AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21643, 13 May 1932, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS

REGENT THEATRE A bright and melodious production, such as invariably appeals strongly to picture theatre patrons, “ Her Majesty, Love, which commenced its season at the Regent Theatre yesterday, provides entertainment which is certain to find high favour with audiences during the next week. Admirably mounted, capably produced, ana flawlessly acted, “ Her Majesty, Love is undoubtedly one of the most attractive screen comedies seen in Dunedin for some time, the .work of a particularly strong cast enhancing to a great extent the inherent worth of the production. The leading feminine role is taken by winsome Marilyn Miller, the brilliant blonde heroine of “ Sally,” who gives a thoroughly appealing performance. Her vivacity and charm assist in the creation of a part which exercises instant appeal, and she is ably supported by Ben Lyon, who plays the principal male part in a wholly satisfying manner. An unusually interesting programme of short subjects completes a very entertaining programme. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol. ST. JAMES THEATRE In “ Over the Hill,” the “ talkie ” coming to the St. James Theatre to-day, 'here is none of the taint of ultra-sophistica-tion. Though it is evident that the producers have put their every effort and resource toward the perfecting of the film, there is none of that vulgar display of enormous expense which sometimes characterises other films. “ Over the Hill ”is a story of an ordinary family. Yet so true is the story and so real its acting that one cannot help seeing mirrored one\ own family, or the family next door, so faithfully are depicted the happiness, pathos, disappointment, pride, parental and filial affection and devotion, and the occasional instances of baseness, that constitute any family the world over. After 12 years’ absence from the screen, Mae Marsh makes a remarkable return to play a role she makes really lovable—that of “ Ma ” Shelby. James Dunn as Johnny, the apple of his mother’s eye, establishes himself firmly as an actor of the first class. . EMPIRE THEATRE The following are extracts from press comments on “ Mischief.” which will commence a season at the Empire Theatre today:—Evening Standard; “A.new British film I stoutly recommend is 'Mischief.’ You will not be disappointed.” The Times: “The whole cast moves with the smoothness of a cricket team under a good captain.” Daily Telegraph: “The sparkling British farce the Prince of Wales enjoyed.” Daily Mailt ,“ Delicious farcical comedy.” Daily Express; “‘Mischief,’ like all the other Ben. Travers's ‘talkies,’ will win success because'of the genuinely British humour it purveys.” Reynolds: “Ralph Lynn is the best laugh-ter-maker on the British screen.” Sunday Express: “Ralph Lynn, premier screen clown of these islands, makes a reappearance in ‘ Mischief.’ ” Kinematograph Weekly: “From the word go the picture moves at a merry pace, and the humour gains in quality as the proceedings become more involved.” An excellent supporting programme hag been selected to accompany “Mischief,” and Paul Cullen’s organ solos will be: —Overture, selections from “ Pirates of Penzance song interlude, “He Played His Ukelele as the Ship Went Down ”; and entr’acts, “ Songs of England.” The box plans are at the theatre. STRAND THEATRE Everything about “ Flying High,” to be shown at the Strand Theatre to-day, is air-minded —the songs, the dances, the settings (all of ,which are laid in a socalled aviation school), the plot, and the characters. The heroine is so air-minded that she even advertises for a husband who is an aviator, and through the comical twists of the plot finds herself married, much against his will, to the eccentric Rusty Krause, a mechanic who has invented a machine the like of which has never been seen on any flying field. Bert Lahr deserves most praise for the success of the film, for his nonsensical frolics, his ludicrous expressions, and his generally idiotic behaviour open up an nnexploitcd field of comedy. Charlotte Greenwood, the elongated actress with the uncontrollable legs, who has already made a big name for herself on the screen, is Pansy, and she aids and abets Lahr in his lunacy in a very able fashion. Others of note in the cast arc Pat O’Brien, Kathryn Crawford. Hedcla Hopper, and the cheerfully fat Guy Kibbee. There is an excellent supporting programme. OCTAGON THEATRE A double-feature programme will be shown at the Octagon Theatre to-day, the first picture being “ The Beloved Bachelor.” Based upon a play by Edward H. Peples, this “talkie” places the handsome and highly effective Lukas in a role such as his many admirers would have ordered for him had they a choice in the matter. Lukas, throughout the action of the play, is a thoroughly lovable personage. The play is deftly worked out with as little resorting to the dramatic as possible. In fact, it is almost entirely romantic —with generous dashes of comedy furnished by Charlie Ruggles, Marjorie Gateson, and Harold Minjtr. The finale is- exciting, and pleasant. It is all achieved without the firing of a single shot of anything more violent than Charlie Ruggles’s spontaneous wit. Undoubtedly Lew Ayres’s best screen vehicle since his. memorable triumph, “All Quiet on the Western Front,” ia Heaven on Earth,” which will also be screened at the Octagon Theatre to-day, Ayres s work is exceptional in this picture, apd in the role of States Lilly he delivers a striking characterisation of an ignorant boy somewhat bewildered by his buffeting at the hands of fate. Anita Louise is capable and altogether lovely m the leading feminine role, and other members of an unusually large cast who do pleasing work are Harry Beresford, Elizabeth Patterson, and Charley Grapewm. KING EDWARD THEATRE Two outstanding pictures constitute the new double-feature programme which commenced its season at the King Edward Theatre on Wednesday. The Black Camel ” is an intriguing story dealing with the adventures of the Chinese detective, Charlie Chan, played by Warner Gland. There are plenty of thrills in tuo production, while the atmosphere of mystery which surrounds the murder of an attractive actress is maintained until the final scenes. Sally Eilers plays the feminine lead. Others who appear in a wellbalanced cast are Bela Lugosi, Dorothy Revier, Victor Varconi, Robert Young, Murray Kinnell, and William Post. Once a Gentleman ” is the title of the second nicture, which depicts ' Edward* Everett Horton Jn one of his most successful comedy roles.