AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22024, 5 August 1933, Page 20

AMUSEMENTS

GRAND THEATRE Those who saw the initial showing of “ Rich and Strange ” at the Grand Theatre y'esterday were provided with entertainment of nnusual type. The producers of this film have departed from the accepted tradition with “ talkies ” in providing a background which is continually shifting, and in introducing a story which is of such a nature that the need for dialogue is restricted to the barest minimum. The result is that “ Rich and Strange ” resembles closely a certain class of silent picture. It is not to be imagined that the producers have been content with a technique which was in vogue four or five years ago or that the picture is in any way out of date. Nevertheless, it is, a.s has been said, a distinct departure from the usual run of “ talkies.” The theme for the story is introduced by a letter which arrives for a young London couple informing them that they have received from an uncle a sum of money which wall enable them to indulge in their pas- 1 sion for travel. With the highest hopes and a serene confidence that they were meant to be world travellers they set out on a tour which embraces Paris, the Mediterranean, the Near and the Far East. Their confidence

is somewmat sn altered ny me onannei crossing, when the husband at least comes to appreciate the merit that lies in a handy basin. Their experiences in the gay capital of France are more than a little amusing, and they are very properly shocked at the lighter amusement of the French people. This portion of the picture has been very well done, and the audience cannot fail to be diverted by tbe unsteady and not over successful efforts of the pair to reach their bedx-oom after having partaken not wisely but too well of a French cocktail. From Marseilles the now less ingenuous pair embarked on a Mediterranean voyage in one of the big eastern liners, and from her decks they see some of the wonders of travel through the most historic of seas. They land, and the audience is able to follow them in their wanderings through the native quarters of such towns as Suez and Port Said. Unexpected comT)li nation a arisf- hr EHa vprulT of

infatuation which both experience for fellow-passengers, and, although one is never able to feel convinced that this is very real, the succeeding events are interesting enough. Something of an anticlimax is introduced, when the wife, who has been on the point of running away ' with another man, changes her mind and returns to the boat and her husband to find that he is about to depart with a charming foreign princess who is in reality a common adventuress. In some manner, they manage to patch up what most people would imagine to be a hopelessly shattered romance, and they continue their voyage. The remainder of the film is taken up with the telling of the manner in which the boat on which they are travelling is involved in a collision during a fog, and husband and wife are left as the only two living people on board. Eventually they are rescued by a

vnmtw jumt, ana succeeu in getting back to their home in London, a sadder —but it does not appear a wiser—oouple_, once more to commence their bickerings and the common round of their life. In the leading feminine role, Joan Barry is responsible for the main burden of the acting, while playing opposite her is Henry Kendall. These two give satisfactory portrayals, but chief honours must go to Percy" Marmont, who is cast as Commander Gordon, the man with whom the young wife (Joan Barry) falls in love during the Mediterranean voyage. He is entirely convincing, and brings to the part a genuine distinction, which gives it a stamp of its own. Elsie Randolph is also more than usually successful as an inquisitive and untiring spinster belonging to the type apparently created for the solo purpose of thwarting love’s young dream. The supporting programme is of more than average merit. It includes several informative and entertaining gazettes, in addition to a short film dealing with the growth of the opium poppy and the manner in which it is prepared for smoking. The photography in this reaches a remarkably high standard, and the film is well worth seeing. The box plana for the season are at the theatre and at Messrs Charles Begg and Co.’s.

ST. JAMES THEATRE

H A novel type of film of a most attracS* tive character is to be seen at the St. 9 James Theatre this week in “ Say It With B Music,” a musical production which proa vides Jack Payne and his celebrated jazz n band with an excellent opportunity of I demonstrating to New Zealand audiences I the quality of performance which have | made_ them among the best known combinations in the world at the present time. The band presents innumerable j new sidelights on jazz music, and Jack ! Payne himself illustrates the niusicianly j direction_ and marvellous control of his I combination which have made his constant performance over the air for the British Broadcasting Company one of the most eagerly listened to features of the brilliant programmes of that great organisation. A story has been written round the I band and its celebrated conductor, and I Jack Payne shows that he is an actor as

i well as a musician. Percy Marmont has a I supporting role which he handles with great I competence, and there are several other I players apart from the band who fill in the j narrative interludes which punctuate the I musical performance. The story conI cerna a young composer who finds j that he cannot write down to I his public, as he _ calls it. He cannot provide the music which the publishers say the public demands. He is told that if ho will write "stuff that Jack Payne will play he will very soon sell it. Then he meets Jack Payne, being picked up ,om beneath the wheels of the musicians Daimler. Payne has been looking tor him tor years to pay him royalties due in respect of a musical fragment composed in h ranee during the war and elaborated into Say It With Music,” the piece winch 1 ayne asserts made his name. The down-and-out composer has had a lapse of memory, however, and cannot recall anything that happened prior to a crash in an aeroplane during the war. How the recolieetmn of his early composition is accomplished by Payne and a Harley street specialist is the crux of the story and has to be seen to be appreciated. Apart from the story altogether, however, the nerloirnanco of the band under its popu-

