AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22137, 15 December 1933, Page 20

AMUSEMENTS

GRAND THEATRE Owing to hold-over seasons at both the Amalgamated Theatres, Ltd., houses in Wanganui, and Hastings, where it is at present screening, “ Sleeping Oar,” originally scheduled to commence its Dunedin season to-day at the Grand Theatre, will not be available this week, and in its place the management is substituting an even better programme. The lirst picture is " Baroud,” starring Eex (the producer, Kosita Garcia, Arabella Fields, Dennis Hoey (of “ The Good Companions ” fame), Andrew Engelman, and Pierre Batched'.' It is said to be one of the most spectacular and outstanding productions of recent years, and ranks as one of the finest achievements of the Gaumont-British studios, which have already given the world “ The Good Companions,” “ Tell Me To-night,” and “ Sunshine Susie,” and many other notable screen successes, “ Baroud ” is a colourful and romantic story of the love of a European man for an Arab girl, and is so exquisitely and tenderly woven around its central figures as to transcend all race, creed, and convention, and demonstrates a remarkable “ Damon and Pythias” friendship between two men who sweep aside all barriers of faith and colour. It was produced in Nice and North Africa, and with that meticulous regard for’accuracy which Rex Ingram’s acquaintance with Arabian custom, language, and psychology has alone made possible. Betty Astell plays the lead opposite Henry Kendall in “The Stickpin,” the second attraction on the programme. She takes the part of Eve Marshall who has fallen into the clutches of a blackmailer, Jacob Volke. This man holds letters of hers relating to a clandestine love affairs some time earlier. He has threatened to send them to Eve’s husband, Tom Marshall, unless she pays up in two days’ time. She is unable to do this, and obviously cannot go to .her husband, so she confides in Paul Rayner, head of the famous Rayner Safe Company, a close friend of hers since childhood. Rayner discovers that the letters she wants back are locked in a safe of his own make, so, declaring that any safe he has-made he can break, he decides to burgle Volke’s house. Meanwhile, the paper of which Marshall is the editor, carries glaring headlines announcing the release from prison of a one-time confederate whom Volke had betraved some years previously. Tibs man has threatened to kill the blackmailer on his release, so a police watch is being kept on Volke’s house. With such dramatic material as a basis, the story gains in and interest as it proceeds to a striking climax. The cast includes Henry Kendall. Betty Astell. Francis Sullivan, and Lawrence Anderson. ST. JAMES THEATRE

British producers have developed and mastered the art of presenting comedy attractions just as theatregoers like them, but from the many successes of this type which have come to this country by far the breeziest, brightest, and best is said to be the British Lion production, “ That’s My Wife,” which begins to-day at the St. James Theatre. Claude Allister, who is well-known for his character delineations in many American productions and his more recent English screen appearances, heads a east composed of some of the most famous London stage and screen names. “That’s My Wife” is full of intensely funny situations, composed of a clean, subtle type of humour which will find, instant response in all the St. James Theatre’s patrons who appreciate the rich hufnour of good comedy. Allister’s clowning is a perfect foil for delightful Betty AsteU’e unlimited quantities of charm which she certainly knows how to use to good effect. Frank Pettingall, a newcomer, but nevertheless a very welcome one to the British screen, also contributes a large portion of fun to this guaranteed gloom dispeller of a picture. His Yorkshire brogue makes his dialogue doubly pleasing to listen to. The story concerns the exploits of Frank Pettingell, a most important member of the cast, who is a “ dickey ” manufacturer and leaves his factory to journey to London to patent his infallible formulae for keeping shirt fronts stiff —under all conditions. What happens when thieves attempt to steal the formulas, and when he is found entertaining two charming young ladies by their husbands,'provides excellent entertainment. EMPIRE THEATRE “Adorable,” the Fox Films production which will begin to-day at the Empire Theatre, has a story that breathes happiness in every one of its details. Its music has all the qualities of refreshing accompaniment, with songs that are destined to be heard on the lips of thousands. Janet Gaynor has found the perfect complement for her unique abilities in Henry Garat, the European player who makes his Hollywood picture debut in “ Adorable.” Together, as they unfold step after step of tbe story, they form what is by far the most attractive, most whimsical, most romantic pair of players seen in many a moon. It is a rare motion picture occasion when story and stars fit so beautifully together. Miss Gaynor again reveals her manifold talent for the screen in its three principal departments —acting, singing, and dancing. Cast in important roles, Herbert Mundin and C. Aubrey Smith contribute their highlyindividual talents. The music by Werner Richard Heymann and the songs by Richard A. Whiting and George Marion, jun., are rich in melody and appropriateness. The “Adorable” waltz. “My Heart’s Desire ” and “My First Love to Last “ are songs which should make an instant appeal. REGENT THEATRE

