AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22068, 26 September 1933, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS

GRAND THEATRE In "The Roar'of the Dragon," which is the feature of the current programme at the Grand Theatre, Richard Dix and Gwili Andre, the talented Danish actress, have the leading roles. Both are admirably cast, and they register highly attractive performances. The story which they are asked to narrate is a very, exciting one, full of action and incident, and dealing with the stirring events of the reign of terror in -Manchuria when bandit hordes held the whole countryside in fear and trembling. The particular happenings dealt with in " The Roar of the Dragon " concern the depredations of a bandit leader named Voronsky whose persecution of the Manchurians is so successful that he becomes over-bold and attacks a party of American tourists travelling through the country. _ His object is mainly ransom, but he is also anxious to recapture a beautiful Russian girl who was once in his clutches but who in the meantime has contrived to find refuge: with the tourist party. The story of the attack on the tourists and their stout resistance in the barricaded hotel is full of excitement, and the Russian girl, who is portrayed by Gwili Andre, plays a very prominent part in the tale. Richard Dix in the role of Captain Carsou gives a highly commendable display of dramatic, acting, and demonstrates in unmistakable fashion the unusual versatility that has made him one of the most popular players of both sound and silent screen. Gwili Andre finds a role, very much to her taste, and makes the most of it. Edward Everett Horton and Arhue Judge are two other players who distinguish themselves, but the entire cast do all that is asked of them very well. The supporting programme is a most attractive one. and is distinguished by'toe usual variety. It covers a wide range of interesting topics, and includes a Sportlight feature as well as a diverting comedy subject. The box plans for the season will be found at the theatre. arid • at Messrs Charles Begg and Co.'s. "LADIES OF THE JURY." Twenty players—more than three times the number of featured actors and actresses seen in the average picture—'are cast in RKO-Radio Pictures' " Ladies of the Jury," which- will be the next attraction at the Grand Theatre. With Edna May' Oliver starred, the film is .said'to. establish new records for the number and importance of players involved.. Each of the 20 players has a leading role with important dialogue sequences having a vital bearing on the outcome of the story. Among the better known character men and women cast are Rosco Ates, the stuttering comedian; Guinn "Big Boy" Williams, star, of many serials and Westerns; Jill Esmond, British stage star; Ken Murray, vaudeville and radio head-liner; Kitty Kelly, former Ziegfeld Follies' featured dancer and comedienne; Kate Price, veteran screen actress; Robert M'Wade, famous stage star of yesteryear, and the following:—Lita Chevret, Morgan Galloway, Cora Witherspoon. Alan Roscoe, Charles Dow Clark, Andre Beranger, Tom Francis, William Scott, Susan Fleming, and Florence Lake. The film, which marks Miss Oliver's second appearance as a full-fledged star, was directed by Lowell Sherman. . ' v ST. JAMES THEATRE Two pictures differing widely in character, but presenting the same high standard of entertainment value, are being screened at the St. James Theatre this week. The leading role in "Up for the Cup" is taken by Sydney Howard, who has made many friends since his pictures were, first shown here, and he gives, if possible, a better performance - in his latest venture than in any of the former films. He has the part of a millhand. who coitus up to ; Wembley to see the final of the football competition, and thinks himself very much, a man of the world until a pickpocket relieves him of v his money and that of his girl.- A further complication sets in when someone steals his' girl, and Howard's efforts: to get in to trie football riiatch arid retrieve his girl are of the most laughable nature. The other picture is " The Chinese Puzzle," in which that popular English actor, Leon M. Lion,.is featured. He has the role of a Chinese nobleman engaged on a diplomatic mission for the purpose of raising a loan, and it is essential that all information 'should be kept secret. The theme is developed in an extremely interesting mariner, and the audience is held in suspense until the final scene. The programme also includes a film showing some interesting views of .London. The box plans are at the theatre, th s D.1.C., and Jacobs's. < '.-'.', "THE KING'S CUP." An all-British flying picture produced •with minute detail and showing the. life of: flying clubs in-the'Homeland-will be seen at the St. James Theatre on Friday. The film is " The King's Cup," and : it has been made under the supervision of Sir Alan * Cobham, the' famous aviator. Dorothy Bouchier, Harry Milton,, and William Kendall appear-in this thrilling story of: Britain's' greatest; air race, arid the. producer has woven an interesting, fabric from the material of rivalry in love and sport. .Dick Carter, a flying instructor, meets Betty Conway, who joins an aero club and. sets out to gain her pilot's A certificate . under unusual circumstances. .'Carter meets .with' serious injury owing to the failure of nerve on the part of a pupil, and Carter's own control of himself is impaired when 'he returns to the. aero club." He has designed a new propeller which' he is anxious to try out in the King's Cup, but circumstances are . against. him, and the only way for him to. enter is i.n . a machine piloted by Betty. She gains her A certificate in record time, and the rest of the film is devoted to the famous air race and the rivalry between Carter and Betty and Captain Richards, the chief instructor at the club and the