lar conductor is a revelation of what control and masterly direction can accomplish with popular music. The band is seen in the 8.8. C. studios, in the theatre and in rehearsal, and it gives some startling interpretations of current ,iazz hits. The simultaneous playing of Jo pianos by members of the band was a triumph of concerted effort and that practically every member of Tayne s must be an accomplished pianist in addition to being the master of his own particular instrument. The theme I 11 'm”* ® a . y tt With Music,” was excellently rendered with all sorts of variations, and saxophones, trombones, violins pianos, cornets, and the dozen and one otlioi units of the combination each in turn gave their particular version of the number. The picture is somethin" highly unusual which should prove very popular during the coming week. There i s an excellent supporting programme of short subjects. One very interesting feature is another ot the “ This England ” scries, which presents a delightful pictorial study of Devon. An instalment of the Cinesound Magazine is also included in the programme and is full of the usual variety and interest. The film dealing with pioneering by air in the interior of New Guinea, with special reference to the gold mining industry, is of special interest, and there is also an absorbing study of British sea birds. The programme is full of interest from beginning (o end, and the box plans for the season will be found at the theatre, at the Bristol, and at Jacobs’s shop.

OCTAGON THEATRE Heading this week’s double bill at the Octagon Theatre is “ The World, the Flesh, and the Devil,” a powerful British drama interpreted by an all-English cast with Harold Hath in the leading role. As an unscrupulous lawyer who commits a murder to further his designs on a fortune, Hnth is admirably cast. The, drama is set against the background of the London docks, with the ever-present menace of the Thames at peak flood, and there is a thrilling climax when the river breaks its banks, while, in a tavern below water level, two men engage in a desperate struggle for a vital document. The second feature is a stirring Western picture, “ The Cheyenne Kid,” in which Tom Keene is the principal player. Although the production abounds in fast and exciting action, it includes some

clever comedy, and deftly woven into the series of exciting incidents is a charming romance. A further instalment of the serial “The Jungle Mystery” and a Metrotone newsreel are also showm. The box plans are at the theatre and at the Bristol.

REGENT THEATRE An exquisitely beautiful story, told with a fidelity and surencss of touch which are strikingly convincing, is embodied in ‘ Smilin’ Through,” which wan shown before a large and highly appreciative audience in the Regent Theatre last evening. The romance and sorrows of tw r o generations are w’oven together with such deftness ns to create one of the most appealing talcs ever transferred to the sound screen, and there is every reason to believe that this production will enjoy widespread popularity during its season. In the hands of such accomplished artists as Howard, Norma Shearer, and Fredric March, the story of an early romance which ended tragically and a more modern love which is affected by the dramatic occurrence nearly 50 years before grows in strength and beauty as it proceeds, until it reaches a standard of appealing charm which has seldom been i attained in sound pictures. Norma Shearer plays a role which is in sharp contrast to her more sophisticated parts with which she achieved such popularity, and her charming and romantic actmg wins more hearts than did her earlier performances. In a dual role, as Moonyen Clare, and later as Moonyen’s sister’s child, Kathleen, she lives through the loves and sadnesses of two ages in a

spirit of unaffected and romantic sincerity. There is a depth of beauty about the lives she portrays that cannot fail to attract her audience very strongly. The Old World settings and dresses are artistically in keeping with the earlier period of the play, and Norma Shearer is equally as beautifully gowmed when the thread of the story is resumed during the years of the wmr. Fredric March, one of the most prominent of the younger stars to-day, p'ays opposite Miss Shearer m both generations of the story, cast first as Jeremy Waynq and later as Kenneth, the former’s son. Throughout his acting there is a strong sense of conviction which, allied to a sure touch, makes bis performance one which enhances to a large extent the initial value of the theme. Leslie Howard, as Sir John Carttu’i , * over Moonyen and later Kathleens guardian, gives on e of his most arresting characterisations, and it

is no exaggeration to say that his already large following will grow enormously as the result of his latest effort. ±lis perfect poise and remarkable polish cause him to stand alone in the production, which is completely dominated by his personality. Another featured member of the cast is 0. P. Heggie, who plays the part of Dr Owen, the life-long friend ot .. b l v m a manner which should satisfy the severest critics. The story is that of a man who cannot blot out the memory of a tragedy which wrecked his happiness on his very wedding day. For years he lives the life of a recluse, peopling hia thoughts with the image of hm dead ove and shunning the outside world. Then there comes into his life the child of Moonyen’s sister, and on her he lavishes big love, which grows

yearly ns he discovers in her a growing resemblance to his dead bride. During the early years of the war his ward, Kathleen, meets Kenneth Wayne, the son of the man who so cruelly robbed him of happiness 50 years before, and out of the undying bitterness in his heart mr John determines to keep the younopeople, who have fallen madly in love with each other, apart. In the depth of his hate he finds that the solace which came to him through the unseen presence °t 38 d eft d J°ve, who had guided and comforted him in his lonely years, is denied him, and in his blindness to the cause of his suffering his bitterness grows until at last he realises that his own hatred is responsible for the creation I of an insurmountable barrier between

