ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 22130, 26 September 1933, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE. “THE BITTER TEA OF GENERAL YEN.” LAST NIGHT TO-NIGHT. To-night at the Civic Theatre the forceful dramatic , episode of the Shanghai rebellion, “The Bitter Tea of General Yen,” will be screened for the last time. Never since “Broken Blossoms” has a more poignant love story of the Orient been screened than “The Bitter Tea of General Yen,” a spectacular Columbia feature showing at the Civic Theatre with Barbara Stanwyck starred in her greatest role. Delicately woven against the intricate and turbulent background of Chinese civil war, this romantic tragedy reaches moments of greatness from the portrayal of Miss Stanwyck as a timid and inhibited American girl who falls under the spell of the Orient and is swept into emotional rebellion against her prim New England upbringing. Nils Asther, in his first important role since he made his return to pictures, will without question win back many more “fans” than he ever had before talkies interrupted his screen career while he learned English. His acting is really something to rave about. Walter Connolly, one of the finest character actors on the stage, is charming and elective in the role of a delightful renegade who gives advice on financial matters to General Yen. Toshia Mori is cast in an important feminine role as General Yen’s concubine.

TO-MORROW ONLY. “LAWYER MAN.” William Powell at his best and teamed for the first time with Joan Blondell—is about the shortest way to sum up “Lawyer Man,” Warner Bros’, fastmoving comedy-drama which opens tomorrow at the Civic Theatre for one day only. It’s possible that the title might lead one to expect a heavy court-room drama. Such, however, is not the case. Although there are many thrilling and poignant moments before the jury, the picture itself is more concerned with Powell’s love affairs after

. . . and during . . . office hours, than it is with his legal entanglements. He’s plenty smart as a two-fisted, fighting barrister, but he’s woefully dumb when trying to cope with a woman’s wiles. Joan Biondell, with her big comehither eyes and wise-cracking manner, is Powell’s secretary, and she was an inspired choice. In the parlance of vaudeville. Powell is the “straight” and Miss Blondell the “stooge.” Between the two, they keep the audience howling with laughter. As the East Side lawyer who battles his way up the legal ladder to fame, William Powell turns in the best performance of his sparkling career. Battering down all opposition, until he mixes blondes with Blackstone, gives free rein to Powell’s dynamic personality. The story, deals with a young lawyer whose string of victories at the bar attracts the attention of a big uptown attorney, and a partnership results. The sudden social change is too much, and Powell goes “Park Avenue,” despite the caustic attempts of his secretary to keep him down to earth. His existence on top of the world is brief, for a beautiful accomplice of a political ring out to “get” Powel betrays him, and the young lawyer finds the downward plunge much swifter than his upward climb. Stripped of reputation and clientele, Powell is forced to become a shady, shyster lawyer, with bootleggers, crooks and fallen women for his patrons. But, though the ring can beat him down, it cannot rob him of his skill. Craftily using these broken clients as his pawns, Powell works his way into power until he achieves his revenge by smashing the political ring that crushed him. By now he has come to realize that he was seeking the wrong goal and he spurns wealth and adulation to remain the champion of his East Side people. And, of course, you’ve guessed that he discovers his secretary to be a swell girl, especially after being burnt by the uptown butterflies.

THE MAJESTIC. "STATE FAIR.” JANET GAYNOR IN SPLENDID PRODUCTION. Something altogether unusual and yet immensely attractive in the way of entertainment is provided by “State Fair,” which was witnessed by an enthusiastic audience at the Majestic Theatre last night. It is a broad cohesive story enacted by an excellent cast which is headed by Janet Gaynor and Lew Ayres, not forgetting, of course, the one and only Will Rogers. The plot deals with the varying attractions which each member of a country family find at the "State Fair,” or agricultural show. It may be noted here that the film is interesting for that reason alone in that it depicts in illuminating fashion the American equivalent of our own A. and P. Show. The picture abounds in kindly human interest and romance, while there are unexpected twists to the story which keep it full of interest from beginning to end. Prior to the show, Margie (Janet Gaynor) is being courted assiduously by a worthy though not very subtle farmer’s son, but she thinks that perhaps after all his views of life may be a little prosaic. Then the family set off for the State Fair, where Margie’s father, Abel Frake (Will Rogers) is to exhibit his champion boar, ‘Blue Boy,” Mrs Frake (Louise Dresser) is also entering pickles and mincemeat. Arrived at the fair, Margie s brother (Norman Foster), who has also accompanied them, immediately tests his luck with the "hoop-la,” which he has been practising assiduously all year in order to get even with a showman. During , a quarrel with the showman he meets a beautiful blonde trapeze artist (Sally Eilers), and the two become very friendly, deciding to test out the delights of the fair together. Margie, who is now left to her own resources, also makes the acquaintance of a strange man (Lew Ayres) during the course of a ride on the Scenic Railway. He proves to be a reporter, and these two also grow attached to each other, so that Margie forgets about the lover she has left behind. In the meantime, Abel Frake is extremely perturbed about the behaviour of “Blue Boy,” who lacks spirit and does not give much promise of an impressive appearance in the shovz ring. However, coaxing and kind words seem to have no effect on the hog, so Frake has perforce to await the whims of fortune. Mrs Frake, who has in guilty fashion put a double dose of apple brandy in her mincemeat, scores amazipgly for her part, absolutely sweeping the board and collecting all the prizes. One of the judges likes her exhibit so much that he samples it to such an extent that he eventually goes into delirium trem ens! All that is now required to fill the kindly pair’s cup of happiness is for Abel to win first prize with Blue Boy.” The great day arrives, and the two finalists are led in front of the judges. Fortunately at this stage Blue Boy” takes umbrage at the presence of another hog and bristles with life all of a sudden. Abel thus secures the “champion of champions” cup, but though the parents succeed in attaining all they set out to get, the son and daughter are finding that their present happiness is likely to prove a Fool’s Paradise, for each is discovering that their respective love affairs will probably not last longer than the fair itself. How the tangle of emotions is eventually straightened out and the i course of true love becomes smooth

