AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18330, 30 July 1929, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

“MIDNIGHT MADNESS.” AT THE GRAND. The main feature, at the Grand Theaitre, “Midnight Madness,” with Jacqueline Logan and Clive Brook in the main roles, is a story of love at midnight. Norma Forbes lives with her father in his shooting gallery. Norma has learned to handle a gun with accuracy. The father spends every cent for drink, and Norma decides to marry for money. She is employed as secretary in the office of Childers and Strong, diamond brokers, Childers’ advances have been welcome to her, as she believes he loves her and will ask her to marry him. Instead, he tells her that he has a wife, and that he desired her to go to dinner with one of his business acquaintances, and secure some information j that will be of great value to him. Michael Bream, a millionaire'diamond miner, has requested Norma to accompany him to dinner. Norma and Michael are seated in a cafe. He asks her to become his wife.. Next day Norma goes to Childers’ office. Michael enters at the same time, hears Childers make love to Norma, and she returns: “You can’t marry me, and besides, you’re not a millionaire!” There are some interesting episodes before matters are straightened out. Hairbreadth escapes, battle scenes, and the blowing up of an arsenal are among the thrills provided by “Morgan’s Last Raid.” Tim McCoy plays a young Southern officer, riding with Morgan, a raider, in his sensational exploits. Dorothy Sebastian is the Northern girl he loves, but sacrifices for his beloved South, and with whom he is reunited after an amazing plot. Famous battles of the Civil War were fought, and thrills mark the swift action. Comedy is injected through the work of Hank Mann, who plays Tex, the laughable companion of the hero of the tale. A Max Davidson comedy completed a fine programme.

ENTERTAINMENT OF HIGH ORDER AT MAJESTIC. COMEDY AND THRILLS. Patrons at the Majestic last evening enjoyed a programme high in entertainment value. Comedy features were provided by “ Now We’re in the Air,” featuring Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton, while “The Hour of Fear” was crammed full of mystery, thrills and suspense. Two Americans, disguised as Scotch Highlanders, enlist as aviators at a French airport, and are sentenced to death as German spies. Only Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton could appear to advantage in such a ridiculous situation. They become aviators when their clothes are blown off when they get in front of a battery of airplane propellers on the testing blocks at a flying field. They fall in love with twin sisters, one of whom has been raised a German, the other a French girl. Many of the difficulties arise over their inability to tell their sweethearts apart, which is not surprising when it is considered that Louise Brooks plays both parts capably and charmingly. A carefully selected cast of experienced screen players surround the title players.

One of the best star casts that has been assembled in a picture for some time, is the one that is to be seen in “The Hour of Fear,” the thrilling mystery play that was screened as the second attraction. When Mary married Paul there was a mysterious gift of a house to them from Robert Wheeler. After the honeymoon, thoughts turned to the house and they went to take possession. In charge of Nancy Crowl, an unprepossessing woman, the house had a neglected appearance, which the industry of Mary even failed Jo brighten. To make matters worse, during her husband’s absence, a former lover of Mary came to visit. Marc Reed had been bitter when he had lost hope of marrying Mary, and even now made himself unpleasant. His attentions were so persistent, that Mary took a revolver from a drawer and threatened him. Then, as the gun went off, her nerve gave out, and she fainted. When she came to, Marc Reed had been killed. Nancy Crbwl helped her cover up the crime, but the next day . . . That is something that will spoil the mystery if told. Edith Roberts is Mary, and others in the cast are Margaret Livingston. Noah Beery and Ford Sterling. There was an interesting supporting programme.

RONALD COLMAN AND VILMA BANKY IN “LEATHERFACE.”

Picturegoers throughout New Zealand have shown great appreciation of the United Artists’ special feature, “Two Lovers,” which has been adapted from Baroness Orczy’s famous novel, “Leatherface.” This picture will be screened for the first time here at the Majestic . Theatre on Wednesday. “Leatherface” one of the most popular novels of this generation, furnished the story from which Alice D. G. Miller photo-dramatised the final co-starring picture of Mr Colman and Miss Banky. Its tale is that of the triumph of love over adversity, but startling twists of circumstances give the Baroness Orczy story a new and brighter flash of the tender, poignant beauty that has characterised all Colman-Banky pictures. Laid against the ever-stirring background of war, “Two Lovers,” tells the story of Mark Van Rycke, son of the patrician burgomaster of Ghent, and of his secret adventures as “Leatherface,” mysterious and faithful aide to William, Prince of Orange, who seeks to lead the enslaved country Flanders to freedom from the oppressing hands of the Spaniards. Wild night rides, hair-raising duels (of wit as well as of sword) reveal Ronald Colman, as “Leatherface,” in a role more colourful and varied than any he has ever attempted. Vilma Banky is Lenora, The Flower of Spain, niece of the Duke of Azar, oppressor of the Flemish and commandant of the Spanish. Her royal kinsman -weds her to Mark in a gorgeous ceremony, rich in the medieval ceremony of Flanders a bride of state. Loathing him as her enemy and forced mate, she comes to respect him—for he refuses his marriage privileges. Just when she begins to love him, Lenora makes a discovery about Mark that causes her to hate him. How she betrays and delivers him into the hands of the Spaniards, and then, discovering her mistake, joins the heroic efforts of Mark and his countrymen in their final battle through the swamps for freedom, ending in the assault on the impregnable Kasteel, are among the high spots of the picture. Box plans are open at the Bristol. A special matinee will tc.ke place on Wednesday afternoon.