ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 21832, 8 October 1932, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE MAJESTIC,

“MYSTERY RANCH.” GEORGE O’BRIEN WITH CECILIA

PARKER.

The Majestic Theatre has a reputation for screening programmes of allround excellence, and patrons this evening will find the programme right up to standard. The feature film is an exciting Wild West adventure yam, in which George O’Brien and a capable cast give a fine exposition of outdoor acting. The supports include a remarkable variety of those topical productions that are becoming so popular with the picture-going public. In “The Mystery Ranch” George O’Brien takes the part of a happy-go-lucky adventurer who stumbles upon sinister doings at a ranch house in an Arizona valley, and in a series of wild happenings, in which daring rides are undertaken, he reconstructs the old but ever romantic story of rescuing a maiden in distress. The owner of' “Mystery Ranch” is Henry Steele, a grasping and callous individual, who seeks to clear this particular valley of all who do not bow to his will. However, the worst part of his villainy concerns his attitude towards Jane Emory, the daughter of his deceased partner. Steele lures Jane to the ranch by telling her that he wishes to make over his share of the property in her name, but after being there some time she learns that she is being held against her will. In trying to escape she falls from her horse and is picked up by Bob Sandborn (George O’Brien), who carries her to the house. Out of courtesy he is asked by Steele to spend the night. That the two young people are attracted to each other is immediately sensed by Steele, and next day Sandborn is escorted off the place and ordered never to return, his send-off being enlivened by shots from two Mexican employees of Steele. However, Bob is by this time fully seized with the necessity to rescue Jane from the peril that threatens her, and, after making arrangements with a friend for

reinforcements to be sent later, he sets out alone back to the ranch. He is aided by a Cockney ex-jockey, mother of Steele’s men, in the herculean task of breaking into the ranch house. A thrilling escape and a spectacular ride, not to mention a good deal of gun play and fist-fighting, bring a most enjoyable picture to a close. The acting is full of merit, and the beautiful photography has the effect of investing the film with a certain value as a straightout scenic attraction. The supporting pictures are of a varied nature and include an English comedy drama entitled “Brown Sugar,” an interesting scenic “The Heart of Australia” and both the International and Australasian Sound News. For this afternoon’s matinee two western attractions v;il’ be screened, George O’Brien in “Mystery Ranch” and Buck Jones in “One Man Law.” Episode three of “Detective Lloyd of Scotland Yard” will also be shown. THE REGENT. SINCLAIR LEWIS’S “ARROWSMITH.” TRULY A GREAT PICTURE! “Arrowsmith,” which is to be seen at the Regent twice to-day is a great picture. Of that there can be no possible doubt. The story is Sinclair Lewis at his best, vivid, ironic and picturesquely tragic. The dialogue is human and astonishingly convincing. It might be superfluous to outline the narrative strain of Sinclair Lewis’s best seller. Briefly, and as the foreword explains, it is the story of a man who dedicated his life for service and his love for one woman. Ronald Colman is Martin Arrowsmith, scion of a medical family, who launches his career with the definite intent of digging into medical research. He falls in love with Helen Hayes, is compelled to forgo his ambition for the necessity of earning a living. After two unproductive years as a country doctor in South Dakota, he goes to New York as a bacteriologist in the McGurk Foundation. There he slaves for several years, neglects his wife, although wholly without deliberate intent, and finally goes to the West Indies to test his own discovered serum under the almost hopeless odds of a widespread bubonic plague. His wife dies; nis distinguished medical associate, Dr. Sondelius, is removed by the dread disease and Arrowsmith, in the throes of temporary despair, decides to cast aside the tenets of scientific research for the humane and human desire of saving as many lives as the limits of his medical knowledge may encompass. Thus, he fails in his mission, returns to New York to denounce the hypocrisy of publicity-seeking re- ' search foundations and leaves for the Vermont woods to continue his laboratory work far removed from worldly things, and personal aggrandizement. It is a gripping, vitally dramatic story rich in acting performances and distinguished in all of its departments. There is Colman, obsessed in his craving to unravel the scientific unknown. He gives a finely paced and wholly meritorious performance, one that ranks easily with the best he has ever done. There is Miss Hayes as the sacrificing “good sport” wife who, suffers from lack of attention and even love, to further, so far as she can, her husband’s life work. Again, Miss Hayes demonstrates the value of. her years of experience on the stage, and her full right to the reputation of one of America’s finest dramatic artistes. Two other characterizations take on etching-like relief. A. E. Anson, as Professor Mark Gottlieb, who stands for all that Arrowsmith hopes to accomplish, gives a memorable performance. Then, too, there is Richard Bennett as Dr. Sondelius, the germ fighter. In a Swedish accent and in all of the sincere bluster that the part demands, Bennett is excellent indeed. Less impoi’tant in the cast, but fine troupers all are Myrna Loy, Lumsden Hare, De Witt Jennings, Beulah Bondi, Bert Roach, John M. Qualen, David Landau, Claude King, Russell Hopton and Clarence Brooks. “Arrowsmith” is not ordinary entertainment. It is so outstandingly and remarkably different that it will soon become one of the most widely discussed and talkedabout pictures which have ever been to the Regent. Plans are at the Bristol this morning; later at the theatre. BATTALION BAND CONCERT. For its concert on Sunday evening the Battalion Band“has arranged a programme of such a varied and mis-*' cellaneous character that it will provide excellent entertainment and should please all patrons to the Civic Theatre. The band is in excellent form at present and will play, “The Rose of

Yesterday,” “A Military Church Parade” ■ and the old favourite march, “Waldemere.” Vocal numbers will be given by Miss Dorothy Jones and Mrs N. Henderson while Miss O’Neill provides numbers in the elocutionary section. Master Bobby Wilson, Invercargill’s own boy soprano, who is rapidly risin gto fame as a vocalist, will sing “Macushla” by special request. The vocal section also includes songs by Mr Albert Bruce, an eminent tenor, from London. Variety has not been overlooked, the instrumental section being headed by Mr W. Bloy, with violin solos, while the Melody-Makers’ Variety Band will be heard in entirely new numbers. Mr Cheyne will appear in ventriloqual numbers. The accompaniments will be in the capable hands of Mr R. Henry. The band is endeavouring to raise funds to finance the trip to the contest, and it is hoped that patrons will contribute generously. Intending patrons should remember that clocks will be advanced half an hour. REGENT THEATRE, MATAURA. “SOCIETY GIRL.” A story full of intensely interesting and exciting incidents, leavened by some particularly clever comedy, “Society Girl,” which is the principal picture at the Regent Theatre, Mataura, this evening, has as its featured players such popular stars as Spencer Tracy, Peggy Shannon and James Dunn. The plot is a highly amusing one, but introduces amazing dramatic conflicts and a boxing contest that should provide patrons with a real thrill. As usual an excellent programme of shorts will be screened.