ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 22758, 7 December 1935, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE “THE IRISH IN US.” Opening to-day at the Majestic Theatre is Warner Bros’ genuine entertainment feature, “The Irish In Us,” with James Cagney, Pat O’Brien and Frank McHugh in the leading roles. It is said to be one of the most entertaining pictures of the season, combining riotous comedy with tense drama pathos and a most unusual triangular romance, involving the love of two brothers for the same girl. The cast as well as the director and most, of the crew are Irish, including that inimitable trio, Cagney, O’Brien and McHugh as the three sons of Mary Gordon, herself born in Ireland. Once a happy family, a rift sets in when Cagney and O’Brien fall in love with the same girl, Olivia de Havilland. The film presents what is said to be the longest and most fiercely fought ring bout in history. Although it takes but fifteen minutes on the screen, it was five days in the making. Cagney and Harvey Parry, a former boxing champion, are the contestants. J. Farrell McDonald and Thomas Jackson also have important roles. The picture was directed by Lloyd Bacon, an Irishman, despite his English name. The screen play is by Earl Baldwin, based on the story by Frank Orsatti. A specially selected first half consists of a musical comedy novelty, “Main Street Follies,” a very funny comedy, “Napoleon’s Bust,” a clever cartoon and the Majestic News Service. Box plans are available at H. and J. Smith’s and Patrick’s Sports Depot. REGENT THEATRE. “CARDINAL RICHELIEU.” GEORGE ARLISS TRIUMPHS. It might have been thought that George Arliss had reached the zenith of his screen career with his performance in “The House of Rothschild.” The very excellence of that production seemed to be an obstacle to his further popularity, by setting an extremely high standard of comparison for all his subsequent work. But “Rothschild” will soon no longer - be his greatest success, for it is claimed that its place will be taken by his latest Twentieth Century production, “Cardinal Richelieu,” which opened to capacity audiences at the Regent yesterday. It

used sometimes to be complained of Arliss’s pictures that the producers were content with one good actor and did not worry much about the supporting players. That complaint, it is said, could never be made against “Cardinal Richelieu.” There are Douglas Dumbrille as the scheming Baradas. Edward Arnold as the weak King Louis, Francis Lister as his brothei Gaston d'Orleans, Cesar Romero as Andre de Pons, lover of Richelieu s ward (Maureen O’Sullivan) one could extend the list to great length It is sufficient to say, however, that eacn one looks and acts as if he had lived all his life in the French Court of the seventeenth century, with its ostentatious display the cloak for. intrigue, treachery, and profligate living, when all men wore swords and knew how to use them, and when almost any excuse was sufficient to bring them flashing from their scabbards. The story makes fascinating entertainment out oi great historical events, full of exciting incident, and with dialogue that is brilliant in itself, and becomes doubly so when spoken by such an artist as Arliss The court faction headed by the Queen Mother and Baradas are plotting to depose the king m favour of his brother. That will mean the strengthening of the nobility and weakening of France. Impelled by his love of country, which makes him willing to defy the king and even the Pope himself, the Cardinal fights this conspiracy tooth and nail—but is clever enough not to resort to violent methods. The film is the story of his singlehanded struggle and eventual triumph. In. Arliss’s hands, the Cardinal is portrayed as an idealist who is cunning in order to be good; but he has a tender side—his interest in his ward (Maureen O’Sullivan), and her romance with a gentleman of the court The perils through whicli the lovers have to go to reach happiness provide the necessary “human interest” in a pageant of S/ events. One does not need to be a blind admirer of the star to appreciate that in “Cardinal Richelieu” there is the kind of entertainment that is a credit to the whole film industry. . In support of “Cardinal Richelieu” is an excellent programme of short subjects. “An Old Flame” is a mirth-provoking comedy featuring Charles Murray; Screen Snapshots gives sidelights on Hollywood; a newsreel gives some exciting glimpses of incidents in Australian racing events; there is another'of the now famous Disney Coloured Symphonies the Health Camp movement is dealt with in another interesting short.

BOYS’ CHOIR FROM VIENNA. * NEXT THURSDAY AT CIVIC. There is no class of citizen that would not enjoy the singing of the Vienna Boys’ Choir. The charm of their voices is irresistible, and their selections are highly attractive, whether sacred, secular or comic. During their remarkably successful seasons in Sydney and Melbourne large audiences have applauded the young artists, redemanding their solos and part-songs, and then asking for more. But the most general appeal is made by the operettas of Haydn, Mozart, Schubert and others, in which the boys appear successfully in varied roles. The chief “girl” is a bewitching young thing up to all the alluring arts and devices of “his” kind. “She” is a beautiful creature, fair to behold, a graceful and expressive singer, delighting all by her beauty of tone and musical style. There are no dummies in the choir; each boy is a capable singer and a trained actor. The eighteen can carry off an eight-part song with accuracy and zest. No one without attending a performance could imagine young artists being found able in the presentation of opera by the great masters. Lovers of music, youth and beauty should not miss the concerts

of the Vienna Boys’ Choir. Two performances are to be given in the Civic Theatre next Thursday at 2.30 and 8 p.m. Plans will be opened at Begg’s on Monday morning. EMPIRE THEATRE, RIVERTON. The celebrated old firm of Lynn, Walls and Hare collaborate in the farcical mix-up under the title of “Fighting Stock,” released by Gaumont British and to be screened at Riverton tonight. Ben Travers has provided the necessary ingredients for a wholehearted farce and under Tom Walls’s astute and experienced direction, no single point of mirth-making, no single “spot of bother,” has been overlooked. The result is that “Fighting Stock” is a film crammed full of laughable incident and sustained merriment. Four rivers make a sea of trouble for a couple of nuts who find that fighting blood and water do not mix. A splendid cast includes Marie Lohr, Herbert Lomas, Veronica Rose and others. The supporting programme includes “Devil Dancers of Sikkern,” “Watts Up," “Mirror” and “News.”

GORE REGENT THEATRE. DOUBLE FEATURE PROGRAMME. “The House of Trent,” with John Stuart and Anne Grey, is the main picture showing at the Gore Regent Theatre this evening and on Monday. Also showing is the mystery drama, “The Roof,” featuring Russell Thorndike and Judy Gunn.