AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22101, 3 November 1933, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS

GRAND THEATRE Two of the most important characters in Jack Holt’s latest Columbia picture, “ This Sporting Age,” which will be shown at the Grand Theatre to-day, cannot speak a word of English or any other language that we know of. The first braids his 18 inches, of hair, has more freckles on his nose than Wesley Barry, and is equally at home among cowboys and bankers. He is only I‘2 years old, and weighs a mere 1000 pounds—and yet has a figure that has ■won comment all over California for its perfection. Seven of those 12 years have been spent in pictures. The other has a nine-inch growth of hair all over his body, and for the first year of his life (he is only two year’s old now) lived, a solitary existence high in the snowcapped Sierra Nevadas, just because he liked snow. He even slept in it without blankets or any other protection. They are the least temperamental of any actors in Hollywood. Between hcenes they stand quietly, side by side, without communicating with anyone, without making any comments, utterly patient until they shall be called upon again for a scene. Though “ This Sporting Age ”is their first picture together, they are as close friends as if they had known each other all their lives. The first is Grey Ghost, a half-Arabian, half-thoroughbred horse, that has appeared with Jack Holt in six other pictures, notably “ The Vanishing Frontier” and “The Border Legion.” The other is Laddie, a beautiful Scotch collie, named after one of Albert Paysou Terhune’s famous dogs. Ghost, Laddie,. and Jack Holt head an eminent cast in “The Sporting Age,” that iscludes Evalyn Knapp, Ruth Weston, Hardie Albright, Walter Byron, and J. Farrell MacDonald. A. F. Erickson and Andrew Bennison co-directed. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. REGENT THEATRE Colour photography has been used with brilliant effect to enhance the appeal of the Victor Herbert type of operetta in the film “ Kiss Me Again,” which will be screened at the Regent Theatre to-day. It is a romantic theme, set mainly amid the gay and fashionable background of Parisian society, and gives abundant scope for artistic reproduction. Military officers in blue and scarlet uniforms, with gold braid and such other adornments as are displayed by the army on special occasions, are seen enjoying the lighter side of life, and the effect is completed by the riot of colour in the dresses of a group of singing and dancing girls. The love story whicli runs through the picture concerns a girl with charm of voice and manner, one who immediately wins the heart of an officer of rank. Between the two there is the barrier of different social standing, a gulf which is difficult to cross. In the part of the girl, Bernice Claire, has opportunity to show her powers as actress and singer, at times alluring and loving, at other times flashing defiance, and always giving the impression, either subdued or expressed in passion, of a highly emotional spirit. Opposite her is Walter Pidgeon,, as an officer she has met while a milliner in Paris. Difficulties arise through the intervention of the officer’s father, and there comes a parting, the man going on military service in Morocco, and the girl to the studios of Italy. She rises to heights as an operatic singer under a new name, and he is thrilled in his far-off camp by the sound of her voice across the air. Time brings both back again to Paris, and there is staged the triumph of the picture. It is a scene in which Bernice Claire sings “Kiss Me Again,” from which the film takes its name. There is a gala note about this performance, and one which is well worthy of the operetta form of entertainment. Around it all is brightness and humour, with music, dancing, and light dialogue. There are, beside the two principals, Edward Everett Horton, June Collyer, and Claude Gillingwater, who do their parts well. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. STRAND THEATRE " Diplomaniacs,” hailed as a hilarious burlesque on world problems of the present day, embroidered with musical numbers and nonsensical situations, will begin at the Strand Theatre to-day. The cast is headed by Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey, those two irrepressible comedians. Marjorie White and Phyllis Barry, who recently scored successes with Ronald Column in “ Cynara ” and with Buster Keaton in “What, No Beer! ” supp'ort the comical pair. The, appearance of such well-known comedians and stars as Hugh Herbert, Louis Calhern, Richard Carle, Charles Coleman, and Neely Edwards make the supporting cast one of the most notable of the season. The production is lavishly staged. Its backgrounds, rapidly shifting, take in an Indian reservation at Oklahoma, a liner at sea. Paris and its Apache rendezvous, as well as Geneva, Switzerland. The box plans are at the theatre and the D. 1.0.