AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21998, 6 July 1933, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS

£RAND THEATRE, / Excellent entertainment is to be had at the Grand Theatre this week, the principal feature of the programme being “The Man They Could Not Arrest." It is a thrilling and most unusual type of melodrama, moving swiftly, through an amazing series of incidents and action to. a most unexpected climax. The plot has been very well reproduced' on the screen, and the principal parts are all excellently handled. The story deals with the adventures of an experimental scientist who invents a remarkable means of spying on the activities of wrong-doers. By this means he is enabled to warn the police of impending raids and burglaries. His operations are discovered, however, and he is made the. subject of unwelcome attention on the part of a dangerous gang. His rooms are visited by a member of the gang, who is finally found dead there. Complications follow, and he next finds himself pursued by the police, for whom he had done so much. Finally everything turns out for the best, and there is a delightful romantic conclusion to a most exciting tale. The principal role is taken by Hugh Wakefield, who appears as “ The Ghost,” the man who finally brings about the breaking up of a dangerous gang. Garry Marsh is a police inspector, and Gordon Harker finds a great deal to do as one of the principal thugs of the gang. .The only feminine character of any importance in the production is that of the daughter of the murdered man, a role which is taken by Renee Clama very effectively. There is a good supporting programme of sound shorts, included among which is a song and dance fantasy entitled “ Toyland," in which an extraordinarily-com-petent ballet, known as the Gainsborough Girls, gives a remarkably fine display of dancing. The programme from beginning to end is well balanced and enjoyable, .and should not be missed. The box plans for the season will be found at the theatre and also at Messrs Charles Begg and Co. s. “ THE HOUSE OPPOSITE." Although Henry Kendall, star of “ The House' Opposite," a British International picture to be released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, Ltd., at the Grand Theatre to-morrow, has been on the stage since be was 1 / he has had a comparatively short career as a film star, as bis screen debut was made in 1931. Yet into that short space of time he has crowded enough bard knocks to satisfy a screen veteran. Even bis war experiences as a captain in the Royal Air Force were less hectic than his screen career. He started as a star in “The Flying Fool.” which, curiously enough, was directed by Walter Summers, the director of the present film. Jn this film be found his war experiences were particularly useful, as the story dealt largely with aviation, yet his experiences when actually in the Air Force were said to be considerably more peaceful than in the film where he battled with crooks. In ? The Flying Fool" be was required to jump into 10 teet of muddy water and dive under an iron grill; he then pursued a car by aeroplane along the Dover road after having been knocked unconscious and subsequently revived. Kendall actually flew over the required distance filming himself in the cockpit of the machine by means of an automatic camera. “The House Opposite” is no exception to the rule that Henry Kendall must receive hard knocks. As a detective investigating a series of blackmails he euiprs the mysterious house and is immediately drugged. Then he is sandbagged. changes places with a body, and is nut in a coffin, emerges from that eerie biding place, starts investigating on his own account, and immediately enters into terrific rough-and-tumble contest with the well-known “ tough " character actor Charles Farrell. In case this was not enough, the film ends when one of the blackmailers in. a fit, of madness sets file to the house, with Henry-Kendall trapped on the roof.

