AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18382, 28 September 1929, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

DOUBLE STAR PROGRAMME. AT THE GRAND. Tim McCoy has given a fine series of historical outdoor romance pictures to the screen, in which the star has revealed the utmost sincerity, talent, dash and horsemanship, making his work a refreshing change to the average movie-goer, who likes an occasional adventure excursion into the stirring days of a nation’s pioneer. The entertainment value of these pictures has invariably been enhanced by authentic reproduction of story and the customs costumes, habits and topics of the times, as instance, “The Bushranger,” an Australian story w'hich Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer released recently. In “Sioux Blood,” at the Grand to-day, McCoy has a vehicle that depicts the difficulties the early settlers had to contend with from a new angle, and his role gives him ample scope for all his talents. The appearance opposite him of Marion Douglas a native of Manly, New South Wales, gives the picture the same special significance to the movie-goer of Australia and New Zealand that “The Bushranger” had. In addition to Marion Douglas, mentioned before, Robert Frazer, Clarence Geldert, Sidney Bracey and Chief Big Tree appear in the well-chosen cast, to-gether with hundreds of read Red men. “Sioux Blood” was made in magnificent country, all the settings being most realistic and convincing. Splendid direction, which .keeps the story moving at a fast tempo, puts the right finishing touch to the entire production, making it a welcome refresher warmed with the breath of the great open plains. Evelyn Brent and a hpst of favourites will bp seen in the second attraction “The Jade Cup.” Peggy Allen, a chorus girl, and Billy Crossan, an exgangster, will be married as soon as they can save some money for a home. Milano the Wop, an associate of Billy’s gang days, wants Peggy, but she has refused him. Peggy meets Antoine Gerhardt, a noted artist, at the theatre and consents to pose for him. Milano, spying on Peggy, sees Gerhardt’s art treasures, especially The Jade Cup, with a sinster legend behind it, and decides to rob the studio. He confers with “Dice” Morey, the gang leader. Billy, who is working as a labourer, is taunted by Milana about Peggy’s visits to Gerhardt, and he gets her to discontinue. Milano and Morey decide to rob the studio while Gerhardt is away, Morey doing the work while Milano kidnaps Peggy. At Morey’s retreat, the gangster, fearing Peggy’s knowledge of the artist’s death, decides to kill her. In the meantime the police have trailed Billy to Nordstrom’s where the two men are holding the officers at bay. In the nick of time Peggy arrives and Billy is freed on her testimony, while Morey confesses to the murder. The‘supports are of an entertaining nature. MAJESTIC TO-NIGHT. COMEDY AND DRAMA. Majestic patrons will be treated to big features this evening. FullerHaywards are presenting two super producti&is that IsyiU prove very enjoyable. A city is steeped in crime arid two imderworld gangs engage in deadly warfare because qne band has encroached'upon the other’s territory. Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton are on the trail of the crooks! Laughter dominates every scene of “Partners in Crime,” and without question, it is one of the most amusing scenarios arranged for the Beery-Hatton partnership. Beery plays the part of a “dud” detective, and, although the role is very similar to that in ‘We’re in the Navy Now,’ -Beery has a lot of new business that never fails to register. Hatton portrays a new character —that of a yellow journal reporter, whose quest for sensational copy leads him into a sequence of situations that would quench the most hardened newspaper man’s thirst for excitement. Everything happens as a result of the pretty face possessed by Marie Burke (Mary Brian), who is worshipped by three people. The detective and the reporter are hopelessly infatuated, and the assistant to the district attorney is deeply in love. The young hero is kidnapped by the gang, and the story goes ahead with a sprightly rush when the Press combines with the police to j carry out the necessary rescue. Raymond Hatton’s acting is really excellent. Wallace Beery represents the man who means well but is always doing the wrong thing, in the wrong way, at the wrong time. And, because all men have that weakness to a greater or less degree, Beery’s characterisations find universal sympathy. The British Dc minions film version of “The Forger,” which originally appeared as a serial in the “London Daily Mail,” is notable not only for being Edgar Wallace’s most thrilling story, but because it is portrayed by an exceptionally clever cast of well-known artists, headed by popular Lilian Rich. We have always seen her appear as the heroine in light comedies, usually as a young society girl. But in “The Forger” she /hr", her first dramatic role as Jane Leith, and is the centre of many mysterious happenings. Nigel Barrie, who | was usually cast in heroic roles in American films, has the role of a darkvisaged, brooding doctor, who turns out to be a murderer. Winter Hall, who usually appears as a clergyman or in a father role, is the eccentric old millionaire, John Leith. James Raglan has his first juvenila part as Peter Clifton. So it will be most interesting to see all these well-known players appearing in a new phase of life on the screen. “The Forger” is said to be the best film version of any Edgar Wallace story yet screened, and is filled with surprises, sensation and romance. Supporting features are the Majestic News and a Christie Comedy entitled “Hot Scotch.” Seats may be reserved through ’phone 651 or 570.

