ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23307, 17 September 1937, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE A GEORGE ARLISS TRIUMPH A mixture of thrills, real drama and fine comedy, with the incomparable George Arliss in his greatest perfoirnance yet, constitutes “His Lordship,” the G.B.D. special attraction which opens a season at the State Theatre today. Rene Ray and Romilly Lunge head the supporting cast. The story deals with the efforts of two Englishmen (both roles played by Arliss) who were mixed up in an affair in the Near East, to prevent the brother of one of them, Lord Duncaster, the British Foreign Secretary, from plunging Britain into war with the Eastern Power. Set in London, with scenes of the Near East, the story develops round the differences between totally dissimilar brothers and the romance of the youthful adventurer with Doncaster’s secretary. Richard, the ne’er-do-well brother, impersonates Duncaster and causes a successful climax. George Arliss strikes good form in this story of twin brothers who are as unlike as chalk and cheese, and can boast real versatility. Cast as Vera, a private 'secretary, is Rene Ray, of “Passing of the Third Floor Back,” fame. Her “lover” “lover” is a young man named Romilly Lunge, and, if this initial appearance is any criterion, he is headed for stardom. A brilliant supporting programme includes “Our King and Queen,” a cavalcade of events in the lives of their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, together with a Buster Keaton comedy, a travelogue and the latest overseas and Australian newsreels. REGENT THEATRE “MAKE WAY FOR TOMORROW” “Make Way For Tomorrow,” the featured production in the current programme at the Regent Theatre provides entertainment at once unusual and refreshing. It is based on Miss Josephine Lawrence’s novel, “Years Are So Long.” A wealth of exceptionally clever characterization gives the production distinction. Victor Moore has the role of the father, Beulah Bondi takes the part of the mother. They are both old. and tired, looking back on 50 years of married life and hoping only for a corner where they can end their days in peace together. The special circumstances of their various offspring, however, make it necessary for them to be passed from one to another in rotation, but always singly, and it is here that the pathos of the tale is introduced. Victor Moore is responsible for some very fine acting and contrives to lighten his role considerably by means of the interpolation of some humour of sardonic variety which suits his grey hairs well. Beulah Bondi is also good. Fay Bainter, Thomas Mitchell, Ray Mayer and Barbara Read are all well cast as members of the family. A fine character study of an old store keeper, Max Rubens, is provided by Maurice Moscovitch, who displays poise and, finish which stamp him as easily the most polished performer in the production. His part, however, is a small one. Minna Gombell, Louise Beavers and Gene Morgan are also prominently cast in roles that suit them. The supporting programme of short subjects includes a Paramount news gazette, a return of the ever-popular “Popeye the Sailorman,” and there is an interesting Grantland Rice Sportlight feature in which underwater swimming as indulged in in the clear, pellucid waters of Florida is strikingly illustrated. “LOVE FROM A STRANGER” ANN HARDING—BASIL RATHBONE Ann Harding’s first British film, “Love From a Stranger,” in which she is co-starred with Basil Rathbone, comes to the Regent Theatre tomorrow. This picture is an out-and-out thriller, but it has such an unusual plot and is acted with" such superlative skill, that it is immeasurably superior to any of the familiar “shockers” of the screen. “Love From a Stranger” demonstrates—as has happened more than once before—that a good British film gives an American star an opportunity to break away from stereotyped roles. There will also be screened on Saturday and Monday only a New Zealand production, “Regained Horizon,” which deals most interestingly with conditions in New Zealand today. This interesting 100 per cent. New Zealand effort is well worth seeing.

MAJESTIC THEATRE

“AFTER THE THIN MAN” Excitement admirably combined with brisk humour make “After The Thin Man,” which will conclude a sevenday season today at the Majestic Theatre, the brightest comedy-thriller since the ever-memorable “Thin Man.” William Powell and Myrna Loy have the same roles and gambol through hair-raising adventures with all the cheerful inconsequence that marked their performances in the first film version of the “thin man’s” escapades. “TOP OF THE TOWN” COMING SATURDAY The newest thing in screen musicals, “Top of the Town,” has been booked for Saturday. Doris Nolan, new screen find who scored on the stage in “Night of January 16th,” plays the feminine lead. George Murphy, successful in the New York stage plays, “Of Thee I Sing” and “Roberta,” as well as several screen offerings, has the leading male role. Gertrude Niesen, exotic star of the Ziegfeld Follies, nationally known because of her radio singing, is prominently cast and sings some new appealing lyrics. Ella Logan, popular radio singer of tunes that “go to town,” sends notes hurdling over music bars with gay abandon. Each of the 10 comedians in “Top of the Town” has a brand of humour all his own. The comics include Hugh Herbert, Gregory Ratoff, Henry Armetta, Mischa Auer, Three Sailors who • answer to the names of Jason, Robson and Blue; Ray Mayer, Richard Carle, famous for his stage comedy; Jack Smart, known for his radio work. “Top of the Town” is directed by Ralph Murphy. The short features include the match between the Springboks and Otago, which is exclusive to the Majestic, Cinesound News, Universal News, novelty featurette, a scenic film, a cartoon and a Mentone musical hit. The plan is now on view at H. and J. Smith’s or Rice’s Majestic shop.

CIVIC THEATRE

“MONTE CARLO” ROMANCE’OF COUNTESS Probably no two stars on the screen have such a popular appeal as Jeanette McDonald and Jack Buchanan, and this is shown by the fact that “Monte Carlo,” which opens its season at the Civic Theatre tonight, has proved to be most popular everywhere. It is a mixture of comedy, music and good fun under the superb direction of Ernst Lubitsch. “Monte Carlo” is a

romance as intimate as milady’s boudoir set against the background of that sophisticated and fascinating spot in Europe, Monte Carlo itself. This tale, deftly woven by the mastertouch of Ernst Lubitsch, tells of a countess

running away on her wedding day. She goes to Monte Carlo, and in a desperate effort to retrieve her fortunes, gambles. But another kind of gambling enters her life. A gamble in hearts. For such a fascinating place as Monte Carlo, Lubitsch decided that the sets should be lavish and extremely modern. Jack Buchanan is the man who causes all the heart fluttering on the part of the countess, played by Jeannette McDonald. Tomorrow afternoon there will be a special revue by Miss Renee Ward’s pupils entitled “Tapping Time,” besides which there will be Popeye the Sailor and Betty Boop cartoons. A Popeye the Sailor impersonator will also be there to help the ballets and tap-dancers.

THEATRE ROYAL, WINTON

In “Private Number,” to be screened at Winton tonight and tomorrow night, Robert Taylor, only son of the wealthy Winfield family, returns home from college and mistakes Loretta Young, his mother’s maid, for a house guest. He refuses to permit her to explain her situation and this first chance meeting is the keystone of a romance which culminates when» the family goes to Maine for the summer. One moonlit night, while riding in Taylor’s motorboat, they decide to get married and Taylor goes back to college. Taylor returns from college to find his wife gone. In desperation, she left the Winfield household and had her baby secretly. The romantic climax of the film comes in a crowded court room where Taylor and Miss Young meet again—and the riddle of whether or not then- love can continue to exist is answered.