Moonyen and himself. At last he relents, and shortly afterwards finds complete happiness. There are poignant moments of partings and enduring suffering by the young lovers when they are separated by the grim call of war, but the radiant personality of Norma shearer supplies a colour and charm winch are singularly appealing. The scene in the closing stages of the proauction when Kenneth Wayne returns home from the war shattered in body, and, out of his great love for Kathleen, decides that she shall not tie herself for life to a maimed man, with the result that he succeeds in convincing her that his love for her has died, is one of the most moving parts of the etory, the two players combining to present a twist in the story which is as affecting as it is restrained < in treatment. “Smilin’ Through" i s definitely one of tha most arresting productions seen in Dunedin for a very long time, and those who fail to see it will_ have missed something that should remain for long a treasured memory. The supporting programme is of a standard which is fully in accord with the principal offering. An excellent Cinesound review is followed by an excruciatingly funny animated cartoon entitled “Just Dogs." The programme is completed by an exhibition of flying trapeze work which provides many a thrill for the audience. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol,

STRAND THEATRE , all-round well-balanced programme is submitted for the entertainment of ptrand Theatre patrons this week. The leading feature is “Under-Cover Man,” an engrossing drama of plot and counterplot, in which a young man and a girl carry on a relentless search in the underworld of a great city with the object ot running to earth the persons who were responsible for the murders of their mends. George ("The Snake") Raft “ a « °&8 of his best roles to date as Nick Darrow, the crook and under-cover man, who makes an unholy alliance with the police in order to assist him in hie mission, and he receives excellent support from Nancy Carrol, who plays a new type of part with signal success. Prominent roles are also in the hands of Lew Cody and Gregory Ratoff, who sustain their characterisations admirably. The supporting programme is of an extremely and diverting nature, and includes, besides a ludicrous comedy, •“ The Wrestler’s Bride,” a Paramount News Gazette, a Fox Australian News, and a Betty Boop ” cartoon. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol.

EMPIRE THEATRE Brightly produced, capably acted, and leavening a lavish humour with a wellstudied, if occasional dramatic touch, ‘ Sailor’s Luck,” which opened its Dunedin season yesterday at the Empire .Theatre, has every essential of first-class entertainment. James Dunn and Sally Eilers, in the leading roles, ensure the success of the picture by the manner in which they romp joyously through a succession of diverting situations, and they extract every bit of comedy from the adventures of three sailors on shore leave, A romance, which has its genesis in a casual introduction, shows, however, that their capabilities do not stop at comedy, and when the occasion warrants they display a nice ability to temper bright humour and boisterous hilarity with dignified drama. They are supported throughout by an unusually competent cast. _ Sammy Cohen, who appears as a shipmate of Dunn, proves himself to be a comedian of genuine merit. An entertaining and varied programme of short subjects is shown in support of the main picture, a particularly interesting feature being a delightful travelogue, depicting the life and customs in the Dutch East Indies. Mr Knight Barnett, at the Christie organ, presents a bracket of numbers in his usual accomplished and artistic style. The box plans are at the theatre and at the Bristol.

KING EDWARD THEATRE The new attraction at the King Edward Theatre to-day will be Marlene Dietrich’s latest starring Paramount picture, “ Blonde Venus.” The picture, directed by Josef von Sternberg, who discovered tlie glamorous star three years ago, and has been in charge of production of her four previous English-language films, presents her in the role of a woman who, to save her husband’s life, accepts the love of another man. At first, coldblooded about the proposition, she soon finds she is in love with her benefactor. Her love for her young son, however, binds her to her husband. When her husband discovers the situation, he orders her from their home, and she is compelled , to make a decision that leads to a highly j dramatic climax. Herbert Marshall. • noted star of the dramatic stage, plays

the role of the husband, with Gary Grant, the promising young screen player, as the lover. Dickie Moore is the son. The other film on the programme is "Night Work,” featuring Eddie Quillan and Sally Starr. SKATING MURRAY’S RINK. Murray’s popular skating rink in Moray place is getting its fair share of amuse-ment-seekers these cold nights. To-night there will be several novelty events, and the semi-finals of the Men’s Half-mile Championship will be run off.