AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22373, 21 September 1934, Page 16

AMUSEMENTS

REGENT THEATRE The newest cycle of entertainment in the motion picture world is bringing back to the screen the romantic musical picture. Though the revue type of musical has lately attained great success and again established the vogue of music on the screen, it is said to be a long time since the theatres of this country have presented a picture which might be described as a “ musical romance.” The forerunner of the new vogue is “ Beloved,” which will have its premiere at the Regent this afternoon. “ Beloved ” is a drama with music which presents John Boles and Gloria Stuart in the featured roles. The story describes the romantic career of a struggling composer throughout his lifetime, and before a constantly changing background, and covers a span of an entire century. In the first scene Boles is seen in his cradle as a baby, and in the final fade-out he appears as an old man of 96. Incidental to the story, the screen presents stirring pictures Of important historical events in the growth of the United States until the final scene takes place in the year 1933. “Beloved,” produced by B. I'. Zeldman, was directed by Victor Schertzinger, and the cast supporting Boles and Miss Stuart includes Dorothy Peterson, Edmund Breese, Ruth Hall, Anderson Lawler, and many other screen favourites. The supporting programme is of a particularly varied character, and includes “Vaudeville Days,” “Kings Uv> ” cartoon, and a Regent Review of World Events. A special feature will be provided by a musical interlude during which the beautiful old song, “ In the Gloaming, will be rendered by a distinguished singer. OCTAGON THEATRE Coming at a time when theatre patrons have been given a series of musical comedies, lavishly produced modern dramas, and pictures of society life, Lily of Killarney, which will be released at the Octagon Theatre to-day, is a welcome change. Set amidst beautiful Irish scenery about the Lake of Killarney, the film is a refreshing story of the simple Irish peasants of the present day. The exterior shots were taken actually on the scene of the story. The story concerns the love of Sir Patrick Creegan, a young Irish land owner and sportsman, for Eileen O’Connor, one of his tenants, a beautiful young girl, known as the “ Lily of Killarney.” The only persons who know of his engagement are I ather O’Elynn. the local priest, and Danny Mann, Patrick’s personal servant. Danny is a fanatical type of Irishman, passionately devoted to his master, and he harbours a hate for the girl because she stands in the way of a marriage between Patrick and Anne Chote, an heiress. Patrick is deeply in debt to a neighbour, Sir James Corrigan, who holds a mortgage over Castle Creegan. A chance presents itself for Rat to save his home and marry the girl he loves. The acting of the principals is of an unusually high order. Gifia Malo, as Eileen, makes a bewitching Irish colleen, and gives delightful characterisation of the vivacious and beautiful “ Lily of Killarney.” John Garrick, the well-known baritone, who toured New Zealand with the “Rose Marie ” company, is ideally cast as Sir Patrick Creegan. His voice is heard to advantage in the many Irish songs with which the film abounds, and his singing is one of the outstanding elements of the picture. ■ Father O'Flynn is played by Stanley Holloway, and he gives a meritorious performance as the hard-riding, but beloved, priest of the district. The many lilting Irish melodies which are presented with the assistance of a male choir of 50 voices include such favourites as “The Dear Little Shamrock,” “ Believe Me,’ If All Those Endearing Young Charms,” “My Sheep Dog and I,” “My Little Irish Gig,” and “ Father O’Flynn. STATE THEATRE There is no doubt as to the popularity of “ Change of Heart,” the fine film which is at present being shown at the State Theatre, and the reason for its popularity is not hard to find, for the cast is headed by four players of the highest calibre. First of all, there are Charles Farrell aiid Janet Gaynor, probably the most universally-liked screen team in the world, who are again responsible for attractive performances. When, in addition to these two, the picture includes two stars of the rank of Ginger Rogers and James Dunn, it could hardly be otherwise than a success. The story which has been chosen for the four is admirably suited to their talents on the screen. Adapted from a novel by Kathleen Norris, the tale is one of everyday life, the sort of theme which, after all, has the widest appeal amongst any class of people. Four young people leave the life of the college behind them and go out to face the world. How they fare, with what sorrows and happiness they meet, with what success and failure, provides the theme of the picture, and, interpreted by this fine cast, with the assistance of a number of other competent players, it makes extremelyenjoyable entertainment. There is also a good supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and Beggs. EMPIRE THEATRE “ On Secret Service,” the British International espionage drama which will come to the Empire Theatre to-day, is said to hold audiences in a veritable vyce-like grip of genuine suspense. It is a story of two lovers caught up in the relentless network of international intrigue. One is Herr Hombergk, an Austrian officer; the other Marcella, a beautiful blonde spy in the Italian Secret Service. They meet in Vienna, gay city of romance, and their happiness is shattered by the declaration of war. They meet again in -Italy, when Hombergk is at work on a _ dangerous Secret Service mission for his country, and Marcella’s love is put to a terrible test. Although at times disguised as an Italian soldier and at others masquerading as an Italian gentleman armed with passports that withstood the most searching inquiry, Hombergk was “ under suspicion, and twice in the course of her duties Marcella is called upon to identify this “ enemy spy,” and twice she shields the man she loves, although sworn by oath to serve Italy at all times. She pleads with him to leave the country, but the Austrian pursues his plans almost to completion before Marcella stirs herself on behalf of her country. Racing by car at breakneck speed, she reaches Hombergk s plane, in which he, disguised as a trusted Italian “ ace,” is about to “ take off ” on a flight that would deliver a great blow to the Italian Secret Service. She pleads -with him to stay with her in safety, else she will give the alarm and hold on to the plane so that he cannot leave without killing her. Then it is that Hombergk must also make a terrible decision—love or duty—and the decision must be instantaneous. This dramatic picturisation is presented by a selected cast headed by Greta Nissen. Carl Diehl, Don Alvarado, Lester Matthews, and a fine supporting cast. ST. JAMES THEATRE That incomparable Swedish actress, Greta Garbo, will be seen at the St. James to-day in the Metro-Gokhvyn-Mnyer picture “Queen Christina.’’ Here is a picture which, it is claimed, ranks in magnificence of spectacle and breadth of vision with “The Private Life of Henry VIII,” having the additional advantages of being in the main historically true, and having a Swede to enact the role of a Swedish queen. When the great Gustnvus Adolphus, who magnified the kingdom of Sweden, was slain at the Battle of Lfltzen, he was succeeded by ids juvenile daughter Christina. As this young woman matured she developed a love of freedom just as strongly as it existed in her famous father, but, being a woman, it took a bent not uncommon with the frail sex. She had many lovers, but her great passion was that for the Duke Antonio, the Spanish Ambassador, sent to beg for Her hand in marriage by Philip TV of Spain. Christina and the duke meet accidentally, and an intrigue follows. Such is her love for Antonio that she abdicates the throne to fly with her lover to Spain, but in a duel fought over the border the duke is killed by Count Magnus (a displaced lover), and Christina leaves her native country with the mortal remains of her lover. _ One of the most striking and romantic scenes

