AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22067, 25 September 1933, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS

~ GRAND THEATRE / •The Souot the Dragon" is the chief' attraction at the Grand Theatre this week, and, judging by the reception it has been acec*aed since its eeason began on Friday, it ▼ill, be one of the most popular films •hewing during the coming week. It is an EKO Radio production, and it gives a remarkably interesting insight into the happening* and events in Manchuria during the reign of terror of the bandit horde*, The story centre* rpund the depredation* of a -Manchurian bandit named vordnsky, who hag succeeded in terrorising the whole countryside. Emboldened by what be regard* as success, he dares to hold up a party of American tourists travelling through Manchuria. His main object if ransom, but he also desires to recapture a beautiful Russian girl whom he knows to h*ve sought refuge with the touriat party. The tourists are forced to barricade themselves in their hotel and they offer a stout resistance tp the Tartar robber* led by Voronsky. The story from thi* point moves swiftly through some amazing happenings, and reaches its climax, in the rescue of the beleagured tourists and the romantic relationship betwaeb the leader of the Americans and the girl. Richard Dix has the principal role of Captain Carson, the American captain, who saves the tourist party only .after the. Russian girl has induced him to. give up the drinkinf? bout, upon which he w engaged at the time of the' attack. He gives a, good account of himself in a role that suits him. admirably. Undoubtedly one of the features of the film, however, is the aeting; of the Danish star, OrwiU Andre, who takes the part of the Russian girl. The rest of the east'do all that is reauired of them. Edward Everett Horton and, Arline Judge are the most prominent of the supporting cast, and both eive very good characterisations. J-he aupporting programme i? a good.ope, covering *wi& We of interesting topics. It includes a Bportlight feature showing the progress that has been made m the game of American football. There la also a comedy subject, and one of those diverting Msop'n Fable cartoons. The box plans f o? the season will be found at thatheatre and at Messrs Charles Begg and Co. s. ST, WES THEATRE Thi 1 two . pictures which comprise the programme at the. St. James Theatre provide entertainment of an unusually at; tractive kind. In * The Chinese Puzzle,' which is screened first, Lion returns to the screen in an Oriental role, •filling'his part with conspicuous success. He has the support of Elizabeth Allen,, whose natural acting lends charm to the production.: Lion has the role of a Chinese nobleman who is engaged on a diplomatic mission which has lor its object the raisine of a loan. It is important that the object of his visit should be kept secret, but information leaks out. From this point interest steadily increases, the story as a whole being that ia likely to satisfy every taste. The principal picture, however, is Up tor the Cup," fn which Sydney Howard scores another great success. The picture is fulr of delightful nonsense, the leading player being supported by a cast that is well qualified to give him ■ the greatest assistance in extracting the maximum amount of humour from a well-devised story. Howard has the part of a millhnnd who comes up .to Wembley to see a football enp final. He thinks himself very much the man of the world, and is not-dis-illusioned until a pickpocket relieves him of his money and that of his girl. His discomfort increases when someone steals his girl as well. His adventures 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 keeps the audience in the 1 brightest of moods. Joan Wyndbam-is cast as the girl in the story who, on her visit to London is anxious to do everything properly, but is a little doubtful about it all. Some mterestina views of London are also presented in the course of the film, which should prove a very popular attraction during the week. The box plans are at the theatre. the D.1.C., and Jacobs's, REGENT THEATRE Irene Dunn has the leading rolerip * The Secret of Madame Blanche, which is the principal offering on this weeks programme at the Regent Theatre. The story is centred round a romance which springs up in London between a young Engliihmsn' and * n American actress. Following a clandestine marriage the father of the bridegroom acts in so brutal a manner in his efforts to separate the pair that the bridegroom commits suicide. The young widow is later seen singing in a eafe fn Paris in order to support her «jy]4 -but once again the overbearing