enemy of both. A notable cast playing in support of the stars includes Rene Ray, Lewis Shaw, Leila Page, Tom Helmore, and Sydney King. ~ • EMPIRE THEATRE In "What! No Beer?" the current attraction at the Empire Theatre, Jimmy Durante and Buster Keaton, two of America's outstanding screen comedians, appear together to present a story which was inspired by the success of the " wets " at the recent polls in the United States. There are many wildly funny scenes in this film, which tells how Durante, believing that an overwhelming "wet" vote in his own State makes the selling of beer legal, persuades Keaton, who has saved 10,000 dollars, to come into partnership with him in the purchase of a brewery. The adventures of the pair after they complete the deal make an exceedingly breezy comedy. A fine supporting programme includes organ solos, an "Our Gang" comedy, a travel picture, and a New Zealand news reel. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. "RASPUTIN." The story, of how Rasputin, the Russian mystic, brought about the fall of the SOO- - Romanoff dynasty, is vividly toil in the remarkable Metro-Golwyli-Mayer production, " Rasputin and the Empress," which will commence at the Empire Theatre next Friday. The Barrymore family—John, Ethel, and Lionel—are playing together for the first time. Lionel Barrvmore is said to be almost revoltingly realistic as the infamous monk Rasputin, and John Barrymore is well cast as the Grand Duke Paul, Rasputin's enemy and ultimate destroyer. Ethel Barrymore is the Czarina, who was completely dominated by the scheming Rasputin. STRAND THEATRE A thriiliii'i story of a miner who, after rising to affluence, becomes the plaything of fate, is toll in " The Silver Dollar," which heads this week's programme at the Strand Theatre. The story centres round a miner who, after acquiring a rich mine property, becomes wealthy, and attains to the lieutenant-governorship of his State. Falling deeply in love with another woman, he divorces hie wife, but a drop in the price of metal plays havoc with his finances, and the former millionaire finds himself ruined. A dramatic sequence follows, and the picture arrives at an unorthodox, although entirely satisfactory, conclusion. An entertaining programme of short subjects is shown. The box plans are at the theatre and at the D.I.C.

"UNDER THE TONTO RIM." A menace for 20 years on stage and screen, Fred Kohler, Hollywood's most famous "bad man," continues his characterisation in an important role in Zane Grey's attraction, " Under the Tonto Rim," which commences at the Strand Theatre on Friday next. "Under the Tonto Rim," in which he is; featured with Stuart Erwin, Raymond Hatton, and Verna Hillie, marks Kohler's thirty-fourth Western feature. The action of "Under the Tonto Rim" centres around a cowboy who just cannot do anything right—until a beautiful girl laughs at him and makes him lose his temper. »•"''■- OCTAGON THEATRE , Percy Marmont has a part (hat was specially written for him in " Blind Spot," which heads the programme at the Octagon Theatre. He is cast as a thief working on an international scale. His remarkable ingenuity'protects him,from the police, who are endeavouring to connect him with one of his robberies. There are many exciting scenes in the picture, in which the action.moves at a fast pace, the centre of operations changing rapidly. A well-constructed story leads up to the point at which the criminal's "blind spot," his love • for his daughter, is discovered. Marmont gives a fine performance, and he is supported- by a strong cast. Also on the programme is "His Lordship," a. spectacular musical _pro<iuction in which the leading role is filled by Jerry Yerno. The box plans are at the D.I.C. .';'••'- REGENT THEATRE ~. Featuring Irene Dunn and Phillips Holmes in the leading roles, " The Secret of Madame Blanche " is the principal .attraction: on the current bill at the Regent Theatre. The picture is-based on a romance.between a young Englishman and an American actress, which through the refusal of the bridegroom's father to sanction the match, runs anything but smoothly. So bitter is he, and such brutal-methods does he adopt to part,the young couple, that the bridegroom commits suicide, and the widow is forced to go on the stage* to support herself and her child. Again the- father-iri-law''s interference causes trouble and separates the child from its mother, with the result that, they are parted for 20 years. Eventually they meet again, in dramatic ' circumstances, and the mother ,is /compelled,; to sacrifice herself in order to save her son from being found guilty of murder. A strong supporting programme is .screened.. The box plans are at the theatre and at the D.I.C. v" A LADY'S PROFESSION." . A key-hole peeping cariiera and an eavesdropping microphone travelled at random over a unique night club set, used for the filming of "A Lady's Profession," picking up the words, and actions of a .score of "extra" players without warning. The players were told to talk and act naturally and .keep on doing it. They were entirely unaware- qj: what words orgestures the camera and microphone would record. " A Lady's Profession," which will "be screened at the Regent Theatre next Friday, has Alison Skipworth, Ronald Young arid Sari Maritza in the leading roles. KING EDWARD THEATRE ; "The Ringer." a screen version of Edgar Wallace's popular story of the same name, which is now enjoying- a successful repeat season at the King Edward Theatre, .will have its final screening : tonight , The thrilling story, of the blaster criminal' who, by his daring and his uncanny skill" in disguising himself, is interpreted -by a capable, cast, and from be* ginning to end interest is maintained at a high pitch. Gordon Harker and Carol Goodner are the leading-players. "His Wife's Mother," an hilarious comedy, is . the supporting feature. .'-*.'