AMUSEMENTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17945, 24 November 1932, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

REGENT THEATRE Good acting, a fascinating story, delightful humor and haunting music are some of the features of “Good-niglit Vienna,” the British picture which opened a season at the Regent Theatre on Wednesday. This picture affords a striking example of the advance made in the British film industry in recent years. The story of life in Vienna lias an instant appeal and the presence of Jack Buchanan in the leading role adds j greatly to the attraction of the production. Buchanan is cast as Captain Maximilian Schletoi’f, a gay and romantic officer of the Guards, who falls in love t with Viki (Alina Neagle), a beautiful flower girl. Days of happiness are fol- | lowed by the announcement of General Schletoff, his father, that the Emperor has given his blessing to the marriage between the Countess IJelga and Max. ; Viki and Max decide to elope, but the declaration of war between Austria and Serbia abruptly terminates the plan. The war over, Max returns to Vienna impoverished, and works as a shoe assistant, He meets Viki, who has become a famous opera star, but believing ! that he has been false to her, she spurns him. Max, however, persists, and their ! reunion takes place, .lack Buchanan infuses the same humor into his part that won success for him on the stage. He is an actor of great charm and talent i besides possessing a fine baritone voice. He also enjoys the reputation of being one of the finest exponents of eccentric dancing. Anna Neagle possesses a fine , voice as well as acting ability. Four 1 sontr “hits” are included, “Living m i Glover.” “My Pretty Flowers,” “Just Heaven,” and “Good-night Vienna,’ the theme songs. MAJESTIC THEATRE “Murder on the Second Floor,” the first British picture to win instantaneous success in America, and the dramatic story of strange happenings that lead up to a mysterious murder m a Bloomsbury boarding house, is now screening at the Majestic Theatre. Despite its sinister title, it is hy no means a gloomy or morbid picture. It is, in iact, filled with mirthful touches which make it entertainment so well balanced that it ' must appeal to every theatre-goer. The story which concerns the adventures of a voung playwright (John Longden) at a boardinghouse established in Bloomsbury, London, is well constructed, and right from the start, when the young boarder begins to strip the veil in ‘‘everyday worldliness" from his fellow occupants, until the dramatic climax wherein many strange things are brought to light, the audience is held iu tense anticipation and suspense. Two people arc found dead and the police arc faced with the problem of proving a double murder or murder and suicide. Amy Vencss, who .will bo remembered as Die mother-in-law in ‘‘ My V ife _s Family,” takes the part of Mrs. Armitao'c, the proprietress, while Ben Field, shortly to be seen in Gracie Fields “Sally in our Aliev" at this theatre, plays the part of a henpecked husband whose mask of blissful simplicity 14 found to be only a “blind” to his rear nature. Other players who contribute with marked success to the histrionic attractiveness of the film, me Pm Paterson, a popular English radio, state and screen artist; petite Sydney Fairbrothcr, Frank Bellamy, Florence Desmond. Oswald Skilbeck and John Turnbull. The supporting programme includes a comedy entitled “Iho lerteyt Suitor,” “Mediterranean Byways (a travelogue), “Snakes Alive!” (n novelty number), and “Sport Slants, anothei 0 the Ted Husing sporting series.