ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 21273, 19 December 1930, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE REGENT. LAST NIGHT OF TED LEWIS, ALICE DAY AND ANN PENNINGTON LN "IS EVERYBODY HAPPY?” Jazz, "red-hot jazz,” as our American cousins have it, is the big feature of "Is Everybody Happy?” a story of the conflict of father and son, musicians both, one of the old school and the other a devotee of jazz. Ted, his father and mother arrive from Europe, where the old man has seen his last days as a violinist and been presented with a violin by the Emperor Franz Josef in New York, where Ted is to make his name and fortune by the same means, but the saxophone and jazz have outed the older music and he cannot land a job until he pawns his violin and learns to play the newer instruments and to dance and sing in harmony with them. The conservative father abhors the new inventions and denounces his son when he discovers what he is doing, but eventually, of course, is obliged to accept it all. Alice Day aids and abets Ted, who wavers between her and Ann Pennington, who contributes some snappy dancing numbers, but Ann kicks the beam at the last. Lewis sings a great deal and playa well. Alice Day is charming as always. "ALE’S BUTTON.” BRITISH COMEDY—AT THE REGENT TO-MORROW. Cockney comedy has an irresistible appeal to most movie patrons, and “Alf’s Button,” which comes to the Regent for an extended season to-morrow, is certainly replete in this commodity. The ever-fascinat-ing idea of one being able to get what he wants, just for the mere asking it, as _ it were, is the theme of thia story. A British Tommy discovers that his uniform boasts a button made from Aladdin’s lamp. This, when rubbed, brings an Eastern genii who, at the slightest wish of the owner, turns the latter’s desire into reality. Needless to eay that Bill—the owner of, the button—and his pal, Alf, thoroughly exploit the article, and many and varied are their adventures —mostly of an hilarious kind. The picture is further enhanced by some beautiful Eastern ballets, done in technicolour, and all splendidly carried out. A slight love story aids the continuity. MAJESTIC. FINAL SCREENING OF “THE BENSON MURDER CASE.” Daring! The world’s greatest detective solves the most startling crime of his career in “The Benson Murder Case”! S. S. Van Dine’s greatest thriller! More startling than either ‘The Canary” or ‘The Greene” murder cases. Who killed Anthony Benson*? Baffling, intriguing, highly suspenseful, the latest exploit of Philo Vance, S. S. Van Dine’s suave, sophisticated sleuth, "The Benson Murder Case,” again held the audience spellbound last night at the Majestic Theatre. William Powell again plays the role he made famous in "The Canary Murder Case” and ‘The Greene Murder Case.” And "The Benson Murder Case” is ‘ the most thrilling of the three. Eugene Pallette as Sergeant Heath, again blunders his way through a maze of misleading clues, while E. H. Calvert, playing the district attorney for the third time, frantically seeks a solution to a startling crime. Philo Vance furnishes the solution, and, in doing it, supplies one of the most highly entertaining pieces of entertainment that has been,seen here in some time. Paul Lukas is also in the cast. “The Benson Murder Case” is a Paramount Picture and screens to-night for the last time in Im ercargill. GIFT MATINEE TO-MORROW. Commencing to-morrow at the Majestic matinee: Gary Cooper and Mary Brian in the Paramount Special production, "Only the Brave,” which is said to be more thrilling, more glamorous than even “The Virginian.” A special Christmas Gift matinee will be held at two o’clock, when every boy and girl attending will receive a splendid free gift. THE CIVIC TALKIES. LAST NIGHT OF "THE BROADWAY HOOFER”—MARIE SAXON, JACK EGAN AND LOUISE FAZENDA. Columbia has turned out a very pleasing picture in "The Broadway Hoofer,” which is to have its final screening at the Civic to-night. With a theatrical atmosphere the story gives a further insight into life back stage and as it affects both the small tourer and the big show performers. Marie Saxon and Jack Egan, both pleasing personalities score in song and dance numbers and Marie Fazenda is as good a comedienne as ever. “The Broadway Hoofer” is the story of a famous Broadway dancing star, who goes to the country for a rest. There she meets the hero, press-agent and leading man of “The Gay Girlies Burlesque” company. He had been advertising for extras, and when the heroine is shoved into the theatre by a curious crowd he yells at her and beckons her to go to him. He “engages” her. As she enjoys her new experience, the heroine does not discloes her identity but pretends that she is an extra and rehearses. The hero likes her dancing and hires her. In the meantime her manager searches high and low to find her. Her whereabouts eventually become known and her manager visits her and tries to induce her to go back. But she will not go back without the hero. Misunderstandings arise, but they arc eventually cleared up. "AFRICA SPEAKS.” THE LATEST SENSATION—TO-MOR-ROW! Africa’s wonders —astonishing scenes of native and animal life are brought to the screen in "Africa Speaks,” a motion picture and sound record of an amazing journey through the hitherto unexplored regions of equatorial Africa. It commences a season at the Civic to-morrow at the matinee. The camera winds its way through strange jungle paths, revealing most absorbing glimpses of pictorial beauty, thrilling with the sudden introduction of lion or rhino, and presenting unique shots of the African pigmy. A most interesting portion ol the whole production is the lion-hunt by tribesmen and camera-men. “Africa Speaks” has just completed a most successful season in Dunedin, from which city it comes with the strongest recommendation that educational authorities and general public can give a picture. EMPIRE PICTURES, RIVERTON. Circus, vaudeville, and the jury- room provide three different backgrounds for the story of a clown’s vengeance, as told in the Cinema Art Films all-talking picture that opens at the Empire Theatre to-morrow afternoon and evening. It is called “Painted Faces,” and it stars that matchless comedian, Joe E. Brown. A special attraction on this programme is "The British Fleet at Sea” —a picture every school child should see.