ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 22449, 12 October 1934, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE MAJESTIC. “LET’S FALL IN LOVE.” DOUBLE PROGRAMME. Again proving that Hollywood is its own best friend and severest critic, no matter what outsiders may say or do, “Let’s Fall in Love,” delightful musical romance about Hollywood, which is showing at the Majestic Theatre is most certainly a captivating picture. First, “Let’s Fall in Love” adds a new star to the cinema firmament. Ann Sothern is the name of this young player. She is not only lovely and appealing but she possesses a soprano voice of rare charm and clarity. “Let’s Fall in Love” is one musical production which does not drag in its tuneful numbers with no consideration for story values. The picture has only three or four song numbers, for each one fits logically into the action. We fully expect to hear “Let’s Fall in Love,” “Love Is Love Anywhere,” and “This is Only the Beginning,” sung for months to come. Arlen and Koehler —brilliant American song smiths—are responsible! Edmund Lowe appears opposite Miss Sothern, and he has wisely played his part in a not-too-obstrusive fashion. Miriam Jordan is seen to excellent advantage as Lowe’s jilted fiancee, Tala Birell gives an effective portrayal, but Gregory Ratoff really deserves first supporting honours for his magnificent portrayal of a motion picture producer. The glamorous story of Miss Sothem’s ascension to screen stardom in her first production is cast in the familiar mould of the traditional Hollywood fable. When the Columbia studios planned production of the book of “Let’s Fall in Love,” prepared by Herbert Fields, author of numerous Broadway musical successes, they could find no actress in Hollywood suited for the difficult role of “Sigrid Lund,” and consequently turned their searching eyes Broadwayward. The second picture features Kenneth Harlan, Slim Summerville and Dorothy Gulliver in “Under Montana Skies.” “MANDALAY.” KAY FRANCIS, RICARDO CORTEZ, WARNER OLAND. With tire beautiful Kay Francis in the main part, “Mandalay,” which is due to commence a season at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday evening, gives a picture of the fantastic things that may happen in the traditionally romantic East. The settings throughout are well contrived, and there is no overemphasis, from the first views of an Eastern waterfront to the slow progress of a boat up a tropical river. The unique charms of Kay Francis are specially suited to such a setting. She proves herself again to be an unusually able actress, fitting her powers to the portrayal of a woman whose personality is really commanding, not by any showy display, but by the sort of calm exterior and slow speech which is an accepted symbol of emotional depths. Of the men, Warner Oland is the best. Ricardo Cortez as the gun-runner and Lyle Talbot as the doctor are presented as weak men, and both of them are fairly convincing. The story of “Mandalay” is built up of conventional elements, and, though the ordinary trader’s East is as humdrum as any other business community, it is pleasing to think that adventure still exists, and has somewhere a romantic setting such as is so well presented in the film. The events of the story are fantastic, but the fantasy is made acceptable because the same key is maintained throughout. Interest in the story does not flag because it moves quickly, though not too quickly, for the full flavour of each situation to be appreciated. Tony Evans (Ricardo Cortez) who owns a motor yacht, is chiefly occupied in gunrunning and other contraband trade. Being in financial difficulties he agrees to leave Tanya (Kay Francis) with an Eurasian trader (Warner Oland) in return for a concession in the price of a shipment of guns. Tanya becomes hostess in the Eurasian’s cabaret, but assembles wealth in jewels and ultimately escapes determined to leave for ever the squalor in which she has been forced to live. On the river boat she meets a young doctor and, just when she has helped him to straighten out his life, Evans returns. In spite of the remaining vestiges of her former love for Evans, she is finally driven . to poison him so that her own redemption may be complete. Whether Rangoon is really filled with adventurous gunrunners, sinister fat Eurasians whose cabarets are only a blind for more secret activities, beautiful women who go through the most debasing experiences and yet remain simple and pure at heart and drunken young doctors determined to prove by death, if need be, that there is some good in them, may be doubtful, but