ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 21718, 2 June 1932, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE MAJESTIC. GRETA GARBO IN “SUSAN LENOX.” Greta Garbo, although she has not yet appeared in a large number of talking pictures, has found a place on the screen that is as near to the top as it can be and her appearance in the principal role in “Susan Lenox; her Fall and Rise” at the Majestic Theatre proved a delight to patrons last evening. Her role is one of great demands and requires an unusually wide latitude of emotional characterization to which she rises with superb aristry. Her screen lover, Clark Gable is splendidly cast, and in his first straight romantic lead, offers a magnificent performance that should go a long way in clinching his hold on. stardom. The story is commonplace enough—that of an unfortunate but beautiful girl, who never had a chance, fighting against almost insuperable odds for the love of a man and a decent life. The beloved Garbo makes of it a romantic triumph. In every mood she is convincing. The girl escapes from her. childhood surroundings on the eve of her marriage to a brute she scarcely knows, and meets the man of her heart in a mountain lodge, after a night of terror. It is a case of love at first sight. All too short are the golden hours. Circumstances separate them and the gitl, fleeing from her brutal foster-father, joins a circus. From this on her lover finds her in a series of situations which lead to misunderstandings, which even the fullforce of the girl’s passionate love cannot put right. The supporting cast is impressive, especially in the performances of Jean Hersholt, John Miljan, Alan Hale, Hale Hamilton, Hilda Vaughn, Russell Simpson, Cecil Cunningham and lan Keith. The supports include Wizard Smith on Ninety-Mile Beach, “The Kick Off,” a comedy, two sound news reels and a special short feature entitled “Tennis Technique.” The film stars William T. Tilden, exchampion of the world, and recognized as the foremost tennis player of all time. In it Tilden explains each individual shot necessary in perfect tennis technique. He depicts each movement in slow motion, together with a complete diagram showing the actual path of the racket while making each particular shot A special programme will be shown on Friday afternoon. THE REGENT. DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME CLEVER BRITISH FARCE. Two pictures, which although of widely divergent types, both provide first class entertainment, are “To Oblige a Lady” and “Compromised,” the principal attractions of the new programme at the Regent Theatre. “To Oblige A Lady,” from the fertile pen of Edgar Wallace, is another of those British gems of comedy that have earned such popularity with Invercargill audiences. It is a farce of mistaken meanings and cross-purposes, full of good, clean and subtle humour and clever dialogue, moving along at a fast pace and hanging well together. Maisie Gay, the English comedienne, who is said to be Mary Brough’s only rival in that particular field, takes the role of Mrs ’Arris, a charwoman, who, in endeavouring to prove a success as an emergency cook to a society family, rollicks through innumerable absurdities and becomes a pivotal point of sparkling, effervescent dialogue, unflaggingly provocative of mirth. Her master and mistress are especially desirous of creating a good impression with the former’s godfather, who has always wished to see his protege installed in a home of his own rather than in a hostel. And all might have gone well but for the gossipy Mrs ’Arris, for never were people more at cross-purposes. The situations which arise are uproarious in the extreme and the farce positively ripples gaily along with fluency and ease. It is useless to detail the piquant story—one simply has to see it on the screen and laugh throughout it. The second picture, “Compromised,” is a domestic drama, which, by reason of its essentially human interest, makes an immediate appeal to the audience. Built up upon a story dealing entirely with human beings, victims of their fate and environment, the production gives a sincere insight into the frailties to which all flesh is heir. An able cast is headed by two such stars as Ben Lyon and Rose Hobart, both of whom are responsible for clever portrayals of difficult roles. The drama tells the story of a kitchen maid who marries the son of a millionaire only to have her happiness menaced when a vindictive father-in-law chooses to disclose a past that was no fault of hers. Not a new theme, perhaps, but it is so skilfully handled and is told in such a modern style, that the result is an offering commanding attention from start to finish. As Anne, the boarding-house maid, Rose Hobart gives a promising performance in which she displays a keen sense of the dramatic while Ben Lyon, her young husband, acquits himself in his usual capable manner. The remaining members of the cast are also well-chosen. The programme is well-balanced and of a very sound entertainment value and it will be shown again to-night. .