AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18540, 10 April 1930, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

JOHN GILBERT AT THE GRAND. Humour and romance in gay Vienna, with John Gilbert as the officer who dares to love the haughty princess, is the new attraction at the Grand Theatre to-night, when “His Glorious Night.” a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer alltalking feature, opens. The stage play “Olympia,” from which this film has been adapted by Willard Mack, was written by Ferene Molner, whose name is as much a guarantee of wit and gaiety as the word “Sterling” on plate is a pledge of true silver. Lionel Barrymore, generally recognised since the premiere of “Madame X” and “The Unholy Night.” as one of the finest sound film directors, was entrusted with the task of seeing that Molner’s wit came to the screen as bright and fresh as it was originally written. “Olympia,” the widow of “Prince Orsolini,” has a violent flirtation with a young captain of Hussars, “Kovacs.” When it becomes necessary to terminate the flirtation. “Olympia’s” snobbish mother tells her to do it brutally if she would be successful. She does. “Kovacs” retaliates by pretending to be a notorious thief. Immediately “Olympia’s” haughty family cringe in the fear of scandal. When they entreat “Kovacs” to leave, he agrees, but not before he sees Olympia again. Then it becomes known that “Kovacs” is the heir to a vast and noble estate. Then he punishes “Olympia” by leaving her. But that is not the end. The end is a fantastic surprise, one of Molner’s wittiest conceits. Gilbert’s role, gay, dashing and colourful, is said to be reminiscent of his work in “The Merry Widow.” but is declared by those who have already seen the picture, to surpass the standard he set for himself in that production. Catherine Dale Owen, beautiful blonde star of the New York stage, plays the leading feminine role. The supporting cast features Hedda Hopper, Nance O'Neil, Doris Hill, Richard Carle. Gustav von Seyffertitz, Youcca Troubetzkoy and Tyrrell Davis. The auxiliary programme contains the latest one News. Eight Victor Artists in selected items, and the popular comedian Charlie Chase in his latest entitled “Snappy Sneezer.” Seats may be reserved as usual. 'Phone 486.

“THE MYSTERIOUS DR. FU MANCHU.” AT THE ROYAL. A story of love in the Limehouse quarter of London, of the cleverness of the West pitted against the genius of an Oriental mind, was told in “The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu” at the Royal Theatre last night, when a large audience was given entertainment of an exciting nature. Into Sax Rohmer’s famous mystery story Paramount have injected new life, a life that is possible on the screen only. It is at the period of the Boxer rising in China in 1900 that the picture opens with the allied white races combining in a mighty effort to suppress the yellow rebellion. In the grounds surrounding the house of Fu some of the rising followers take refuge, but they are shot at by the white men. While the wife and only son of Dr. Fu are worshipping in front of an idol a stray shell strikes the outside wall of the house, causing the idol to fall and kill those beneath. Untold

suffering is borne by Dr. Fu when he finds the two dead. The imprisoned animal within his breast struggles madly for freedom, and a dangerous dignity sweeps over him as he vows vengeance on the ones who have cast agonies into his life. A white girl, daughter of one of the Western officers, has been sent to his home for shelter, and quickly forming a plan of revenge Dr. Fu decides that the girl shall assist to banish from this earth the white enemies. Years after, in Limehouse. Dr. Fu is carefully completing his plans to put to death the commanding officers of the armies that took part in the Boxer conflict and he holds a strange power over the girl, who does not know of his evil intentions. Part of the work he has set himself is accomplished, but he finds that the activities of Scotland Yard are stretching in his direction. He is cornered, but escapes, to act quickly. At last he has the man he wants in his power, and with a soft tongue, typical of the Orient, he tells him of the death he will meet. “This may appear to be melodrama,” he tells the victim, “working up to a dramatic climax with the detective appearing at the last minute to save the terrible situation, but the detective will not appear at the last minute this time.” To prove his words he opens a door, and a famous detective from the Yard, engaged in the case, is brought forth bound and gagged. From that point the picture is tensely dramatic until the end, when Dr. Fu, before he breathes his last, confesses that the melodrama has the right ending—the detective frees himself from bondage and appears at the last minute. As Dr. Fu, Warner Oland, who was always impressive on the silent screen, rises to new heights, while Jean Arthur gives an excellent account of herself, especially in view of the fact that her part calls for special screen work. As the hero. Neil Hamilton fills his role in his usual pleasing manner, and the stars are ably supported by no fewer than thirteen other principals.

