ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 20903, 12 October 1929, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

MALE CHOIR CONCERT. A programme that should be greatly appreciated by Invercargill music lovers, will be given in the Municipal Theatre next Tuesday evening, when the Invercargill Male Choir will make its only appearance for 1929. A splendid variety of works has been chosen by the choir, and an introduction will be made of several of Sir R. R. Terry’s popular “Sea Shanties.” One of the features of the evening should be the contralto solos of Miss Mary Pratt, who is making her first appearance in Invercargill, and who is considered to have a most promising future in the musical world. Mr R. L. Pettitt, violinist, will play one of Heifetz’s favourites “The Dance of the Goblins” and will lead a string quartette

party in a special arrangement of “In a Monastry Garden.” Mr R. Henry, solo pianist should also please, while the Wills Brothers, the champion brass quartette, will play “Rienzi" (Wagner). Messrs A. W. Kummert, F. H. Johnson and W. H. Farley are the male soloists and can be relied upon to give something that will ensure encores. The enterprise of the choir certainly deserves the greatest support from the public and with the high standard of music offered, the concert promises to be a splendid success. The box plan is now open at the Bristol and the usual low prices of 3/-, 2/- 1/will be charged. Both the 3/- and 2/tickets can be reserved. ANOTHER EXCITING MYSTERY. “THE GREENE MURDER CASE”—AT

THE REGENT MATINEE AND NIGHT. Once again S. S. Van Dine has given us a real thriller. “The Greene Murder Case” is more intriguing and exciting than anything that has ever before been seen in any theatre, and the solution of the mystery is cleverly concealed as to defy all attempts to find the person who is capable of planning and carrying out the series of crimes ground which the action of the picture revolves. “The Greene Murder Case,” in which the super-sleuth, Philo Vance, again shows the way to the police in the solution of a crime which, on this occasion, does not merely concern the death of one person but the practical annihilation of a whole family. There seems to be no end to the devilish cunning of the insane killer. Thrill follows thrill in disconcerting fashion, and then all of a sudden the solution of the whole terrible business is brought to light by the great detective. “The Greene Murder Casa” far outdoes the former film in everything that made “The Canary Murder Case” an outstanding picture. But to tell more of the story or its remarkable climax would be to spoil the entertainment of audiences at the Regent. In every way “The Greene Murder Case” is a picture of substance and merit. All the little points that go to make up a good film have been attended to, and the fidelity of detail has had the satisfactory effect of making what would almost seem impossibilities appear quite probable. Some of the players who distinguished themselves in "The Canary Murder Case” appear again in “The Greene Murder Case,” notably William Powell, who has met with such remarkable success in all the sound films. He again takes the part of the detective, Philo Vance, and carries off the convincing demeanour and coolness of that interesting character to perfection. Jean Arthur, who also appeared in “The Canary Murder Case,” again has an important role which she handles with consummate ease and distinction. The district attorney and the cocksure sergeant, who is always wrong, are again represented by the same players, but new stars have had to be introduced. Suspicion in the mind of the spectator switches backwards and forwards dizzily as the investigators unearth this and that fact about the various suspects, but it is safe to say that the most astute of picture-goers will find themselves very wide of the mark when it comes to the final show-down. “The Greene Murder Case” is a picture worth seeing and worth remembering. Indeed it is a picture one could not readily forget and is sure to be freely discussed during the week. The all-talking featurettes listed for this programme include another of the humorous song cartoon novelties, “Mother Pin a Rose on Me,” and a diverting sketch “Jed’s Vacation,” dealing with happenings in the household of a travelling salesman, who has a few days off the road. Other i shorts will be found to be of exceptional interest.

, CIVIC PICTURES. MUNICIPAL THEATRE. “TRENT’S LAST CASE” RAYMOND GRIFFITH, MARCELINE DAY, RAYMOND HATTON, LAWRENCE GRAY. ‘THE CAVALIER” RICHARD TALMADGE, BARBARA BEDFORD.