empire theatre “Secrets of the French Police,” which has proved a popular attraction at the Empire Theatre during the past week, will have its final; local screening, to-day. The picture is based on a gripping and dramatic story, in which a sequence ot exciting incidents are capably interpreted bv a Strong cast which includes John Warburton and the beautiful young Danish actress Gwili Andre. The featured item in an unusually interesting supporting programme is a very fine picture or Pope Pius X thanking Signor Marconi for the gift of a wireless set. The box plans are at the theatre and at the Bristol. "A SUCCESSFUL CALAMITY.” The latest in the succession of Warner Bros/ hits, “A Successful Calamity, starring George Arliss, will open at the Empire Theatre to-morrow, with the eelebrated star in the role of an American financier of international reputation who finds his millions keeping bis family away from him because of the many things they permit his wife and children to do with their time. Mary Astor, one ot the screen’s loveliest heroines, appears as the young wife of Mr Arliss, whose scads of money ” permits, her to indulge in such luxuries as befriending and subsidising young composers, redecorating the once comfortable mansion in modernistic fashion, and giving musical.es for dowagers and debutantes. The children in “ A Successful Calamity ” are portrayed by Evalyn Knapp and William Januey. The supporting cast includes such stage and screen favourites as Grant Mitchell, Fortunio Bonanova, David Torrence, Hardie Albright, Hale Hamilton, Oscar Apfel, and Randolph Scott. This occasion will mark the first appearance of the organist-vocalist Knight Barnett, late of the Prince Edward Theatre, Sydney. st. james; theatre “That Night in London." which has attracted crowded houses to the St. James Theatre during the past week will , conclude its Dunedin season to-day. Ihe story, which deals with the adventures of an unsophisticated young man in London, is brimful of incident, and in addition a delicate thread of romance is woven into the main theme. Miles Slander, Richard Danat. and Pearl Argyle are the loading players. An entertaining and varied programme of short subjects is shown. The box plans are at the theatre, at Jacobs’s, and at the Bristol. “DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND.” The new attraction at the St. James Theatre to-morrow will be “ Diamond Cut Diamond.” a new British feature released bv Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer. Claude Alhster, famous English “haw-haw” comedian with the monocle, is cast as Joe Fragson, a super-crook. Bonita flume, one”of the most talented of England s screen stars, again gives an excellent performance, Her role as. a girl crook, Marda Blackett, who makes her fellow-law-breakers of the male sex look like amateurs, is very cleverly done. Kenneth Cove, who will be remembered for his inimitable comedy work in Mischief, is again up to all his tricks, and is extremely funny. The remainder of the cast is adequately ailed by Desmond Jeans G B. Mnuetta. Phillip Strange, Tom Bruce, and Adolphe Menjoii. The story deals with two super-crooks who, stranded in the South Seas without a penny are “ forced ” to steal a valuable pearl ’from a native to get their .passage monev to England. On arrival m London thev continue their life of crime, anil during one of their escapades they; are forced to hide a diamond necklace ini a young woman’s handbag and later discover that the young lady is also of their profession. However, she hoodwinks them properly, and. in a very tunny climax, she has them arrested and sent to gaoi, while she takes t ‘ well-earned

holiday to another country with the spoils of her own work and those of the two men. REGENT THEATRE , “ Dangerously Yours ” is the current feature at the Regent Theatre, and it has been very popular during the past few days. The principal players are Warner Baxter and Miriam Hopkins, both of whom have interesting roles which suit their special abilities perfectly. The story is a good one, and tells of the complications which arise when a jewel thief falls in love with a girl whose work it is to guard certain jewels on behalf of an insurance company. There is an excellent supporting programme of short subjects, and the box plans will be found at the theatre and at the Bristol. “ EVENINGS FOR SALE.” Coming to-morrow to the Regent Theatre, “ Evenings For Sale ” is a Viennese romance set to the melodies of Strauss. Only Vienna of “The Merry Widow ” could make romance sparkle, laughter bubble, and love live with such abandon. The picture is worked out in the clever, impertinent style of “Love Me To-night ” and other recent musical films, the story being told not .alone by words, but by music and tricky camera effects. It deals with the love affairs of a penniless (Viennese nobleman and the daughter of a nouveau-riche middle-class family, complicated by the presence on the scene of an American widow whose bank roll is exceeded only by her naivete. Herbert Marshall, London stage favourite, who secured a phenomenal success in that great Ernst Lubitseh production, “Trouble in Paradise,” is excellently cast as Count Von Degenthal, the im : poverished Viennese noblemau. San Maritza, exotic English beauty, who gave an outstanding performance as Anya in “ Forgotten Commandments,” is ably cast in the role of Lcla Fischer. Charlie Ruggles, best remembered by film “ fans ’ for his inebriated roles in a number of films, is cast as comical Bimfcl. STRAND THEATRE “ Payment Deferred ” has attracted a lot of attention at the Strand Theatre since it commenced its season there last Friday. It is a grim and realistic story of the retribution which overtook a man who thought he had successfully got away with murder. He evades detection in one instance, but pays the penalty finally for a crime which he did not commit. The principal player is Charles Laughton, who gives a powerfully effective rendering of the central figure of the story.'Maureen O’Sullivan has the leading feminine role. The box plans for the season are at the theatre and at the Bristol.

