ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 25310, 13 June 1935, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE REGENT THEATRE “I AM A THIEF” One of the most puzzling mystery stories screened for a long time is unfolded in the Warner Bros’ picture “I Am a Thief,” which is being screened at the Regent Theatre for the last time to-night." Diamond thieves who do not hesitate at murder to accomplish their aims; rival gangs of robbers warring over the possession of priceless gems; a battle of wits staged between a charming girl secret sei-vice operator and a predatory nobleman, tragedy, comedy, thrilling action, startling climaxes and a beautiful love story. These are the ingredients which make this picture an engrossing evening’s entertainment. The story, is set in the colourful background of Paris and the Continent, where impoverished nobles, beautiful adventuresses, and men of diabolical cleverness, plot to steal the famous Karenina diamonds, almost priceless jewels, which have been auctioned off as a bait to catch the thieves. Crime after crime is committed, • including two coldblooded murders, a third killing, and the injury of several others. Thrill follows on thrill in the battles between rival robber bands which wind up with a daring gem bandit holding up a car full of people on a transcontinental express and stealing the Kareninas from the head o fthe secret service. The entire cast is admirably fitted for the various roles its members portray. No better choice for "a woman secret service operative could have been made than Mary Astor. She has the beauty, coolness and poise necessary for thg role, and handles her part admirably. Ricardo Cortez plays opposite Miss Astor in the role of an apparently wealthy dilettante. Dudley Digges adds a touch of comedy to the picture. The supporting programme covers a great deal that is interesting, including an Australian Newsreel, comedy, musical novelty and other items. “MRS WIGGS OF THE CABBAGE PATCH.” THE REGENT TO-MORROW. The screen presentation of Alice Hegan Rice’s American classic, “Mrs Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch,” will head the new programme which will open an extended season at the Regent Theatre to-morrow, and a more delightful tale for a film it would be hard to obtain. “Mrs Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch” has the initial advantage of the unforgettable story of the lovable Wiggs family and their adventures in “Shantytown,” but added appeal has been lent to the production by the cast that was selected to give to the world an entertainment rich in laughs, pathos and romance. The charming story of a most likeable family has survived the test of 30 years, and it retains all the appeal that captured readers the world over when it was published. A real triumph is scored by Pauline Lord in the role of Mrs Wiggs. This actress is a newcomer to the screen, but her stage experience stands her in good stead in a part that calls for a wide range of emotions and the necessity to play upon the heartstrings of the audience. As the motherly, philosophical wife, whose sterling loyalty to a worthless husband is a feature of a lovable character, Pauline Lord would be hard to equal and well-nigh impossible to excel. Zasu Pitts is another actress whose droll personality is ideally fitted to her role in the film, that of the neighbouring spinster with a strong hankering after matrimony. W. C. Fields is a further member of the film colony who needs little introduction to Invercargill audience, and, in brief, it can be said that he amply plays up to past performances. Others in a very sound cast are Evelyn Venable, Kent Taylor, and five of Hollywood’s promising juveniles. The production is a highly diverting series of eventful happenings in the life of but one among the many families, poor but honest and thrifty, that have been known variously' as “the salt of the earth” and the “backbone of the nation.” There is to be a varied and entertaining programme of supporting films. The box plans are at H. and J. Smith’s and the theatre. CIVIC THEATRE. DOUBLE FEATURE BILL. “HELLDORADO” AND “GAMBLING.” “Helldorado,” the new attraction at the Civic Theatre, belongs to a type of picture which the American producer is well qualified to create, for many of its scenes are built on a massive scale, presenting outdoor spectacles which stir the imagination and even create a feeling of awe. Richard Arlen is the principal player, and in support of him there appears a cast including a number of well-known Hollywood favourites, among whom are Madge Evans, Ralph Bellamy, Henry B. Walthall, James Gleason, and Stepin Fetchit. Arlen first appears in this film as a young man without any money and without any object in life except to leave the vicinity of Digby, in the Californian mountains, and make his way to the coast. His efforts to obtain a “lift” in one of the many cars which are travelling over the mountain road are unsuccessful until a storm arises, and when a car stops so that the hood can be raised he takes the back seat without any invitation. In the front seat are Madge Evans and Ralph Bellamy, the latter of whom is cast as an enormously rich business man. They actually are eloping, but their drive is interrupted when the storm increases in intensity, and the bridges are washed away by the flooded streams. A series of stirring scenes depicts the adventures of the travellers as the rising streams threaten to engulf them as well as others who are on the road, and the excitement increases as they make their, escape to higher and less dangerous ground. Arlen, to the great indignation of the others, has assumed command of the party, but they can do nothing else but follow him to a deserted building. After an uncomfortable night they are astonished to find themselves in a deserted town, and they are even more surprised that there is, after all, one inhabitant. It is discovered that his mind is clouded by the long solitude which he has endured. The belief of this man is that his old partner has returned to assist him in the development of a gold mine which they had discovered. From this point the interest steadily increases, for the members of the party find that they are completely cut off from civilization. 'f'he belief that riches are to be found in the area fires Arlen’s imagination, and when he at length finds a way out of the town, his innocent, actions lead to a gold rush. This provides the climax of the picture. The supporting film, “Gambling,” with George M. Cohan, Wynne Gibson and Dorothy Burgess, provides the audience with a good contrast to the qther feature. Plenty, of comedy and-plenty of mystery make good picture entertainment. THE MAJESTIC. “SMILIN’ THROUGH.” SPLENDID DRAMA. Showing for a return season at the Majestic Theatre is the poignant production, “Smilin’ Through.” Wherever it has been, shown “Smilin’ Through” has captured all hearts by its fragrant romance and by the winsome sweetness t of Norma Shearer. It is one of the historic films of the talking picture era. Invercargill responded to its charm asj

it has rarely responded to any enter-tainment-flesh and blood included—before. What is it that places it on a pedestal far above the average feature film? Probably the answer lies in the pathos, the romantic realism, the intensely human interest of the love story of an English country gentleman and its parallel with an orphan Irish niece. It is not a sensational drama written to whirl an audience through the whole gamut of human emotions. It is a wholesome, fragrant and at times poignant romance of real life made imperishable by the charming entertainment, but a rich experience through which life takes on a deeper meaning and from which comes the realization that the only true love is that which cast out fear and counts not the cost, which is unselfish and unashamed. In the first scene a lonely man, grieving for the woman who was so tragically taken from him at the altar, is entrusted with the care of a tiny child, the niece of his dead bride. She grows up in his pretty country home full of gratitude for her guardian, who spares nothing to make her happy. She is the image of the one he mourns, which makes his feelings for her all the tenderer. Then fate takes a hand and plunges both ward and guardian into a sea of trouble in which it seems that both their lives are to be wrecked. But both are able to come “Smilin’ Through,” love conquering hate in the case of the man and conquering fear in the case of the girl. The Great War is cleverly, but not obstrusively, brought into the picture in which not only Norma Shearer but Leslie Howard. Beryl Mercer and Fredric March are responsible for superlative acting. The supports include a rollicking comedy featuring Patsy Kelly and Thelma Todd, and also a Metrotone Sound News.