AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18489, 10 February 1930, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE. “THE CANARY MURDER CASE.” In “The Canary Murder Case,” a new Paramount drama from a story by S. S. Van Dine, at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday night, patrons were entertained at one of the most thrilling and mysterious detective stories that has been screened for some time. “The Canary,” a beautiful chorus girl, played by Louise Brooks, is found murdered in her apartment. Six men and one woman have motives for wishing her dead, and each of the seven perform suspicious actions about the time of the crime. Only one person killed her, but circumstances and motives are established which point to each of the six men as the murderer. Then the mystery seems to clear when “The Canary’s” chorus girl friend is accused, motive established, and clues uncovered to prove her connection with the crime. # An amateur detective, Philo Vance.*played by William Powell takes up the case, which had baffled all other sleuths and the police. He puts all the suspects through the third degree and arranges a poker game among the suspects and then observes them and their actions to detect the actual murderer. In the end Vance discovers the criminal in a unique manner, and not until the very last scene does the audience know who committed the deed. Besides William Powell, as Vance, the successful detective, Louise Brooks plays the part of the Canary. Others in the cast include James Hall, Gustav von Seyffertitz, Charles Lane, Louis John Bartels, and Ned Sparks. The picture is based upon the actual murderer of Dot King, a popular Broadway beauty, whose intimate friend was a prominent society man. The murderer in this case was never caught, but the facts have been taken by Van Dine and expanded into a detective story which has a wide sale. Short subjects include an English song and dance turn “Me and the Boys.”

GRAND THEATRE. ALL-TALKING PROGRAMME. Marking a new era in film entertainment, “Syncopation,” an all-talking production that opened a season at the Grand on Saturday night, is a fountain of song and sparkling dia-

logue. The picture has been billed by the producers as an extravaganza, and it is the first great musical film review that has yet been made. “Syncopation'' is the tale of Darrell and Sloane, played by Barbara Bennett and Bobby Watson, who have been performing in small vaudeville shows. Fame and fortune unexpectedly smile upon them, but with wealth and fame small differences arise, and when his wfife leaves him for another man the husband is broken-hearted. However, everything becomes straight in the end, and in each other’s arms they forget the world and its frailities. Much of the action takes place in a cabaret, where Fred Waring’s famous dance band feature nine popular and tuneful melodies. Morton Downey sings the theme song, and Barbara Bennett, beautiful daughter of the famous Richard Bennett, gives a clever exhibition of dancing. Waring’s Pennsylvanians, who supply so large a portion of the entertainment in “Syncopation,” have gained international fame through their talking records, successful concert tours at Home and abroad, and in the musical comedy success “Hello Yourself.” “Syncopation,” was adapted from Gene Markey’s novel, “Stepping High,” and was staged and directed by Bert Glennon. Barbara Bennett and Bobby Watson portray the leading roles. Others who shine in the cast are lan Hunter, Morton Downey, Osgood Perkins, Mackenzie Ward, Verree Teasdale and Dorothy Lee. A splendid selection of supporting pictures is shown, both interesting and ammusing enough to suit all tastes and fancies.