REAL ENTERTAINMENT AT THE ROYAL. Spectacular backgrounds, mass movements of whites and Indians, struggles between trappers and the red men, with Fred Thomson and his white horse, Silver King, at their best, combine to make “Kit Carson” one of the outstanding pictures of the season. Carson’s life was a series of thrills and Mr Thomson has skilfully chosen many of them in building up a remarkably dramatic story for his Paramount special which will be shown at the Royal Theatre to-night. Two pleasing love Stories are threaded into the drama —one with a pretty Indian girl, and the other with a Spanish woman. The film version of the two romantic episodes in the life of this country’s famous Indian scout and military leader is authentically done, the intensive research work undergone by Mr Thomson in setting it to the screen, being manifested realistically, it compares favourably with any of the big Western specials produced by any film company in recent years. It’s a Paramount picture. In the “Knight of Nights,” the two “class” extremes are shown'to advantage. In this latest film are ways of

living of the French nobility class and the underworld Apache class, the type of people which we have all read, heard and seen so much about, are shown In a realistic way. The story of the film concerns a Marquis of France and his two sons, Andre and Francois. Andre though an aristocrat, is constantly paying visits to the underworld of Marseilles, and making friends with its inhabitants. Francois, the other brother glories in his position in life and holds himself strictly aloof from his fellow men, whose position in life is not so fortunate as his own. The representative, as it were, of the Apache class is shown in the picture as a rough, devil-may-care yet likeable fellow who would think nothing of robbing a person and paying the persons fare home! Patrons visiting the Royal this evening should be well satisfied with the two features. The supports will include “Tarzan The Mighty,” and a Krazy Kat Cartoon. ’Phone 570 for reservations. WILLIAM HEUGHAN. FAREWELL RECITAL. Timaru audiences have been thrilled before by William Heughan, worldfamous actor-singer, and there are

many looking forward to his re-appear-ance here at the Theatre Royal for his farewell recital. Heughan continues to add to his world-wide reputation. During the past year he has gone from success to .succes in the Australian cities and in the important centres of the Orient. - He-fias been acclaimed as the greatest master of British folk songs in the world’s most famous critics. Everywhere he has appeared recently, the public and press have acknowledged him to be greater and better than ever. Writing in the Chicago Tribune, Edward Moore the famous critic said:“ .I honestly believe Heughan has the finest bass voice in the world. To hear him do folk songs of the British Isles was sheer delight just beacuse of his voice, but when he moved out into something more vocally ambitious —the Cardinals Aria from the first act of La Juive’ was one—he was amazing. Here was quality, colour, power, depth and all of the kind that one dreams about as an ideal and seldom meeLsr—the numbers he selected were notbifig .short of gorgeous. ■' Those who heard him before know what a pleasure is in store and are certain to hear him again. Mr Heughan states that he may never return to New Zealand so this concert will take the form of a farewell to Timaru.