ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 20771, 11 May 1929, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE REGENT. VAUDEVILLE AND PICTURES. AN ENJOYABLE ENTERTAINMENT. The story of “A Single Man” which was screened at the Regent Theatre for the first time last evening is a new variation of an old theme —the love call of youth to middle age—and altogether provides very fine entertainment. Lew Cody who portrays a middle-aged bachelor, is supported ably by Aileen Pringle, his team mate in many a fine production. The whole' picture placed in a very modern setting with all the frivolity of American collegians as a background, goes to show the futility of this pursuit of youth by those whose twenty-first birthday is a thing of the past and it is only after a hectic experience that Lew Cody is brought to realize it. Wild parties, adventures in swimming pools and very amusing experiences at a Fourth of July celebrations in which fireworks play a very important part, go to make this picture an unusually interesting one. Aileen Pringle plays the part of a secretary whose charm is not realized by her employer until he is weary and aching as a result of his vain pursuit. Throughout the production runs a delightful vein of humour and there are some clever sequences which were fully appreciated by last evening’s audience. Mr Cody and Miss Pringle are very ably suported by Marceline Day and Edward Nugent, Kathlyn Williams, Eileen Manning and many other screen players of merit. The picture was directed by Harry Beaumont, who has introduced some clever touches into the production with the result that the finished product is practically flawless. A wellknown performer in local theatricals some time ago appeared before the audience last evening in the person of Miss Doreen Dore, a dainty soubrette, who pleased her audience with popular songs and modern dance steps, her act being altogether too short. This talented artiste should prove very popular with Invercargill theatregoers. The second feature “Hold ’em Yale” starring Jeanette .Loff and Rod La Rocque tells the story of a Freshman’s struggle to win the heart of his lady fair by performances on the athletic field. The famous Yale University is chosen as the setting. . Rod La Rocque appears as the son of an Argentinian nobleman and the story opens in a typical setting. There circumstances brought about his meeting with the lady in the case and he there and then decides to proceed to Yale. There is an- unusual raciness in the picture which appeals to all and this combined with the fact that there is none of the farcial situations which characterize man- programmes of this type renders it an outstanding one. It abounds in clever comedy of the lighter type which judging for the uproarious laughter with which it was received last night is popular with Invercargill audiences. Of its particular type it is one of the best that has been seen here for some time. The supporting features included the Regent’s review of world’s events and a screamingly funny “Our Gang” comedy. The Regent orchestra, under the direction of Mr Robert Caulton rendered some specially selected musical items. The programme will be repeated to-night.

