ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 21658, 21 March 1932, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE REGENT. ‘‘SILENCE’—CLIVE BROOK GAINS FURTHER LAURELS. Domihated by the strong personality of Clive Brook, a distinct favourite with Invercargill picture-goers, “Silence,” which had its initial screening before a large and appreciative audience at the Regent Theatre on Saturday evening, is all that it is claimed to be, and more, for it is a vital drama of love, misunderstanding and sacrifice compelling the closest attention throughout the unfolding of its absorbing story. Suave sophistication and cultured tones have become almost inseparably connected with the make-up of Brook, but the outstanding versatility of the man is conclusively shown in “Silence,” where, in the role of an illspoken, petty thief, he gives a remarkable portrayal and fresh histrionic honours pour about him by the convincing manner in which he acquits himself in this characterization bristling with difficulties at almost every turn. 'The story begins with a prologue, a rather grim prologue it is true, showing Brook as a condemned man opening his lips to a priest to all but to whom he has steadfastly refused to recount the intimate details of a murder in respect to which he prefers to sacrifice his life rather than see his own daughter stand her trial. And it is the story Brook divulges that nfakes the exciting body of the plot. Along memory’s lane he takes his audience back 30 years ago when, as a ne’er-do-well, spending more of his time in gaol than out, he is forced by. circumstances to abandon a girl with whom he is madly in love and whom he has promised to marry. Embittered, he leaves her to another man and goes on living by his wits —eking out a precarious existence with petty thieving and swindling sideshows. Fate intervenes, however, many years later, for the husband of the girl, who has meanwhile passed away, is the victim of an attempt at blackmail by a former acquaintance who knows that the now prosperous business man is not the father of his supposed daughter, her real father being the criminal.’ Learning that his daughter’s happiness is at stake, the criminal and the husband meet, the blackmailer being shot during the interview. Rather than have the truth known, the criminal assumes all blame and is sentenced to death. Following on his refusal to divulge the truth, efforts are made to clear him, these leading to a series of intrigues and complications which maintain interest at a high pitch until the unexpected and powerful denouement. It is in the closing scenes, especially, that Brook’s work becomes superb, for he rises to sheer emotional heights, and yet withal, he never over-emphasizes. Brook is loyally supported by a clever cast, of whom Peggy Shannon is most appealing as the daughter, while splendid character studies are also gives by the other members. The “shorts,” are of the usual high Regent entertainment value and provide the right balance of relief to the dramatic feature.

THE MAJESTIC. LAUGHTER UNLIMITED. JOE E. BROWN IN “BROADMINDED.” Funny as Joe E. Brown has been in the past, he eclipses all previous merrymaking efforts in “Broadminded” which opened to large and appreciative audiences at both sessions at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday. From start to finish it is a riot of laughter with scarcely a pause to give much needed relief to aching sides. It would be no exaggeration to say that the big house on Saturday evening absolutely rocked with merriment and time and again the unrestrained laughter interrupted the continuity of the picture. Brown has exploited his abnormally-sized mouth and characteristically plaintive howl often in the past but can,still provoke mirth by the same medium. Then, too, in “Broadminded” he has the assistance of a great team of funmakers and also a wealth of exceedingly humorous situations. The result is one hundred per cent, farce, entertainment guaranteed to appeal to all, and the propaganda work of Saturday’s delighted patrons should see large audiences again present at to-night’s and to-morrow evening’s screenings. “Broadminded” opens with a very' unusual type of birthday party at which all the guests are attired as little children. Rompers, pinafores and “milk” bottles are much in evidence but the most priceless feature of all is the arrival of Brown in a perambulator, wheeled by his cousin. His antics would draw a laugh from even the dourest Scotsman. In the course of his making “whoopee” Brown, or “Cousin Ossie” as he is known, unwittingly attracts the attention of the police to the bacchanalian orgy. He and his cousin escape from a ride in the patrol van but the affair gains publicity in the newspapers. The father of Ossie's cousin becomes furious when he learns of the announcement of the engagement of his son to an adventuress made public at the party and decides to send him out of town. Not knowing the part Ossie has played in the escapade, the irate father ap[»ints him guardian of his son. This suits both and off they go to California in a baby car. Although Ossie has been strictly enjoined to keep his cousin away from the fair sex, they both fall in love. The arrival on the scene of the adventuress complicates matters as does also that of a fiery South American gentleman whose path Ossie crosses often. Humorous situations develop even more readily and some excellent fun is witnessed. Eventually everything is settled to the satisfaction of all concerned and the lovers are reunited. Wise selection of supporting pictures is a characteristic of the Majestic and on this occasion they are fully up to standard. The events of the world are interestingly' portrayed in Fox Movietone News reels, one’s geography' is brushed up remarkably in a beautiful travel picture “Honolulu to Havana,” and rollicking humour is again unleased by Tiffany’s clever chimpanzees in a splendid two-reel comedy, “Nine Nights in a Bar