AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21831, 19 December 1932, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

. OCTAGON THEATRE “The Bargain,” which heads this week’s bill at the Octagon Theatre, tells of Maitland and Nancy White, whp have a growu-up son, Ricky, who wishes to abandon the career mapped out lor him by his parents for marriage and a job in a soap factory. How the wife succeeds in making her husband happy in his cherished hobby, how Ricky’s sweetheart sacrifices her ideas of marriage for his career, and how everything eventually conies right, makes a very'human and enjoyable picture. Charles Butterworth, the solemn comedian, is at his best as the friend of the family who tries to set things right, and Una Merkel also gives an admirable portrayal of her part. A strong supporting programme is shown. The box plans are at the theatre and tiie Bristol. REGENT THEATRE “Bird of Paradise” has already attracted more than usual attention at the Regent Theatre, and promises to prove ode of the most popular productions seen here for many weeks. It has for its locale an island in the South Seas, and as one enters the theatre the atmosphere is immediately impressed on one by the manner in which the lobby and foyer have been decorated. The fresh green palms and scenic effects have been expertly arranged, and the result cannot fa.il to meet with general approval. Dolors del' Rio is the heroine of the story, and playing opposite her is Joel M'Crea, whose name is not so well known to Dunedin theatre-goers, but who is undoubtedly in the first rank of motion picture actors. Though it is some time since Miss del Rio has been seen here, she will not have been forgotten, for her work in some of her earlier productions has been of outstanding quality, and it is not exaggerating to say that her portrayal of Luana, the “ tabu ” native girl, places her upon a higher plane than ever before. M'Crea has the role of Johnny Baker, whose coming to the island gives birth to. unrest in the heart of Luana, and his work is not a whit less impressive than that of Miss del Rio. The supporting programme is an excellent one. including news gazettes, a Sportlight feature, and other short subjects. The box plans are at the theatre and at the Bristol.

ST. JAMES THEATRE Featuring Mary Newcomb, Owen Nares, and Edmund Gwenn, “ Frail Women," this week’s principal attraction at the St. Janies Theatre, conveys a striking indictment of the barriers that are always being erected against rebels against convention. No one does better work than Mary Newcomb, who plays a very difficult part with polish and distinction. She presents the poignancy and intenstiy of the woman in the story with a conviction that cannot fail to excite admiration. Owen Nares, Edmund Gwenn, and an excellent supporting cast combine to make an outstanding film of a production which will be remembered for its courage and its original flavour. The defects which exist in the social system at the present tine are pilloried in a most competent manner, and geniune entertainment is the result. There ;is .an excellent supporting programme of short subjects. The box plans are, as usual, at the theatre, at the Bristol, and at Jacobs’s. “HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS.” All theatre-goers in Dunedin will remember the nights of uproarious entertainment provided for them a year or two ago by the “ king of comedians,” George Wallace. On the Fuller circuit he established records that were never equalled, and now he is to return to all old friends through the medium of his first full-length musical comedy picture, “ His Royal Highness,” which will open at the St. James Theatre on Friday next. EMPIRE THEATRE i Buster Keaton, at the head of a strong cast, is seen in the leading role of “ Speak Easily,” which occupies pride of place on the current bill at the Empire Theatre. The action of the production is extremely fast, and laughs follow one another in very rapid succession ns the two comedians perform madcap antics during a wild theatrical venture in New York city. The two comedians are assisted in their antics by Ruth Selwyn and Thelma Todd. An excellent programme of short subjects has been chosen to accompany the big picture, and Mr Cullen provides.an enjoyable musical interlude.' The box plans are at the theatre and - the Bristol.

“BRING 'EM BACK ALIVE.” An unusual motion picture of savage beasts in action will, be shown at the Empire Theatre next Friday. It is “ Bring ’Em Back Alive,” visualising the adventures of Frank Buck in fetching the largest and most ferocious wild beasts from the jungle to the zoos of the world. The picture shows, among other events, a stalking, preying, frothing female tiger cut a tiny baby elephant off from its mother. The baby pachyderm is no higher from the ground than a medium-sized police dog. Still whimpering for its mother’s milk, it senses danger. Its miniature trunk trumpets an S.O.S. for mamma. The tiger, relentless, tireless, intent on the kill, lopes along. The wee elephant runs this way and that. It turns, it scampers to the brush wild with terror while the tiger enemy trails it with drooling tongue and bared fangs. But Frank Buck is there with a long-bar-relled rifle. A careful, easy, well-timed shot brings the tiger down. The more dynamic portions of “ Bring ’Em Back Alive ” show actual combats between tigers and pythons, crocodiles, panther, and water buffalo. STRAND THEATRE / ■ - - “ Sinners in the Sun ” is the new film at the Strand Theatre this week. It tells a vivid story of the problems, longings, and temptations of an attractive working girl —a girl who thought she could follow the dictates of her mind, instead of her heart. The background of the production pictures the hectic gaiety of the reckless rich. And through it all is an undercurrent of love that will not die, an emotion that will not be subdued. “ Sinners in the Sun ” introduces a cast of brilliant screen personalities, among them being Carole Lombard, Chester Morris, Adrienne Ames, and Alison Skipworth. Carols Lombard is known as a most attractive and talented star, and wins fresh laurel* in this entertaining romance, while Chester Morris give a particularly forceful performance. An excellent supporting programme is also screened. The box plans arc-: at the theatre and the Bristol. “ DOWN TO EARTH.” Will Rogers creates something of a screen innovation in “ Down To Earth,” his latest Fox Films vehicle, by combining for the first time his hilariolis_ but significant views on the economic situation with a pure comedy story. As a result the picture, which opens next Friday at the Strand Theatre, is said to be the most entertaining one the noted humourist has yet made. Irene Rich, Dorothy Jordan, and Matty Kemp head the supporting cast.

KING EDWARD THEATRE The feature of the current programme at the King Edward Theatre is “ The Magnificent Lie,” starring Ruth Chatterton. It comes as a new addition to the list of outstanding Chatterton dramas. It introduces Stuart Erwin in a role in which his. laugh-making talents are turned to dramatic importance. It brings forward a new leading man, Ralph Bellamy, recently a Broadway star. As a girl of doubtful character, hungry for honest love, Ruth Chatterton has a great opportunity to portray an interesting woman character. The girl, a cabaret entertainer, impersonates the romantic ideal of a visionary boy Her masquerade, starting with a gay wager, becomes tragically realistic. The setting of “The Magnificent Lie." New Orleans, is important to the development of the story, because the swift change of feeling that takes place is typical of the spirit of that southern city.