A most wonderful programme has been secured for screening at the Civic for their numerous patrons. Old and young alike will be thrilled and sit on the edge of their seats while “Trent’s Last Case” is being shown. There are many attractive features and the cast is a very strong one and features Donald Crisp, Raymond Griffith, Marceline Day, Lawrence Gray and Raymond Hatton. The story concerns an elderly cripple who sees his young and pretty wife falling in love with his secretary. His jealousy is aggravated when he hears the man threaten to kill him if he continues to be cruel to the wife. Then in sequence his life is threatened by all the members of the household. This prompts him to evolve a plan whereby his secretary will pay a dire penalty for his attachment to the wife. His idea is to commit suicide, but in such a way that evidence will point to the boy as his slayer. He is found dead, but having failed to allow* for certain contingencies suspicion falls on all the folks who had previously threatened his life. Then the famed amateur detective, Trent, gets on the job and, work; ing on theories, manages to wrongly implicate several of the suspects. Eventually the wife’s father comes to light with a confession which throws the correct light on the case. “The Cavalier” pictures the exploits, literally breath taking and death defying, of that friend of right as against might called simply El Caballero, in preventing Ramon Torreno from succeeding in uniting in marriage his son, Carlos, and beautiful Lucia IfArquista, whose impoverished family have sent her all the way from Spain to the new world as the sacrifice which will restore their wealth and position, by means of Ramon’s purchase price. Near the close of that long journey she meets El Caballero, and their passion and determination that Lucia shall never belong to Carlos involve them in happenings which sound incredible until you actually see them on the screen, Richard Talmadge, of course, has the title role, and in it give his greatest performance. A comedy entitled “Forty-five Minutes from Hollywood” and starring Glen Tryon is on the same programme. At the matinee the “Tarzan” prizes will be given so roll up boys and girls. THE MAJESTIC. THRILLS IN THE ANTARCTIC. H. B. WARNER, MONTE BLUE AND LOIS WILSON IN “CONQUEST.” Exploration in those unkown parts of the world which climate renders uninhabitable by Europeans has exercised a fascination which the bolder spirits have for centuries attempted to satisfy—some successfully but many more have been compelled to acknowledge defeat. So keen has been the interest that books dealing with exploration whether based on fact or fiction, have had a very ready sale, while conjecture on the conditions ruling in the frozen north or south are frequent topics of conversation. Just now, interest is centred on the activities of the Byrd expedition and it is therefore a happy coincidence that Warner Bros, all-talking production “Conquest” should be booked to the Majestic. This sensational drama of Antarctic exploration brings all the thrills of discovery and flying over the barren and frozen wastes of the polar region right into the theatre. Undoubtedly it enables a much more definite comprehension of the conditions and perils of the Antarctic than has ever previously been avail-

able in the realms of literature and silent movie drama. “Conquest” is notable for some of the most spectacular scenes ever produced on the silver sheet and in every way establishes itself as one of the most remarkable talkies produced. The story is extremely dramatic and the possibilities are taken the fullest advantages of. It concerns the experiences of two intrepid airmen who undertake the journey to the Pole by air and in their first attempt fail and are forced down in the ice-bound country. Rather than risk his own life to help to save his injured comrade, Jim Farrell sets off for home leaving his best friend Don Overton to die while he receives the honours due to a hero, and marries the girl who was engaged to marry Don. The amazing complications resulting on this action comprise some of the most remarkable situations imaginable. The picture serves to introduce to the talkie audiences . several favourably known actors of the silent filfii. Monte Blue in the role of Don Overton gives a typically pleasing performance, his voice being excellent. With Blue is associated H. B. Warner who sprang to fame in “Sorrell and Son.” Warner's dramatic performance is a feature of the picture, and his voice compares favourably with the majority of the talkie actors so far introduced to Invercargill audiences. Lois Wilson takes the leading female part and her performance is quite up to the standard of her colleagues. “Conquest” is peculiar for excellent reproduction of the dialogue and all the performers speak in a pleasingly refined manner. Storm effects are excellently reproduced, and the scenes are remarkably spectacular. “Conquest” is a film which can be recommended as an unusual entertainment marking, as it does, new developments in outdoor reproduction. The short supports are of particular interest and contribute in no small measure to the enjoyment of the programme. They include the “Light Cavalry” overture played by the Vitaphone Symphony Orchestra, a charming comedy playlet entitled “Miss Information,” featuring Edward Everett Horton and Lois Wilson, comedy numbers by the popular American entertainers, Miller and Farrell and an interesting scenic of Historic Hungary. The programme will be repeated at a matinee at two o’clock this afternoon and this evening at the usual time.