preserve the family integrity, Tibbett succumbs to the charms of the bewitching Antonia, and finds himself in a compromising position. The unravelling of the situation makes for an extremely dramatic screen plot. Scenes in the “tramps’” camp arc among the novelties of the production, and in these sequences Tibbett sings “ De Glory Road,” a number which he has made famous on the concert stage. Esther Ralston plays opposite Tibbett,