No less entertaining are the supporting short features, which include Paramount’s Sound News, a rollicking comedy “The Hold Up,” and the Kentucky Jubilee Singers in plantation melodies. Seats may be reserved through 'phone 570. “WORDS AND MUSIC.” AT THE MAJESTIC. While embodying all the screen entertainment that is expected in pictures of the modern revue type, the Fox Movietone production, “Words and Music,” which opened at the Majestic Theatre yesterday, differs from its predecessors in this field, but without sacrificing the bright features ol the singing and dancing screen. It may be said to resemble an excellent musical comedy rather than a revue. The production is based on an excellent plot, which preserves continuity of action and carries the interest smoothly from scene to scene. In this it scores heavily over its forerunners. The scene of the story is Darnell, a great American university, where the students are about to produce their annual stage frolic. From the opening scene the spirit of youth pervades, and the plot rapidly develops amid scenes of light-hearted comedy as the escapades of the members of the college follow one another in quick succession. The climax is reached when the frolics are finally staged. Amid scenes of

splendour, against a background of a gorgeously costumed chorus and ballet, Lois Moran sings “Beauty” and “Yours Sincerely,” and then performs an attractive dance. Revealing a voice of unusual sweetness she records perfectly, while her dancing shows rare grace and artistry. The finest spectacle of the frolics is provided by a quaint old English hunting scene. The curtain rises on a dinner party in 1830, at which the host, David Percy, announces that he is to marry on the morrow r . After drinking a toast, he sings “Too Wonderful For Words,” an old-w'orld ballad, which captures the leisurely spirit of the age. The scene changes to the courtyard of an old inn. where the first meeting of the hero and his love is shown, amid barking of hounds and tooting of horns, a post chaise draws up. and ladies of fashion dismount. Huntsmen and ladies then tread a stately measure, a charming hunting song bringing the whole number of a close. In addition to Miss Moran and Percy, other players of note in the excellent cast are Tom Patricola. Helen Twelvetrees and Frank Albertson.

A strong supporting programme of short units includes the latest Fox Movietone News, Clark and McCullough in a lively comedy “Diplomats.” and a Singing Cartoon. Seats may be reserved through telephone 651.

There w'ill be a matinee this after noon at 2.30.

“ DISRAELI.” HEAVY BOOKINGS YESTERDAY. Box plans at the Bristol indicate that the “Disraeli” season at the Majestic Theatre, commencing on Saturday afternoon, will establish fresh records for Timaru, the dress circle plan for Saturday night being almost full. Theatre-goers are promised a wonderful treat on Saturday, when FullerHay ward’s will present “Disraeli," the wonder all-talking photo-play. It is claimed that “Disraeli” will be at the head of the list of the finest productions of the talking screen for 1930. It is a Warner Bros, and Vitaphone super-production, which for pure drama, magnificent acting and clarity of dialogue must rank as one of the greatest achievements of the talking film. Its absorbing story is acted by one of the finest all-English casts that has yet appeared on the talking screen, and English of the best kind is spoken. The work of George Arliss in the title role is something that will, it is said, linger in the memory for years to come. Assisting George Arliss in this wonderful production are such splendid players as Joan Bennett. Florence Arliss, Ivan Simpson. David Torrence, Doris Lloyd and Anthony Bushell. The plot of the brilliant story revolves around Disraeli’s acquisition of the Suez Canal by buying the shares of the improvident Khedive of Egypt at a time when Russia was attempting to acquire them. The Bank of England refused to lend Disraeli’s Government the money to buy “a ditch,” but a fellow Jew, called Meyer in the play, really reputed to be one of the Rothschilds, lent him the money which made the deal possible. The crowningachievement of Disraeli, in making Queen Victoria Empress of India, forms the conclusion of this gripping drama. Box plans for the stalls will be on view this morning.