AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18479, 22 January 1930, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

LON CHANEY SPECIAL. AT THE GRAND. The surge and thunder of a great railroad is contrasted with delicate romance in Lon Chaney’s latest starI ring vehicle, “Thunder,” Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer’s sound synchronised epic of the steel trail, coming to the Grand Theatre to-night. Amid the runs of limited trains, the spectacular settings of huge railroad yards, and with the Mississippi floods as a thrill, the love tale of a boy and girl, and a still more human story of the love of a father and his two sons, is worked out into an enthralling evening’s entertainment. The picture has thrills and laughs, tears and bewilderment, all woven into a blend of engrossing drama. Chaney, used to bizarre roles, has one in this picture that is a vivid contrast. He plays “Grumpy” Anderson, grizzled veteran of the throttle, piloting his crack Limited through the snows, staging a thrilling run to the rescue in the flood, and living and breathing the traditions of the road. His love for his engine, his belief that no man is any good unless he is a railroad man—all these are strikingly true to life. Incidentally, he had to wear a moustache—for the first time in years—because old-time engineers usually do. Phyllis Haver plays the heroine, an actress who tempts the old engineer’s fireman son, James Murray, to leave the road for a “white-collar” job, which almost breaks the old man’s heart. In the end it is her love and understanding that returns the son to the railroad and to his father. George Duryea plays the other son, a brakeman, who is killed on duty, a tragic sidelight on the perils of railroad life. Miss Haver makes a beautiful heroine and stages a couple of spectacular dance numbers in the night club scene. In vivid contrast to this character is that of Molly, wife of the brakeman son, a home-loving housewife, played by Frances Morris, a New York stage actress and newcomer to the screen. Little Wally Allbright, jum\, the clever baby of “Wonder of Women,” plays the little grandson. Though the romance is worked out between the younger players, the plot revolves about the old engineer. The complete building of a giant of the rails is also shown. William Nigh, who directed Chaney in “Mr Wu,” directed the new picture. The sensational flood rescue, the race on the road to bring in the Limited, and other high-lights mark the play. The all-talking and singing supporting programme contains the ever-popular comedian, Charlie Chase. In his first all-talking comedy, “Crazy Feet,” mandolin selections from Bernado de Pace, and the radio entertainers, the “Biltmore Trio.” Patrons are advised to ’phone their reserves early to 486.

“THREE LIVE GHOSTS.” On Saturday next at the Grand Theatre, a new picture will be presented, entitled “Three Live Ghosts,” which has some of its scenes laid in and around the famous Scotland Yard. Despite the fact that the interior of Scotland Yard, headquarters of England’s famous department of criminal investigation, has never been photographed, an exact replica of the chief inspector’s office is shown in “Three Live Ghosts.” United Artists’ alltalking comedy-drama will come to the Grand Theatre on Saturday. Whenever interiors or exteriors of famous buildings are included among the sets of a motion picture production, the studio art department can usually secure photographs and other data to aid them in their art and construction work. It was only by a piece of good luck, however, that the director of “Three Live Ghosts” was able to obtain views of the interior of Scotland Yard. It is claimed that these views are accurate in every detail, being the work of an artist who sketched them while waiting inside for a friend. The scene of “Three Live Ghosts,” directed by Thornton Freeland, is laid in London. The motion picture version is based on the famous comedy-drama stage success of that name, and features an all-star cast, including Beryl Mercer, Charles McNaughton, Claud Allister, Joan Bennett, Robert Montgomery, Hilda Vaughan, Shayle Gardner, Harry Stubbs, Jocelyn Lee, Jack Cooper, Nancy Price and Tenen Holtz. The box plan for this all-talkie comedy sensation opens Wednesday at the Bristol.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. CLARA BOW IN “THE WILD PARTY/’ Clara Bow, the famous Titian haired “It” girl, is due at the Majestic Theatre this evening in her first all-talking feaure, “The Wild Party,” one of the breeziest and snappiest of college stories. “The Wild Party” is a lively story, played for all it’s worth by a cast of youngsters, dormitory sprees, in negligee, in abbreviated costumes in the gym., on a wild week-end party. Clara and her “gang” of eight schoolmates at an exclusive girls’ school get excited over a new professor, Fredric March, and sign up for his class. They find out. that he is serious and intends to make' the students work hard. He and Clara clash the first day. A few weeks later, Marceline Day, head of the student body, excludes Clara and her gang from a costume ball because their dresses are too daring. The girls then go to a road-house. While there they are insulted by Ben Hendricks, jnr., a drunken braggart. Clara stalls him while the gang escapes. Hendricks tries to carry Clara to town in his car. March intercepts this move. There is a fight, and March rescues Clara. They realise that they are in love. Joyce Compton, college snooper, sees March bring Clara home. The next day March

