ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 21331, 27 February 1931, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE CIVIC TALKIES.

MONTE BLUE, LUPE VELEZ, H. B. WARNER AND RIN TIN TIN IN “TIGER ROSE.”

NORTH-WEST MOUNTED POLICE STORY.

Magnificent against natural backgrounds of the wilds that have seldom been equalled, “Tiger Rose” comes to the Civic Theatre as the last word in Vitaphone entertainment. There is a splendid sweep to this story of the Hudson Bay country and the North Woods, and life, movement, and speed have been combined with some of the finest dialogue that has yet been heard. It is a tale of primitive sections in a province far removed from the dust and roar of cities — a province which does not wish modern activities to enter, Lupe Velez, the little Mexican actress who plays the co-starring part with Monte Blue, wins new screen laurels in the title role of “Tiger Rose.” Her work is dynamic and filled with violent passion, pathos and humour. It is a most colourful characterization. Monte Blue, as Devlin, the blarneying Irish sergeant of the North-West Mounted, who loves Rose, afid eventually helps her escape because she loves another, is at his very best -in this picture. It is by far the finest thing he has done. Grant Withers again gives a sincere, youthful performance. ■ Gaston Glass, as Pierre, plays a highly sympathetic role. As ; the mad doctor, H. B. Warner proves his histrionic ability and versatility. Tully Marshall didn’t have to step out of character to be a Scotch factor of the Hudson Bay trading post, while Bull Montana’s Italian dialect and ugly mug went together like the now famous cream in the coffee. Of course, this story would not be complete without mentioning Rin Tin Tin, who takes the part of Lupe’s faithful dog, Scotty, and who performs some excellent acting in the picture.

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

UNUSUALLY STRONG DOUBLE PRO-

GRAMME.

Vigorously acted by George O’Brien, supported by a splendid cast, “Last of the Duanes,” based on Zane Grey’s most thrilling western romance, opened an engagement at the Majestic Theatre that will unfortunately close to-night. This production takes its place as one of the most intensely gripping dramas yet offered on the talking screen. It is the story of a handsome young rancher who becomes an outlaw after he kills the man who murdered his father and whose complete redemption is brought about by love and daring deeds which result in securing for him a pardon. O’Brien portrays the character of Buck Duane who falls in love with the beautiful girl he meets during his wanderings. He afterwards rescues her from a band of cattle thieves in most dramatic and thrilling fashion. O’Brien, always a local favourite, gives a capital performance, surpassing anything he has done since the screen began to speak. “Last of the Duanes” serves to introduce a new personality to the films in Lucile Browne, beautiful and winsome little blonde, who scored repeated triumphs on the speaking stage before she decided on a career in talking pictures. She makes the most of her romantic role and is particularly convincing in her love scenes witn O’Brien, adding a tender feminine touch such as only a talented artist is capable. She has already established her popularity by her portrayal in this picture. Myrna Loy and Walter McGrail are also featured and the supporting cast includes James Bradbury, Jr., Nat Pendleton, Blariche Friderici, Lloyd Ingraham among others. “Fill it with fun, let everything ride for laughing purposes only,” might well have been the orders given Benjamin Stoloff when he set out to direct the Rube Goldberg epic story of buffoonery, “Soup to Nuts,” Fox Movietone laugh special which also opened to gales of uncontrollable mirth yesterday at the Majestic Theatre. Interwoven into the constant comedy of this mirthful story from the .pen of America's most celebrated comedy t character and amusing invention creator is a delightful romance enacted by two of screenland’s most charming lovers, Stanley Smith and Lucile Browne. Ted Healy and his racketeers, fresh from their New York stage successes, are the featured comedians in a cast that includes such other featured funsters as Frances McCoy, Charles Winninger, Hallam Cooley, George Bickel and W. H. Tooker. This’troupe is as amusing as any you could possibly imagine. The public are advised to get over to the Majestic Theatre to-night and give their eyes and ears a treat with one of the outstanding programmes of real entertainment of the year.

THE REGENT. LAST NIGHT OF WONDERFUL “WHOOPEE,” AND THE ALL-BARKIE COMEDY. The merit of “Whoopee” and the supporting programme may be gauged by the unusual amount of interest centring on the Regent during the currency of the long season which is to be brought to a close with to-night’s session, when “Whoopee,” the Dog Comedy “College Hounds” and the New Zealand talkie travelogue “The Glacier’s Secret” will be shown for the last time. “Whoopee” is excellent entertainment, designed for the pleasing of all tastes, splendidly produced, perfectly conceived, and superlatively executed. It ripples with fun and nonsense, sparkles with genuine and intelligent comedy, and keeps the audience in the happiest of humours from first to last. Its background of music and colour is one of its most delightful features, and the cast to whom the major roles have been entrusted is one of rare distinction. “Whoopee”- is without doubt the most successful transcription of a stage musical comedy that has yet been seen on the screen. It is much more interesting than any of its song and dance predecessbrs, not only in the immensity of its design but also in the extravagance and excellence of its presentation. Its colour scheme and stage settings constitute a triumph of imaginative composition, and some of its scenes can only be described as the most astonishing examples of striking filmcraft that the sound Studios have yet achieved. There is no unnecessary padding or bolstering. The comedy episodes, the song numbers, and the ballets follow each other in the most serenely undisturbed sequence, so that when the piece de resistance of the evening arrives in the form of a pageant of Red Indian costumes, the audience feels that it has enjoyed the best of which the screen is capable. Certainly no stage could accommodate such a display of beauty, rhythm, and melody within its comparatively small confines.. The film lasts something over an hour and a-half, and contains 90 minutes of' refreshing and invigorating comedy of a kind that has been all too uncommon im the past. Eddie Cantor is in the leading role, but, he is not the whole show, for he has the backing of a splendid supporting cast.

EMPIRE PICTURES, RIVERTON. “ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT.” The above picture is due for screening at Riverton, to-riight, to-morrow afternoon and . evening. So much has been read, written and talked about this picture that to say more here would be superfluous. As the screening of this production takes up the whole evening patrons are requested to be seated early. THEATRE ROYAL, WINTON. JOAN CRAWFORD IN THE BRILLIANT ' ALL-TALKIE “UNTAMED.” What is hailed as the most sensational all-talkie of the year is that of Joan Crawford who gives'an unusual role in “Untamed” which will, be screened at the Theatre Royal, Winton, to-night and . to-morrow evening. “Untamed” tells of an amazing romance, sweeping through the South

American jungles to the gilded haunts of New York. “Untamed” is the story of a girl brought up in the South American jungles. On her way to civilization she falls in love with the first white man she meets—and stays in love. The picture is really unusual and it will be advisable to reserve at theatre.