AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21951, 12 May 1933, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS

GRAND THEATRE Another outstanding British production, "In a Monastery Garden," will begin at the Grand Theatre to-day. In its tale ot brotherly devotion and sacrifice it is said to hold onlookers spellbound. Concerning its recent Wellington presentation, the Dominion stated: "Both in theme and in presentation 'ln a Monastery Garden ' is again a tribute to British film technique and acting. Though in reality the scene of the story never moves from the chapel of an Italian monastery, it embraces a breadth of changing vistas that give the picture a distinct note. The main portion of the film deals with a story unfolded by a young man, Paul Ferrier, to the abbot of the monastery, and it is through this story that the action of the play takes place. It is a theme in which characterisation is ot vital importance, and the able cast, led by Joan Maude and John Stuart, gives a performance which maintains the high English standard of presentation. The melodv that has thrilled millions with its music, "In a Monastery Garden, provides the haunting background to a story that is magnetic and inspiring, and intensely human. On the same programme will appear a domestic comedy which is chock full of bright moments, and which marks the reappearance of the famous English comedy team, Sydney Howard anil Nelson Keys, who created such a furore in their ■ first all-talking Picture, "Splinters." In "Almost a Divorce, Sydnev Howard gives another or his inimitable studies as an inebriated bachelor who is sober only while he is asleep. Margery Binner, one of the most beautiful giris appearing in English pictures, occupies an important role.

ST. JAMES THEATRE The novel expedient of marrying off all the eligible young ladies in his circle to his friends in order to outwit his grandmother, who has offered him the choice between marrying and having his allowance stopped, is adopted by the principal figure in "Wedding Rehearsal, the British farce which will head the new bill of fare at the St. James Theatre today. In this development an important figure is Miss Hutchison, a self-effacing young lady who has long worshipped him from afar. With Roland Young, as irresistibly droll as ever, in the part of Lord Buckminster, the smart dialogue ot Arthur Wimperis is heard to excellent effect, the other players admirably following his lead. George Grossmith is in fine fettle as the pompous Lord Stokeshire, father of the.twins, and Lady Iree is his wife. Kate Cutler plays Lord Buckminster's grandmother, and Wendy Barrie and Joan Gardner are the twins. The featuret'tes will include "Santa's Workshop" (a Silly Symphony in colour), newsreels, etc. REGENT THEATRE " Salomy Jane*," the new Fox romance, featuring Charles Farrell, Joan Bennett, and Ralph Bellamy in the principal roles, will open at the Regent Theatre to-day. It is a stirring tale of the California mining camps based on the Bret Harte story, "Salomy Jane's Kiss." The story hmges on the tempestuous romance between a madcap mountain girl and a Virginian youth who has trailed his sister's betrayer to the Californian Sierras soon after the Civil War. The efforts of the girls other suitors to attract her interest, the meeting with the stranger, his shooting of his enemy, the hold-up of a stagecoach, the forming of a viligance posse, the capture of the stranger the girl's fruitless endeavours to save him from hanging, his escape, and the rapid series of crises that form the climax. Not only do Farrell and Miss Bennett portray very different characterisations from the roles they have heretofore presented on the screen, but the realism and colour of the period, together with the setting among the giant trees of Sequoia National Park, are all said to make the picture something out of the ordinary.

OCTAGON THEATRE Owing to the successful season experienced by " The Kid From Spain " at the Regent Theatre, the management of the Octagon Theatre has decided to secure the picture for an extended season in this city. Patrons of the Octagon Theatre will, therefore, have the oppor; tunity of seeing "The Kid From Spain for a further week, commencing to-day. The story, which keeps the interest at a high tension throughout, tells of a young man who becomes unwillingly involved in a bank robbery and is compelled to nee to Mexico, where he meets' with a number of adventures. Cantor gives a fine performance in a role which demands a good deal of difficult acting. Among other things, he is called on to play the part of Don Sebastian, the champion bull-fighter of Spain, and here his antics are unusually mirth-provoking. The picture includes a number of striking dance ensembles, which are executed with that precision, coupled with grace and beauty, associated with all productions staged by Samuel Goldwyn. Cantor receives the support of a capable cast, to whom much of the success of the film is due. EMPIRE THEATRE' Fun, fast and furious, Marie Dressier and Polly Moran as rival mothers-in-law doing hectic battle, hilarious adventures in a small town, and a leavening of drama —all are woven into "Prosperity, which will be shown at the Empire Theatre today. From the moment the two comediennes start battling over the married lives of their grown children until the dramatic sacrifice of the redoubtable Marie in the denouement of the plot the picture moves rapidly, and laugh piles on laugh. Miss Dressier and Miss Moran are their blustering, battling selves through many a side-splitting "gag," and then a dramatic twist puts them to some very real acting, from which they emerge more than triumphant. The battle of three rival Santa Clauses on Christmas night and other diverting details are all vivid " highlights " in a fine entertainment. An excellent supporting programme has been arranged, and the winning exhibit of chrysanthemums by Messrs Doodeward and Son will be on display in the foyer. STRAND THEATRE •' White Zombie," said to be one of the eeriest and most fantastic stories ever pictured for the screen, will be seen at the Strand Theatre to-day. It tells of the occult practices in Haiti? in which, by processes of sorcery, dead bodies arc dug from their graves and put to work as slaves. Rumours have been teaching the outside world for years of these sinister practices, and now, for the first time, light is thrown upon them by a screen presentation. The story of " White Zombie " is based upon personal observation in Haiti by writers and research workers, and, fantastic as it sounds, its entire substance is said to be based upon fact. Bela Lngosi, who came into prominence with his stage and screen creation of Count Dracula in " Dracula, has the principal role in this picture. Madge Bellamy, who retired from the screen two years ago in order to devote her time to stage work, returns to the screen in the principal feminine role. Joseph Cawthorn also plays one of the principal roles. KING EDWARD THEATRE it is generally recognised that one of the most popular pictures George Arliss has made so far is " The Man Who Played God," and this is being borne out by the large audiences which are attending the showing of the film at the King Edward Theatre at present. Tn the role of Royale, the musician, Arliss is seen at his very best, and lie gives a characterisation that is remarkable for its dignity and dramatic power. He is accorded excellent support by the remainder of the cast, which is headed by Violet Iteming and Bette Davis.