ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 1 September 1930, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE REGENT. "SUCH MEN ARE DANGEROUS" Presented by a superb cast, headed by Warner Baxter and Catherine Dale Owen, “Such Men are Dangerous,” Fox Movietone all-talking sophisticated drama, based on Elinor Glyn’s charming and fascinating story, opened at the Regent Theatre on Saturday. Baxter handles a most difficult role in masterful style, giving polish to the best part he lias ever enjoyed in an all-talking picture. Miss Owen gives a most convincing performance. Her woyk is brilliant throughout, and her beauty and charm add much to her characterisation of the bride who deserts her husband. The portrayal of the meddling sister is in the hands of Hedda Hopper, who in sophisticated roles has few equals in pictures, Claude Allister, in a “Lord Algy” role, Albert Conti as the suave secretary, do their work well. Seldom has a picture received a more enthusiastic reception that that accorded “Such Men are Dangerous.” It embraces all the elements that make a great play—suspense, thrills, highly dramatic situations and just enough comedy to relieve the tension and almost audible heart beats. The supporting programme included Movietone News, “The Admirals” (vocal quartette), “50 Miles from Broadway” (singing and dancing comedy) and Martinelli (grand opera, tenor). The programme will be repeated to-night and to-morrow night. “DYNAMITE.” SEASON OPENS WEDNESDAY. “Dynamite,” Cecil B. de Mille’s first all-talking picture, which commences a special six-night season at the Regent, New Plymouth, on Wednesday next, took over a year to make. The results more than justify the time expenditure. The picture is intensely colourful, packed with glamour and thrills, and leading up to one of the most thrilling climaxes ever devised for any photoplay. It is scarcely fair to reveal the basic theme on which “Dynamite” is based, because it is' so strikingly different from any other picture plot that patrons Have a right to get the whole story as a surprise on visiting the theatre. It is sufficient to say that the story deals with a young society girl and her relationship to a polo-playing dilettante and a stalwart, two-fisted coal miner. The climactic scenes, which are said to have taken six weeks to make, occur in a mine a thousand feet under the earth. Charles Bickford as the coal miner, Kay Johnson as the society girl, Cynthia Crothers and the redoubtable Conrad Nagel in the part of the dilettante, contribute some of the best performances the talking screen —or the silent—has ever seen. Bickford and Miss Johnson came to the coast from the Broadway stage, and it is to be hoj.'ed that Hollywood will see much more of them. The balance of the castCtWMfr l -, ing Julia Faye and Robert Edeson, is uniformly good and deserves a special plaudit.

EVERYBODY’S TALKIES. “ROOKERY NOOK” COMEDY. A film reviewer, after having seem the talkerisation of Ben Travers’ great stage play, “Rookery Nook,” which commenced a season of six matinees ami six nights at Everybody’s on Saturday, called it “the laughter epic of the age.” The truth of the assertion patrons will be able to judge for themselves, but it was unanimously agreed by the large newspapers that only the highest praise could be worthy of “Rookery Nook.” Brilliant dialogue, perfect English diction, wonderful acting and direction make this a superlative entertainment. In these days of Broadway and more Broadway, a really funny film is a rare treat, but “Rookery Nook” carries a laugh in every line, and to be! able to sit in a picture theatre and contribute to the hearty peals of laughter immediately disperses all your worries and troubles. Even after the film has ended pleasurable thoughts of unforced merriment linger in the mind. Laughter! the finest tonic and practically the one universal emotion that can unite and make one at peace with the world in general. It is also pleasing to note that “Rookcry Nook”, was made in England at the British Dominions studios at Elstree. The brilliant east is comprised of English players and their clear, melodious speech is partly responsible for the success of the film. “Rookery N(M>k” is preceded by Movietone News, Audio Review and Rathe Sound News.