makes eminently satisfying entertainment, with some of the most appealing characterization seen for a long time. Janet Gaynor is, of course, as attractive as ever as the unsophisticated farmer’s daughter who wins the love cf the city reporter, while Will Rogers gives another of his excellent portrayals as the kindly farmer whose main ambition is to see his hog win the day. His humour is so refreshing that it must prove irresistible to all. All the “fun of the fair” is faithfully depicted, giving an admirable setting for the story and providing no small incidental entertainment. A most interesting supporting programme includes a Fox Movietone News, Toyland cartoon, and a Paramount British News Reel showing special shots of the 1933 Derby. Altogether it is a well-balanced programme.

“THE GREAT JASPER.” RICHARD DIX FEATURED. “Me, now, I like a little life and fun and high spirits,” says “The Great Jasper,” in the RKO-Radio Picture of that title coming to the Majestic on Wednesday. And Richard Dix, in the title role, shows that it took a heap o’ loving to put a little fun in Jasper’s life! For Jasper worked at love—and loved his work. He made a success of every love affair, but failed at marriage. He went through a life of loving with one wish—to make his wife happy. Did he ever understand that the wife of a freelance lover can never be happy? “The Great Jasper” is an adaptation of H. W. Hanemann and Robert Tasker of the popular novel by Fulton Oursler. J. Walter Ruben directed, and Wera Engel, beautiful German film actress recently imported by RKO-Radio Pictures, makes her first appearance in an American-made picture, sharing featured honours with Edna May Oliver. Others in the cast are Florence Eldridge, Betty Furness, Bruce Cabot and Walter Walker. Charlie Chaplin in “The Vagabond” is a special additional feature.

THE REGENT. ENGLISH COMEDY AND MYSTERY DRAMA. BRIGHT, ENTERTAINING FARE. That British programmes maintain their popular appeal with Regent audiences is being demonstrated by the approval given to the current bill which finishes its season to-night. The principal feature is “Her First Affair,” an original type of comedy on an original theme, which is notable in that it introduces to theatre-goers a further member of the talented Lupino family—this time Ida, who proves by her performance in this picture that the reputation of her relatives .will not be let down by her. The story tells of a young girl who is happily enough engaged, and is quite prepared to abide by the conventions until she is stirred by the writings of a popular novelist whose great appeal to women has earned him hosts of admirers. The theories advanced in his book are of the very modern type, advocating a new freedom for women, and Ann Brent (Ida Lupino) feels that the message he has to offer is intended for a case such as hers. She becomes restless, and involved in a one-sided affair with the novelist causing endless complications. The humour that is contained in the actual working out of the theme is supplemented by the very laughable efforts of Harry Tate and Muriel Aked, both of whom show marked ability as comedians, and are responsible in no small degree for the success of the picture. Diana Napier, a charming and personable young actress gives a very fine performance as the novelist’s wife, and the part of the fiancee is ably taken by Arnold Riches. The first portion of the programme is occupied by “ A Night in Montmartre,” a mystery story which has a good deal to commend it. A murder is committed in a cafe in Montmartre, and suspicion instantly falls on a young painter who had been seriously in debt to the deceased man. The circumstantial evidence certainly points to his being the murderer, and it looks very much as though, innocent as he is, he will suffer the penalty. The course of events changes, however, and by a clever ruse the murderer is brought to light. It is an ingeniously-worked-out plot, and is admirably interpreted by a large cast, including Austin Trevor, Heather Angel and Kay Hammond.

"THE SON-DAUGHTER.” HELEN HAYES AND RAMON NOVARRO. "The Son-Daughter,” a colourful drama with Helen Hayes and Ramon Novarro in the principal roles, will be the leading attraction at the Regent Theatre. The picture, a dramatic romance of the struggle of Chinese royalists in America, is based on the wellknown David Belasco stage hit. The plot of "The Son-Daughter” deals with a Chinese girl, in love with a Chinese prince who is in America incognito. As a result of political intrigue she is auctioned into marriage in order to raise funds for the Chinese revolution. Royalist spies learn of the proceedings, and the man to whom the girl is sold kills her father and wounds her lover. She, however, proves herself more than a match for the plotters. The picture marks the first screen appearance of Helen Hayes since she was awarded the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences’ honour for the best performance by an actress during the past year. A distinguished supporting cast includes Lewis Stone, Warner Oland, Ralph Morgan, Louise Closser Hale and H. B. Warner. Views of New Zealand’s Grand National Steeplechase, a musical revue in technicolour and other interesting featurettes are listed in support.