AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18518, 15 March 1930, Page 18 (Supplement)

AMUSEMENTS.

GRAND THEATRE. ALL-DIALOGUE PICTURE. Joyously different to any other college picture that has yet been screened. “So This is College.” the principal attraction at the Grand Theatre last night, is an all-talking production featuring college fun and wit. with five catchy songs written especially for it. The story outlines the life of a student from the moment he steps off the train to the day he says good-bye to Alma Mater. The foibles of scholastic and fraternity life are amusingly de-

veloped. and will give many a fond parent an eye-opener as to what son Johnny is laughing at when he is supposed to be studying. Sam Wood, director, used a real college campus for many of his outdoor sound locations. and the football ground in the final scenes is jammed with 100.000 cheering spectators. Sally Starr. Wood's new screen “find.” makes her debut, and the cast includes Elliott Nugent and Robert Montgomery, who have become instant favourites with local audiences. Cliff Edwards, better known as “Ukulele Ike.” Max Davidson, Phyllis Crane and Dorothy Dehn. are also included in the cast. This new comedy-drama of the younger generation was filmed on the campus of the University of Southern California. Hundreds of students were used as extras, giving the film an authenticity and realistic feeling to be obtained in no other way. An alltalking supporting programme is shown, including a Charlie Chase comedy entitled “Leaping Love,” and a Metrotone News in sound.

CLARA BOW IN “DANGEROUS CURVES,” AT THE ROYAL.

Poor Punchinello with an “It” punch comes to the Royal Theatre this evening in Paramount's all-talking production. “Dangerous Curves," which features the dazzling Clara Bow. Miss Bow changes character in this one. She graduates from the dizzy, chuckleheaded flapper class to work for her master's degree in tragi-comeciy. How she does it in “Dangerous Curves” is “nobody’s business." For the record, however, let it be said that she injects as much vigour, enthusiasm and charm in the portrayal of a shortskirted and spangled bare-back rider as she formerly did as a scatterbrained. adolescent pep and strut girl. Miss Bow is in love with Richard Arlen, a tight-rope performer. She j decides to learn tight-rope walking ! herself (between performances as a bare-back artist), so that she can get a place on the circus programme near to her beloved. She finally learns the j wire balancing art. but finds that j Arlen spurns her for Kay Francis, female menace in the piece. In spite of j his repeated irresponsiveness, Clara i continues to demonstrate her love for Aden, and finally manages, by a desperate move, to save him from disgrace. bringing him to a realism of love for her. A splendid background of circus atmosphere has been brought to the picture and the direction of Lothar Mendes is excellent. To Miss Bow rightfully go the highest honours for acting that rings true, and to Aden and Miss Francis go the secondary tributes for their intelligent support. It is : a great picture. The supporting pic- ! turcs will be all-talking. "Apartments j To Let” is a clever comedy; the Fox News in sound is a particularly good edition; with a bright singing cartoon novelty, and another one-reel comedy sketch. Seats may be booked through 'phone 570. or at the Theatre office. A matinee performance will be given this afternoon. MONSTER ATTRACTIONS AT THE MAJESTIC, TO-NIGHT. “Interference” was a wonderful success as a stage play. As an alldialogue "talkie'' picture it is a masterpiece. and for sheer dramatic values this remarkable production has rarely been surpassed. Fuller-Haywards will present this remarkable dramatic triumph to Majestic patrons this evening. and judging by its triumphs in the cities of the world, its popularity will be re-echoed during the Timaru season. It is not a spectacular film, but a gripping, absorbing production of tremendous dramatic power, with thrilling scenes following one after the other, so that the audience is held tense until the last great climax, which is in keeping with the rest of a mighty picture. The story is evolved in most clever fashion, and the theme is one with a moral—interference in the , home is liable to lead to all sorts of J unexpected, complicated results. Believing that her husband, Philip \ Voaze. has been killed at the war, j Faith Voaze marries Sir John Marlay, ] a famous London doctor, and assists the latter in reaching the height of his profession. Then, like a 'spectre from out of the past, Voaze appears in the scene, but with his reappearance the story takes an unusual twist, and instead of this man, who had caused his wife little but unhappiness by his drunken habits, setting out to reveal her secret, he endeavours to make her way easy by trying to obtain from Deborah Kane incriminating letters she had taken from his apartment, and which (made public) would ruin Lady Marlay, Deborah had been Voaze’s lover, but because she thought Faith had taken him away from her she sets out to revenge herself by ruining the Marlays. By some strange caprice Voaze calls upon Marlay, and ;

is practically given his death warrant. Three people have in mind the obtaining of the incriminating letters—Voaze, Sir John Marlay, and Lady Marlay—and all visit Deborah Kane's flat on a fateful night. Voaze* however, it is who makes a tremendous sacrifice to save the name of the woman he loves. In one of the most magnificent emotional scenes enacted on the screen he persuades his erstwhile lover to hand him the letters, then poisons her! Suspicion falls upon Sir John Marlay, but Voaze clears the latter, and the picture ends as powerfully as it had begun. The story itself is very fine, but the acting is superb, and it is doubtful if a better speaking cast is likely t,o be assembled in one single “talkie" for a long time to come. William Powell's characterisation a* Philip Voaze is wonderful. As Sir John Marlav. Clive Brook, an English actor, who has achieved wonderful success in American pictures, gives a portrayal that is almost as excellent. Evelyn Brent and Doris Kenyon are the other principals in a great cast, and they, too, do their parts well. The “P'ox Sound News” includes in its scenes England's Premier Ramsay Macdonald who talks to the audience on the question of Naval Disarmament. "Trooping the Colours" is a spectacular function that takes place in London on the King's Birthday, and the whole scene is most impressive. “Mickey the Mouse,” a singing cartoon, and a talking comedy will also be screened. Seats may be reserved through 'phone 551. A matinee will take place this aftenoon. ST. PATRICK'S CONCERT. Lovers of Irish music and dancing should not fail to be present at the Scottish Hall on Monday night, when one of the best concerts yet arranged by the committee will be given. Two lady singers from Wellington, Miss

McDavitt and Miss Fenton will be j heard in Timaru for the first time, while some of the best local performers. including Mr Malcolm. Mr Andrews, and Mr R. Holdgate will assist. The Rev. Father Outtrim, who possesses a tenor voice of unusual quality, will also appear on the programme. National dancing by the best local dancers will be performed. Seats may be reserved at the Bristol for 6d extra.