ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23308, 18 September 1937, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE “LOVE FROM A STRANGER” A romance as interesting as that portrayed on the screen lies beneath the writing of the story of “Love From a Stranger.” Agatha Christie, the famous mystery writer, wrote the original tale, which appeared as an absorbing study in the macabre in a popular London magazine. Made into a play by the well-known actor-dramatist, Frank Vosper, who recently met with a tragic death while crossing the Atlantic, it had a long and successful West End run, with Vosper achieving a big personal triumph in the leading role. Several months ago Max Schach, head of Trafalgar Films, secured the film rights and engaged Frances Marion, Hollywood’s highest paid scenarist, to undertake the screen adaptation, casting Ann Harding and Basil Rathbone for the leading roles. Now the film comes to the Regent Theatre today. Ann Harding has a powerful role as the typist who is swept off her feet by the wooing of a fascinating stranger, only to discover after marriage that her husband is a cold-blooded fiend. Basil Rathbone is the sinister husband, and Binnie Hale, Bruce Seton, Jean Cadell and Donald Calthrop form the nucleus of an excellent supporting cast The climax of the story is so sensational and thrilling that it is not proposed to anticipate the audience’s reaction to the exciting situations that develop by outling the story. There is a real punch in it. There will also be screened the New Zealand production, “Regained Horizon,” which deals in most interesting fashion with conditions existing in the Dominion at the present day. A 100 per cent. New Zealand effort, it is well worth seeing. Mickey Mouse’s pals, “Donald and Pluto,” also present a lot of fun in the latest Walt Disney coloured cartoon. There are other supports. Box plans are at H. and J. Smith’s, Rice’s Regent shop and the theatre '(telephone 1938). MAJESTIC THEATRE “TOP OF THE TOWN” NEW TYPE OF MUSICAL Echoes of sprightly music, madcap fun and lively laughter have reverberated all the way from Hollywood to Invercargill, where the Universal musical, “Top of the Town,” crystallizes these desirable qualities on the Majestic Theatre screen, starting today. The story concerns a millionairess with a lot of ideas. The part is played by Doris Nolan. Her charms, as well as her ideas, keep a handsome young orchestra leader swinging. This role is played by the dancing wizard of Broadway stage hits and of the screen, George Murphy. In the picture, George is about to open a modern night club for Doris Nolan’s uncles, when Doris coaxes her uncle to let her manage the show place. She drives George frantic with her ideas. The Moonbeam Room opens at last and Doris springs a mixture of surprises on an unsuspecting audience. _ The performers include Gertrude Niesen, exotic star of the Ziegfeld Follies, recently popular on the radio; Ella Logan, another national radio favourite; 10 comedians of note, Hugh Herbert, Gregory Ratoff, Henry Armetta, Mischa Auer, the Three-Sailors, Jason, Robson, and Blue; Ray Mayer, Richard Carle and Jack Smart. The twelve-year-old dancing discovery, Peggy Ryan, is also

featured. There are 200 beautiful dancing girls and two choral groups numbering more than 150 singers who chant the seven song hits in the P'C" ture. Ralph Murphy directed the movie. The song hits in “T°P °f Town” include a number of the same title as the picture, beside “I Feel That Foolish Feeling Coming On, Blame it on the Rhumba,” “Where Are You? n “There Are No Two Ways About It, “Fireman, Save My Child” and J ar P” boree.” 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, telephone 738. CIVIC THEATRE JEANETTE MCDONALD’S TRIUMPH “MONTE CARLO’’ There is no greater singing artiste on the screen than Jeanette McDonald, and it may also be said that there is no greater comedian of his type than the great dancer, Jack Buchanan. When these two combine the result is a great treat. “Monte Carlo,’ their current production now at the Civic, proved to be a lavish combination of luxurious settings, gorgeous song and very funny comedy. Everyone who remembers “Naughty Marietta,” and who does not, knows the intimate touches, the deft subtleties, the delightful humour that was sprinkled throughout that picture, a tribute to the directing genius of Ernst Lubitsch. With the hot spot of Europe, society’s playground, Monte Carlo, with its fascinating people and gaming, and its sophistication, it forms an ideal background for the romance, that Lubitsch unfolds. Here is the intimate romance that one expects with such a background. A beautiful countess running from her marriage at the last moment, playing and risking her fortune at the gaming tables and losing. Into her life comes a hair dresser. But her position, her station in life, rebels against it, while her heart thunders its surrender. There is an intimate romance, and then fate takes a hand. The big crowd last night showed keen enjoyment in the short subjects, as well as the feature. These included the first musical to come from Russia for many years. It was entitled “Moscow Moods.” A Sportlight, Popeye and Betty Boop cartoons and newsreels made a splendid series. There is a big matinee for children, which will include a juvenile revue by Miss Renee Ward’s pupils. STATE THEATRE “HIS LORDSHIP” GEORGE ARLISS AS COMEDIAN George Arliss, one of the finest screen actors England has ever produced, is seen at his best in “His Lordship,” which opened a season at the State Theatre yesterday. The picture gives Arliss an opportunity to show that he is as equally polished a comedian as a character actor and, despite the fact of having to play a dual role, he scores heavily. A strong supporting cast is headed by Rene Ray and Romilly Lunge. The story, a cheerful mixture of thrills, drama and comedy, concerns the efforts of two Englishmen—both roles are played by Arliss—to prevent England from becoming involved in a war with an “Eastern Power.” The fact that Arliss plays an imposing nobleman and that same nobleman’s ne’er-do-well brother, gives piquance to the story. A minor triumph is achieved by Rene Ray, as Vera, a private secretary, and Romilly Lunge makes a. brilliant first appearance on the screen as Vera’s lover. A splendid array of character actors increase the entertainment value of “His Lordship.” Of outstanding interest on the supporting programme is “Our King and Queen,” a cavalacade of events in the lives of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. A comedy featuring Buster Keaton, a travelogue and a fine selection of newsreels complete a firstclass programme. INVERCARGILL CIVIC BAND CONCERT TOMORROW NIGHT Another fine programme has been arranged for the Invercargill Civic Band’s fortnightly concert, which will be given in the Civic Theatre tomorrow evening. The special attraction will be the appearance of Mr Tano Fama, who was a leading artist in the famous Diggers’ Company which toured New Zealand some years ago. Songs will be given by Miss Betty Butler and Miss Annie Jenkinson. The other artists are all well-known performers. Included in the band’s numbers is an Oriental fantasy entitled “In a Chinese Temple Garden,” which depicts the incantation of the priests in the temple, the melody of two lovers, a Manchu wedding procession passing by and the street disturbance. The incantation of the priests is heard again and with a quotation from the temple and coolies’ music brings the piece to an end. THE EMPIRE, RIVERTON With a twinkle in her eye and a saucy Irish brogue in her songs, little Jane Withers heads a stellar cast of fun makers in her joyous new picture, “Paddy O’Day,” which is to be screened at the Empire Pictures, Riverton, tonight. When this tiny entertainer unties her bag of tricks she provides a big bundle of joy. HENRI REVUE COMPANY The attraction at Nightcaps next Friday night is expected to please all lovers of high class vaudeville. Die Henri Revue Company and Hawaiian entertainers consists of artists of approved ability, vocalists, three comedians, Hawaiian intstrumentalists, Beggs Piano-Accordion Band, ukulele and Spanish guitar players, magic, juggling, ventriloquist, lightning cartoonist and the “Handcuff King.”