ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 21606, 19 January 1932, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE MAJESTIC.

“SON OF INDIA.”

Aptly described as “The Sheik’’ of the “talkies.” “Son of India,” the much-herald-ed Ramon Navarro-Conrad Nagel success, will commence on Wednesday afternoon at the Majestic Theatre. The following commentary on this sensation was made by the critic of the Christchurch Sun:—“lt is hard to believe that “Son of India’ was made in Hollywood, so elaborate are some of the Indian scenes. Clever photography and brilliant settings, aided by the able direction of Jacques Feyder, combine to create an illusion of exotic charm and barbaric beauty. ‘Son of India’ presents an unusual and satisfying entertainment. The story is taken from F. Marion Crawford’s novel, “Mr Isaacs,’ and in its screen form deals with the subject of ‘East is East and West is West,’ etc. There have been manybooks and almost as many films made about this subject, but “Son of India,’ although it deals with impossibility of marriage between the white and coloured races, is treated with a spirited touch that gives novelty to the theme. Whatever education and the intermingling of the races may have accomplished, caste and the colour bar still exist to keep happiness from those who attempt to defy the conventions, and so the Indian hero and the European heroine are left separated, believing in the ( philosophy of the Orient, that the perfection of real love is only to be found in its renunciation, and content to wait for its sublimation in the life to come. Novarro fits into his part like a hand into a glove, but he is not the only notable one in the cast. The role of Janice is taken by Madge Evans, who once used to be a child star in the silent films, and qpw after a successful career on the New York stage, looks as if she is going to develop into an adult ‘talkie’ star of great brilliance in the Hollywood heaven. She speaks well, looks well, and acts even better. Others of importance in the really excellent cast are Conrad Nagel, Nigel de Brulier, John Miljan, Marjorie Rambeau and C. Aubrey Smith.” The box plans are at the Bristol. THE REGENT. LAST NIGHT OF THE MUCH DISCUSSED DRAMA—“SEED.” To-night will see the final presentation at the Regent of “Seed.” Adapted from Charles G. Norris’ much-discussed best seller, the principal roles of the picture are enacted by a trio of players whose performances are admirable. John Boles is seen as the husband and father whose latent abilities as a writer have been adversely affected by the fact that he must continually devote himself to the difficult task of supporting a large family of children. The handsome Boles delivers a fine performance in a dramatic role. The role of the boyhood sweetheart who again enters the life of the writer ten years after his marriage is played by Genevieve Tobin, a comparative newcomer from the stage, who brings to the screen a vivid personality, and a large measure of beauty and ability. The third character in the “triangle” is played by Lois Wilson, long a favourite of theatre-goers. She gives an extraordinary performance in the role of wife and mother —restrained, compelling, sincere—a triumph of natural acting. In. the supporting cast, Raymond Hackett, Bette Davis, ZaSu Pitts, Frances Dade, Richard Tucker bring to their roles a sincerity that does much to raise this production to an important position among the talking pictures of the screen. In the earlier sequences, five children appear. The youngsters contribute to the remarkable naturalness and true-to-life mood which is attained throughout the production. If we have to single out one of these talented youngsters for premier honours, let it be little Dickie Moore, six years old. That kid has a great screen future. He’s a wonder. From the production viewpoint, “Seed” is luxuriously mounted, and qualifies as perhaps the most ambitious picture of its type since the advent of sound on the screen. A large share of the. credit lor the success of this screen play justly goes to John M. Stahl, the director, who has been unusually able in the filming of domestic problem dramas, and who has literally excelled himself in the making of “Seed.” The screen play, adapted from Charles G. Norris’ novel, is also outstanding. “Seed”, is a splendid picture. It is deeply emotional; it has its extremely human and enjoyable moments of comedy; it’s a great achievement all the way through. We recommend it unqualifiedly. You will enjoy it. And it will make you think. PRINCESS THEATRE, GORE. ‘■SEED’ SHOWING TO-MORROW. DOUBLE STAR PROGRAMME. Coming direct from a big season in Invercargill Universal’s great special picture, ‘Seed” will be shown at the Princess Theatre, Gore, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights. Taken direct from the novel of the same name, by Charles G. Norris, and when put up record figures, it is a powerful story that reaches right into the every day home. What compensation should a woman ask for years of love to her husband and the agonies of child bearing? Should she sit down and accept his philandering quietly or should she demand her rights? And what real hold do children and a home have on a man under this civilization of ours ? It is one of those pictures really worth seeing. On the same programme, also, is Laura La Plante and Lew Cody in “Meet the Wife,” a bright comedy-drama that should also be appreciated. Owing to the length of the programme the performance will commence at 7.45 o’clock each evening. EMPIRE PICTURES, RIVERTON. “ALMOST A HONEYMOON.” SPARKLING ENGLISH COMEDY. Full of that exhilarating and frothy comedy so typical of the English pictures, "Almost a Honeymoon," which will be shown to-night and to-morrow night is very bright entertainment. This is the type of picture that will make the talkies even more popular still, for it is genuine entertainment and sure to appeal to all tastes. In addition to the main picture there is a well selected programme of shorter films, including a Pathe Gazette, a Vagabond and an Australian News.