AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21994, 1 July 1933, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS

GRAND THEATRE “ The Man They Could Not Arrest " had its first screenings at the Grand Theatre yesterday. It is an exciting, fast-moving melodrama of crooks and gangs and revolvers and staggering electrical installation which suggest all sorts of means for assisting the search for wrong-doers. The story is one long succession of thrilling occurrences, deriving their chief attraction from the excellent manner in which they are hung together in a surprisingly coherent tale. All manner of probabilities are outraged in the fantastic plot, but that will not worry audiences who look for excitement and the ultimate victory of the hero over the hordes of desperadoes who are “out to get him.” Police officers, burglars, murderers, “ squealers,” a butler or two and, of course, a ravishing young lady, move in quick succession over the generous dramatic canvas which the producers have provided, and the result is highly diverting entertainment. “ The Man They Could Not Arrest ” is one of those full-blooded, unashamed melodramas which suit_ the sound screen so well, and as such it is sure to be very popular during the coming week. Hugh Wakefield makes a very impressive freelance sleuth, working entirely alone in the breaking up of a desperate gang of crooks. As the mysterious “ ghost,” who warns the police about all the great coups of a certain gang before they are properly started he succeeds in drawing a very convincing portrait, and later as the Nemesis of the murderer of his fiance’s father he gives a vigorously life-like performance. Gordon Harker, back from his digressions as a bus conductor and participant in musical comedy, finds his real metier once more as a member of the gang of crooks. All hie little mannerisms of speech and gesture suit him so much better in these rqleg than in the less rugged parts into which he has lately been pushed. Garry Marsh makes a very convincing police inspector, and is suitably domineering and tempestuous as the man who never seems to be able to “get there” without the help of the “Ghost.” Robert Farquharson, as the arch-criminal, the head of the gang who works from behind closed doors so carefully guarded that the very idea of forcing an entry reduces his confederates to a state bordering on nervous prostration, does all that is required of him very well, Nicholas Hannan, the pseudo sharebroker, who is really a crack burglar, and who finally gets himself murdered, does some very good work. The feminine interest of the story is well sustained by Renee Clama, a player who will probably be new to most of those who see her next week. She. is a very personable type of actress, however, and one who has a style all her own. Her performance certainly adds to the distinction of the production. The supporting programme of short subjects is a good one, including among other features another instalment of Kine magazine and “ Toyland,” a delightful fantasy of song and dance, which is as unusual as it is acceptable. The box plans are the theatre and at Begg’s. REGENT THEATRE Whatever type of picture may appeal to the individual, it would be difficult to gather together an audience which will not like and appreciate a good romance. “ Dangerously Yours,” which is the new attraction at the Regent Theatre, must be described as the most entertaining comedy-romance seen on a Dunedin screen for a long time. Warner Baxter is cast as a society crook, and Miriam Jordan is seen as an insurance company’s detective in a story which commences brightly and continues to be bright through every foot of film. The girl sets a trap for the man, but he outwits her and takes her away in a yacht, escaping retribution only to fall a victim to the charms of his captive. The acting is never at fault, and the reproduction leaves nothing to be desired The feature of the “ shorts ” is a Rathe news reel, which depicts, among other things, the running of the 1933 Grand National, the photography being extremely clever, particularly in regard to the “shooting” of the jumps. The attempted assassination of President Roosevelt at Florida is also featured. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol. EMPIRE THEATRE Founded on an unusual plot and pro-, duced with a dramatic realism that makes it one of the most thrilling mystery stories yet filmed here, “ Secrets of the French police,” opened its Dunedin season yesterday at the Empire, Theatre. The legend that the youngest daughter of the Czar of Russia escaped to Paris after the massacre of the Russian Royal Family-forms the basis of the theme of the story, and a deftly-woven sequence of events reveals a plot whereby a French flower girl under the influence of hypnosis becomes the tool of a gang of international plotters which is attempting to obtain a huge sura of money held in trust for the heirs of the dead Czar. John Warburton, a newcomer to the screen, and Gwili Andre, the beautiful young Danish actress, have been entrusted with the leading roles. An unusually varied and, entertaining programme of short subjects precedes the main picture, a particularly interesting feature being a unique picture depicting Pope Pius X tendering thanks to Signor Mussolini for his gift of a wireless apparatus to