ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 22730, 5 November 1935, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE MAJESTIC “BIOGRAPHY OF A BACHELOR GIRL” % Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s “Biography of a Bachelor Girl” will be screened at the Majestic Theatre for the last time to-day. This picture makes splendid entertainment and large audiences have been crowding the Majestic. Ann Harding and Robert Montgomery are co-starred in the new photoplay. It is their first appearance together since the hit, “When Ladies Meet,” and again they prove themselves a delightful romantic team. Robert Montgomery, probably one of the most popular actors on the screen to-day, scores his title to that popularity by his very smooth and even performance as .the editor of a magazine about to publish the sensational memoirs of a celebrated woman artist, whose romantic successes reveal more talent in that direction than in her art. Ann Harding splendidly portrays the artist, and it is in her characterization that the success of the film largely depends. Where naturalness is demanded, her voice and manner are admirably atoned to meet the situation. Edward Everett Horton, as Leander Nolan, a candidate for the Senate, is her butt in many instances, but where sympathy and tenderness are called for her performance is likewise perfectly natural and entirely convincing. The biography which she is about to write, and with which the plot of the film is largely concerned, relates to her romantic conquests among men, who with the passing of the years have attained to positions of dignity and importance. The embarrassment which would be caused to anyone hoping to gain the public confidence by his uprighteousness of character and purity of conscience as Leander Nolan, candidate for the Senate was, can well be imagined. And it is not difficult to realize the consternation of such a person when in addition to ruining his career, the publication of the memoirs means the blighting of his hopes of matrimony. Edward Horton is very humorous in his misery. Una Merkel and Edward Arnold are two other players who contribute largely to the humour of the film, and the former especially makes a delightfully humororous counterpart for the unhappy Nolan. A supporting programme of equally high standard as the main attraction is presented, and commences with a newsreel giving a graphic account of interesting sporting and political events overseas. A Fitzpatrick travelogue, “Ireland, the Emerald Isle,” revealing the beauty of the Irish countryside and its simplicity, and an hilarious comedy, “The Chases of Pimple Street” complete the associate programme. There will be a matinee today. “THE CASINO MURDER CASE.” Based on the novel by S. S. Van Dine, “The Casino Murder Case,” which com-’ mences a season at the Majestic Theatre on Wednesday, is entertainment with an appeal for all. Not for some time has there been a really good mystery story on an Invercargill screen, and this production comes as a decidefl change from the type of film which has been prevalent during the past few months. Not only is the acting of the principals and those who fill the subsidiary roles of a high standard throughout, but the story itself is as good as any from the pen of this accomplished writer, and the solution of the mystery is so well guarded right up to the final scene that the air of suspense retains the undivided interest of the audience from beginning to end. Philo Vance, the detective created by Van Dine, is the central figure in the Casino murder, and the role is excellently played by Paul Lukas. Alison Skipworth plays the part of Mrs Llewellyn, the mad old woman, and Donald Cook, Rosalind Russell and Louise Fazenda are all cast in prominent parts. The mystery is based on family jealousy. There are old Mrs Llewellyn, her son Lynn, and his wife Virginia, whom no one likes; Doris, Mrs Llewellyn’s secretary and companion; Mrs Llewellyn’s brother, whose hobby is chemistry; and other connections of the family. Vance receives a note suggesting that he should go to the Casino, a cabaret and gambling house conducted by the old woman’s brother, in order that he may avert a tragedy to Lynn. He goes there, and, despite all precautions, Lynn is taken seriously ill immediately after drinking water from his uncle’s carafe. At the same time, his wife, with whom the old lady has had a violent quarrel, dies at home, apparently because of the same poison which has affected Lynn. Vance finds that the water bottle in her room is empty. Then news is received that Mrs Llewellyn is dead. She has shot herself and left a note confessing to the murder of her son’s wife. Vance is not deceived by this confession, however, and he fellows a difficult and dangerous trail which leads to Lynn’s uncle, but he is convinced that he has been misled. At this stage he guesses the identity of the murderer, but this is kept well covered until all the proof is found. The main picture is supported by several excellent short films including a comedy featuring Thelma Todd and Patsy Kelly, and one dealing with the game of Rugby football. REGENT THEATRE. “IN CALIENTE.” GAIETY, MUSIC, DANCING. Romance and laughter characterize “In Caliente,” a delightful film, which is to have its final screening at_ the Regent Theatre to-night. It exploits a centre of gaiety hitherto untouched by the producers, and gives an insight into the Bohemian life of the Mexican town of Agua Caliente. It is in the atmosphere of the race track and the casinos that the picture opens, to run along gay paths of love, song, laughter, passion, and intrigue. In a highly-entertaining musical extravaganza the vivacious Dolores del Rio is happily cast in her own native surroundings, and she has every chance to display her fine acting ability. Descriptions of the film state that the acting is superb, the photography excellent, and the dialogue and speaking voices exceptionally good. All the beauty of Old Mexico has been captured in the picture. The story concerns the young editor of a magazine, who is rapidly developing into a dipsomaniac, when for his own good his financial backer kidnaps him and sends him to Caliente to set him back on

| ■ ■■ " — "I the straight path. However, in Caliente he meets a beautiful Spanish dancer with whom he falls in love, but the untimely appearance of a former lover arouses the dancer’s tempestuous anger, and she leaves him. He follows her, and an explanation leads to a happy reconciliation. Other prominent players in addition to Miss Del Rio are Pat O’Brien, Leo Carrillo, Edward Everett Horton, and Glenda Farrell. The De Marcos, famous dancers, make their film debut in the picture and another novelty is the specialty singing number of the Canvoa Family. In this number, which is sung by Phil Regan, Miss Del Rio appears with the ensemble in a specialty dance. Miss Shaw is responsible for the song “Lady in Red,” while the title number, “In Caliente,” is excellently rendered by a group of entertainers. Lloyd Bacon has done an excellent job in directing. The picture is said to have caught the spirit and the tempo of the gay resort for which it is named, and assures a most entertaining evening. EMPIRE THEATRE, RIVERTON. Shirley Temple in “The Little Colonel” will be screened to-night and Wednesday night at 8 p.m. She costars with Lionel Barrymore in this, the most popular of her pictures. There is comedy and drama in the plantation, frontier and army scenes. Attention is being called everywhere to Shirley’s dancing with Bill Robinson in the original stair dance elaborately staged in one sequence of the picture. Shirley is Hollywood’s only star who has never read a book. The feature treats of Kentucky’s colourful days in the late seventies and is hailed in other centres as Shirley’s most superb vehicle. She is supported by Evelyn Venable, John Lodge and Sidney Blackmer. Supporting programme includes “Little Big Top” (comedy), “Jack’s Shack” (Terrytoon) and News.