ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 21662, 26 March 1932, Page 20

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE REGENT. IDEAL HOLIDAY PROGRAMME. “WAITING FOR THE BRIDE”—THti “GOLD DIGGERS” OF 1932. THE NEW TECHNICOLOUR. The new technicolour process is seen to great advantage in “Waiting for the Bride” the new R.K.O. picture which heads the ideal holiday programme at the Regent this afternoon and evening. The picture js all in colour. From the artistic point of view it is the most beautiful coloured picture that has been produced to this day. Unlike many of its predecessors the colour is perfectly natural, free from any harshness or blur—even the long shots are perfectly clear and well defined—and the whole effect is soothing and restful to the eye. The picture itself is good clean comedy with several very surprising and startling twists. In the cast are several very well-known performers; Mary Brian is outstanding as the conscientious chorus girl who loves Geoffrey Kerr and doesn’t quite know how to get him. She handles the part most capably. Geoffrey Kerr (an English actor and son of Frederick Kerr, the irascible old aristocrat of several productions) as the man-about-town and Johnnie Hines, the popular comedian, are also well cast and carry off many of the laughs with Marie Prevost and Joseph Cawthorn. The story concerns a chorus girl (Miss Brian), who is much in love with her rich and persistent suitor. She feels, however, that he is not really in love with her, but that it is just another “affair” to him. Her idea is, however, to marry for money, so, aided by the coaxing of Marie Prevost, another chorus girl, she plans to get Kerr b'- trickery. The plan works well until 'Joe Cawthorn, an actor appearing as Mary's father, imbibes too freely and discloses the plan. Kerr, ready to marry Miss Brian, plans to go through with the ceremony until the last vow is to be taken and then refuse. Mary, just before the ceremony, decides to quit the game and leave town. She loves Kerr and doesn’t want to win him by trickcry. Kerr, however, brings her to the church and the ceremony is performed, but not as planned. How it all comes about makes a completely satisfactory ending to an altogether delightful picture. There is a full programme of short subjects which will also be thoroughly enjoyed. THE MAJESTIC THEATRE. “BAD GIRD.” It is difficult to know how to describe “Bad Girl” because this special Fox attraction which has been so eagerly anticipated by Invercargill audiences, and which will commence at the Majestic Theatre this afternoon, is different in many ways from anything yet put on the screen. This does not mean, however, that it strikes new’ heights of spectacle and lavish display; nor does it mean that it cost more money and features more stars than any other film to date. What is does mean is that “Bad Girl,” with a plot that is hardly a plot at all, so simple and unmechanical'is it, and with two young and almost unknown players, contains a human appeal that brands it as a masterpiece of emotional drama and puts it in a class by itself. It is unfortunate that “Bad Girl” as a “talkie” was given the same name as the novel by Vina Delmar, from which it was adapted, because it docs the picture even less justice than the average film title—which, as most picturegoers will appreciate, is saying a good deal. In some cases the novel created a stir because of its rather outspoken method of treatment, but anyone who goes to see “Bad Girl” expecting spice and salaciousness will bo disappointed. From the conventional point of view there is no plot—only a little slice of life going on nearly every moment all over the world, the kind of thing that happens to almost every young couple that falls in love, marries, and has a baby. The players who portray the young husband and wife, both deeply in love, both wanting a baby but ignorant of each other’s true feelings about the coming heir, are James Dunn and Sally Eilers. Their names have not yet blazed in coloured lights, but they are destined to do so, for theirs is said to be superb acting if ever there was any. Dunn’s role is as difficult a role to portray as you could imagine, for he has to show his real feelings to the audience while disguising them from his wife. He is an inarticulate young man, who resorts to slang in moments of emotional crisis, but his acting is so fine that the part carries conviction, and this sincerity saves it from the slightest hint of being ridiculous. In her way, Sally Eilers is almost as good, and together these two carry along the story from an uninspiring opening, that seems at first almost disappointing, to a series of emotional climaxes that have not been surpassed. A special supporting programme will also bo screened. There will be special matinees on Easter Monday and Tuesday. Box plans are at the theatre where seats may be reserved.

A special treat for Good Friday patrons was the screening of U.F.A.’s outstanding production, “The Hungarian Rhapsody,” which delighted last, evening’s large audience. To the strains of Liszt's immortal composition the picture afforded interesting glimpses of national life in Hungary with the main theme a romance between a lieutenant in the Hussars and the daughter of a farm manager. Excellent acting and splendid photography made the production an outstanding one and it is a matter for regret that its Invercargill season was limited to one night. REGENT THEATRE, GORE. COMEDY AND DRAMA. Comedy and drama are featured in the programme to be screend at the Regent Theatre, Gore, this evening. “Compromising Daphne” is a British International release and is adapted from the famous West End farce by “Valentine,” with Charles Hickman, Jean Colin and Phyllis Konstan in the principal roles. It is a delightful comedy full of amusing situations and witty dialogue. Drama is supplied by the powerful Paramount release “Silence” featuring such well known stars as Clive Brook, Marjorie Rambeau and Peggy Shannon. EMPIRE PICTURES, RIVERTON. SPECIAL HOLIDAY ATTRACTIONS. To-day at 2.30 p.m. and 8 p.m. a Paramount feature entitled “lollow Through and good supports will be presented. “Follow Through” is a musical comedy filmed entirely in technicolour. “Monte Carlo,” with Jeanette MacDonald and Jack Buchanan, will be screened on Monday and on Tuesday. An original farce with music entitled “Let’s Go Native” will be presented. The management wishes to draw special attention to the matinee to be held today, the programme being quite suitable for children as well as adults.