AMUSEMENTS REGENT THEATRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22487, 4 February 1935, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS

REGENT THEATRE

In the stage play, "The du Barry," Dunedin audiences have already seen something of the lavishness which enveloped the Court of Louis XV, but in . the film of the same name, which is now being shown at the Regent Theatre, the (wider scope of the studio set has! permitted a presentation even more scintillating. Gorgeous frockings, glittering uniforms, and elaborate,- furnishings are i used to advantage, and the, whole atmosphere of the Court is. admirably sustained. The film, however* is not notable for its splendid presentation alone, for Dolores Del Rio is well cast in the role of Madame du Barry,; and she dominates the film with the same, gay- confidence with which the original du Barry maintained her ascendancy over Louis XV. Another impeccable performance is given by Reginald Owen as the King, and his acting with Miss Del Rio is an outstanding success. Supporting roles are 'well taken, and those of the principal courtiers are excellently portrayed, i The story covers the period from the Pompadour's death, when the du Barry made her meteoric rise, virtually from the gutter, to become the most powerful inuence behind the French until the Kings death, and the subsequent imprisonment of the du Barry. For the most part the film is light in tone, but there'is a touch of sadness in the downfall of the shrewd Comptesse at the Kings death. Miss Del Rio's bright and vigorous portrayal, together with the .brilliant presentation, makes the '■ film entertainment of a very high order. The supporting programme is an unusually interesting and varied one, covering a wide range of topics. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.

EMPIRE THEATRE \ Entertainment of a novel and interesting character is presented in " Dames," which is at present.being shown.at the Empire Theatre. In this farce Guy Kibbee and Zasu Pitts are husband and wife who have decided hopes from a wealthy and niost eccentric uncle, Hugh Herbert. Ruby Keeler is their daughter, in love with. Dick Powell, the "bad fruit Of the family tree," Joan Bloridell is the bighearted actress who compromises the terribly moral Kibbee for 20,000 dollars to back Powell's show in New York. When the uncle decides to start a moral uplift movement the family "hangers-on,'' are compelled to see it through for the sake of the expected £10,000,000. Meanwhile, the daughter joins with the black sheep in a stage production. There are so many twists in the plot which pile laugh on laugh that they cannot be enumerated here. The climax is reached when these too moral people attend a 'first night" fortified with "golden j'u ra per cent ' alc °M'. There is not a dull moment from these leading players, and this feature is further enhanced by the incidence of some dozens of attractive dames "in some most atstonishingly beautiful settings. An outstanding scene is shot with the girls assembling smartly in geometrical designs, dressed in black and white against a dark background. Trick photography and ingenious camera w °rk are for ah. atmosphere of distinction in comparison with previous musical shows. Ruby Keeler's dancing needs no emphasising to an already appreciative public, and Dick Powell's sing- }?* and gaiety are already a standard. a f u «*" ls Mr.; usual; mournful, laughable self, and no man plays the embarrassed husband better than Kibbee. Ihere is a good, programme of supporting short subjects. The box plans are at the -theatre and the D.I.C.

_GRAND theatre A successful season may'confidently be predicted for the current programe at the Grand Theatre, in which -two highlyattractive musical films," "Danny Boy" ?na„ Song at Eventide?' are presented. In l, Da , nn y Bov •"• *« «oiy « portrayed with all v the emotion which is characteristic of the Celtic race. The story is inspired by the world-famoue melody of the same name, and it unfolds a charming tale: of love, betrayed trust, and reconciliation, the latter being effected by the. love of - the' separated parents for their little son. -The wife goes to America, where she wins fame as a singer; The father and his young son also endeavour to, win their livelihood by.music, but'they'meet with poor success playing as street musicians, The scenes a« they wander through London by day and in the dosshouses by night are most graphic. The mother's love is not to be denied, and she returns to London hoping to meet her. son, and: the film then moves logically and not without restraint to its conclusion. "Liebestraum," "Come Back to Erin," " Mountains of Mourne," "Danny Boy," are amongthe • numbers which are artistically rendered. Dorothy Dickson, Ronnie Hepworth, Denis ! O'NeilU and Frank Forbes-Robertson are the principal players. Fay Compton has the leading role in the second film, which is in lighter vein. Lester Mathews and Leslie Perrine play opposite her. The scenic background of the film is very attractive. . The box. plans are at the theatre and at Begg's.

STATE THEATRE Those who' saw Richard Tauber in " Blossom Time," will welcome the opportunity of making a comparison between his. Schubert and the Schubert of Nils Asther in "Love Time," which is now being screened at the State Theatre. The two parts are distinctly contrasting for where the Schubert of "Blossom Time" wag the mature master at the height of his fame, this time he is seen as a young man with his reputation to make. There is more. action about " Love Time," and the story moves to a climax which is not expected, and which is free from any pathos. The story deals with the romance which takes place between Schubert and the daughter of an aristocratic family, who has been .living since her babyhood in the country. But the Emperor has other plans for the daughter of the man who has * brought success to his arms and messengers arrive to take the girl to Vienna where she is to be introduced to a life befitting her rank. .However, 6he escapes the couriers and flees to Vienna alone, where she and Schubert meet again and are reunited, for a few days in sheer bliss. She is eventually found and taken to/ the palace, and it "is here that the picture takes ah unexpected turn that is both surprising and satisfactory. Nile Asther gives a splendid rendering of the part of the young composer, and Pat Paterson, a beautiful young English star, is delightful as the girl he loves. Herbert Mundin and Harry Green supply the comedy. The supporting programme is an excellent one and the box plans for the season will be found at the theatre and Begg's.

