ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 21087, 20 May 1930, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE CIVIC.

LAST NIGHT OF THE DONOVAN V. SARRON FIGHT; REX BELL IN “TAKING A CHANCE,” AND POLLY MORAN IN “HONEYMOON.”

Those who were unable to make the trip to Dunedin to see the memorable contest between Donovan and Sarron will have the final opportunity of seeing the moving picture showing in detail the happenings during the eventful fifteen rounds at the Civic to-night. Doubtful looking punches will be noted by keen observers, probably emphasized on account of Donovan’s crouching attitude and Sarron’s more upright stance. The contest was a particularly vigorous one and arguments regarding the correctness of the referee’s decision are very rife among those who have already seen the picture. In addition to the fight there are two other star pictures, the first of which is “Taking a Chance.” Rex Bell’s pleasing personality makes this an amusing Western, more comedy than melodramatic. This time he is a magician, he joins forces with a travelling clergyman, so that they might make easy money. He falls in love with the heroine, who had turned bandit, when the villain who had robbed her dead sister’s child, refused to give back the money. The hero, learning of the circumstances, forces the villain to surrender when he tells the townspeople that he is really a crook instead of an honest sheriff. The other feature, “Honeymoon," is based on a story of a dog that was too loyal to his mistress, causing a very happy honeymoon to become a whimsical farce with a ton of embarrassments. It is hilariously funny to see. Polly Moran and Harry Gribbon, whose

names tsand for a lot of fun in any picture, are co-starred in “Honeymoon” with “Flash,” the wonder dog, who is making his debut in comedy, and proves himself to be more of a stone-face than Buster Keaton. Bert Roach is seen as the jilted sweetheart, who gives his most cherished possession, his dog, to his loved one, and instructs the dog to guard the bride with his life. Thoroughly in sympathy with the idea, when the dog finds that the bride is about to leave with the groom he goes along, too, and makes things mighty interesting for all concerned. MAJESTIC. LAST NIGHT OF “SKINNER STEPS OUT” AND “NO DEFENCE." ' Glenn Tryon reaches new heights as a comedian in “Skinner Steps Out,” Universal’s uproarious farce-comedy, which closes to-night at the Majestic. It is an all-talking picture. "Skinner Steps Out” is an ideal vehicle for the unique fun-making talents of the famous comedian. The story deals with the efforts of a young couple to advance themselves in the business and social world. That the course of true love never does run smooth is again demonstrated in the new Warner Bros.', picture, “No Defence,” also closing to-night, which presents Monte Blue and May McAvoy as co-stars. “No Defence” is an all-dialogue picture. Mary falls in love with the vigorous Monte when she finds him in the West as construction foreman of a bridge being erected by her father’s firm, but when the strapping Westerner later visits her in the city, she experiences a sudden change of heart. She goes West again, however, for the dedication of the newly completed bridge, but there follow a number of events that bring her castle of cards tumbling down about her ears, and plunge her into the depths of despair. In the supporting cast are Kathryn Carver, William Desmond, William H. Tooker and Lee Moran. Lloyd Bacon directed this fast-moving production. The story by J. Raleigh Davis was adapted for the screen by Robert Lord. Splendid direction and photoplay add to the effect of the strong story. THE REGENT. RAMON NOVARRO’S MUSICAL ROMANCE “DEVIL MAY CARE” AND LAUREL AND HARDY IN “NIGHT OWLS.” Genuine amusement and intelligent entertainment are the keynotes of the new programme playing an extended season at the Regent Theatre. Ramon Novarro appears in a very distinguished role in a very notable production. As Armand in “Devil May Care,” he registers a vigorous success, and he is responsible for a vigorous and lifelike impersonation of a character wellknown in French drama. “Devil May Care” is a musical romance of considerable merit, and should appeal to audiences, not alone on account of the excellent subject matter and story on which it is based, but also by reason of the attractive musical numbers which it contains —tuneful melodies of the kind that are worth remembering, delightfully sung and well recorded. “Devil May Care” is an intriguing and exciting story of the fall of Napoleon just prior to his banishment to Elba, and after his return for a brief reign before Waterloo cut his career in France suddenly short. The tale centres round Armand, one of the leaders of the Buonapartist movement that is working for the return of the Emperor from Elba, and Leonie, a charming and personable damsel who has been unfortunate enough to feel the heavy hand of the Emperor and the revolutionaries, who pillage her aristocratic home, kill her father and ruin her mother. The position that arises is no new one. The Buonapartist leader falls in love with the girl whose harsh treatment has made her madly Royalist. A great many things happen to both of them before the tangle is unravelled, but as all good stories invariably do, this one ends very felicitously with the happy pair crooning love songs to each other. The production is well staged, and has the advantage of good recording. But in addition to this meain feature there is a comedy item which finds ready acceptance. It is “The Night Owls,” featuring those two inimitable and irresistible comedians, Laurel and Hardy. Their vogue in the silent film was a wide one, and they enjoyed the keen appreciation of thousands of admirers, but anything they achieved on the inarticulate screen has been undoubtedly surpassed in the sound productions in which they have appeared lately. Unquestionably they stand in a class by themselves as far as American comedians are concerned, and it will be long before Laurel’s ludicrously funny face and constantly moving and expressive hands fail to amuse. _ Hardy, his stout and choleric companion in nonsense, is no less firm a favourite. Then there are other short subjects equally good— George Lyons, singing harpist, Carl Emmy’s Pets, a clever troupe of performing dogs; Metrotone News, etc.