ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 22008, 6 May 1933, Page 20

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE. RONALD COLMAN IN “CYNARA.” ENGLISH STAGE SUCCESS. “Cynara,” from the brilliant international stage success, is a perfect vehicle for the inimitable talents of the distinguished English actor, Ronald Colman, who is supported by Kay Francis. “Cynara” strikingly presents the conflict of emotion which may follow a momentaiy affair, entered in a spirit of dalliance. Every attribute of good entertainment, romance, pathos and wit are cleverly blended, while the production is also specially notable for the excellence of the cast which has been assembled. The presence of Ronald Colman and Kay Francis, together in any one picture would be sufficient guarantee of its excellence, but in “Cynara” they have the able support of many distinguished players. The title is taken from the refrain of Ernest Dowson’s poem, “I have been faithful to thee, Cynara, in my fashion.” At the opening of the story James Warlock’s wife leaves for Italy, separating the pair for the first time in their married life. During her absence Warlock is unwillingly dragged into a flirtation with two shop girls by a friend, with the result that one of the girls, Doris Lea, becomes infatuated with Warlock. He attempts to dismiss her from his mind, but through the machinations of his friend Triug the two are brought together again. This time Warlock succumbs to the girl’s allurement, at the same time j reaching an understanding that their affair can be nothing more than an interlude, and that they must part abruptly on the return of his wife. Although their romance is little more | than a passing fancy to Warlock, the girl falls tragically in love, and after he has resumed his quiet and happy married life she pleads with him to continue seeing her, and he tells her that their affair must be broken sharply. As he is setting down to his normal domestic life, Warlock is shocked to hear that Doris has committed suicide. Dramatic scenes follow at the inquest, and the remainder of the film is devoted to bringing about a reconciliation between Warlock and his wife, until understanding is reached. While he is as debonair as usual, at times Colman is called upon for deep emotional acting, and it is in

these scenes that he is at his greatest. Kay Francis makes a graceful and appealing figure of the wife, while Phyllis Barry, who appears for the first time on the screen, handles the role of Doris with great fidelity and feeling. She was formerly well-known in musical comedy in Australia and New Zealand as Phyllis Du Barry. The first of 'lValt Disney’s silly symphonies in technicolour to reach New Zealand will be shown. It is “King Neptune,” and this novelty will certainly create surprise by its rare beauty. A Paramount screen song number, the Fox Australasian News, and other varieties will form a great programme. This afternoon a special Western picture will be shown for the juveniles, and a matmee for “Cynara” will be held on Tuesday afternoon. THE REGENT. “THREE LIVE GHOSTS.” THE SCREEN’S BEST COMEDY. “Revival Week” at the Regent could not have had a better picture chosen for the initial presentation than ‘ Three Live Ghosts,” the English comedy, with a superb cast including Claude Allister, Beryl Mercer, Charles McNaughton, Shayle Gardiner and other Britishers and two of the most popular players from “across the pond,” Robert Montgomery and Joan Bennett. The story, which is based on Frederick Isham s play, deals with the post-war adventures of three British soldiers —Jimmy Gubbins, a Cockney: William Foster, an American; and “Spoofy.” Having escaped from a German prison camp just before the Armistice they return to London only to find themselves listed as dead in the army records. Foster (played by Robert Montgomery), who has, unknown to his companions, joined the British Army to escape disgrace following the theft of some bonds from his father’s office in New York, welcomes the chance to start a new life. He does not know that his father has died and left him everything, and that a reward has been offered for information about him. A good deal of amusement is added to the story by Gubbins’ mother, “Old Sweetheart,” who lias a strong taste for liquor and also dabbles in spirit seances. When the three “dead” men arrive she is a scared woman until convinced that they are still very much in the flesh. She at once tells Jimmy he must remain dead until she collects the final instalment of his w;ar insurance. Foster and “Spoofy” are made welcome especially Foster.' for she has heard about the £lOOO reward offered for news of him. Foster is then recognized by Rose Gordon, a boarder in the Gubbins household. She and Foster had fallen in love with each other. Jimmy’s mother, under the impression that Foster is a criminal, is out for the reward, but Jimmy will not let her inform the police although he, too, thinks that Foster .is wanted for a crime. Meanwhile “Spoofy” has developed into a chronic kleptomaniac and caps his career in this direction by visiting Lord Leices-

