ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 21848, 27 October 1932, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

BRIGHT COMEDY FOR THE MAJESTIC. WILLIAM POWELL RETURNS. One of the most popular stars of both the silent and talking screen William Powell returns to the screen at the Majestic this evening in “High Pressure.” Powell, who will be remembered for his brilliant work at Philo Vance in the Van Dine stories will be seen in a widely divergent role in tonight’s picture. Although at variance with his previous portrayals, the innate charm that has always been a part of his acting cannot be hidden; rather it is magnified, for the changing tenor of the plot opens up fields that give scope to unsuspected angles of his ability, whereas before his was very “straight playing. This departure into other avenues is not without its drawbacks, for he forsakes to a certain extent the precise and cultured accents that contributed to his popularity in the past, though the exhiliarating nature of his comedy more than compensates for this deficiency. When the story opens Gar Evans (William Powell), promoter of companies, bogus and otherwise, is in a stupor engendered by two days indulgence in the bad liquor of a “speak-easy”—an example of the efficacy of Prohibition. A Turkish bath, administered by two men who have something for him to promote,, brings him back to earth, and he is then taken by the idea of manufacturing artificial rubber from sewage. A palatial suite of offices is erected, a large staff engaged, and the sleep of the directors of rival rubber concerns disturbed—all on the assumption that there is a man who has invented the secret process, and he, incidentally, has not yet put in an appearance. Shares are sold by the hundred to a gullible public before there is a sign of the artificial rubber on the market, and before the process has been demonstrated to the promoters of the company, and the resultant complications make matters rather warm for the unhappy investors; excluding Evans, of course, who is spending all the money furnished by Colonel Ginsberg (George Sidney). The plot follows a really hectic course until the inventor is found, and after that it is still more hectic, for Evans finds that he sold him his Doctor of Science degree some years previously for a few dollars. Finally, though, by a lucky chance and plenty of bluff, everything is well. Powell, of course, is excellent as Evans, but hy no means takes all the acting honours. There is the inimitable George Sidney, who has found a popular nook in comedies as Cohen in the numerous adventures of the “Cohens and the Kellys.” He takes the part of Ginsberg, the man with the money, and he is responsible for many more laughs than Powell, which is saying a great deal. Between them they give some of the brightest comedy that has been seen in Invercargill for some considerable time. There is a love interest, of course, and that is supplied by Evelyn Brent, who alternately spruns and loves the fickle Evans throughout the film. It is a comparatively easy matter for an actress to be the subject of a man’s love in a film, but Evelyn is called upon to be more than that, for when she refuses to be cajoled she is a perfect spitfire; even Powell, the man who knows how to deal with women, is rather at a loss to know how to deal with her. Additional subjects will include a splendid travelogue of “South America,” a novelty number “The Musical Subway,” the “Naggers Go Shopping,” and a bright cartoon.

THE REGENT. “ALMOST MARRIED” AND “MIDNIGHT.” TWO EXCELLENT FEATURES. Two long feature pictures—one a Secret Service drama, and the other a somewhat eerie thriller—provide an excellent evening’s entertainment at the Regent Theatre to-night. It is not often that two such pictures are brought together on the one Programme, both stories being of English origin, and one of the pictures being made in an English story. The result is most pleasing, the suspense and thrill being maintained throughout the whole of the evening, to the enjoyment of the whole audience. “Almost Married,” featuring Violet Heining, Ralph Bellamy and Alexander Kirkland, uses as its starting point characters and situations that are entirely human and real and .introduces a new note in mystery thrillers. Revolving around the character of a demented genius, a world-famous pianist whose tapering, artistic fingers balance . their creative power with the mad desire to murder the object of their love, it is much more eerie, weird and shivery than any of its predecessors that this reviewer has seen. “Almost Married” contains some of the “shock” elements of recent melodramas, due largely to the activities of a maniac, well impersonated by Alexander Kirkland. He is cast as Capristi, a mad musician with murderous tendencies. His wife Anita (Violet Heming) discovers this on her wedding night, and she escapes to Russia, where she becomes involved with the secret police. To avoid arrest she poses as the wife of Deene Maxwell, an old friend. In an insane asylum in England, Capristi learns of the alleged marriage. He breaks from the asylum, and demands refuge with Anita and Deene, who have grown to love one another. After having decoyed Deene away from the house, his murderous tendencies reassert themselves against the girl. In a fine scene, however, his love for her overcomes his hate, and a sensational conclusion sees happiness assured for the two lovers. The English drama “Midnight” is an intriguing story of the Secret Service and Scotland Yard involving the possession of a set of plans. John Stuart and Eve Grey are the principal players in a very pleasing picture. The supporting items include Fox News reels and a short travelogue.

"INNOCENTS OF CHICAGO.” BRITISH LAUGH AT GANGSTERS. COMING TO THE REGENT. An English studio has prepared the biggest laugh of the season in the satire on American gangsterdom “Innocents Of Chicago,” which is to be presented at the Regent on Saturday. This picture is proving a real source of delight to all who can appreciate really clever comedy. How Henry Kendall, the popular “perfect chump,” and one of the “Innocents of Chicago,” outwits a band of ferocious gangsters, and gets away with ten thousand of the best, aided and abetted by a snappy little newspaper reporter, is humorously depicted in this picture, a 8.1. P. production, directed by Lupino Lane. Betty Norton, a welcome newcomer to the British screen, as Betty Woods, is sent to interview Percy Lloyd, a foolhardy but lovable ass, in the guise of Henry Kendall, who arrives in Chicago to take over the directorial responsibilities of the Universal Milk Co., Inc. He is lured into "taking a ride” by Peg (alias Binnie Barns) Guinan. Betty discovers the product of the Universal to be “booze” not milk, and follows him. How these two innocents escape in the face of monstrous danger, surviving “Killers,” “Slayers,” and “Droppers,” will keep filmgoers in constant anxiety and merriment at the shrewd satire directed toward Chicago gang warfare. Other leading roles are taken by Bernard Newell, Margot Grahame and Ben Welden. This picture will be

screened at the Regent next Saturday, Monday and Tuesday. LEX MACDONALD. INVERCARGILL APPEARANCE. One of the world’s best was the verdict of the musical critics of Sydney when they heard Lex Macdonald sing and subsequent hearings confirmed that opinion. Others call him “the boy with the golden voice” and it is certain that his ability is not over-rated, by these descriptions. Under the conditions pertaining to the concert hall he sings at his best and Invercargillites will have an opportunity of hearing this wonder boy soprano in the Civic Theatre on Saturday, the 29th, and Monday, the 31st. He has had a wonderfully successful visit to Australia and so many were the engagements offered him that he was able only to accept a small fraction of them. Last week he visited Auckland where he received a tremendous reception, unparalleled in that city and many people were disappointed because they, were unable to gain admittance. His singing was a revelation. Invercargill has the chance to hear this talented young boy next Saturday, October 29 and Monday, October 31. Associated with him will be Miss Mary Pratt, New Zealand’s leading contralto, Mr Maitland McCutcheon, the brilliant violinist, and Mrs Ernest Drake, pianiste. Lex will also be heard in that glorious excerpt from Mendelssohn’s “Hear My Prayer” in conjunction with Dr Brown’s choir.