AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18542, 12 April 1930, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

GRAND THEATRE. “HIS GLORIOUS NIGHT.” Slightly reminiscent of “The Merry Widow.” “His Glorious Night” featuring John Gilbert in his first all-talking production, is a sophisticated story of European court life, taken from Ferenc Molner’s stage play, “Olympia.” The picture was made by Metro- I Goldwyn-Mayer under the direction of ] Lionel Barrymore, and is now at the 1 Grand Theatre. Catherine Dale Owen, < lovely stage star, makes her talkie * screen debut opposite Gilbert as the | beautiful young widowed princess of J “many affairs.” That she falls in love ] v/ith the dashing young officer is, of course, indiscreet. When she spurns ’ him as a peasant of low birth, however, she invites herself to partake of a bitter situation which gives him an J upper hand, especially when they meet ' on a moonlit balcony. Nance O’Neil plays the part of Miss Owen’s mother in the picture, and Gustav von Sey- 1 lfertitz is seen as the blundering police ; commissisoner, who attempts to extricate them from their difficulties with the daring captain “Kovacs.” Hedda Hopper plays the part of a society matron, ana Doris hill is cast as her daughter. Other supporting roles are played by Richard Carle, Tyrrell Davis, Eva Dennison, Youcca Troubestskoy, Peter oawthorne and others. Gilbert, romantic as ever in his Continental uniforms, plays his role with a lightness that is distinctly appealing, i and clothes his portrayal with a whimsical grace that stamps it with complete acceptance. A programme of interesting supports includes the latest Metrotone News, the Eight Victor Artists, featuring Henry Burr in "When You Payed the Organ,” and a rollicking comedy with the popular comedian Charley Chase. ROYAL TALKIES TO-NIGHT “THUNDERBOLT” The Theatre Royal will screen one of the finest all-talking programmes that Fulier-Haywards have submitted for the approval of Timaru audiences. “Thunderbolt” was directed by Joseph von Sternberg, who is one who gets effects without any apparent straining after effects, and with a theme in his hands like “Thunderbolt” he is at his best. George Bancroft has the title role, that of Thunderbolt Jim Lang, a gentleman killer, a polite blacguard of New York’s negro district, that seething underworld that ultimately leads to Sing Sing. Fay Ray and Richard Arlen have the romantic leads, and Bancroft makes the third figure of the triangle. The story, indeed. treats of Bancroft’s vicious laying of a conspiracy that will bring young Arlen to prison, as a punishment for annexing the affections of "Thunderbolt’s” girl. His insane jealousy, his furious rage at being defied for the first time in his life, and his unbelieable ingenuity in bringing his rival to a condemned cell, form some of the heavy stuff of which this picture is made. It is very strong drama, not of the pretty drawing-room type, that lends itself to idyllic romance, coy comedy and the like. It is a delineation of a certain type of existence, and to be at all successful has to be both directed and acted with force, sincerity and a correct appreciation of the people and their viewpoint. That von Sternberg and Bancroft have succeeded is apparent in every scene that is played, every line that is spoken. The supporting shorts are even better than

usual, and will comprise four clever turns. The “Pox Movietone News gives information in sound from an parts of the globe. “DISRAELI.” SEASON COMMENCES TO-DAY. g Timaru is indeed fortunate in being £ the second town in New Zealand to z witness the wonderful aucuo feature j picture, “Disraeli,” which concluded a e remarkable season of seven consecut- £ ive weeks at the Opera House, Christ- £ church, last evening, and which will be c shown for the first time here at the Majestic Theatre this afternoon, and c again to-night. A Christchurch news- ( paper gives the following review. a The title role of Disraeli, the great , j Jewish Prime Minister of England, is i taken by George Arliss, and it might , * be said without any reflection on tne , other players, that George Arliss is the film. It was hard to realise that ( the film was not a legitimate stage t play, and the hold that Arliss obtained . over the House was wonderful. When, 1 ( as Disraeli, he replied with unanswer- * able arguments to the thrusts of Glad- , stone, and expounded his great Imp- , eriaustic policy, the end of Lis perora- ; tions received round after round o | applause. Mingled with the more sen- ■ ous side of the negotiations .for the , , purchase of the Suez Canal weie the scathing witticisms of the Prime Minister which evoked unrestrained laughter from the audience. When the dramatic moments took place one could almost have heard a pin drop. Without exaggeration, Arliss held the I audience spellbound, instead of acting I the part of Disraeli, he seemed to be Disraeli himself. It was a notable I achievement to thus sway a Christchurch audience, for visitors tell us that we are rather slow to show ap- ! predation of good acting. The story lis quite easy to follow, being an . episode in Britain's history, which enabled her to hold the van in the race for Colonial possessions, and probably saved India from the clutches of ambitious Russia. As a character study of Disraeli in his different moods, the film is a great success. The story opens with soapbox orators denouncing Disraeli, “the foreigner,” in Hyde Park. Then Gladstone is shown pouring his wrath upon his rival, the while Disraeli lies with his hat over his face, apparently asleep. With a few words, Disraeli swings the House in his favour, and so it goes on, with Disraeli the shrewd statesman, the kind and understanding husband, and the maker of witticisms. Although Arliss occupies the central position throughout, there is some very good acting by Florence Arliss as Lady Beaconsfield, and Doris Lloyd as Mrs Travers, the Russian spy. The cast is all-English, and the diction could not be improved upon, while the reproduction of the voices is life-like to ; an astonishing degree. The picture is a worthy beginning for the new : talkie house, and reflects great credit ■ on the producers, Warner Bros. FullerL Haywards have arranged a series of ; short units that are right up to the 3 highest Majestic standard. Eddie ; Cantor, the famous comedian, appears - with the Zie£feld Midnight Frolics in , a series of songs and dances, Charles , Hackett, one of the famous tenors of / to-day, will sing two numbers. A “Silly - Symphony,” entitled “The Skeleton i Dance,” is recognised as the funniest i cartoon yet produced, and the “Fox - Movietone News” is a very good num--3 ber, its scenes including Trooping the l Colours, and speeches by Mr Ramsay - Macdonald and his son and daughter, s Box plans will be at the Bristol until e 12 o’clock, and afterwards at the i Majestic office.