“ SMOKE LIGHTNING.” A romance of the modern “West,” where, it is claimed, as much adventure as the “bad old days” bad to offer can still be found, is “ Smoke Lightning,” with George O’Brien in the starring role, which will be shown at the Strand Theatre to-morrow. The action and excitement that distinguish the western star’s offerings are amply supplied in this up-to-date tale of an adventurous cowpunclier who attempts to protect an orphan girl’s heritage from a band of outlaws. His efforts involve 4 ' him in plenty of adventures, including a thrilling battle along the top of a racing express train, and the director has woven much delightful comedy into the film. Some of the locales are surprisingly beautiful and included with the dramatic quality, the pictorial aspects make this picture exceptional. A distinctive note of novelty is added in (he person of nine-year-old Betsy King Ross, a daring little rodeo queen from Texas, whoso feats of horsemanship make her work i.i the role of the orphan girl memorable as well as absorbing. Nell O’Day as the charming heroine, Frank Atkinson as O’Brien's

humorous pa!, and Morgan Wallace as the crooked sheriff, all play their parts excellently. The story is an adaptation ot Zane Grey’s novel, “ Canyon Walls. OCTAGON THEATRE To-day will provide, the final opportunity of witnessing “ Looking on the Bright Side,” which for the past week has been the principal attraction on the bill at the Octagon Theatre. The talented English comedienne, Gracie lields, has the leading role, and among the supporting cast are such well-known players as Richard Dolman, Wyn Richmond, and Julian Rose. There is an interesting programme of supports. The box plans are at the theatre and at the Bristol. “DESTINATION UNKNOWN.” A motion picture without an “ extra ” or a “bit. player.” This describes “ Destination Unknown,” the Universal drama of a rum-running shin adntt at sea, coming to-morrow to the Octagon Theatre, with Pat O’Brien and Ralph Bellamy in featured roles. There are 14 players in the picture, and each one of these plays an important part in the unfolding of the story, Except tor those 14. there is not another person seen during the entire course of the picture. In addition to O’Brien and Bellamy, the cast includes Betty Compson, Russell Hopton, Tom Brown, Alan Hale, Kollo Lloyd, Stanley Fields. Richard Alexander, Noel Madison, Willard Robertson, George Regas Charles Middleton, and Forrester Harvey “ Destination Unknown, directed by Tay Garnett, tells a dramatic story of regeneration, with every scene of the drama laid aboard, the rum-runner Prince Rupert, adrift in the Pacific following a terrific storm in the tropics, ihe supporting feature will be “The Sport of a Nation.” KING EDWARD THEATRE The feature of the present programme at the King Edward Theatre is “ The Penguin Pool Murder,” an exciting melodrama with a great deal of highly original and amusing detective work in it. Edna May Oliver. Robert Armstrong, James Gleason, and Mae Clark are the principal players in the drama which commences with the finding of a man’s body in an aquarium and the final apprehension of the murderer in most exciting circumstances. There is an excellent supporting programme.

“ Huia ” '.a an Otago butler, and is the finest flavoured in New Zealand.—Advt. An insurance company in Loudon received n claim under a personal accident policy from a girl living in Streatbam, a suburb of London. She asked for benefit on the ground that two of her ribs bad become interlocked. How did it happen? A fortnight before they were to be married her fiance embraced her so strongly that two of her ribs became interlocked. The insurance company paid.