ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 22096, 17 August 1933, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE REGENTc IRENE DUNNE ACTS SPLENDIDLY. TENSE DRAMA IN “NO OTHER WOMAN.” To those who have a regard for intense drama and for splendid acting, “No Other Woman,” at the Regent Theatre is unhesitatingly recommended. It is a very sincere picture and has been very sympathetically produced. Working in the unending clamour of a Pittsburgh steel-works, Jim Stanley (Charles Bickford) finds pride in his strength, and confidence in his endurance of his work’s fiery exactions. He loves a woman who declares that she will never marry a steel-worker, to live a small life in a grimy hut. But she does, nevertheless, although in marriage she still longs for the better life that would rise from riches. That she may one day improve her lot she skimps and saves, like many people. One day they quarrel, Jim squanders his pay, and in the following morning’s regret is led to invest all his savings in a dye formula evolved by a young friend. Unexpectedly riches come to them; Jim proves himself a man of brains as well as of thick strength; and Anna has the life for which she longed. Another woman comes, to twist Jim around her fingers; and Jim has once sworn that he will never love any woman but his wife. The usual things happen, the .iserable mix-up goes in the divorce court, where Jim, to gain his end. ’-eriures himself in fighting his wife, who, though refusing a divorce, loses a framed-up case. Jim’s real love for his wife is suddenly too much, and with a great outburst he reveals the true state of affairs, although it means imprisonment for him. The story ends happily. As both the millworker’s wife and comrade and as the rich man’s wife, Irene Dunn shows great loveliness and fine adaptability; in the scene where she fights for the custody of her child she acts with all her splendid emotional powers. Charles Bickford gives a forceful and powerful interpretation of a man torn between love for his wife and infatuation for a cold exotic blond . There is good teamwork and ox-client production. The supporting pictures are interesting and wellvaried.

“SAY IT WITH MUSIC.” JACK PAYNE AND HIS BAND. ENGLAND’S MOST POPULAR ORCHESTRA. That England can show America many points in the presentation of a first-class orchestra playing popular ear-tickling melodies is to be demonstrated to Invercargill audiences next Saturday when England’s foremost musical combination—Jack Payne and His Personality Band—will appear in the latest British Dominions Film “Say It With Music.” The many people who have enjoyed the music of Jack Payne’s Band over the air and on records are provided with an unrivalled opportunity of hearing it and seeing it in action in “Say It With Music,” which should draw appreciative audiences to The Regent during its season, which starts next Saturday. “Love is the Sweetest Thing,” “Say it With Music,” “Good Morning, Mr Sun,” and “I’ll Do My Best to Make You Happy,” are played with such a wealth of variation that the listener is almost bewildered by the amazing resourcefulness of the orchestration and the skilfulness of the players. Jack Payne himself is an engaging personality before the camera. He has a pleasing and natural style and acts attractively. The film does not depend on the playing of the band alone, for the plot is based on an interesting story by William Cooper, concerning the rise to fame of a poor composer. While driving to the theatre, Payne knocks this man down, and finds he is an old war-time friend, whom he has not seen for many years. He finds that the composer is almost penniless, so plays one of his friend’s compositions. Its skilful interpretation by the band achieves a great success, and brings recognition that has been long denied. Percy Marmont is excellent as the composer, and he is ably assisted by Joyce Kennedy, Sybil Summerfield, and Evelyn Roberts. The film is skilfully directed and recorded. It further reveals the wealth of talent on which the British studios are able to draw in their search for pictures of first-class entertainment value. All the dance tunes played by Jack Payne are original. Some were written at the time the production of the picture was commenced, and the others remained to be selected. Jack Payne gave much attention to the choice of melodies. All work submitted to him had his personal consideration, his sole stipulation being that in the film he would play only the work of British authors and composers. “Say It With Music” is sure to be very popular. Plans for Saturday are now open at the Bristol.