a story does not have to be true in order to be interesting. An additional film of great interest will be “Look for the Silver Lining” introducing the well remembered song numbers of the musical comedy “Sally.” THE REGENT. “ON SECRET SERVICE.” A MASTERPIECE OF SPY DRAMA. “On Secret Service,” which has been holding Regent audiences in fascinated suspense, is an outstanding spy drama, greater than any of its predecessors and replete with thrills. It is a powerful ‘drama of conflicting emotions in which a man and a woman, spies for enemy nations, are tom between love and duty. As the beautiful Italian . spy, caught in a whirlpool of international intrigue, Greta Nissen is splendid. She has to go through the whole gamut of human emotions, but comes through with flying colours. Equally convincing as the cold and relentless spy, intent upon duty, and the emotional woman in the arms of her lover, Miss Nissen gives a most polished performance. Playing opposite to her is Carl Diehl, whose portrayal of von Hombergk, Austrian spy, is magnificent. Although new to New Zealand picturegoers, Diehl’s reputation as an outstanding character actor was established in Germany some years ago. Superb acting is seen in the tense climax where the Austrian has a few seconds in which to make a decision whether he is going to take-off in his aeroplane—and do his duty to his country—or stay behind and save the life of the woman he loves. Other actors in the case are Esme Percy, who gives a most natural characterization of the Italian newspaper reporter who has betrayed his country, and Lester Matthews, as the officer commanding the Italian Secret Service. With its excellent plot, good acting and thrills, the film provides most enjoyable entertainment. The supporting programme is a particularly entertaining one, and includes a New Zealand Maori legend entitled “Amokura,” a Cinesound Gazette, a Pathetone Weekly News. ( and an amusing coloured cartoon, “Jack and the Beanstalk,” an interesting product of a British studio. GRACIE FIELDS COMING TOMORROW. “LOVE, LIFE AND LAUGHTER.” It is difficult to conceive a personality radiating good spirits in a more infectious manner than belongs to Grade Fields, undoubtedly England’s most popular comedienne. In her latest picture, “Love, Life, and Laughter, which comes to-morrow to the Regent Theatre, Miss Fields is at her

exuberant best. In addition to being a title which gives a good indication of the lines followed by the entertainment provided, “Love, Life and Laughter” is the name of the rollicking theme song of the picture, and when this merry piece has been sung a few times by Gracie Fields it inevitably springs to the lips of those who have heard it with inflections which have the effect of almost “bringing the house down.” Gracie Fields also sings “Out in the Cold, Cold Snow,” a ditty which, with the circumstances in which it is commenced and finished, forms one of the highlights of the show. The story which provides the opportunities for all the merriment opens with Gracie in the guise of Nell Gwynne heading a procession in aid of charity. One of the oranges she is tossing among the crowd lands into the car of a visiting prince, and indirectly brings the girl into contact with the prince, thereby starting a romance which at one stage threatens to have international complications. Gracie’s boundless good humour and sound common sense, however, help to save the little kingdom involved, but not until she has visited the prince’s palace and created further sensations. The remainder of the cast is exceptionally well chosen, and admirably plays up to the lead given by the star. The supporting programme comprises newsreels, an unusual scenic feature dealing with Venice, and a coloured sound cartoon “The Little Red Hen.” Plans are at Rice’s Regent Shop and the theatre. CIVIC THEATRE “TURKEY TIME.” TOM WALLS—RALPH LYNN. The famous Aldwych Theatre comedy team is up to all its old tricks again in “Turkey Time,” the highly enjoyable Gaumont British production which commences a season at the Civic Theatre to-day. First of all there is Ralph Lynn, with his ineffectual good nature and inane expressions, then Tom Walls, with his typical mannerisms and man-about-town style, poor little down-trodden Robertson Hare, and, of course, the delightful Mary Brough, with all her determination to “stand on her dignity.” As the title would indicate, the action takes places in a small seaside village at Christmas time, the locale being the very prime and sedate home of Mr and Mrs Stoatt, a partnership in which Mrs Stoatt, a part played with great subtlety