AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21772, 11 October 1932, Page 16

AMUSEMENTS

REGENT THEATRE Genuinely arresting and intelligent comedy is offered in the British production, “ Mr Bill the Conqueror,” which is now showing at the .Regent Theatre. It tells a simple story o£ how a young society man, who admits that he has never done anything worth while* in his'life, makes good in the face of difficulties. The story, in which Henry Kendall and Heather Angel are the principal players, is excellently told, and its numerous dramatic developments are handled with the skill which audiences now expect from British producers. Polished acting and competent production create a degree of realism that enables the picture to hold the closest attention of the audience. The supporting programme is one of special interest. The box plans are at the Bristol and the theatre.

“ BUT THE FLESH IS WEAK." Robert Montgomery has the support of two new players in Nora Gregor and Heather Thatcher in “ But the Flesh is Weak,” which will be shown at the Regent Theatre on Friday, The story, which was written by Ivor Novello as “The Truth Game,” deals with Max Clement and his father, Florian, who live and associate with the best of society on what little money that they are fortunate enough to win at the baccarat tables and at the races. They have many precarious moments, but always manage to keep smiling, with the hope that some day either one will marry a wealthy woman. The plot works up to an admirable climax. EMPIRE THEATRE Barbara Stanwyck gives a fine perfonuance in the film version of Edna Berber’s novel, “So Big,” which is having a successful run at the Empire Theatre. The theme is not an original one, but Miss Stanwyck gives a really convincing portrayal in a part \yhich make unusual demands that she is. called upon to appear first as a girl and later in the picture as a woman of advancing years. Miss Stanwyck’s part is easily the most important in the picture, and to her, in a large measure, the success of the production is due. George Brent, in the most noteworthy of the male rples, acquits himself with distinction, while mention must also be made of the acting of the child, Dickie Moore. “ So Big is definitely a picture to be enjoyed. The supporting programme, which includes musical numbers by Mr Paul Cullen, is a strong one. The box plans are at the Bristol and the-theatre. “THIS IS THE NIGHT.” Brilliant wit enlivens “This is the Night,” the comedy with music to. head the new programme at the Empire Theatre, commencing with a special midnight matinee on Thursday night. It has been enthusiastically received by critics, one of whom says: “Beginning on a note of gaiety, ‘This is the Night' never lets the audience down. Those two effectively varied comedians, Roland Young and Charles Ruggles, have probably the most amusing roles of their careers.” Another writer comments: “‘This is the Night’ seems to point the way in which screen musical comedies of the future will go. It is definitely not one of those pictures ill which various characters burst into song for no reason at all. Where music or song has been introduced it is for the purpose of lending flavour to the scene.” ST. JAMES THEATRE The leading roles in “The Misleading Lady,” which is being shown at the St. James Theatre, are taken by Edmund Lowe and Claudette Colbert. The production is a strange one of sophisticated comedy and genuinely original humour, and is possessed of a theme as unusual as it is striking. Moreover, a number of assisting artists find plenty to do in roles that are both varied and amusing. “ The Misleading Lady ” is excellent entertainment, and should not be missed during the coming week. The supporting programme is excellently balanced and covers a wide range of short subjects, including a talkartoon, which is highly diverting, some .excellent news reels, and a colour specialty. The box plans for the Week are at Jacobs’s, at the Bristol, and at the theatre. ~ “HIGH PRESSURE.” In “ High Pressure,” coming to the St. James Theatre on Friday, William Powell plays the part of a stock promoter, revealing a fine comedy talent in sharp contrast to his suave villainy. The two elements are mixed in about equal proportions. Beauty, comedy, and brains surround Mr Powell, who has for his leading women Evelyn Brent and Evelyn Knapp, and Ruth Hall, Polly Walters, Geraldine Barten, and. Shirley Chambers fill minor roles. Such comedy experts as George Sydney, Bobby Watson, Guy Kibbee. Luis Alberbi, Charles Judels, and Harry Bercsford are in the cast. OCTAGON THEATRE The Octagon Theatre. has an excellent double-feature programme this week, including “Almost Married” and ‘‘The Command Performance.” In the former Alexander Kirkland gives an extraordinary characterisation' as Capristi, a demented musician imbued with the motive of murdering the woman he loves. The portrayals by an exceptional cast of players, carefully handled by the director, give a decided touch of the genuine to a theme which is distinctly out of the ordinary. The second feature, “ The Command Performance,” is a delightfully amusing story of the courtship which a young actor is called upon to go through in place of a prince whom he very closely resembles. The complications which ensue are excruciatingly funny, and - are finally smoothed out after an amazing series of adventures on the part of the hapless hero.

CORSAIR ” AND “THE WICKHAM MYSTERY.”

Chester Morris has the leading role in “ Corsair.” a talc of rutn-runuing which will be shown at the Octagon Theatre on Friday. The other picture will be “ The Wickham Mystery.” Eve Gray and John Longden figure in the leading roles, and are supported by Lester Matthews, Wally Bosco, Walter Piers, and other wellknown British players, not forgetting “ Bob,” one of the most intelligent dogs on the screen, STRAND THEATRE The current attraction at the Strand Theatre is “ Letters of Fire,” a powerfully dramatic story of incident and excitement. The film is notable for the performance of Edward G. Robinson, as the unscrupulous editor, pursuing scandal and publishing it against his better nature. Goaded by the demands of the proprietor, the editor decides to revive the story of Nancy Vohees, who, many years before, had been declared innocent of murdering the man who betrayed her. Her daughter, who does not know of her mother’s past, is on the eve of her marriage to the scion of a wealthy family. Into their midst bursts the ghastly newspaper revelation of the past. An excellent supporting programme is also screened. The box plans arc at the theatre and the Bristol. KING EDWARD THEATRE The excellent double-feature bill at the King Edward Theatre just now includes “ Lovers Courageous ” featuring Robert Montgomery and Madge Evans, and “ The Spoilers," in which William Farnum and Tom Santschi are the principal players. In “ Lovers Courageous,” Montgomery is a struggling playwright who falls in love with the daughter of an English admiral. To break up her affair with the poor youth, the girl is hastened into a marriage with a titled barrister. However, on the eve of the wedding she elopes with the impoverished author. MOSGIEL THEATRE Thrills vie with romance in “ Riders of the Purple Sage,” the outdoor drama which will commence a season at the Mosgiel Theatre to-night. A mountain avalanche, a huge ranch destroyed by fire, a stampede of fear-maddened cattle are