AMUSEMENTS,

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18519, 17 March 1930, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS,

THEATRE ROYAL. CLARA BOW IN “DANGEROUS CURVES.” A vivid tale of circus life is bound up in “Dangerous Curves,” in which that fascinating star plays in the leading role. In the tent canvas and giddy heights of the “big top,” trapeze artists swing to and fro in amazing fashion, and the champion wire-walker of the circus world performs remarkable feats. The picture represented the highest art of the sawdust ring, containing the story of the vorld-famed artist who, through a mistaken ideal of a particular woman's place in his life, decided to forget the finer points of his art, and to throw his act to the four winds. One of the ‘supers,” however, gave him courage to carry on and to crown his turn with glory. The story proper tells of a troupe of three wire-walkers who gain the admiration of gaping thousands by their daredevil performances. They are two men and a woman, and, naturally, the spirit of jealousy enters, and produces a marked effect upon the success of the turn. One of the male members—in love with the woman—becomes bitter through continued rebuffs, and finds a sympathetic appreciation of his art on the part of one of the very ordinary troupers—a fascinating young thirg. Thn hauerbtv lady decamps with the other male partner in the act, and thus provides a wonderful opportunity for the wronged man to rehabilitate himself in the eyes of the circus world. Tragedy enters during a big performance. The star 01 the troupe falls from a wire 50ft. from the ground, owing to a sudden lack of nerve. The pretty young “super,” realising that he is wasting his life in caring for the other woman, decides to perform the act herself. During a rehearsal her antics, produced by fright, delude the house into regarding It as the turn of the year. Larry Lee. the star of the act, recognises that the turn may be made more effective by clowning, and, at the next performance makes a great hit. Upon the following night, despairing of his lost love, he takes to the bottle, and is incapable of making an appearance. The little super dons a make-up, as near as possible to that of the star, and goes through the big act with great gusto. She falls, slips, and slides, but always manages to iemain on the wire. The huge crowd below, thinking Lee is “fooling,” and excelling himself, applaud mightily, but it is only by a superhuman effort that the girl reaches safety. Lee, on being told of her pluck, realises that his love is for her only, j and there the story ends. A comprehensive list of supporting pictures are also shown, including a. Fox news, an excellent singing cartoon and an amusing comedy.

MAJESTIC’S FINE PROGRAMME. “INTERFERENCE” AND BRIGHT SUPPORTS. When the programme commenced at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday night there was not an available seat and many patrons had to be turned ft way. The support was- more than Justified, as the programme was one of the finest seen in Timaru for some time. In addition to a collection of bright supports, the principal picture, “Interference,” possesses everything that contributes to good entertainment. In play form it ran for two years in London, while in Australia, when played throughout the J. C. Williamson circuit by Leon Gordon, it enjoyed a great vogue. It has been called a “melodrama of the, upperworld,” and is every bit of that. It concerns the story of a polished reprobate, living on the brink of death, who kills a woman who loves him and gives his own life to ■"we the reputation of the woman he himself loves. William Powell is the central character, whose return from the dead kills kills one woman and almost wrecks the happiness of another, yet this is a sympathetic role. Evelyn Brent is Powell’s former sweetheart, whose love for him costs her life; a cruel and calculating woman of the world, yet one whose love for Powell is deep and constant. Clive Brook, is the famous and respected surgeon, husband of Doris Kenyon. Brook finds himself almost hopelessly involved by the ghost of his wife’s former love. Miss Kenyon also is the wife of Powell, for whose caresses he cared too late. These are the four main characters in the play, and supporting cast includes Tom Ricketts, Brandon Hurst, Louis Payne, Wilfred Noy, Donald Stuart, Clyde Cook and Raymond Lawrence. The picture is alltalking, and with an English setting, allows much scope for the flawless dialogue of the principals.

The audience was enthusiastic over the entertaining qualities of the supporting programme, which was commenced with a bright Fox Sound News. Scenes of brilliant pageantry were witnessed, in “Trooping the Colours,” a reproduction of the historic march past at Guildhall, London, where the playing of the huge bands was a feature. England’s Premier, Mr Ramsay MacDonald, spoke to the audience for some minutes on the question of naval disarmaments, and forecasted much good as a result of his conference with President Hoover. “Dixie” provided a bright few minutes, when a cartoon was combined with plantation melodies, while the latest “Mickey the Mouse, ’ cartoon had the audience in roars of laughter. A short all-talking comedy, completed a programme of very high standard.

“SO THIS IS COLLEGE.” STORY OF COLLEGE LIFE. College fun and wit, campus capers, five catchy original songs, a strong touch of drama, and, last but not least, a very exciting football match to draw the picture to a stirring con elusion are the delightful ingredients of “So This Is College,” at present enjoying a popular season at the Grand. This college picture was filmed on the campus of the University of Southern California, the first university to be used as a locale for films. Thousands of students offered then* services in this picture as extras to give it a realistic atmosphere. The story tells of Biff and Eddie, the “Damon and Pythias” of the University football eleven who are pals in everything, sharing rooms, neckties, razors and girls. Until they meet Babs, the new campus vamp, everything goes well. Eddie withdraws from the race when Biff informs him that he is serious—really in love Eddie’s withdrawal, however, annoys Babs, who lures him to break his word to Biff. When Biff fiinds it out there is a fight. Thereafter the pals dissolve partnership and when the big game against Stanford comes up they play against, instead of with each other. During the football battle, the University of Southern California, takes a terrible beating. It is plain that Biff and Eddie are at fault. During the intermission between halves, they discover the fact that Babs has been playing them both in her own game. Fired with the realisation of what fools they have been they plunge into the Stanford line with reckless abandon. Eddie suffers a bad injury and is taken out of the game after making a brilliant gain. Biff goes to work with enough I energy for both and kicks a winning . field goal. Friends again, pifi and

Eddie stroll back to the campus. In addition, a two-reel all-talking Charlie Chase comedy “Loping Love,” and the Metrotone news un sound), are productive of good entertainment.

ST. PATRICK’S CONCERT. A rehearsal by Miss Agnes McDavitt and Miss Molly Fenton, who have arrived from Wellington, left the impression that on no previous occasion have singers of a higher standard been engaged for any national concert in Timaru. Both possess voices of outstanding quality, and they know how to sing with that rare temperament so necessary to give expression to the sentiment of the national songs of Ireland. Lovers of Irish music should not miss the opportunity of hearing this talented couple. Some of the best local singers will assist, and the usual place will be given to national dancing Several hundred tickets have been sold, and patrons should reserve seats at the Bristol.