father»hvlaw intervenes, and takes the child from its mother. They meet again 20 years later, when the mother is called oh to make a great sacrifice in order to. shield her son from a charge of murder. Eventually a happy conclusion is reached. The leading male role is taken by Phillips Holmes, who aets a double part with success. There is a good supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol. "CAVALCADE." The management of the Regent Theatre announces that it will shortly screen Noel. Coward's epic of the Empire, "Cavalcade/' Further particulars will be given in later, issues. EMPIRE THEATRE In "What! No Beer?" a boisterous, comedy that celebrates the success of the ?'wets" at' the'recent polls in the United States, Jimmy Durante and Buster Keaton provide audiences at the Empire Theatre with entertainment of the brightest type. These two players, in their first appearance together, by their entirely opposite styles and their ability' to enter into the. spirit of a picture, are able to tell, the story in the most hilarious fashion. Durante has the part of a' barber who believes that the success of the " wets " in his own State entitles him to sell beer, and he believes that he can make a fortune by having the first available supplies. Re.aton has the money'to put the scheme into etfect, and soon the pair find themselves the possessore of a brewery. Their adventures when they commence business are ot the wildly funny type. The supporting programme includes organ solos by Mr Knight Barnett, a. comedy, a sports picture; and a New Zealand newsreel. Ahe box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C ; . «* RASPUTIN AND THE ; EMPRESS." "Rasputin .and. the' Empress," Metro-Coldwyn-Mayer's sensational drama ot the fall of the Romanoffs, with John, Ethel, and Lionel Barrymore together on the screen for the first time, is the attraction coming to the Empire Theatre "est * "- day. Based on -happenings within the memory of the present generation, the picture's episodes present a replica ot the most colourful royal court in. the world, thus including the spectacle of a. P. e y. lod "„ picture while still remaining strictly a modern story. Ethel Barrymore plays the Empress, John is cast as Prince U e•godieft, and Lionel essays the role of the .Holy Devil," Rasputin; • STRAND THEATRE . In "The Silver Dollar," which is being screened at the Strand Theatre this week, the leading male role is taken by Edward G Robinson, who is seen as a roving miner in Colorado.. He, becomes part owner of a rich silver mine, and his popularity wins him the position Of Lieu-tenant-governor of the State, At the height of his fame he becomes enamoured of another woman, and divorces his own wife in order to marry her. But at this stage fate takes a hand, and .with a disastrous drop in the price of silver the former millionaire finds that he is a ruined man. A dramatic climax is reached which holds the attention of the audience till the last. Aline MacMahon and Bebe Daniels give strong support to the principal player, and the minor rolls are also well filled. There isrnn entertaining supporting programme. The box pjans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. OCTAGON THEATRE "The Blind Spot" is the chief of the two British pictures which are being screened at the Octagon Iheatre, Percy Marmont, whose part: was specially written for him, is cast as a thief working on an international scale. The police ure endeavouring to connect him with one of his robberies, but their most persistent offorts fail because of the thief's remarkable ingenuity. A cleverly constructed story leads up to the point where his "blind spot," his- devotion to his is discovered. Marmont has n role which makes great demands upon him, but he fills it with such success that be is alwavs the dominating figure in the film, though the cast which supports him is composed of capable players. The action is'fast, and the plot is exciting. Also on the programme is " His Lordship," a ppectacular musical production. in which the leading role is taken by Terry Verno, who has the support of a eood' cast. The box plans are at the D.I.C.

KING EDWARD THEATRE A screen version of ope of Edgar Wallace's popular thrillers, " The Ringer," is the- attraction at 'the King Edward Theatre just now. The story of 'the elusive criminal who holds his enemies tn terror and comes and goes without fear or hindrance is admirably told by »n excellent cast. All the suspense values ©J the story are fully exploited and the result is entertainment of the most attractive and exciting kind. The film has beeD well produced and moves at a fast pace from start to finish concluding with a perfect adaptation of the surprising climax with which Edgar Wallace cjoged one of his most popular mystery novels.