the Vatican. The box plans are at the theatre and at the Bristol. OCTAGON THEATRE Probably the most arresting feature of “Looking on the Bright Side,” which is the new attraction at the Octagon Theatre, is the musical side of the picture, the many bright and tuneful song numbers being attractively presented by the famous English variety stage star, Grade Fields. Not only does Miss Fields handle the songs with every success, but she also plays a rather difficult part in a manner that must call for general admiration. “ Looking on the Bright Side ” is a truly delightful production which enables Miss Fields to display every side of her mariy faceted stage personality and in eVery mood—grave, gay, or romantic —she carries out her work with that whole-hearted sincerity which has contributed in a large measure to her remarkable popularity. Richard Dolman, Julian Rose, and Wyn Richmond head the supporting cast, which is also responsible for some excellent work. The chief item on the supporting programme is a delightful travelogue picture, and there is also an attractive news gazette. The box plans ara at the theatre and the Bristol. ST. JAMES THEATRE The story of a young Englishman who, after working for same years in a Provincial town, adopts drastic measures to gratify his desire to sample life in London, and of the adventures which he has there, is told in “That Night in London,” which heads the programme at the St. James Theatre. Presented by a strong cast and ably produced, it is a film which keeps interest at a high pitch, for it depicts a series of exciting events that occur mainly in a night club, the resort of men who have little respect for the law, Dick Warren, the dissatisfied young man who answers the call of London, soon finds himself in the hands of people who are scheming to obtain the large sum ot money which he carries, and the audience is in constant fear for its safety. Ihe rash act which sets him on the road to London, however, also leads up to a charming romance. The principal players are Pearl Argyle, Robert Donat, and Miles Hander, all of whom give finished performances, The. supporting programme one of considerable interest, and includes “ Land of My Fathers, a musical item of unusual merit. The box plans are at the theatre, the Bristol, and Jacobs’s. STRAND THEATRE “ Be sure your sin will find you out seems to be'the principle of Payment Deferred,” the new attraction at the Strand Theatre. This film tells the grim and graphic story of a man. who committed a great crime and then paid the penalty for one which he did not commit. Charles Laughton has the principal role, and, in fact, dominates the film from beginning to end by the striking effectiveness and vigorous reality of his portrayal. He acts every minute, of the long story, ami never at any time descends to overacting, and if parts of the tale his characterisation tells are a trifle harrowing this is simply the result of his sunci’b acting. Maureen O’Sullivan,

as the daughter of the house, and Veree Teadale, as the wife, have the principal supporting parts, and they both acquit themselves with more than usual distinction. The supporting programme is a good one, and includes a well-selected collection of Paramount shorts, among which may be mentioned the appearance in a comedy number of the Singing Boxer and the very excellent screen melody feature, "Dinah,” in which the' Four Mills Brothers appear. The box plans are at the theatre and at the Bristol. KING EDWARD THEATRE The leading roles in “ Stranger In Town,” which wijl be the principal attraction at the King Edward Theatre today, are taken by “ Chic ” Sale, Ann Dvorak, David Manners, Noah Beery, and Raymond Hatton. The plot gives a touch of novelty as far as Sale is concerned, for it opens in the covered wagon days when, as a young pioneer, he drops out of the wagon train to start the town which later contains his general store. In this sequence the audience sees, for the first time, Sale without his make-up and as his own natural self. But the bulk of the picture is laid in the present time where' Sale, aged and bewhiskered, is town postmaster and owner of the only grocery store in town. On the same train on which his granddaughter returns from college is a young man who was sent out to start a chain of . grocery store branch in opposition to Sale. To complicate matters, the two young people fall in love, thus throwing impediments in the way of the fight which ensues between the two stores. The other feature is “If I Had a Million” in which the stars are Gary Cooper, George Raft, Wynne Gibson, Charles Laughton, Jack Oakie, Frances Dee, Charlie Buggies, Alison Skipworth, W. C. Fields, Mary Boland, Roscoe Karns, May Robson, Gene Raymond, Lucien Littlefield, and Richard Bennett. SKATING MURRAY’S RINK. Good attendances during the past week have been the rule at Murray’s Skating Rink. Several novelty events have been arranged for to-night. A hockey match will be played, and the second heat of the Men’s Half-mile Race will be decided. Next Saturday a hockey match will be played between Murray’s and a Canterbury team. REGAL RINK. The feature of the week at the Regal Rink has been the large number of learners, both old and young. A staff of obliging attendants has been kept busy. Hours of sessions will be found in the advertising columns.