ter’s house in London, stealing a quantity of jewels and the nobleman’s baby heir. While the two sane members of the trio are trying to think out a plan of action Jimmy’s mother gets out and telephones Scotland Yard- A detective arrives in answer to her call, but at once recognizes the jewels which she is wearing as a gift from “a very nice gentleman.” While _ the detective is asking fruitless questions “Spoofy” tiptoes out of the bedroom where he has been sleeping, picks the detectives pocket of the jewels and gets away. The Scotland Yard man is furious and drags everyone present, including Foster and Rose, off to police headquarters. The inquiry gets no further there, and things look rather black when in comes a policeman dragging “Spoofy” whom he has had to hit on the head. The blow restores “Spoofy’s” memory, but it would be a pity to tell those who have not seen the picture what he remembers. Plans are at the Bristol this morning; later at. the theatre. CIVIC THEATRE. “TWO AGAINST THE WORLD.” A woman’s devotion to members of her family, which seriously involves her in an unusual murder case, and the doubts of an admirer who, as a lawyer, is compelled by circumstances to be prosecutor, are the dominant events in “Two Against The World,” the Warner Brothers’ production, which commences a season at the Civic Theatre this afterrjoon. In “Two Against the World” Miss Constance Bennett must win fresh fame for a reputation which places her already in the forefront of screen players. The actual story of the production opens unconventionally in an elevator, Miss Bennett, conscious of her social importance and the power of her wealthy family, is evidently accustomed to be dictatorial, but a fellow passenger in the elevator is a successful young lawyer, David Norton, played by Neil Hamilton, vyho has made it his business to champion the interests of the less fortunate. Not unnaturally, the ideas of the pair clash, but they are entirely unable to let any conflict of notions overcome an immediate mutual attraction. The consequence is that Norton finds himself invited to a rec/cption at the Hamilton home. He is not altogether a favoured guest until the Hamiltons learn that he is a member of a prominent family, although it is his wont to question the power of the wealthy in some direc-

tions. The romance between Norton and Miss Hamilton flourishes up to a point. It is then that the somewhat objectionable attentions to Miss Ham- ' ilton of Victor Linley, a conventional ' man-about-town type, played by Gavin Gordon, intrude. The position is not helped by the attitude of a married sister, of Miss Hamilton, played by Helen Vinson, «who is infatuated with Linley. At the risk of her reputation Miss Hamilton elects to save her sister from being connected with an unsavoury alliance with Linley, but her action causes a brother to exact revenge on Linley by murdering him. It is not long before Miss Hamilton is linked with the murder. In her efforts to save her brother she is suspected and is brought to trial. Her romance with Norton is broken when he is forced to act as prosecutor. Dramatic scenes happen in court, and the guilt of Miss Hamilton’s brother is revealed, the Judge deciding that there was justification for the crime. When Miss Hamilton is trying to escape old associations the persistent Norton manages to renew his romance. The supporting programme includes “When In Rome” travelogue, “Municipal Band Waggon” orchestral, “Stuck, Stuck, Stucco” comedy and a Universal News Topical. THEATRE ROYAL, WINTON. “GIRL CRAZY.” A South-of-the-Border resort, where men are Caballeros and girls are senoritas, is pictured with all of its romantic glamour in “Girl Crazy,”RKO-Radio’s all-star merry melange of mirth and melody, which comes to the Theatre Royal, Winton, to-night. This home of the clicking castanets, marimba bands, and gay fandangos, shares atmospheric appeal with a western dude ranch as the bankground for the hilarious adventures of Bert Wheeler, Robert Woolsey, Eddie Quillan, Mitzi Green, Dorothy Lee, Arline Judge, Kitty Kelly, Lita Chevret, Stanley Fields and 50 beauties. Based upon the musical hit which ran for more than a year on Broadway, “Girl Crazy” tells the story of a city youth who goes western in a whoopee way by turning his father’s cattle ranch into a dude resort and bringing his bright light pals out to keep the rattlesnakes and-cacti company. Quillan carries the boy role with Wheeler and Woolsey sparkling as the city pals who make pikers of the range gunmen. The musical hits are all orignial compositions of George Gershwin, famous creator of modern melodies.