AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22066, 23 September 1933, Page 18

AMUSEMENTS

GRAND THEATRE The principal picture on this week’s programme at the Grand Theatre gives some insight into conditions in Manchuria while that country was being overrun by the bandits. The panic-stricken state to which the villagers had been reduced by the raids of lawless bands which swept down from the hills, burning and plundering as they went, is vividly depicted, and the audience is able to gain some idea of the turmoil which existed prior to the occupation by the Japanese. In “ Roar of the Drag On.” an RKO Radio production. the producers have striven to bring to the screen an authentic atmosphere, with what success those who will see the picture during the coming week will be able to judge. The scenes showing the attack of the. bandits on the hotel iu which a party of tourists is staying are particularly realistic. The action of ‘'Roar of the, Dragon” is based on the activities of a Manchurian bandit, Voronsky by name, who has terrorised the countryside, and who in his latest exploit, that of holding up a party ot American tourists, is actuated by the desire to obtain heavy ransoms and to recapture a beautiful Russian girl who has found temporary refuge with the Americans. His Tartar rough riders swoop down on the town in which the tourist party is stranded while the boat upon which, they are making the journey down one of the large rivers of the country is undergoing repairs. The tourists are forced to barricade themselves in the hotel in which they have been staying, and under the command of the captain ot the steamer they offer a stout, resistance to the attackers. Captain Carson, however, is not of the type which takes anything very seriously, and during the siege he frequently has recourse to the resources of > the hotel bar. _ I t is not until be comeg under the influence of the beautiful Russian girl who is the object of Voronsky’s pursuit that be commences to reveal tlio full capabilities of which lie is. possessed. Eventually Under bis now inspired leadership the besieged managed to beat off their attackers, and during a lull they succeed iu making their way to the ship and effecting their escape. The role of .Captain Carson is capably handled by Richard Dix, who gives a vigorous and life-like impersonation. The principal attraction, however, is the acting of the Danish star, Gwili Andre, who in “Roar of the Dragon” is making her first appearance in American films. She is cast as the Russian escapee who falls in love with Carson, and by her affection transforms him from a luggard to man of action. There can be no doubt of The beauty of the.new star, and, although her role in this, her first, offering does not give her very great scope, she reveals the possession of more than ordinary dramatic talent. It will ;bo interesting to see Miss Andre in later productions. Not the least important among the other characterisations are those of Arline Judge, as a stranded stage performer, and Edward Everett Horton, who is seen as an insignificant clerk who during the siege rises to great heights of heroism. “ Roar of _ the Dragon” is a picture that will be enjoyed by those who like exciting action and colourful scenes. The supporting programme includes a news reel dealing mainly with recent aviation events, a Sportlight feature showing the progress that has been made in the game of American football, and iEsop’s fable cartoon and a short comedy. The box plans for the season are at the theatre and Messrs Charles Begg and Co.’s. ST. JAMES THEATRE ' The double-feature bill at present showing at the St. James Theatre is one that should prove very popular during the coming week. It blends uproarious farce delightfully with romantic drama and comprises a well-balanced programme which must appeal to a wide variety of tastes. “ The Chinese Puzzle ” appears first ou the list and serves to bring Leon M. Lion back to the screen in another of his striking Oriental roles. He is a character artist of the first rank and in “ The Chinese Puzzle” he strikes as good form as in any of his previous characterisations. He appears as a Chinese nobleman engaged on a diplomatic mission which has for its object the raising of a secret loan iu London. That the terms of the loan should not be disclosed is a matter of the gravest importance. The secret leaks out through treachery and suspicion amounting to certainty rests on the son of his life-long friend who is forced to resign from the English Diplomatic Service. How the Chinese nobleman keeps faith with a bond given to the young man’s father many, years before makes up an arrestingly moving story and none could tell it better and Leon M. Lion. Elizabeth Allen, one of the younger school, of English screen stars, has the principal feminine role, and she makes the fullest use of the numerous opportunities which it presents. She hag a simple and direct style which appeals immensely, and her role on this occasion suits her to perfection. The remainder of the cast give a very good account of themselves. The main feature of the programme, however, is “Up for the Cup ” an amusing and unusually clever comedy built around one of those exciting English occasions, a football cup final. Sydney Howard has the leading role, and he carries the burden of entertainment from start to finish. It is all the most delightful nonsense, fashioned on the good old custard-pie comedy, where people are always being knocked down with .bottles or chased by policemen, who always come off worst. It is genuine good fun, and as such will find ready acceptance, Howard lias the role of a millhand who comes up from a factory town to see the final of the cup matches at Wembley. He thinks himself very much the man of the world, and Jg not disillusioned until a pickpocket has relieved him of all his own money and (that of his girl as well. He then begins to have doubts, but the doubts become certainties when he finds that someone has also stolen his girl. The adventures and misadventures that come his way when he sets out penniless first of all to get into the football match and then to find his girl make up a story that is full of incident and excitement. The broad humour that has been packed into the story is pleasing in every way, and the casting of the film has been excellently carried out. Joan Wyndham plays the part of the girl in the story, and gives an entirely pleasing and satisfying characterisation of the young mill girl up in town for the event of the year, anxious to d 9 everything that is to be. done, but still a trifle doubtful about everything. She and Sydney Howard make an excellent pair, and contrive to tell the story of “Up for the Cup” very effectively. The film incident includes some interesting and unusual scenes of London, and provides many glimpses of the vast gatherings which assemble in the Wembley Stadium for such events as football cup finals. The film is excellently produced, and is played at a fast tempo. The story is not a very profound one, but it serves to provide highly attractive entertainment that will no doubt be welcomed by St. James patrons in the next few days. The box plans for the season are at the theatre, at the D.1.C., and at Jacobs’s. OCTAGON THEATRE The new programme at the Octagon 'Theatre consists of two British pictures, the chief of which is “The Blind Spot.” The excellent acting of the principal player, the famous Percy Marmont. and the exciting nature of the plot are the outstanding features of the. production, which presents the story of a thief working on an international scale and employing his remarkable ingenuity to escape the police, who, in spite of tireless efforts, have never been able jo connect him with any of the robberies of which lie is suspected. A cleverly constructed story leads up to the point where his “blind spot” is discovered. .Marmont has the support of a capable cast in this film, in which the scenes change rapidly, the action taking place in many places that have .a special interest. There is substance to the story, Mnrmont’s performance giving it a special appeal. On the same programme “ His Lordship,” a spectacular musical production, is also shown. Jerry. Verno has the leading role,_ and he is' well supported by the remainder* of the cast. The box plans are at the D.I.C.

