AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21600, 22 March 1932, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS

ST.' JAMES THEATRE

« THE yellow TICKET.”

As a wolf of the Czarist Secret Service, with two young lovers marked as ms special prey, Lionel Barrymore is said to excel Ins performances in . A Free Soul and “Guilty Hands ’ in his latest triumph, “The Yellow Ticket," in which he has with him no less a star than itlissa Landi, who appears in what is undoubtedly the most suitable part the talking films have offered her. The third featured player, Laurence Olivier, created the role of Captain Stanhope in the London stage production of “Journey’s End, which won him a role in the New York production of “ Private’ Lives ” and in turn a Hollywood contract. The Yellow Ticket,” enacted against a background ox mystery, intrigue, oppression, and cruelty in a setting of pre-war Russia, details the tragis adventures of a beautiful and wholesome peasant girl, who by. circumstances becomes the possessor of a yellow ticket, which brands her as a social outcast and the victim of the brutal and merciless head of the Czar's secret police. “The Yellow Ticket” will be commenced at the St. James Theatre on Friday. OCTAGON THEATRE Nancy Carroll has the leading role in “Personal Maid,” one of the two entertaining pictures comprising the current bill at the Octagon Theatre. The picture tells the story of a young serving maid whose attempt to break into society leads to her being sadly disillusioned as to what actually constitutes a gentleman. “ Behind Office Doors;” the supporting picture, features '-Mary Astor, Ricardo Cortez and Robert Ames in the principal parts. The plht is based on the love of a young stenographer for her employer, who, however, is _ quite unaware that her interest in him is far from impersonal. How the two ultimately come to an understanding makes an appealing story that loses nothing in the telling. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol.

"CHARLEY’S AUNT.” What is there to be said about the “dear old lady from Brazil—where the nuts come from ” that is not known already? Brandon Thomas gave to the world a farcical comedy that was destinea to retain its popularity for years. Played over and over again year after year throughout the British Isles, it is looked upon as a hardy annual which never loses its lustre. Later on Syd Chaplin, the brother to the world-famous Charlie, made a silent version for the screen which broke world records. Recently Columbia Pictures offered to the screen patrons of the world the " talkie ” film, with Charlie Ruggles as Charley’s Aunt. Dunedin patrons will remember that the Regent Theatre had crowded houses during the week it was screened, and it is claimed to have left behind a record which only George Arliss in “ The Millionaire” has since broken. Upon the insistance of local theatregoers it has been arranged to bring the picture back to Dunedin for one special week, which will commence on Saturday next at the Octagon Theatre.

REGENT THEATRE An extraordinarily; compact drama of common, every-day life is shown at the Regent Theatre iri “ Street Scene,” which has been drawing large audiences since its premiere. The whole of the action of the film takes places within 24 hours, and it presents a remarkable' picture of the cosmopolitan nature of life in New York. Sylvia Sidney and William Collier, jun., are cast in the leading roles, and these young players demonstrate clearly that there is very little they are not acquainted with in the art of dramatic acting. The story is a simple one. A woman philanders, and the enraged husband shoots both her and the other man. The action, however, is endowed with a wealth of side effects, all of which move relentlessly towards. a powerful climax. Estelle Taylor and David Landau also play featured roles in an extremely convincing manner. There is a diversified and interesting supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol.

“THE DAUGHTER OF THE DRAGON.”

In addition to the usual series of films, the management of the Regent Theatre has engaged Arthur Frost’s Symphonic Dance Band to render musical items on the programme which will be screened at that theatre next Saturday, there being no performances on Good Friday. In conjunction with the orchestra, Mr Alec Regan will render several vocal numbers. The feature attraction will be the final adventure of that famous oriental. Dr Fu Manchu, in a film entitled “ The Daughter of the Dracon.” One of the most novel features of this picture is that it will serve to reintroduce to the screen that most famous of all oriental actors, Sessue Hayakawa. In a strong cast which the Paramount Corporation have gathered together for “The Daughter of the Dragon” are such famous stars as Anna May Womr, the beautiful Chinese girl, who speaks delightful English; Warner Oland, who will again be seen as the wily Fu Manchu; Bramwcll Fletcher, and Frances Dade, the romantic lead of “ Grumpy ” and “ Mother’s Millions.” etc. The scene of action spins from Limehouse, London’s gay white way, and the murky Thames River, to luxurious estates of the titled. There are plenty of secret panels and passageways, ominous shadows, and a thrilling climax. Anna May Wong lias the charm of newness. She ig the only Chinese girl of prominence in pictures, and her subtle appeal is refreshing. Her English is perfect. She achieved prominence in silent pictures, and three years ago went to Germany. Within a brief period she became the rage of all Europe, on both stage and screen. Berlin, Vienna, and London were at her feet. She returns to the screen in “ The Daughter of the Dragon.” her first talking picture. Warner Oland. the creator of the screen character of Fu Manchu, once more enacts the part of this fascinating, mysterious Oriental in “ The Daughter of the Dragon.” Oland is an accomplished actor. Ho is giving an effectively ominous portrayal of the Chinese menace of the picture.

STRAND THEATRE Comprising two pictures of more than usual merit, this week’s bill at the Strand Theatre is one that should appeal to all picturepoers. “Girls Demand Excitement,” the first feature, is an entertaining story of school life in America, in which John Wayne and Virginia Cherrill are the principal players. The other picture, “ Fair Warning” is adapted from Max Brand’s novel, “The Untamed,” and features George O’Brien in the leading role. The story is a thrilling narrative of the Far West, and the picture is noteworthy for the daring displays of horsemanship given by the principal actor. The plot deals with the rivalry between two outlaws, and their efforts to outwit one another provide a series of exciting incidents that culminate in an unorthodox but altogether satisfactory climax. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol-

EMPIRE THEATRE

“MONKEY BUSINESS.”

The four Marx brothers do not mias a trick when it comes to providing comedy on the screen; in fact, the director. Norman M'Leod, who had charge of their most recent production, “Monkey Business,” which will be commenced at the Empire Theatre on Easter Saturday, sees in their efforts on the screen every known comedy method, ranging from slapstick to subtle satire. “Through a careful choice of characterisation for' themselves, the Marx brothers have combined all modes of comedy within their own entertainments,” says M'Leod. _ “ Groucho uses smart wise-cracks, Chico attends to the dialect comedy, Harpo handles pantomime, and Zeppo plays straight to the three with situations as his forte. Groucho, with his heavy moustache and long cigar, is the wise fellow. His dialogue is carefully combed, so that every speech is a .laugh Tine, ranging from smart, sophisticated chatter to puns. Chico plays the dumb fellow who does not understand and gets things mixed. His lines contain many puns, and he never speaks out of dialect. Harpo is one of the world’s greatest pantomimists, the earliest and longest-lived form of comedy. His art is purely slapstick. Zeppo, as is the case with most straight men, is often overlooked when one weighs the comedy of a production. However, the foil is always important, and being one for three comedians is no easy task.” KING EDWARD THEATRE Leslie Howard, who was first seen in “Outward Bound,” is featured in ‘ Five and Ten,” which is showing at the King Edward Theatre, with Marion Davies, one of the most able exponents of the lighter type of role on the screen to-day, Miss Davies is seen as the daughter of a man who has made a fortune out of a chain of five and ten cent stores, and when the family takes up residence in New York she decides to force her way into society, using her father’s money to attain this end. She also sets herself out to win a man, played by Leslie Howard, and although he is bethrothed she disregards this fact, a great battle ensuing between the two women for the affections of the man. How, and to what extent, she succeeds makes a very entertaining story. There is a fine supporting programme.