Claimed to be one of the most lavish, tuneful, and amusing productions ever to leave Hollywood, “ International House,” the Paramount film, will commence its season at the Regent Theatre to-day. It has an all-star cast, but probably the, most interesting name included therein is that of Peggy Hopkins Joyce, who claims to be one of the most-married women in America. She is one of the sensations' of the New York stage, and in “ International House ” will be seen the reason for it. Also in the cast are W, C. Fields, Rudy Vallee, Stuart Erwin, George Burns, Grade Allen, Sari Maritza, Cab Calloway and his orchestra, Bela Lugosi, Edmund Breese, and Lumsden Hare. In addition to its musical and spectacular qualities, “ International House ” has a genuine plot. Its action takes place at a big hotel in a Chinese city, where representatives of Big Business from all over the world are assembled to see and bid for a marvellous new invention, a device which can see and, hear anything, anywhere. The complications result from the activities of a villainous character who is trying to keep the American representative from bidding. Events work up to a frenzied climax, filled with music, mirth, and pretty girls.

OCTAGON THEATRE “The Working Man,” which enjoyed an excellent season at the Regent Theatre, will be shown for a further week at the Octagon Theatre. In “ The Working Man,” George Arliss has a different sort of role from those in which he has already appeared, but he is none the less the incomparable Arliss of the earlier successes. • The star is seen as an elderly shoe magnate, whose conceited, super-efficient nephew imagines that lie is running the business on his own, and that the old man is in his dotage. So the latter goes off on a fishing trip, meeting the dissolute son and daughter of his oldest rival in business (now dead), who had married the girl they _both loved. The business left by the rival is now going to pieces. By subtle means the old man makes himself the trustee of the two young persons (without, of course, revealing his true identity), and sets them both to work. Finally, in addition to putting their business on its feet again, he straightens out their romantic entanglements. It is best to describe the film as a blend of “ The Millionaire ” and “ Old English,” for the affinity with these two previous pictures is very marked. STRAND THEATRE “Strictly Personal,” the dramatic production which will start to-day at the Strand Theatre, is said to contain one ot the most unusual themes put on the screen for some time. Written round the activities of a matrimonial agency, the story is rich in action, suspense, and

romance; and clever acting and direction make it entertainment to appeal to au types of theatregoers. lua action ot " Strictly Personal ” centres, round a couple who conduct a matrimonial bureau —au escaped convict who has had his face remodelled by a plastic surgeon and his career remodelled by his own desire to go straight and his wife. _ two, aided by a young girl who is. their ward, run the enterprise on orderly and decent lines, and bring companionship and happiness to many lonely people. However, when a “ confidence man recog” nises the proprietor as an escaped convict and forces his way into a partnership by threatening to expose him, the character of the place suffers a radical change, and attracts the interest of people of the worst type. Marjorie Kambeau, Dorothy Jordan, Robert Ellis, and Eddie Quillan play the principal parts. . ’ KING EDWARD THEATRE Adapted from the novel of the same name, “ Grand Hotel,” which is at present being shown at the King Edward Theatre, is a picture of an arresting nature. It departs from the ordinary type of film story in that it is not concerned with the lives of two people to the practical exclusion of all other interests, but has to do with the experiences of a group of people who for the space of two days find themselves together under the roof of a great Beilin, hotel. Such a theme affords the opportunity for the introduction of much that is unusual, and the producers have taken advantage pf this without introducing anything that is not really relevant to the story. The picture, indeed, is a remarkably faithful screen version of the novel, and as such is bound to attract attention. The film has been well cast, and the leading roles are filled by such well-known players as Greta Garbo, John and Lionel Barrymore, Wallace Beery, Joan Crawford, and Lewis Stone.