ST. JAMES THEATRE ."Wake Up and Dream," the Universal musical film, which is-at present being shown at the St. James Theatre, has all the features which go toward making productions of this kind a success. The film has a strong cast, and there is an adequate plot, but its claim to distinction must lie in the singing of the late Russ Columbo, who gave such a notable performance as the male principal; of "Broadway Through a Keyhole." In that ..film he made a decided impression, but in " Wake Up and Dream " he has scored an even greater success. Notable among the songs he sings is " Too Beautiful for Words," a delightful melody which bears comparison with the- best heard from screen or stage in recent years. The plot of the film deals with the traditional struggles of three' talented but almost penniless actors to.make good at their . profession. The ability of the supporting cast, headed by Roger Pryor and June Knight, gives this well-known theme a fresh interest. As a thrustful schemer with a glib tongue and a capacity for humorous repartee, Roger Pryor is outstanding. Other players who give consistently good performances are Catharine Doucet, Henry Armetta, and Andy Devine. In support there is the usual high-class programme. A Universal newsreel deals with many features of topical interest, including the recent victory of Lovelock, the New Zealand mile runner, over W. Bbnthron, of the United States. The box plans are 'at the theatre, the D.1.C., M'Cracken and Walls's, and Jacobs's.

MAYFAIR THEATRE A double-feature programme combining all the essentials of enjoyable entertainment was commenced before large audiences at the M'ayf air Theatre, on Saturday, when " Life in the Raw " and " This Side of Heaven" were shown. The former is one of those vigorous, lively Western romances that are always popular, and this one may be recommended' all the more for. the fact that the story is from the pen of that gifted outdoor writer, 1 Zane Grey. Set against the dynamic background of the old West, " Life in the Raw" moves with a swing from start to finish, and the characters pass, across the screen in a' colourful nageant that holds the close attention of the audience until the final sequence. It has a further attraction in that the central .figure is no other than George O'Brien, who is justly famed for his interpretations ; of Western roles, and he has rarely given a better performance than in this film. Presenting a sharp contrast, the other feature deals with the life of a typical middle-class family, and deals' in an intimate manner with the Eroblems that such people have to face, ionel Barrymore, Una Merkel, and Eddie Nugent have the leading roles, arid they are supported by a large and competent cast, including Fay Bainter, Mae Clarke, Tom Brown, and Henry Wadsworth.

OCTAGON THEATRE Thrills, comedy, and romance are provided in generous measure in "The Captain Hates the Sea." which is being shown at the Octagon Theatre at the present time. A pleasant variation of the familiar "cruise" theme, the film treats the matter from an entirely different angle, and consequently provides entertainment that may, be recommended -to all classes of : theatre-goers. The people who board the ship at New York are a mixed company, and before the vessel returns to her home port many exciting and. interesting things happen. A drunken reporter emmarks on the cruise to try and shake off. the alcohol and also to start the book he has always been meaning to write.. A Cuban leaves for his homeland in order to start a revolution; two crooks hoard the ship, closely followed by a detective; and the chief steward falls foul, of the captain, who. spends most of his time on the bridge detesting the sea as heartily as he can. The Cuban reaches home and is shot within 10 minutes of his arrival, the detective falls in love with ■jthe-. lady. ; crook,- and the reporter keeps on drinking. By the time the ship arrives back in New York the various situations have been cleared, and the picture ends i happily. Victor M'Laglan, John Gilbert, and Helen Vinson have the leading roles, and receive valuable support from the subsidiary players. There ua good supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre, Begg's, and M'Cracken and Walls's. •''

.STRAND THEATRE A comedy of thrills is ' provided in "Murder in a Private Car," the featured picture at; the Strand Theatre this week. Charles Ruggles and Merkel provide the humour,. and the thrills just happen. Concerning a girl who is discovered as the heiress of a railway magnate after years of separation, the story works through a kidnapping attempt to a journey, by those most concerned, from Los Angeles to New York. The official guardian of the heiress is murdered on the job, while Ruggles is busy on his selfappointed task of " deflecting." For he is not a detective, but a "deflector." A very different matter when the crimes he deflects are attempted in a runaway Pullman car. There is the excitement of half a dozen people whose .lives are in jeopardy if the runaway topples off the track at break-neck speed, and if a rescuing engine's draw-bar strikes their buffer. Everybody plays up to the situations excellently, while Ruggles chips in with his irrepressible fun. The heiress heroine is played by Mary Carlisle, who is pretty enough to grace any production, and her " boy friend" is the handsome Russell Hardie. The wreck of a circus train is another sequence of, thrills and laughs, when Ruggles gets badly mixed up with an assortment of beasts, and the subsequent frightening moments when a gorilla) invades the private car makes another thrilling spasm. Then there is a touch of the deep-dyed thriller picture when a menacing voice warns the victims of their approaching doom, nnd the car is gradually. made pitch-black inside by the raising of some steel panels outside. Every now .and then Ruggles, with unexpected sangfroid, saves the principals from imminent death. There is an excellent supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.