AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18500, 22 February 1930, Page 20 (Supplement)

AMUSEMENTS.

“HIGH TREASON” IS BRITISH-* MADE TALKIE.

Never before has the theatre-going public been treated to so spectacular a film as “High Treason,” which opens to-night at the Grand Theatre. There have been pictures before which have attempted to portray the future, but the directors have been prone to let thir imaginations run riot, to the detriment of the feasibility of the impression created. Where “High Treason” scores is that it is so possible. Not one small particular is out of the bounds of possibility, and every detail has been gone into with a thoroughness that amounts to genius. “High Treason” is the first British talkie of its type, and if the standard can be kept up, the Americans will have to look to the laurels they have so far earned. The story is laid in the year 1940, and concerns the intrigue of a group of munition manufacturers to plunge the world into war, to their own profit. The war is strenuously opposed by the Peace League, headed by Dr Seymour, which, with a membership of over twenty millions, has set itself to prevent the conflict. The war is threatened over a series of outrages committed by the munitions makers, and laid by them at the door of the Atlantic Union of States. The world is divided into the European Federation of States, headed by England, and the Atlantic Federation, headed by America. For the story, little can be said. When ■ one has admired the ambitious theme, j which is worked out with the most j meticulous care, one’s admiration is I finished, as the actual dialogue is not of the same standard as the production. For the production, nothing more need be said than that it is the best thing of its kind that has ever been screened. “Metropolis,” with its bold imagination, made a stir, but “High Treason” will cause a sensation. It was an inspired mind which evolved the interior delations seen in "High Treason.” They are along the lines „ suggested on the Continent to-day, and are done so deftly, that they are impressive in their reality. It was also an inspired mind that thought up the mass of small detail connected with the television installations of which so much is seen. The labour-saving devices, in their legion, are a delight, in that they are so obviously practicable. Scene follows scene, leaving an ever increasing sense of wonder atoi the resource and originality of those responsible for the production side of the film. The principals are splendid in their respective parts, and as all are English players of note, there is nothing jarring in their voices. Jameson Thomas, Benita Hume, Huberston Wright and Basil Gill head a cast which has as much merit as any movie cast ever seen, and the four handle their rather trying dialogue most successfully. A particularly fine series of shorts adds greatly to the enjoyment of the programme. Patrons are advised to ’phone their reserves early to 486.

REGINALD DENNY AT THE MAJESTIC. “EMBARRASSING MOMENTS.” Packed from end to end with laughs, : is Universal’s all-talking comedy, starring Reginald Denny, the English star (Denny was born in Surrey, and served during the Great War in the English Air Force). "Embarrassing Moments” has an amusing plot that ramifies into every conceivable complication capable of arousing mirth. It deals with the introduction of the idea of "trial marriage” in a small community that holds to the old-fashioned matrimonial ideal. Denny, as the imaginary “trial husband” of a girl whom he has never before seen, gives one of the best performances of his fun-making career. He throw's himself into his part with an energy and vivacity that keeps things moving at top speed. Merna Kennedy, of the titian hair, sees that the picture is provided with plenty of romance. It is Merna, newly returned from the big city, who is the cause of all the excitement. She finds her smalltown fiance altogether too. poky and watchful for she tries to free herself by announcing that she has engaged in a “trial marriage” while in the metropolis. And she names a man she has never seen before. When Denny, as the imaginary husband, arrives at the behest of the girl’s indignant father, complications follow as fast as the camera can record them. Otis Harlan, as the girl’s father, is at his best and funniest. Wil- • liam Austin and Virginia Sale contribute amusing characterisations. Good work also is done by Greta Granstedt and Mary Foy. “Embarrassing Moments” is a sterling example of what can be accomplished with a bright, clean story produced in a swift and direct manner. The supporting sound units will include the famous English comedian, George Robey, in one of his laughable sketches, "The Barrister,” and Gordon Freeman, another of London’s clever entertainers. The New and Greater Collegians will be presented with all dialogue and singing. Seats may be booked through ’phone 651 or 570. Box plans are at the Majestic office. The usual matinee will take place this afternoon.

THEATRE ROYAL. “NOAH'S ARK.” A MIGHTY SPECTACLE. The Theatre Royal will for the first time to-day take its place amongst the many theatres equipped for sound by the Fuller-Hayward Coy., and has selected for presentation Warner Bros.’ giant feature, “Noah’s Ark," which has been built on a stupendous scale. Beginning at the opening of the World War, the din and destruction of battle makes itself felt by the audience. Then, after a most impressive scene, all the characters are spirited back five thous- ! and years to the time of Noah and the building of the Ark. “Noah’s Ark” comes through the test magnificently, justifying all the claims that have been made for it by Warner Bros., who have j nursed it from its infancy to its pre--1 sent gigantic growth. The sequences ' are impressive and dramatic. The setj tings, vast to an unbelievable degree, add power and a quality of majesty to j the colourful drama of the flood sequences, while the accompanying : effects are tremendous and startling, i There is a modern introduction to the , Biblical flood in which fragments of j the action of the embattled armies in | the Great War are depicted, the flood of blood that overwhelmed modern civilisation, leading the chief characters in the drama to that great flood of water in Noah’s time which, according to Biblical accounts, overwhelmed the world. Dolores Costello, as a young German girl, Mary, dancer in a travelling show troupe, is on board the Paris-Constantinople express, with | Travis, a care-free young American, ; and his friend Al. Nickoloff, a Rus- | sian officer, and others, when the train runs upon a wrecked bridge, and its cars are sent tumbling down the embankment. At the inn where they take refuge, after Travis and Al have rescued Mary, the Russian attempts to force his attentions on Mary, and is knocked out by Travis. The girl and the American escape just as French officers arrive to announce that war has been declared. In Paris, the love story of Travis and Mary leads to marriage just before Travis joins the American troops. They are separated. Nickoloff discovers Mary in a troupe of army entertainers, and when she again repulses him, has her arrested and condemned to death as a spy. Travis is a member of the firing-squad. He rushes in front of her as the enemy i shells the place, shattering the sur- ! rounding buildings. The characters • are next seen in Biblical times. Mary I is Miriam, hand-maiden of Noah, bej loved of the latter’s son, Japheth. 1 Nickoloff is King Nephilim, who holds 1 Miriam for a sacrifice to the great god Jaghut, blinds Japheth and sends him to the treadmill. Then the flood, prophesied by Noah, bursts in all its demoniacal fury, burying the temple, the city and all the land. Miriam is saved by Japheth, the flood carrying them to the Ark. A brief sequence at the end takes up the modern angle of the story, showing the rescue of the principal characters from the ruins of the shelled city. The colour, picturesqueness, dramatic power and effectiveness of the flood scenes are marvellous in their splendour, and hold the audience in awed silence. Miss Costello is compelling in her dual role. Short subjects on the programme will include Mischa Elman, the most famous violinist of today, who will play two delightful numbers, and another excellent featurette in "Visions of Spain,” which introduces both singing and musical items. Seats may be booked through pnone d7O. The complete programme will be screened at this afternoon’s matinee.