is the love episode at a country inn, which is true to history. Greta Garbo gives a reposeful and yet intriguing performance as Christina, and John Gilbert figures notably as the handsome Spanish nobleman. Fine work is also done by Lewis Stone, C. Aubrey Smith, and. lan Keith, GRAND THEATRE There is no denying the fact that one of the most popular comedy teams on the screen to-day is that of Wheeler and Woolsey, and the enviable reputation they have built up suffers in no wise from their performance in “Cock-eyed Cavaliers,” the hilarious film which is attracting large audiences to the Grand Theatre. They have appeared in many widely-differing roles with equal success, but it is doubtful whether they have ever dope anything quite so amusing as this film in mediaeval England. At the opening of the picture they are seen as two-wandering vagabonds living on their wits, or rather on Woolsey’s, and they make _ their first appearance when they ride into a village on the underside of the carriage of the Duke of Wester, all unknown to the duke, of course. The latter, “in fair round belly ” has come to claim his bride, but unfortunately the intended bride’s ideas on the ideal husband do not coincide with those of the duke, and she decides that rather than marry him she will run away. Meanwhile, owing to the kleptomaniacal habits of Wheeler, the vagabonds have been lodged in the village stocks, and are being bombarded with vegetables by an outraged populace, but they are freed by the escaping girl, and the three ride away together. Late at night, weary and tired, they enter ail inn where they find themselves among a party of boarhunters headed by a neighbouring baron, who happens to be married to a neice of the duke. All goes well until the landlord announces the arrival of the gaoler in search of two vagabonds escaped from the stocks, and the three wayfarers have to do some quick thinking. They are equal to the occasion, however, and before long they have stolen the clothes of the king’s physician and his assistant, who are on their way to attend the duke, who is suffering from insomnia. They drive off in their victim’s coach, and in good time arrive at the duke’s home, where, by some unorthodox medical practices they secure, the desired result of putting the duke to sleep. They are begged to make themselves his guests indefinitely, which they are only too willing to do. since Woolsey has fallen a victim to the charms of the baroness, and Wheeler and the runaway girl are also becoming very friendly. Everything, goes smoothly for a time until the_ return of the baron, who finds that the king’s physician has been philandering with his wife. He dare not touch the representative of the king,’ however, and the latter makes full use of the leniency shown him, until the real king’s physician arrives. Just at this moment, however, when the game seems to be up, a ferocious wild boar gores one of the duke’s prize horses, and it is by capturing the beast in the most ludricrous manner that the partners manager to, save their lives. It is good fun all the way thi’ough, and the principals arc given valuable support by a large cast, including Thelma Todd, Dorothy Lee, and Noah Beery. There is also a particularly good supporting programme, including a Charlie Chaplin comedy, “ The Adventurer,” The box plans for the season are at the theatre and at Messrs Charles Begg and Co.’s. STRAND THEATRE Did you ever hear about-.the time a man lost a filling out of his tooth and thus started a gold rush of hundreds of wild-eyed miners? It was like this: A man on an abandoned ranch on the desert had an argument with a wandering prospector, and found himself on the receiving end of a vigorous blow on-the jaw —lusty enough, indeed, to knock out his shiny gold inlay. A few moments later the prospector saw the supposed “ nugget ” lying on the sand, and promptly decided that his 40-year search was over. At last he had struck it rich! He hastened for town, and it wasn’t long before a loquacious bartender had seen the nugget and learned of the “ gold strike ’ at the ranch. In a matter of minutes the whole town had heard about it, and before long the road into the desert was choked with feverishly excited townspeople, all intent on staking a claim at the ranch. This is one of the hilarious situations in “Love Birds,” the Universal comedy which will come to the Strand Theatre to-day, with Slim Summerville and Zasu Pitts, in the starring roles. S|im Summerville was the man who lost the inlay,, hut he was already having enough trouble with the .■ resolute Miss Pitts, ex-school teacher, and her sissy little nephew, Gladwyn,. without being bothered by a howling pack of gold-crazy miners. i