AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21784, 25 October 1932, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS

EMPIRE THEATRE "The Sentimental Bloke," this week's principal /attraction at the Empire Theatre, is in every way a fine example of Australian enterprise. The accomplished acting of Cecil Scott in the name part of the film is a delight, and the appealing character of Doreen finds perfect interpretation at the hands of Ray Fisher. Ginger Mick, played by Tal Ordell, is an amusing character, and the entire cast joins iu a version of this popular colonial tale that cannot fail to please. The supporting programme has special attraction for local audiences by reason of the appearance of George Wallace, and Mr Paul Cullen at the organ provides another feature in a programme that gives full measure. The box plans are at the Bristol and at the theatre.

" WHILE PARIS SLEEPS." Victor M'Laglen plays one of the most brilliant parts of his long career in "While Paris Sleeps," which will be shown at the Empire on Friday. Paris tells its secrets in this remarkable story —a story of the terrible tropics, ot a French Guiana convict settlement, a dramatic escape, and the torture chambers of the underworld of Paris. Victor M'Laglen deserts his'usual uniformed or heavy-lover characterisations to depict the devoted father of an innocent young girl thrown alone in the streets of Paris. There is much exciting detail in the story which tells of the return of an escaped convict to Paris to rescue his daughter from an apache gang. Helen Mack, a new leading lady, who has been hailed by American critics as a screen discovery, plays the part of the daughter, and opposite her is William Bakewell as Gascon, the devoted lover.

OCTAGON THEATRE Two entertaining pictures, "The Expert" and "Steady Company," form this week's double bill at the Octagon Theatre. Chic Sale, the featured player, has a great asset in his peculiar style of humour, and the other important role is taken by Dickie Moore, a child actor, who f gives a very appealing performance. In "Steady Company," the story of a truck driver who wins fame as a prize-fighter, the characterisations of Zasu Pitts and Henry Armetta are very entertaining, and a charming romance is carried on by Norman Foster and June Clyde. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol.

"DANCERS IN THE DARK" AND "FORBIDDEN ADVENTURE."

In her latest Paramount picture, "Dancers in the Dark," which is one of the Octagon Theatre features for next Friday, Miss Miriam Hopkins progresses from a sophisticated, "wise-cracking," loose-minded dance hall hostess, to a contemplative, determined, 6elf-respecting woman, hopeful of meriting the affection of the man she loves. About some men she was giddy. About others she was serious. Serious enough to risk her life for the favour of their eyes. Sooner or later she had to decide between trifling and love. The other picture, "Forbidden Adventure," treats in a humorous manner of the rise from mediocrity of two women, Edna May Oliver and Louise Fazenda, and their respective offspring—Mitzi Green and Jackie Searl.

STRAND THEATRE Undoubtedly one of the most amusing films seen in Dunedin for some time is "Innocents of Chicago," which is now being screened at the Strand Theatre. The leading figure in the story is Mr Henry Kendall, who inherits a milk company in Chicago, and is sublimely ignorant that with the advent of prohibition the organisation of the company has been employed as a means of distributing illicit liquor. Ihe Englishman emerges with a fiancee and the satisfaction of seeing the gangsters engaged in internal war. There is an excellent supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol. . "COCK OF THE AIR." / "Cock of the Air," a comedy, with Chester Morris and BUlie Dove in the leading roles, will be the next attraction at the Strand Theatre. The story deals with the reckless and romantic pranks of a wartime aviator, who finally meets his Waterloo at the hands of a beautiful Parisian girl. Others in the cast include Matt Moore, Yola D'Avril, and Walter Catlett. There will be a strong supporting programme.

St. JAMES THEATRE "As You Desire Me," the feature picture at the St. James Theatre, lias the brilliant Greta Garbo in the leading role. In the role of Zara, the cafe singer, crazed with her 10 years'experience of the war and its uftermath', Miss Garbo is outstanding. There are others in the, cast whose work in most pictures would be outstanding, but the Swedish actress overshadows them all. Additional interest is lent to the picture by the fact that it is the last which Greta Garbo made before going into that mysterious retirement in the countryside of her native land. In addition to the main feature, there is a strong supporting programme. The box plans are at the Bristol, Jacobs's, and the theatre.

"THE INDISCRETIONS OF EVE." Love at first sight amidst the hectic revels of a New Year's Eve and the complications of the " morning after " are the main ingredients of "The Indiscretions of Eve," which comes to the St. James Theatre on Friday next. The hero and heroine vainly endeavour to locate each other, but without effect, until the former discovers a wax model of his secret passion in a shop window. His experiences in the factory where the models are made and the lovers eventual reunion provide a hilarious and fantastic finale. Haunting lyrics were specially composed for the film by the director, Cecil Lewis, and these are rendered by Steffi Duna, the charming little Hungarian dancer, and Fred Conyngham, the son of the wellknown actor-manager, George Conyngham. Fred Conyngham has played leading roles in such plays as " Goose for the Gander and " The Last of Mrs Cheney " with Dion Boucicault and Irene Vanbrugh, the leading players, while Teddy Brown and Marius B. Winter's Orchestra provide a musical background. REGENT THEATRE

"Lily Christine," with Corinne Griffith in the principal role, is the leading attraction on the current bill at the Regent Theatre. Colin Clive, as Robert Harvey, acquits himself with that serene confidence and distinction which characterised his performance in "Journey's End," and Margaret Bannerman makes a profound impression in a striking part which suits her perfectly. The floral decorations from the garden of Mr F. G. Duncan give a touch of softness and restfulness to foyer and front which are both delightful and novel. A unique feature of the performance last evening was the appearance pn the stage of Miss Kathleen Court, the noted beauty specialist, who gave an interesting chat on her experiences at Hollywood, recounting, during the course of her talk, several interesting anecdotes of wellknown screen stars with whom she is personally acquainted. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol.

Ruth Chattel-ton's latest production, "The Rich Are Always With Us," will be screened at the Regent Theatre on Friday. In spite of her love for Julian Tierney, a successful author, portrayed by George Brent, Miss Chatterton fears to marry again, because of her previous painful experience. She has, moreover, a motherly interest in her former husband which time and again nearly disrupts her love for the author. A surprise climax gives the story an added fillip, all the more interesting because of its novelty and surprise. The story is set against a background of wealth rarely seen on the screen. The characters represent the most idle and irresponsible class of people in the country, constantly seeking pleasure in a mad round of pointless activity. There is a strong supporting cast. KING EDWARD THEATRE The feature of the programme which is now being screened at the King Edward Theatre is "Hell Divers," in which Wal-

lace Beery and Clark Gable are the principal players. Like a silver thread, through the spectacles and excitement, runs a story ot love, heroism, and sacrifice. There is the love of the grizzled veteran, played by Beery, and the Panama dive-keeper, played by Marjorie Rambeau, that actually has something heroic in it. There is the sacrifice and the struggle between the ideals of the old and the new navy.- -There will be a strong supporting programme.