AMUSEMENTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18255, 25 November 1933, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. Fur- cleverness and novelty, “Melody Cruise,” now at the Regent Theatre, is one of the most notable picture-comedies seen lately. It. is “something different” —a comedy full of rhyme, some of which is sung; and ail the various operations of the luxury liner on which Hie cruise is made, are brought into the rhythm. Tlie steamer's whistles fit into the music as though they were an instrument in an orchestra, the engines revolve in rhythm, the steering wheel goes round likewise, and the brooms of the deck-swabbers move in harmony. After a clever prologue, the audience is at once plunged into the life and the intrigues of the luxury liner. As a husband with a wife at home in America, Charlie Ruggies gets into a heap of suspicion that believer intended to get itild, -and spends his time trying to prevent news reaching his wife of his relationship with some girl stowaways (who were too drowsy to get off the ship after a cocktail party in port). Phil Harris is the handsome young man whom Rugglps tries, to chaperone, but all the girls get at Harris, and the final is fought between Greta Nissen and Helen Mack. Helen lands the handsome brute. A lot of praise is due to the comedy of Buggies, and there is probably no film actor who could have done his part better and cleaner. Chick Chandler's steward (a magician with a tray) is also a bright spot. Anyone wanting to sec' a melodious comedy, one with a touch of lyrical romance, and adorned with feminine beauty and pretty scenes, should see and hear “Meldoy Cruise.” It finishes with a real gem—the skaters’ ballet. The China travel picture is in itself worth the money. The cartoon “Silvery Moon” is original, and Laura La Plante is leading lady in a quaint comedy. Remarkable air stunts are among bright iteriis in'the gazettes. , MAJESTIC THEATRE “The Stranger’s Return,” which is at the Majestic Theatre, is a picture far removed from the sophisticated films of modern life. It is a simple tale, off simple people, which gdes straight to the heart because of its simplicity. The story centres around an ancestral farm in America, to which the prodigal granddaughter returns from New* York. She is welcomed by her grandfather, but is resented by his relations-in-law, and around these eK eumstanees the whole story is delicately woven. Lionel Barrymore rises to great heights in his characterisation of Grandpa Storr, who prefers, against doctor’s orders, bacon and eggs for breakfast rather than “them earboard foods,” and who conceals a sympathetic and understanding heart beneath a mask of irascibility. Miriam Hopkins handles -the difficult part with credit, - and forms an attractive background for the routine life on the farm. The supports include a Gharlie Chase comedy and scenes from the American women’s tennis championship, showing Miss Jacobs beating Mrs WillsMoody. Weather permitting, the Rifles Band will be in attendance at Waikanae Beach on Sunday afternoon. The performance will include some interesting numbers and will commence at 2.45 o’clock.