CIVIC THEATRE. “SCARLET DAWN.” ROMANTIC DRAMA. The love of adventure and romance on the screen never abates, judging by the large and delighted audience at the Civic last night to witness the first screening of Warner Bros.’ story of reckless passion nights, “Scarlet Dawn.” Two of the screen’s most delectable feminine players, one a blonde and the other a redhead, support the dashing young Douglas Fairbanks, jun.. in bringing to the screen the romantic adventure, “Scarlet Dawn.” Nancy Carroll and Lilyan Tashman are the two leading ladies who contribute a large amount of the appeal contained in this story of days following the Russian Revolution. It is only at the beginning of the story that the revolution itself figures, for then, the action shifts to Constantinople, where Prince Nikita, accompanied by a faithful servant girl, flees for safety. All the traditions of Fairbanks, both father and son, appear inherent in this story There is intrigue, adventure of the daring kind, and romance that is especially satisfying. All of this is placed against a background of wartime and revolutionary Russia and the colourful, oriental Constantinople. Authenticity of detail was one of the salient points in the making of the film. In its making, technical direction played a large part and even the extras were chosen with care. Most of the latter were Russians who had experienced the adventures which the film depicts. That this film was intended to be an exceptional picture is evident in the cast of players who were chosen to play the supporting roles. Besides the three leads already mentioned, the cast contains Earle Fox, Sheila Terry, Mae Busch, Frank Reicher, Walter Walker, Ivan Linow, Betty Gillette, Harry Cording, Maurice Black and William Ricciardi. The story was based on the novel, “Revolt,” by Mary McCall. The supporting programme is a fine one and includes “Sherlock’s Home” (comedy), “Airtrail” (an air drama), “Partners” (comedy) and “Horace Herdt” (a splendid musical novelty).

THE MAJESTIC. EXCITING ZANE GREY STORY. “SMOKE LIGHTNING.” Maintaining a’ swift pace from the very beginning, George O’Brien’s latest Fox picture, “Smoke Lightning,” proved highly entertaining to the large audi-

ence of the Majestic Theatre last evening. The action and excitement that distinguish the western star’s offerings are amply supplied in this up-to-date tale of an adventurous cowpuncher who attempts to protect an orphan girl’s heritage from a band of crooks. His efforts involve him in plenty of adventures, including a thrilling battle along the top of a racing express train, and the director has cleverly woven much delightful comedy into the film. Some of the locales are surprisingly beautiful and included with the dramatic quality, the pictorial aspects make this picture exceptional. A distinctive note of novelty is added in the person of nine year-old Betsy King Ross, the daring little rodeo queen whose feats of horsemanship make her work in the role of the orphan girl memorable as well as absorbing. Nell O’Day as the charming heroine, Frank Atkinson as O’Brien’s humorous pal and Morgan Wallace as the crooked sheriff, all do notably in their portrayals. Gordon Rigby and Sidney D. Mitchell wrote the adaptation from Zane Grey’s novel, “Canyon Walls,” and did a pleasing screen play. A special four-reel English comedy-drama entitled “After Dark” is also on the programme. This is a splendid comedy-drama dealing with the efforts of a jewel thief to recover some emeralds which have been hidden in the back of an old clock in an antique shop. When the thief returns to the shop to regain his jewels he discovers that the clock has been sold. Having obtained the name and address of the new owner, he follows him to his country house. The owner is a peppery old gentleman, who certainly has a most exciting evening, but outwits the thief and returns the jewels to their owner. “After Dark” contains all the ingredients of entertainment and should certainly prove to be one of the best British pictures seen in this city for some time. It has drama, an abundance of comedy, and a charming romance. The cast is a distinguished one headed by that grand veteran Horace Hodges, who has delighted the London stage for nearly 40 years; Hugh Williams, the popular juvenile lead; George Barraud, who has had considerable film experience in England and America; and Gretha Hansen, a beautiful ingenue with light blue eyes and brown hair.