ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 21649, 10 March 1932, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE REGENT. “COMPROMISING DAPHNE." CLEVER BRITISH COMEDY. A class-of English comedy which Jias been made available to colonial audiences only through the medium of the talkies is that smart and brilliantly clever type which has scored astonishing successes in New Zealand. Such a comedy is “Compromising Daphne” which opened at the Regent last night to an appreciative audience which was kept in a constant ripple of amusement. The dialogue of “Compromising Daphne,” which is written by “Valentine,” the author of “Tons of Money,” is of the static and brilliant type in which clever joke follows joke with .Buch rapidity that one is constantly afraid of missing one in the gusts of laughter following the last. “Compromising Daphne is another triumph for Elstree which is becoming quite as famous for film productions as Hollywood. The photography is excellent and the production of the farce leaves nothing to be desired. The comedy is very much of the bedroom type which, when properly handled, has a striking appeal m addition to enabling the charming characters of the piece to wear some delightful negligee. Daphne and George are disappointed to hear that her father will not agree to a marriage within twelve months. Daphne, however, is ready with a proposition, and decides that George, shall compromise her by being found in her bedroom. Daphne’s friend unfortunately arrives, and, occupying Daphne’s room, is the unwitting victim of the plot. .George has now to answer for what he believes to be two irate fathers, though in fact both are aware of the true state of affairs, and wish to teach George a lesson. Eventually, Daphne is taken away to Devonshire, and there, after a time, concocts another plot. She makes a “confession” to her father, and he decides to have George down to corroborate it. In the meantime the father's other daughter has become the mother of twins, and when George sees Daphne nursing one he is terrorized, and denies any knowledge of the parentage. Daphne, of course, wins her point with father. Cast in the role of Daphne, is Jean Colin, who is a charming, feminine lead revealing great abilities in .the direction of the scheming young lady desiring to secure wedded bliss, while Charles Hickman scores a great success as George, the Very modern and articulate young man who provides most of the humour. The. situations which arise are uproarious in the extreme and the misunderstandings which occur from beginning to end are of the very sophisticated type which delight modern audiences. C. M. Hallard as Mr Ponsonby (Daphne’s father) and Viola Compton as Mrs Ponsonby, Leo Sheffield as Mr Bannerton, Frank Parfitt as Hides and Barbara Gott as Martha provide a great deal of humour. Phyllis Konstam also does some notable work as Sadie. The Supporting programme is excellent, including an English musical fantasia, cartoon, Upa sportlight and a newsreel. The comedy will be repeated to-night and to-mor-row. “TELL ENGLAND.” GREAT PICTURE COMING SATURDAY. TO THE REGENT. “I think that Tell England’ is the greatest English film that has ever been made. It records, in full, pictorial grandeur, and with passionate sincerity, the maddest but the most magnificent adventure on which England has ever embarked (the Gallipoli campaign). If you never seen another film you must see Tell England’,” so said Mr G. A. Atkinson, critic for The Sunday Chronicle. “Tell England” is a great picture in every way. It has sentiment and patriotic interest for every New Zealander, and everyone young and old should be encouraged to see at least once this striking picture. There will be two sessions on Saturday, matinee and night. THE MAJESTIC. “RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE.” FULL OF THRILLS. Full of thrills, with plenty of shooting, marvellous horsemanship, wonderful scenery, and a strong love interest, “Riders of the Purple Sage,” which opened at the Majestic Theatre last evening, attracted a large audience. No more accomplished actor could have been chosen for the part of Lassiter than George O’Brien, who has few peers in rugged characterization. Moreover, he is an excellent horseman and a marksman of unwavering accuracy. Marguerite Churchill, as Jane Withcrsteen, the girl who fights single-handed against cattle rustlers and land grabbers, until Lassiter arrives and helps her, plays her part with a natural charm that adds considerably to the atmosphere of the story, and another important part, that of the treacherous Judge Dyer, is played by that master of sinister roles, Noah Beery. Lassiter is a man whom Dyer and his confederates are desperately anxious to murder, but time and again Lassiter demonstrates, much to their chagrin, that “the best laid schemes of mice and men gang aft agley.” The story mounts to a thrilling climax, in which Dyer is shot in a duel with Lassiter, who rides with Jane to their secret hiding place, Surprise Valley, hotly pursued by the gang who are out for blood. Lassiter’s niece, Bess, who has been brought up in the gang’s mountain fastness is already sheltered in the valley with Judkins, who has fallen in love with her, and mistaking the burning of Jane’s ranch for a smoke signal, they descend to meet the pursued couple. Lassiter and Jane hand their mounts over to Bess and Judkins,, who gallop away, and head for the valley, at the entrance of which is poised a great stone. With the pursuit close behind Lassiter dislodged the stone and the subsequent avalanche engulfs the desperadoes, but locks Lassiter and Jane in the valley, which, happily, is a sort of Garden of Eden. There is also a strong supporting programme.

SKATING. RINK HOCKEY. To-night will see the inovation of rink hockey at the De Luxe Skating Rink. A club has been formed and the members have had several practise matches so that spectators are assured of seeing a good game to-night. The game will be played under championship rules similar to the game played by the Princes' Club, Knightsbridge, London, and will •be refereed by the floor manager who plays both the ice and rink games. The usual programme of two steps, Excuse me couples etc. will be carried out before and after the hockey match.