and humour by Norma Varden, is the dominant figure. As a matter of fact, she is the only factor worth considering, since Robertson Hare —he of the walrus moustache—is undoubtedly one of the mildest and most browbeaten husbands who have yet appeared on the screen, and his submissive personality lends itself admirably to burlesque. Into this household come two cousins of Mrs Stoatt —Max Wheler, a self-assured ex-ranchman from Montana, played by Tom Walls, and David Winterton (Ralph Lynn) —who are ripe for any kind of mischief even though the slightest irregularity of conduct is certain to be severely disapproved of by their. hostess. While wandering about the pier one afternoon in search of distraction Max comes into contact with a pierette who has been performing with a concert party and has come under the undesirable influence of one of the male members. Ma:: takes the situation in hand and deals out a little punishment to the girl’s oppressor, . later providing her with money to enable her to reach friends in another part of the country. Well satisfied with what he has done he returns to the righteous household of Mrs Stoatt, but in the meantime the girl again runs foul of the man, who soon has the money she received from

Max. Disappointed at not receiving her rent, the girl’s landlady, Mrs Gather, hears that she has received money from a man, and determines that where that has come from more may be found. Accordingly, she invades the residence of the fatoatts, and with many dark hints at moral delinquencies soon has the household in a turmoil, except for Max and David, who concentrate on finding the girl again as soon as possible. Max shows great adroitness in his explanations and a rather tense situation clears as the rest of the occupants of the house set out to take part in carol singing, leaving the two cousins to plan a way of getting their young girl friend out of the respective clutches of Mrs Gather and her enemy of the vaudeville troupe.. The impetuous Max, seeing a man in the street who looks like his quarry, knocks him through a shop window, but finds out that he has struck the wrong man, and has to use up all his money to pacify the victim and the owner of the shop, not to mention the policeman who has arrived on the scene full of business, and is most chagrined to find that he cannot run anybody along to the station. In fact, he finishes up by falling through the window himself, but that is but a piece of by-play in the current of humour that sweeps throughout the picture. Eventually all the parties concerned meet at the house of Mrs Gather, where some hilarious action takes place, and later comes the denouement at the home of the Stoatts, whose righteous occupants are outraged by the manner in which their guests have taken advantage of their hospitality. Nevertheless, although the plot grows thicker and thicker, everything ends happily, and an extremely satisfactory conclusion is reached. Dorothy Hyson, a young actress now rising to eminence in London, gives a fine performance as the girl who is responsible for all the trouble, and the remaining roles are all filled by competent players. There is a particularly interesting supporting programme, including newsreels, an Ideal Cinemagazine, and a film showing some of the beauties of the New Forest, in England. The box plans are at the theatre and at Messrs Charles Begg and Co. s. SUNSHINE REVUE COMPANY. “A NIGHT AT THE SAVOY.” “Popular entertainment at popular prices” is the motto of the 193-4 Sunshine Revue Company which is presenting the musical extravanganza A Night at the Savoy” at the Civic Theatre on Monday evening. The adventures of a young bachelor on the eve of his wedding allow plenty of scope for sparkling ballets, bright sketches, humorous items and instrumental numbers by leading artists who have combined to present the most up-to-date entertainment ever presented to an Invercargill audience. The ballet, under the supervision of Miss Rene Ward, will present novelty numbers, and the vocal items by Miss Davin, Mr Ferry, Mr Wills and Mr Cavanagh are of a standard calculated to “bring down the house.” The comedy element has not been overlooked and Mr E. Hunter. Mr Neilson, Mr McCrystal, Mr Gilchrist and Mr Dale will be responsible for a great deal of the comedy. Instrumental items by leading performers will keep the show running merrily until the close. Reserves may be secured free of booking fee at Begg’s. A full operatic orchestra under the baton of Mr S. Griffin will be in the well. The proceeds of this entertainment will be given to the Relief Workers’ Organization.