Room.” BANDIT CHACON IN FOX DRAMA. When Edmund Lowe as Micky Dunn, the cavalry sergeant, makes a personal issue of trailing and capturing Warner Baxter who portrays 0. Henry’s colourful Mexican bandit, “The Cisco Kid,” which comes to the Majestic Theatre on Wednesday afternoon for one matinee and two nights, he paralleled one of the most exciting exploits in the annals of Western law enforcement, the arrest of Agostino Chacon, by Burton Mosman, Captain of the Rangers of Arizona, the very locale of the present picture, Chacon led the worst band of ruffians in the West. He was not at all like the courteous cabellero represented by Baxter, but a complete cutthroat. Mossman knew he couldn’t get at the Mexican by ordinary methods, so he determined to join his guerillas and bring him in single-handed. First he took his fife in his hands and traced a wanted train robber, Burt Alvord, to his hide-out and persuaded the bad man to introduce him to Chacon. Alvord agreed, and brought the men together at the wire fence on the border. He then disappeared. Chacon’s suspicions were awakened by this and he watched Mossman, his supposed new retainer, like a hawk. Mossman felt he had to act quickly. He knew the Mexican’s draw was faster, so he tried strategy. At breakfast he asked Chacon for a lit it with a twig and as he threw the match away dropped his hand. When it came up his gun was in it. Chacon tried to bluff, but Mossman held the cards. The bandit was taken to Solomanville and hanged there. He was the bold, reckless rogue to the last. He smoked a cigarette on the scaffold. “Adios amigos!” He laughed as the trap fell. Conchita Montenegro, Spanish beauty', Nora Lane, James Bradbury jr., Charlie Stevens, and other favourites are also featured players. / -

Although the meeting did not commence until 3 p.m. it was concluded by 5 o’clock, a fact which, considering the difficulties attending the conduct of such a meeting, reflects great credit on the officials. The detailed results are as follows: FOUR MILE OPEN HANDICAP. Two laps. First prize, £2 2/-; second, £1 !/■• Twelve entries. W. G. Jones, 346 Sunbeam (18sec) 1 11. J. Munro, 596 s.v. Indian (6sec) 2 No third placing was awarded. At the end of the first lap Jones had a slight lead, being followed by Munro, A. I. Homer (Otago) and G. J. Winton in that order. In the run home Homer passed on the wrong side of the flag and was disqualified. Winton was first in, but he was disqualified for leaving before his time. Two lengths separated first and second. Actual time of winner, 3min 53 sec. FOUR MILE 350 c.c. CHAMPIONSHIP. Two laps. First prize, £2 2/-; ’second, £1 1/-. Seven entries. G. J. Winton, 348 o.h.c. Vclocette 1 A. I. Homer (Otago) 346 o.hx. A.J.S. 2 W. G. Jones, 346 Sunbeam 3 After a lap had been covered Winton and Homer were equal, but on the run down , the beach Winton gained a slight lead. They were followed by Jones and 0. E. Peterson, P. Donaldson withdrawing. In the run home Winton increased his lead and passed the finishing post two and ahalf seconds ahead of Homer, Jones being two lengths back in third place. Actual time of winner, 3niin 51sec. TWO MILE OPEN SCRATCH RACE. One lap. Standing start. First prize, £2 2/-; second, £1 1/-. Nine entries. G. J. Winton, 348 o.h.c Vclocette 1 J. Hayes (Otago) 496 Cotton-J.A.P. 2 A. I. Homer (Otago) 346 o.h.c. A.J.S. 3 This race was evenly contested all the way. At the far turn the riders were bunched and it was only a quarter of a mile from the finishing post that Winton established his lead. The finish was close, only four-fifths of a second separating first and second. Actual time of winner, Imin 49sec. SIX. MILE OPEN HANDICAP. Three laps. First prize, £3 3/-; second, £1 1/-. Twelve entries. G. J. Winton, 348 o.h.c. Velocctte (9sec) 1 J. Hayes (Otago) 496 Cotton-J.A.P. (12sec) 2 H. J. Munro, 596 s.v. Indian (6sec) 3 A. O. Davies (Otago) w’as in the lead when the ■ post was rounded for the first time. He was followed by C. E. Peterson, K. McLeod, Hayes and W. G. Jones. Entering the next lap Hayes was in the lead and Winton had moved into second place. Jones was in third place, while McLeod was dropping back. Davies had withdrawn. Winton then assumed the lead to win by two and a-fifth seconds, a similar period separating second and third. Actual time of winner, smin 38sec. SIX MILE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP. Three laps. First prize, £4 4/-; second, £2 2/-; third £1 1/-. Eleven entries. H. J. Munro, 596 s.v. Indian 1 G. J. Winton, 348 o.h.c. Vclocette 2 R. R. Tall, 490 o.h.c. Norton 3 Munro took the lead practically at the commencement of the race, being followed by Winton, A. I. Homer and Tall. Entering the last lap Tall had moved into third place. The most exciting finish of the day followed, Munro and Winton riding side by side till a few yards from the finishing post. Munro drew ahead to win by a narrow margin, Tall being a few yards behind. Actual time of winner, smin 35sec. TEN MILE OPEN HANDICAP. Five laps. First prize, £5 5/-; second, £2 2/-; third, £1 1/-. Eleven entries. W. G. Jones, 346 Sunbeam (25sec) 1 G. J. Winton, 348 Velocette (scr.) 2 R. R. Tall, 490 o.h.c. Norton (lOsec) 3 P. Donaldson, who had a good start, was leading at the end of the first lap, followed by K, McLeod, Jones and Tall. Then came H. J. Munro, closely followed by Winton and A. I. Homer (Otago). Donaldson McLeod and Jones were still ahead at the end of the second lap, the next in order being Winton, Tall and Munro. McLeod led around the post at the end of the third lap but Jones drew ahead immediately after. Tall, Munro and Winton followed in that order, but Munro and Donaldson withdrew. At the next lap Jones was still leading and McLeod was putting up a game fight, against Winton for second place. Tall was in fourth place and Homer had fallen, back. The promise of a good finish was realized, Jones roaring in just ahead of Winton, closely followed by Tall and McLeod. Actual time of winner, 9min 40