ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 21265, 11 December 1930, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE REGENT.

ROBERT MONTGOMERY, LEILA HYAMS AND LEWIS MANN IN “THE RICHEST MAN IN THE WORLD”; LAUREL AND HARDY IN “BELOW ZERO.”

The principal picture at the Regent Theatre this week has the imposing title of "The Richest Man in the World,” and it has a cast of very well-known players. It has Louis Mann, one cf the screen’s best character actors, in the principal role, which is that of Adolph Wagenkampf, barber, of Harristown, a progressive little town situated in the middle west. Old Adolph is a character whom all who see him must love. His devotion to his children and his ambitions for their future well-being form a great part of the theme of the story, which is that of the average father with his joys and his many troubles and disappointments. It is a masterly rendering that Monn gives, and it is an outstanding piece of acting. The subsidiary parts are extremely well filled, and nothing but praise can be voiced for the work done by Leila Hyams as Alma, Robert Montgomery as Nick Higginson, with whom Alma is in love, and Elliott Nugent and Francis X. Bushman, jun., as Adolph"s two surviving sons. There are also several children in the picture, and too much cannot be said for the manner in which they play their parts. All too often there is considerable fault to be found with the manner in which child parts are presented, but this cannot be said of the juvenile roles in “The Richest Man in the World.” The story deals with a German father, who is so devoted to his family that he even denies himself of necessities in order that his children may have everything they wanted. As the children grow to manhood or to womanhood, however, they forget their good father. One of the sons misappropriates funds, and is about to be arrested when the father intervenes and, by selling some valuables, reimburses the losers. To help the other son get his diploma as a doctor, the hero mortgages'his barbershop. The note becomes due and the sheriff threatens to auction off the barber shop unless ho had satisfied the note. But his son, the doctor, will not help him. Starvation stared him in the face when the other son returns afterlan absence of a few years and brings a smile to his face, and a fat bank roll. On Christmas Eve, all the children gather around him. Even the wealthy man’s son defies his father and decides to marry the, hero’s daughter. Laurel and Hardy, the screen’s idiots, present another half hour of fun in “Below Zero,” and there is also a Colourtone Revue, “The Flower Garden” and News reel on the bill.

MAJESTIC TO NIGHT.

THE THRILLING RACING ROMANCE “LITTLE JOHNNY JONES.”

“Little Johnny Jones,” the thrilling new First National picture at the Majestic Theatre this week, features Eddie B&zzell, popular Broadway comedian, in the title role. Being very small, he was an ideal choice for the part of the American jockey who wins the English Derby. But Yankee, the horse that plays the equine made famous by the great George M. Cohan stage hit, was harder for Director Mervyn Le Roy to “cast.” About forty racehorses, some of them famous, are seen in the three striking races of the picture. Yankee, however, had to be not only a racehorse, but a good actor. He was finally discovered through the office of Curly Eagles, an ex-cowboy who is known in Hollywood as the “Casting Director of Horses.” And he plays his part to the life. Alice Day plays opposite Buzzell. Edna Murphy, Donald Reed, Robert Edeson, Wheeler Oakman and several other equally noted film favourites head the large supporting cast. Raymond Turner, the “pop-eyed comedian,” a noted negro film actor, has a prominent comedy role. “Little Johnny Jones” features a novel and appealing love story, and it. brims over with comedy. A series of really splendid short all-talking and singing featurettes accompany this remarkable programme. Plans are at the Bristol, or ring 738 for reservations.

CIVIC TALKIES. “HER PRIVATE AFFAIR." BEAUTIFUL ANN HARDING. L- « .* Picture lovers are always inclined to be doubtful about the quality of the voices in talking pictures, but “Her Private Affair” starring beautiful Ann Harding and Harry Bannister leaves nothing to be desired in that direction. The story is a very drahiatic one, full of tense moments and the numerous characters all speak faultlessly. Vera Kessler, the wife of Judge Kessler, has visited Italy where she has carried on a foolish flirtation with a man named Hoffman. She returns to her home in . Austria and Hoffman follows her there. He demands a large sum of money for a packet of her letters and she' goes to his apartment to reason with him. Hoffman’s servant, who hates his master, has gone out and Hoffman locks his door and Vera shoots him to save her honour. When the police discover the body they suspect the servant and finally bring him to trial. His position is very bad when Vera persuades a friend to defend him. He does so successfully and the police commence to search for the real murderer. Vera leaves her husband and asks him to divorce her to save him from her disgrace. Some friends attempt to bring them together again and in doing so reveal her guilt. The judge believes her and the story ends happily. The supporting features are very good, a sportlight “Feline Fighters,” showing a very interesting bob-cat hunt. Apart from showing the American wild cat in his natural haunts this short displays some very pleasing scenery. A colourtone revue, “Flower Garden,” is also very pleasing and shows some clever chorus and solo dancing. Another short includes the Irish tenor, Joseph Regan, and a newsreel gives many interesting shots wittily commented on by Graham MacNamee. The whole programme, is well balanced and enjoyable and the. large audience .which was present last evening gave every indication of hearty, approval. ■