CIVIC PICTURES. GLENN TRYON AND PATSY RUTH MILLER IN “THE GATE CRASHER” AND ‘THRILLS ON TOP OF THE WORLD”—“LOST IN THE ARCTIC.” Once again the Civic Pictures management offers an exceptionally fine evening’s entertainment to picturegoers. The principal feature, which is essentially of a light character, “The Gate Crasher,” with Glenn Tryon and Patsy Ruth Miller in the leading roles. In his latest starring vehicle, which is a comedy of the most hilarious type, Tryon proves himself to be a comedian of the first flight, and his intimate drollery combined with his remarkable flair for getting himself into the most ridiculous situations, provides an abundance of humour that is absolutely irresistible. Patsy Ruth Miller, who plays feminine lead, gives a delightful portrayal of the part of a stage star with whom the hero falls in love, and also supplies a brand of humour entirely her own, and the combined performances of the two leading players go to make one of the most laughable comedies seen in this city for some considerable time. Tryon is seen as Dick Henshaw*, an amateur country detective, who meets Mara Di Leon, a stage star, while she is returning to New York. He falls in love with her and accidentally saves her jewellery from being stolen by her maid and Press agent,' who are in league with each other. He follows her to New York, and arrives on the scene when she discovers that her jewels have been stolen again. In spite of all obstacles that are put in his way by Mara’s rascally Press agent, Dick persists in his endeavours to locate the stolen jewels, and in the course of his peregrinations arrives at the theatre where Mara is acting in a Roman play. After an amusing interlude Dick finds himself in a prominent position on the stage, and his antics in a burlesque Roman costume are irresistibly funny. .He is ejected finally, but is still determined to discover the missing jewels. He catches the maid and the Press agent plotting, and perceives a way in which to secure possession of the necklace. At the night club he disguises himself as a performer and seizes both the money which Mara is paying the thieves and the jewels which the thieves are returning. Then ensures a series of thrilling and hilarious adventures, which concludes with the arrest of the thieves and the culmination of the romance between Dick and Mara. With interest ever tending towards the vast ■ icefields that still defy the progress of modern science and mastery of man, and being particularly keen now because of Byrd’s present record of an effort to penetrate the mystery of the Antarctic, the trip to the “roof of the world,” shown in the Fox film “Lost in the Antarctic,” is of particular value just now. Unlike most travelogues there is dramatic punch, and when the camera solves the mysterious fate of eight members of Stefansson’s crew who disappeared during the 1913 expedition, there is strong play on the emotions. Thrills are there in plenty with the camera catching everything that makes the senses tingle to the excitement of the chase—and danger. Preparing a whale hunt, the sighting of the monster, the fight for life—grimly determined by both hunters and hunted —and the eventful kill, are vividly presented. The pursuit across dangerous floes in trail of a giant polar bear, and the bear’s charge at the tiny craft is another highlight. There are .supporting items of variety and interest, including comedy and news reel, so all patrons are catered for in this excellent programme. MAJESTIC. BIG THREE FEATURE PROGRAMME.

Myrna Loy is featured as Nan Toy,, a Chinese “Madame Butterfly,” in Warner Master Pictures’ “The Crimson City,” which comas to Majestic Theatre to-night. No actress on the screen to-day can create the same atmosphere of mysterious loveliness as Miss Loy, and she makes much of the character of Nan Toy, the Chinese slave girl who saves an English refugee from selfdestruction, nurses him to health, and then, after braving all dangers for his sake, gives him up to a white girl. Some of the most famous Oriental character actors appear in “The Crimson City,” among them being Sojin, Anna May Wong and Matthew Betz. John Miljan plays the renegade. The white girl is splendidly impersonated by Leila Hyams. Anders Randolf plays the part of her father. Richard Tucker is cast as. the influential Mr Brand, who tries to prevent the white man’s exoneration that he may claim the English girl’s love. “The Crimson City” is thrilling and glamorous romance. Anthony Coldeway did the scenario and Archie Mayo directed. It s a play you oughtn’t to miss. There is little need to introduce “A Sister to Assist ’er,” also opening at this theatre to-day—the music hall sketch of which this film is an adapta-

tion—it is too well known throughout the country, and in fact, throughout the whole of the English-speaking world. For eleven years up till the time of the death of the late Fred Emney, the sketch ran continuously as a top liner and was played in every part of the British Isles. Its popularity is well indicated in the number of catch-phrases that have been borrowed by the public from its dialogue. The film incorporates the whole uf “Mrs May’s” adventures as depicted in the music hall sketch, and also introduces other adventures that it was impossible to portray within the time limit of a vaudeville act. “A Sister to Assist ’er” might almost be described as a classic of Cockney low life. Its broad humour has given pleasure to millions, and through the instrument of the screen, it will amuse many more millions yet. A further fascinating story of the famous “The Collegians” will also be screened. HANALEI THE ENTERTAINER. TO-NIGHT, MONDAY AND TUESDAY. Hanalei, the versatile entertainer, and his talented vaudeville company appear in the Victoria Hall to-night, also on Monday and Tuesday. Hanalei performs with silks, rice and other Eastern paraphernalia and is said to be uncanny and startling. The Eastern atmosphere is never absent, and the dressing and staging is on a most elaborate scale. The supporting artists will greatly add variety to the programme.