AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21645, 16 May 1932, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS

STRAND THEATRE A musical comedy entertainment, “ Ply* ing High,” is the principal attraction at the Strand Theatre at present. Charlotte Greenwood, the attenuated actress who is one of the most popular comediennes of the screen, and Bert Lahr, equally accomplished in his own particular line, ate responsible for the greater part of the merriment. Lahr is gifted with a particularly expressive face which can accomplish seeming impossibilities. The romance centres round an aero pageant and is punctuated with a series of attractive songs. There is an excellent list of supports. The box / plans are at the theatre and the Bristol. • I ■■■ OCTAGON THEATRE Two pictures of unusual merit comprise this week’s double bill at the Octagon Theatre. “ The Beloved Bachelor, the principal feature, is a romantic story woven round the love of a young sculptor for a beautiful society girl, and the fact that Paul Lukas is seen in the leading part is sufficient guarantee of its quality. The supporting picture, “Heaven on Earth,” is based on the struggle of an ignorant boy vrho is thrown .on his own resources, and this part is brilliantly portrayed by Lew Ayres, who scored such a triumph in “All Quiet on the Western Front." The box plans are at the theatre and at the Bristol. “THE ROAD TO RENO” AND “ COMPROMISED." “ The Road to Reno ” is the starring feature, and has a mammoth stellar cast including Lilyan Tashman, Charles (Buddy) Rogers, William Boyd, Irving Pichel, Peggy Shannon, Wynne Gibson, and Sheets Gallagher. Pichel is the quiet, home-loving husband of Lilyan Tashman, an ultra-modern women who is seeking a divorce at Reno for no less a reason than that it seems to be a smart s and fashionable thing to do. Peggy Shannon is their daughter and “Buddy Rogers is the young college graduate who (alls in love with Peggy. Comedy honours of the production are captured by Sheets Gallagher, the young man who has made iaughter ring in several recent productions. “Compromised,” the second feature, is a story packed full of human interest and with some delightfully humorous as well ns tense situations and scenes. Supporting artists include Claude Gillingwater, Juliette Compton, Bert Roach, and Del mar Hudson. EMPIRE THEATRE Ben Travers’s laughable farce, “ Mischief,” forms the basis of the picture or tlio same name which heads the current bill at the Empire Theatre. “Mischief is undoubtedly one of the funniest farces seen in Dunedin for many a day, and Ralph Lynn, in the principal role of the irresponsible friend who attempts to unravel an involved matrimonial tangle, is seen at at his best. The production sparkles with flashing wit and brilliant repartee, and the acting leaves nothing to be desired. Strong supports are added, and Mr Paul Cullen at the organ presents a well-chosen programme of musical selections. The box plans are at the theatre and at the Bristol. ST. JAMES THEATRE Mae Marsh, James Dunne and Sally Eilers head a strong cast in “ Over the Hill.” this week’s principal attraction at the Princess Theatre. The picture contains all the elements of simple, direct drama adroitly blended with romance, comedy and pathos, and tells a poignant story of a mother’s love for l|er children through all sorts of adversity. As the mother. Mae Marsh gives ari’ outstanding portrayal of a difficult role and the remainder of the cast also handle their parts capably. A strong supporting pro-

gramme is screened. The box plana are at the Bristol, at the theatre and at Jacobs’s. ■ “THE CHAMP”, t ' . Continuing its run of special attractions, the next feature booked for the St, Janies Theatre is “ The Champ/’ an outstanding drama starring Wallace Beery and that clever child star, Jackie Cooper. “The Champ” is rated as one of the most striking and; , unusual stories' yet adapted to the talking screen. v REGENT THEATRE The main attraction at the Regent Theatre this week is “ Her Majesty Love, featuring Marilyn Miller and Ben Lyon. One of the most entertaining comedies seen in Dunedin for many months, ‘ Her Majesty Love” has a strong cast of accomplished actors such as Leon Errol, Ford Sterling, Chester Conklin and W. C. Fields, all thoroughly experienced in comedy roles. The story begins with a wager by Ben Lyons that he will conquer the heart of the aloof barmaid .of a Berlin cabaret. An Unusual and highly diverting' climax is evolved. The supporting pictures Are of a varied character. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol. "24 HOURS.” With a cast featuring Clive Brook, Kay Francis, Miriam Hopkins, Regis Toomey, and a number of other stage and screen performers equally talented “24 Hours,” which will open at the Regent Theatre next Friday, is destined to succeed. “24 Hours” shows how several Sle, within two 12-hour turns of the , suddenly find themselves embroiled in a dangerous situation which threatens their lives. From the moment these people' are introduced at a fashionable dinner party, to that tense moment 24 hours later, when one of the men finds himself unjustly accused of murder—with only his estranged wife willing to believe him innocent—“ 24 Hours " creates and maintains suspense with compelling effect. Not only is “24 Hours” a first-class dramatic story, but it also boasts of effective atmospheric touches, which add 1 materially to the picture’s enjoyment. KING EDWARD THEATRE Norma Shearer is featured in “ Their Own Desire,” a dramatic romance which was screened at the King Edward Theatre for the first time on Saturday. It is a story of a girl whose attitude towards life has been embittered through the lack of marital congeniality between her father and mother. Robert Montgomery plays opposite Miss Shearer and Lewis Stone, and several other well-known players are also, included in the cast. The other picture is “Men of the World,” in which William Powell plays the part of a young man whose unfortunate past has forced him to remain in exile in Paris. The story is one of gripping interest, and there is no lack of dramatic incident. Carol Lombard plays the leading feminine role. SKATING REGAL RINK. An excellent floor, artistic surroundings, good music, and courteous attendants all contribute to the success of the popular Regal Rink situated at the corner of St. Andrew and Cumberland streets. Competitions of various kinds are constantly being arranged to add to the enjoyment and interest of patrons. During the'school holidays special sessions are held morning and afternoon at the nominal charge of threepence. Free tuition in waltzing, two-stepping, barn dancing, and trick skating is given by Mr H. S. Spencer, champion skater. Hours of sessions are announced in the advertising columns of this issue.'