ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 21275, 22 December 1930, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

“AFRICA SPEAKS.” REMARKABLE TRAVEL FILM AT THE CIVIC. MATINEE AND NIGHT SESSIONS. Ever since Stanley went in search of Livingston in the heart of “Darkest Africa, this mysterious continent has always exercised the strongest fascination for • the people of all countries. It is good news, therefore, to the public of Invercargill to hear that by means of the Columbia picture, "Africa Speaks,” which is presented at matinee and night sessions, they will be permitted to penetrate to the very heart of Africa, and see something of its. w'ild beauty, its huge animals, and its 'picturesque people. The picture deals with the trip taken by Paul L. Hoefler, representative of the Colorado Africa Expedition, w'hich, sponsored by the leading citizens of the city of DeuVer, Colorado, started inland from Mombasa early in September of 1928. Reaching Butiaba, the expedition proceeded down the Nile by steamer in search of a place to where the journey through the seemingly impenetrable jungle might be commenced. The trip down the river was one of abounding interest. On the west bank were visible the villages of the Lugwari and Allulu tribes, while the east side was unpeopled. It-was a closed area both to black and white, for its swamps were deadly with sleeping sickness. The land, visible from' the beat, teemed with game. Despite the hazardous travelling, they found time to photograph .the rare white rhinoceros, numerous elephants, crocodiles, the black rhinoceros. At Aru; which marked the entrance to the Belgian Congo, Hoefler obtained permission from the Belgian administrator to enter the Ituri forest in search of pygmies. These strange little people, ranging from 50 to 57 inches in height, proved one of the most interesting studies the explorer encountered on his trip. He spent two weeks among them, obtaining photographs and sound records, and acquiring intimate knowledge of their customs, modes of living, and religious rites. A short distance from the large native town of Dikwa, in Northern Nigeria, the tracks of the expedition became hopelessly mired in a low part of the swamp. Hoefler sent a messenger into town requesting aid. He v was amazed, n short time later, to see his messenger return with an army of blacks on foot, accompanied, by a mounted band, and the Emir of Dikwa hirnself. Apparently determined to outdo himself in the matter of hospitality, the Emir escorted the visitors to the village, a pretentious place of ornate mud houses in the Arabian style, with grass roofs. A high wall encircled the town, for it was not so long ago that marauding bands paid the residents regular and unwelcome visits. A period of hardship followed the royal reception given the travellers by the Emir of Dikwa that proved almost heartbreaking. It was also while at Tanganyika that the explorer obtained pictures of a great natural phenomena—a gigantic swarm of locusts that flew over the great plains while the expedition was there. So vast was Ihis_ army of insects that they cast a huge shadow over the entire landscape, entirely blotting out the sun at one time. Everything is seen in clearest detail—many of the shorts are in slow motion as well as natural speed and the whole result is one of the most extraordinary and instructive entertainments e>er presented in any theatre. THE REGENT. I . “ALF’S BUTTON.” BRITISH EXCELLENCE. The festive season is with us and it is fitting that those who provide entertainment should produce something of a festive nature, and that is what the Regent Theatre has done in presenting “Alf’s Button,” which made its appearance on Saturday. “Alf’s Button” can only be described as the climax of British excellence. Those who enjoyed “Rookery Nook” and other British pictures of a similar nature probably thought that the British producers could not keep their productions at such a high standard, but “Alf’s Button” has gone a step further. One humorous situation follows another from start to finish. The magnificent setting and excellent Eastern dances incorporated in the story equal if not surpass anything of the kind seen before. “Alf’s Buzon” is the story of two Tommies, Alf Higgings (Tubby Edlin) and Bill Grant (Alf Goddard), but it is not a war picture. The opening scenes are in France behind the lines where Alf and Bill get into trouble with their sergeant-major (Cyril McLaglen) by falling into a mudhole while they are bringing up the company’s dinner. They are sent to the quartermaster to receive new uniforms and the tunic issued to Alf is fitted with a button made from the metal of Alladin’s lamp. Bill entertains Alf with several bottles of wine and when he departs in search of more Alf sets to work lo polish his buttons. As soon as he rubs the magic button a strange Eastern genii (Humberton Wright) appears and, not unnaturally, causes Alf and Bill to conclude that they have been drinking too much. However, they discover the true nature of the visitor and decide to make full use of his magic powers. They order a bath and are in the midst of its joys when the sergeant-major appears and Ai'f has to ask the genii, or Eustace as he calls him, to whisk the bath away, greatly to the inconvenience of Bill. All next decides to ask Eustace to bring his sweetheart, Liz (Polly Ward) to see him. He explains that Liz is maid to Lady Isobel Dunwatcr (Nora Swinburne) but Eustace makes a mistake and brings Lady Isobel to France. She meets Lieutenant Allen (Peter Haddon), who has known her in pre-war doys and who is led to believe that his reason is tottering back to England while Allen is talking to her. Alf and Bill then decide to take a holiday in England and order a home in the village where Liz and Lady Isobel live with Lord Dunwater (Spencer Trevor). Eustace, who believes in doing things cn a wholesale plan produces a very lavish palace filled with dancing girls and black slaves. Bill makes a conquest of one of the dancing girls and Bettles down to enjoy himself, but Alf is made unhappy through quarreling with Lucy. Bill persuades Eustace to strike all thoughts of Lucy out of Alf’s mind and when this is done he begins to make love to Lady Isobel. How he failed and how Eustace continued on his wilful, wholesale way to the finish can be left to the discovery of those fortunate enough to see “Alf’s Button” and its excellent supports while it is showing here. MAJESTIC THEATRE. ENTERTAINMENT DE LUXE. The romantic and glamorous crinoline days of the old South form the temporal background of Gary Cooper’s newest starring Paramount picture, “Only the Brave,” which will be seen and heard at the Majestic Theatre as the main feature on the programme to-night and to-morrow night only. Cooper is cast as a daring captain of cavalry in this adventureromance of the war torn days. He volunteers as a spy behind the lines of battle action. In fulfilling his dangerous mission he meets Mary Brian, fashionable Virginia girl, and falls in love with her. . The plot then advances through a number of thrilling episodes in which Cooper must compromise two loyalties—-Love and Duty After much exciting action the lovers find that good fortune has cleared the way foruntroubled romance. The finale is one that will please everyone. The supporting featurettes include some Grand Opera scenes with musical gems from “Faust,” a really thrilling talking and sound picture showing the Atlantic cable being laid between Newfoundland and the Azores, a Pathe Magazine of events in sound, also another of the deservedly popular pictures “Wonderful New Zealand.” Plans are at. the Bristol, or reservations may be readily arranged over telephone No. 738.