ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 22107, 30 August 1933, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE MAJESTIC. ; OUTSTANDING ROidANTIC SUCCESS. NORMA SHEARER IN “SMILIN’ THROUGH.” In an endeavour to secure for the people of the world something new, different, and above all, wholly entertaining, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer have, certainly succeeded with “Smilin’ Through,” which is now at the Majestic Theatre. Norma Shearer plays a dual role for the first time in this picture—of Moonyeen Clare, and, later, as Moonyeen’s sister’s child, Kathleen. In both of these characterizations, Miss Shearer departs from her recent sophisticated roles. Fredric March, one of the screen’s most prominent and likeable young stars, plays opposite Norma Shearer in both generations of the story, a dual role. He is cast as Jeremy Wayne, who becomes a madman when he knows that Moonyeen is to marry Sir John, and who accidentally shoots her—and then as the years pass as Kenneth Wayne, the formers son. The story, in brief, tells of Sir John Cartaret, who, following the death of his bride, Moonyeen, at the altar steps after she has shielded him from a bullet fired by a maniacal rival, lives only for the time when he will be able to join her in eternal happiness. Into his life comes the child of. Moonyeen s sister, a lovable little child named Kathleen, who, each day, grows to be the image of Moonyeen, thus further endearing her to Sir John. Just after she has turned twenty-one, she meets and falls in love with Kenneth Wayne, but when her uncle learns, of the younger man’s name, he forbids Kathleen to ever see him again. However, love is stronger than words, and she meets him secretly, and she confesses to Sir John that she and Kenneth are to marry before he goes to the war. It is then that Sir John tells Kathleen that it was Kenneth Wayne’s father who killed Moonyeen. Kathleen pleads with him to forgive, but the old man is unrelenting. Kenneth leaves without marrying her, but they promise to wait forever. However, after a tremendous climax, the picture ends on a happy note, with the difficulties of love smoothed out once more. Among the excellent supports, is an outstanding featurette, “Tile Hying Cadonas, showing some magnificent feats by trapeze artists. THE REGENT. "NAGANA” TO-NIGHT. TALA BIRRELL AND MELVYN I DOUGLAS. Set among the myriad perils of the '■frican jungles, “Nagana,” the unusual Jniversal film which is to open at the Regent to-night, transports audiences into an atmosphere of adventure and danger. Few films have shown so dramatically the ceaseless struggle for life in the primitive forests. “Nagana, however, although full of exciting in- , cidents, deals primarily with the fight of science against a foe far more deadi ly than any jungle beast —the tse-tse | fly, carrier of the dreaded sleeping sickness, known as “nagana’’to the nat- ' ives. Around the efforts of. a young ! scientist to save a native village and to overcome the fierce opposition, of superstition fostered by the insidious “medicine-men,’’ a stirring drama has been woven. Melvyn Douglas seen in “As You Desire Me,” and “The Old Dark House,” takes the part of Dr Walter Radnor, in charge of a medical base on the outskirts of civilization. Braving all the difficulties in the way the Countess Sandra Lubeska arrives to rejoin her lover the very day that he is called away to a stricken village. Here the forces of prejudice and superstition, intensified by the terrors of the unknown plague, have resulted in a revival of the “medicine-men’s” prestige. Dr Radnor faces the danger and asks to be .given a certain time in which to show his power over the disease, on the understanding that if he fails, he will be at the mercy of the medicine-men’s revenge. Aided by his heroic Japanese assistant, he works desperately in an effort to discover an efficacious serum. The arrival of the Countess Sandra in the village where she has followed him, makes his position far more difficult, and gradually the intrigues of his enemies begin to foment opinion against him. The story works up to a climax which has seldom been excelled in suspense. Tala Birrell, the brilliant and exotic Continental actress, plays the part of the countess. The supporting programme includes “Room Mates,” a comedy dealing with the always amusing theme of mistaken rooms in a hotel, an Oswald the Rabbit comedy and interesting news reels. CIVIC THEATRE PICTURES AGAIN TO-MORROW The leading feature on the programme which will be screened tomorrow and Friday at the Civic Theatre is a London Film production, “Men Of To-morrow,” in which Maurice Braddell, Joan Gardner, Robert Douat, Merle Oberon, and Emlyn Williams have the leading roles. The story concerns Allan Shepherd, a studious young Oxford undergraduate, who has little sympathy with the athletic set at his college, and in consequence, is unpopular with them. He edits a college paper, the Torch, which is considered too “highbrow” by the sports lovers. His greatest friends are Geoffrey Waters and Jane Anderson, a member of a women’s college, who specializes in chemistry. Allan tells Jane of his love for her, and she confesses that she loves him. After a “victory” celebration, the members of the “head of the river” crew—led by Julian Angell, who also loves Jane—wrecks Allan’s room and makes a bonfire of his belongings. Furiously angry, Allan brings out a special edition of the Torch, in which he describes Oxford as the “charnel house” of culture. For this he is expelled by the senior proctor. He leaves for London embittered against Oxford, and is so rude to Julian that Jane quarrels with him. In London, Allan tries vainly to get work, or to get his translations from the classics accepted for publication. One day he returns despondently to his lodgings to find Jane waiting for him. They still love each other, and decide to get married as soon as Allan finds work. The experiences of the young couple are followed until the happy ending. One of the many interesting scenes dealing with university life to be seen in “Men of To-morrow”, shows the holding of an examination in, one of the panelled examination halls. Oxford students took part in this scene whilst the correct examination papers and the notices of procedure were used. The replica of one of the most famous examination halls shows the long row of desks presided over by the invigilators. The desks are lettered conspicuously and a similarly lettered rack was provided for the completed examination forms. The supporting programme includes “Caliante Love,” a Mack Sennett comedy, “Hollywood On Parade,” a musical review, and an Overseas News. EMPIRE THEATRE (RIVERTON). “HOT PEPPER.” , Four screen stars and a dancing and singing chorus of beautiful women in settings that are the last word in lavishness are features of the Fox comedy, “Hot Pepper,” which will be shown at

Riverton to-night. In this merry comedy Victor McLaglen and Edmund Lowe cast aside their marine uniforms and, in evening clothes, preside merrily over gay night clubs. The exotic and dynamic Lupe Velez portrays the leading feminine role, and El Brendel has a comedy role that furnishes a good share of the fun.