ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 21089, 22 May 1930, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE REGENT. LAST TWO NIGHTS OF RAMON NOVARRO IN "DEVIL MAY CARE”; LAUREL AND HARDY IN "NIGHT OWLS.” Genuine amusement and intelligent entertainment are the keynotes of the -programme now 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 life-like impersonation of a character well-known 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 tin which it is based, but also by reason of the attract 1 ive 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 Bonapartist 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 main feature there is a comedy, item which finds ready acceptance. ‘lt is, “The Night Owls,” featuring those two inimitable and irresistible comedians, Laurel and Hardy. 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 anti 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. THE CIVIC. EMIL JANNINGS AND RUTH CIIATTER- ' TON IN "SINS OF THE FATHERS”; LOIS MORAN AND NICK STUART IN “JOY STREET.” From waiter to saloon keeper, to bootlegger, then a convict and back to waiter again is the stor v of Emil Jannings in his latest. "Sins of the Fathers,” a picture audiences will like tremendously because of the gripping way in which the story is told and the masterful performance of the star. In addition to Jannings there are two realty remarkable performances in the picture. Ruth Chatterion and Barry Norton are responsible for them. Jannings plays the role of Wilhelm Spengler, a German-American waiter and saloon keeper, who becomes a fabulously wealthy bootlegger only to have his life crash around his shoulders, bringing him in the end back to his'original status. Daring in theme, frankly truthful in its revelations of how the young people of today continuously celebrate life, laid in breath-taking settings, with an astonishing crowd of youngsters who appear to have been enjoying themselves to the utmost during the making of the picture. "Joy Street” is the other star feature. The story is said to be taken from real life. It deals with a wealthy orphan, a girl who has been brought up on a. "prunes and prisms” basis in Switzerland, and who comes to this country to assume control of her fortune. Her childhood friends undertake her education from then on, and it is a hectic and startling sort of an eduaction. At first she is disgusted beyond words at the gay and reckless life she encounters. Her illusions swiftly drop off, to be succeeded by the fascination of this new phase of her existence and presently she is “leading the pack” in all its carefree diversions. She has three passionate love affairs with as many youngsters, and ends up in a blaze of glory with as dramattic a finish as has been screened in many moons Lois Moran, Nick Stuart, Rex Bell and Jose Crespo are the young folk principally concerned. THE MAJESTIC. EXCELLENT MUSICAL COMEDY. “BROADWAY SCANDALS OF 1930” WIN APPROVAL. Bright and sparkling entertainment is provided in “Broadway Scandals of 1930,” which opened at the Majestic yesterday. The management of the Majestic has for some time been showing pictures high in entertainment value, and “Broadway Scandals” may be classed as being among the best of these. It will set the feet of youthful patrons moving in an attempt to imitate the catchy dance numbers, which are particularly well executed. In all over seven songs are incorporated, every one melodious and rhythmic, perhaps the best being “What is Life without Love?” and “I’d Love to Love You!” Both Sally O’Neill and Carmel Myers, who take the leading feminine roles, sing entrancingly, while Jack Egan possesses a pleasing voice. The story concerns the efforts of Jack Egan and Sally O’Neill to break into “big time” on Broadway, their first successes being established over the radio. Jack becomes the partner of Velaska (Carmel Myers) and quarrels with Sally O'Neill. ' Velaska is a famous Broadway star, and Jack is an immediate success, but he soon realizes Velaska’s shallowness, and he is reunited with his former partner. His quarrel with Vlaska causes the breaking of his contract with her, but he goes to the radio station and sings one of his best numbers. This brings him more success, and he departs with Sally on' a honeymoon trip. The dialogue is extremely clear and well-enunciated throughout, with the result that none of the conversation is missed. The supporting programme is comprised of four very meritorious featurettes, each one every entertaining. “In Dutch” is an operetta filmed in technicolour, and introduces some fine singing. A very clever imitation of three well-known entertainers, Will Rogers, Al Jolson and Eddie Cantor, is given in a radio skit, “Station 8.U.N.K.,” while interesting views of Hollywood are given in “Screen Snapshots.” A Paramount Sound News completes a very entertaining programme. This programme' will be screened for two more nights only, so that early reservations are advised.