“bawls out” Clara in class. Clara is hurt. She walks out. Clara persuades Shirley O'Hara her studious room-mate to attend a house party a week latei. It is a wild affair. Shirley falls in love, genuinely, with Jack Luden at the party. On the same night Hendrick, shocts and wounds March for revenge. Clara goes to March's study and reavows her love. Joyce, the busybody sees the meeting. Joyce steals and turns over to Marceline Day, a letter from Shirley to Jack. Clara learns of this, and to protect Shirley, tells

Jafceline that the letter is Der owe not Shirley’s. Clara resigns, from college, packs her trunk and staria home. March however, boards the train and goes with her. He, too, is through with college. The all-talking feature will be supplemented by a choice selection of singing and musical short subjects. Seats may be reserved through ’phones 651 or 570. A special matinee will take place this afternoon.

MONTE BANKS AT THE ROYAL. “ADAM’S APPLE.” How quickly a sedate and conservative young princess, fresh from the tutelage of royal governesses and the decorum of a European court, may be transformed into a typical American girl of the period during a visit to New York is gaily demonstrated by charming Sue Carol in “The Exalted Flapper,” which Fox Films is offering now at the Theatre Royal. Of course, the dashing princess does not really become an American, since she remains in that country only a few days, while her queen mother is attempting to negotiate a loan for the depleted roya* treasury. In that brief period, however, according to the diverting story by Will Irwin, the Princess goes in for bobbed hair, short skirts, slang and jazz with such enthusiam that on her return home she is mistaken for an American “flapper” by a prince of a neighbourhood country, who cheerfully would renounce his royal robes for her. Barry Norton portrays the prince opposite Miss Carol and Irene Rich, film player of distinction, is'the queen. Other well-known names in the cast, directed by James Tinling, include Albert Conti, Sylvia Field, Stuart Erwin, Lawrence Grant and Charles Clary. When British International Pictures were making "Adam’s Apple,” the comedy starring Monty Banks, also on this evenings programme, they sent the cast to three different countries for the travel sequences. The action begins in New York, where the two honey - mooners are bound for the Continent. From there the scenes go to Paris, and thence to London, where the body of the story is filmed. The picture is a highly amusing comedy of honeymoon bliss and should not be missed by lovers of good entertainment. There is also a strong supporting cast, including Gillian Dean, Judy Kelly, and Colin Kenny. The latest Gazette wifi also be shown. Reservations will receive attention through ’phone 570.

LEO CARRILLO IN “LOMBARDI, LTD.” The phenomenal success achieved by Leo Carrillo in Wellington in the famous comedy triumph, “Lombardi, Ltd.,” has excited the appetites of local playgoers to witness the world-renowned actor in this gay and most - laughable play, and its only production here at the Theatre Royal on Monday night next will probably be witnessed by a record attendance. “Lombardi, Ltd.’,, was specially written for Leo Carrillo by Frederick and Fanny Hilton, and the role of Tito Lombardi is his favourite one. “Lombardi, Ltd.,” is the most delightful and most original comedy the Australian stage has ever enjoyed. Carrillo’s acting is simply ebullient joyousness which infects the audience almost immediately. Leo Carrillo prattles happily on in his broken English, revealing a humour of subtle form that cannot fail to appeal, while his changing moods enable him to give full play to his versatility. The famous star has splendid support to carry the production to the highest flight of success. There are Barbara Luddy as the little mannequin bent upon “going straight to the devil,” but failing signally in the attempt; Margaret Cullen-Landis, the model who finds many embarrassments in possessing a perfect shape; Brandon Peters, as the love-smitten “Vermicelli King”; Rowena Ronald as Lombardi’s designing sweetheart; Natalie Moya as his level-headed and charming first assistant; Leslie Victor as the lugubrious book-keeper, who is “never happy unless he’s sad”; Henrietta Cavendish, as the impressionable forewoman; and Maidi Hope, Daphne Baird, Cecil Mannering, Elma Gibbs, Beatrice Kendrick and others in congenial roles. The dressing, particularly in the mannequin parade, is said to be one of the main features of “Lombardi, Ltd.” The box plans will open at the Bristol on Friday morning at 9 o’clock.