REGENT THEATRE A poignant drama of a mother's love for her child and the sacrifices she is prepared to make for him is told in “ The Secret of Madame Blanche,” which commenced a season at the Regent Theatre yesterday. A romance springs up in London between a young Englishman and an American actress. They marry surreptitiously, but when the man’s father finds out he tries to buy the girl off, and is so brutal that his son commits suicide. Their child is born some time later, and when the grandfather finds that the girl is singing in a cafe in Paris in order to support her baby he uses this as a lever to take it away from her. Mother and son meet 20 years later. In self-defence the boy commits a murder, and his mother tries to shield him, but the facts arc disclosed, and a thoroughly satisfactory conclusion is reached. Irene Bunn gives a magnificent performance as the mother, and Phillips Holmes acts a double part with conspicuous success. There is a varied ami entertaining supporting programme. The box plans arc at the theatre and the D.I.C. EMPIRE THEATRE Jimmy Durante and Buster Keaton are partners in “What! No Beer? ” which heads the new programme at the Empire Theatre. These two players, who have individually scored notable successes, are admirably fitted for the parts which they play in this breezy story of a barber whose imagination has been fired by the success of the “wets” in the United States at recent polls, and a taxidermist who has saved 10,000 dollars. Durante has the idea and Keaton the funds to put it into effect. Durante believes that an overwhelming “wet” vote in bis own State makes the selling of beer legal immediately. The pair soon appear in court, but by cliance they escape the penally, for it is. found that their first brew contains no alcohol. Then they discover that Roscoc .Atos, is a famous browmastor, and from that stage the audience watches a scries of wildly funny scenes, Hie supporting programme is one of unusual excellence. Air Knight Barnett contributes organ solos, and besides an Our Dang comedy, there arc a “ sports champions film and a travel picture of unusual interest. The box plans arc at the theatre and the D.I.C. STRAND THEATRE Edward G. Robinson, one of the most capable character actors on the screen today, has been seen in many fine roles, but it is doubtful that the possibilities of bis talent have been more scarcluugly exploited than in “ The Silver Dollar, winch was commenced yesterday at the Strand Theatre. Commencing as a roving miner in Colorado, ever poor and ever optimistic Yates Marin (Robinson) puts a childlike trust in his fellow diggers, and this is vindicated when he becomes part owner of a valuable silver mine and his popularity earns him the position ot Lieutenant-governor of the State. Xne mine lias been so successful that by tins time he is a millionaire, and in the height of his fame he becomes enamoured of another woman, divorces his wife, and has himself appointed a Senator at Washington. Then America goes on the gold standard and the price of silver drops to a minimum, with the result that he is ruined. The finale is one of the most poignant things that has ever been filmed. Robinson is rendered admirable support by Aline MacMahon and Bebe Daniels, besides a large cast of subsidiary players. There is an entertaining programme of short subjects. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. KING EDWARD THEATRE The new programme at the King Edward Theatre to-day will feature Edgar Wallace’s thrilling story, “The Ringer. The story of “The Ringer’’—the elusive criminal who holds his enemies in terror and conies and goes with baffling certainty, finally avenging his mis-handled sister, and slipping away under the very noses of the police—is known to countless thousands all over the world, but so deftly are the situations contrived, and so cumulative is the suspense/ that the tale never ceases to exercise its fascination; and its remarkable power is increased in the film version which moves swiftly from scene to scene, and heightens the mystery and the effect as it goes.