AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21919, 3 April 1933, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS

GRAND THEATRE All those who have seen the productions of the Tom Walls Company will be anxious to see " Leap Year," the latest comedy from the British studios, which is now being' screened at the Grand Theatre. Walls directed the production in addition to taking the principal role, and he has carried out these two important duties with outstanding success. His part is that of Sir Peter Trallion, of the Foreign Office, who wishes to have a rest from work and refuses an assignment to follow the wife of a foreign financier who is under suspicion. He finds that his friends are all out of town, but he meets a charming young woman who refuses to tell him who she is. They spend a pleasant leap year evening and part, and it is only after four years of endeavour that he is again able to meet her, the reunion taking place also on leap year's night. The fact that he is engaged to his chief's daughter does not deter him from making the most of the meeting, and the incidents which follow lead up to a suitable ending. Walls has the assistance of Ellis Jeffreys, Jeanne Stuart, Charles Carson, and Edmond Breon, who fill the other parts admirably. There is a strong supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and Bcgg's. OCTAGON THEATRE " The Vanishing Frontier," a story of early Californian days, and " 70,000 Witnesses," an intriguing mystery plot, constitute the principal attractions 'at the Octagon Theatre this week. The firstnamed production, which is said to be based on actual history, tells a colourful tale of a young man who defies law and order, and robs the rich settlers for the benefit of the poor. The second picture deals with the mystery surrounding the death of a football player in the middle of a match. The box plans are at the Bristol. ST. JAMES THEATRE " Other People's Sins," a cleverly constructed murder story, is the current attraction at the St. James Theatre. A playwright, who is deeply in love with the wife of a barrister, is killed. The barrister is required to defend a person who is accused of the cr?me, and not until the case is concluded does he learn that his wife was involved. The shock almost overcomes him, and- it is not until a further item of information is brought forward that the story reaches a satisfactory conclusion. The box plans are at the theatre, i Jacobs's, and the Bristol. EMPIRE THEATRE " The Mask of Fu Manchu," from the i. pen of Sax Rohmer, is now being shown at the Empire Theatre. The story treats of the adventures of a British Museum' expedition which sets forth into the Gobi desert to find a lost tomb, and clashes with the bloodthirsty Fu Manchu, who is engaged, in the same quest. Boris Kar16ft, as Fu Manchu, gives an admirable performance, and he is ably assisted by Karen Morley, Lewis Stone, Myrna Loy, and Jean Hersholt. There is an entertaining supporting programme. • The box plans are at the theatre and the. Bristol. . . •' SHERLOCK HOLMES." There is said to be a decided English atmosphere itt " Sherlock Holmes," the Fox picture which will be shown at the Empire Theatre on Friday. Give Brook, who plays the title role, was born' irt England, and was for many years a popular leading man in London. Miriam Jordan, appearing in the featured feminine pait, is also a native of England. Ernest Torrance comes from Scotland, and Montague Shaw, who. was born in England, is related to Prince Alfred. REGENT THEATRE With Ricardo Cortez and Irene Dunne in the most important parts, " Symphony of Six Millions," which is now being shown at the Regent Theatre, is one of the most remarkable . pictures presented at this theatre for some time. The plot is based on the desire of a young man to become a famous surgeon, and the story of the, man who sacrifices all his ideals and aspirations in order to make money to keep his family in luxury makes a pathetic but none the less gripping film. There is an entertaining programme of supports. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol. STRAND THEATRE William Boyd, has the featured role in " Carnival Boat," which heads the current programme at the Strand Theatre. This is a story of the lumber camps of the North West, and the plot is based on the estrangement between father and son which follows on the arrival of a show boat and the disturbing influence of a young woman. Some excellent scenic effects are introduced, and there is no lack of thrilling incidents. The supporting programme is a strong one. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol. "MOST DANGEROUS GAME." A society girl and a prosperous young sportsman are shipwrecked on a little island in the Caribbean Sea, where a mad Russian, Count Zaroff, engages in the spout of pursuing them with hounds and bow and arrow, lusting for the life of the one and the love of the other. The desperate fight of the young lovers through swamp and jungle, their efforts to counter-trap the hunter, and, finally, their last-minute victory over death, supply the sensational plot oi " The Hounds of Zaroff," which, in its screen form, "The Most Dangerous Game,' will be the next attraction at the Strand Theatre. KING EDWARD THEATRE Some illuminating sidelights on American justice are given in "Night Court," which was screened for the first time at the King Edward Theatre on Saturday. The picture tells an exciting and dramatic story of a young girl who accidentally becomes possessed of incriminating information about a wellknown but unscrupulous judge, and is sent to prison on a false charge to save a scandal. The production is a vivid denunciation of a system that lives by graft. In " Miss Pinkerton," which is the other film on the programme, Joan Blondell plays a part which should appeal to all who see the picture. The story is by Mary Roberts Rinehart, and a talented cast has been assembled to assist the leading player.