TIMARU HARBOUR

Southland Times, Issue 25341, 20 July 1935, Page 9

TIMARU HARBOUR

EVIPROVEMENT SCHEME. EXTENSION OF MOLE. (Per United Press Association.) Timaru, July 19. The Timaru Harbour Board by nine votes to four to-day adopted the report of a special committee which recommended the adoption of a harbour improvement scheme as suggested by the Harbourmaster, Captain H. White. The scheme provides for the extension of the mole forming the north side of the harbour, widening the entrance and deepening the channel. Under the scheme, vessels would have a straight run into the port. The board also decided to secure the services of a resident engineer.

ture more than equals the standard set by previous films revolving round the same character. Set against the intense excitement roused by the unfolding of the plot are the quaint Oriental philosophies of Chan, whose genial remarks cause many a laugh. The plot is ingenious without being tiresomely complicated, the events occur in a natural but at the same time surprising sequence, and the final disclosure could scarcely be expected even by an experienced detective-film “fan.” 'lhere is such a thing as originality of treatment, and this is undoubtedly found in the Charlie Chan films. Warner Oland has made a living character, conventionalized in some degree as such a character must be, but none the less a personality to rank with Sherlock Holmes. The whole cast of the film is capable; there is no uncomfortable disparity between the leading parts and the subsidiary parts. Mary Brian plays the daughter of a French banker, the affairs of whose bank Chan has been commissioned to investigate. She gives a good account of herself in situations which, however often they may occur in drama of this kind, are none the less difficult to handle convincingly. For instance, she is made to appear responsible, by the cunning manipulations of unsuspected criminals, for the murder of an employee in her father’s bank. As an innocent person accused of a crime she is natural —her denials are neither too hysterical nor too frequent. Charlie Chan comes to her rescue and his unmasking of the mysterious Marcel Xavier must be seen on the screen if its subtlety is to be appreciated. The supporting programme includes two Fox Newsreels, showing interesting items, including blizzards holding all Europe in their icy grip, and the world’s largest ship in dock. “Hello Sailors” is a two-reel comedy. One of the popular Magic Carpet travelogues is “Geneva by the Lake and the Fox Australian News also has many interesting events. MATAURA REGENT THEATRE. COMEDY TALKIE TESTS. Comedy talkie tests will be conducted at the Mataura Regent Theatre on Monday evening by Dr A. L. Lewis, of America. Dr Lewis has a wide reputation as a personality expert, and as such is a firm believer in the part played by personality in the success not only of screen artists, but also of the great figures of the theatre. He claims to have discovered the fascinating little Janet Gaynor and takes to himself some of the credit for the training of such other well-known screen players as Alice White, Jobyna Ralston, Lita Gray (Mrs Charlie Chaplin), Sally O’Neill, Molly O’Day, Karl Dane, and Buddie, Marie and Gertrude I Messinger. He is the author of several i books on personality-building and selfexpression, one of which, “You,” has a wide circulation in New Zealand. Dr Lewis is just concluding his New Zealand search for screen types, and is optimistic concerning his prospects of “contracting some good material in the Dominion.” It was while discussing the attributes for which he was looking that he introduced the question of beauty as a factor of success. From his remarks it was obvious that he subscribed unreservedly to the old saw that beauty was only skin deep. Everything depended on personality, h said. Audience appeal was the Alpha and Omega of a screen career. The picture-going public probably could not say what it was that actually appealed to it in good players, but it was something much more than appearance. Apart from the fact that all the players in his long list were good performers, it would be very difficult for the average person, to say why they had tremendous “box office pull” or to analyse their success. The reason for this was that an unusual combination of elements was necessary to screen success. Mere facial attractiveness and a beautiful figure were not enough. DOUBLE FEATURE PROGRAMME. “The First World War” is the main feature of the double bill programme showing at the Mataura Regent Theatre this evening. This production is a sensational film of the war from behind German lines. Also showing is a mystery drama, “The Perfect Flaw,” featuring Naomi Waters and Ralph Truman. GORE REGENT, THEATRE. Robert Montgomery in the role of Revel, gentleman crook, is starred in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s new picture dealing with a series of gruesome murders in London, “Mystery Of Mr X,” showing at the Gore Regent Theatre this evening. Elizabeth Allan plays the role of Jane Frensham, the beautiful daughter of Sir Herbert Frensham, Scotland Yard head. Also showing is an extremely amusing comedy featuring Slim Summerville, “Horse Play.” EMPIRE THEATRE. RIVERTON. America’s darling. Shirley Temple, will be seen in “Bright Eyes” at the Empire Theatre, Riverton, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday. The dramatic story was suggested to David Butler, director, by a real life incident occurring at a commercial airport near Los Angeles. Shirley is just one of those natural miracles that happen once in a generation. The supporting programme includes “Busted Blossoms,” “Terrytoon,” “Picturesque Portugal,” etc.