AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18598, 20 June 1930, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS.

“THE 13TH CHAIR.” AT THE GRAND. Srange myseteries in a ghostly room; voices from the great beyond, the exposing of mediumistic tricks and the dramatic solution of a baffling murder mystery are the elements in ‘‘The 13th Chair,'’ Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s all-talking filmisation of the stage play now being shown at the Grand Theatre. Margaret Wycherley, who created the role of Rosalie La Grange, the medium In the original stage offering, plays the role which she had in the stage play and has a battle of wits with the police for the life of her daughter. Tod Browning, purveyor of many Lon Chaney film mysteries, directed the new play, and equals his former achievements in the uncanny. Conrad Nagel and Leila Hyams play the romantic leads in the new play, working out a romance amid the mystery and Bela Lugosi plays the uncanny inspector, Delzante, who solves the queer mystery with the aid of the spirit medium. Interesting roles in the seance scene are filled by Helene Millard, Holmes Herbert, Moon Carroll, Mary Forbes, Charles Quartermaine, Gretchen Holland, Clarence Geldert, Frank Leigh, John Davidson and Bertram Johns, the latter playing the principal comedy relief role. The action of the play is laid in the British governor’s home in Calcutta, and the weird mystery of India, together with strange lighting effects such as the moonbeam shining on the murderer’s knife thrown into the ceiling, are among interesting technical details in the story. The original play, a famous Broadway hit, was written by Bayard Veiller, who directed Norma Shearer in "The Trial of Mary Dugan.” An excellent supporting programme contains the latest Metrotone News in sound, a two-reel all-talking comedy, and a bright item by the Keller Sisters and Lynch. Seats may be reserved as usual. ’Phone 486.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. GLORIA SWANSON IN "THE TRESPASSER.” “The Trespasser” is Gloria Swanson’s first, talking picture, and has been admitted by critics everywhere to be the star’s finest production, and the best talking drama to date. Gloria Swanson both sings and speaks, abetted by a cast of Broadway stage celebrities. “The Trespasser” will, it is conceded, make the screen’s best dressed star a bigger favourite than ever. The story stars Miss Swanson as Marion Donnell, stenographer for Hector Ferguson, Chicago corporation lawyer, who elopes with Jack Merrick. On the third day of the honeymoon, wealthy John Merrick senr., convinced Jack that he should obtain a quiet annulment. and arrange a dignified wedding at a later date. The father’s real motive is to get rid of Marion and have Jack wed “Flip” Carson, a girl of his own set. Marion, enraged at Jack’s approval of his father’s plan, leaves him abruptly. Ferguson has willed a halfmillion dollars to Marion, who renounces the bequest, fearing that it will cause a scandal reacting upon her child. However, she calls Jack Merrick, to gain for Jackie the protection of the name to which he is entitled. Then, fearing the Merricks will take Jackie from her, she attempts to send Jack away. But the child runs into the room, and Jack learns the little fellow Is his own son. He is overjoyed. The Merricks, father and son, quarrel while Marion is packing. “Flick” Merrick shrewdly surmises the issue. She goes to Marion, deeply moved, forces herself to say she does not love Jack. Jack, arriving while “Flip” is in the nursery with Jackie, is convinced by Marion that he must remain loyal to his crippled wife. And after they leave Marion sends Jackie to them, thus sacrificing her dearest possession on the altar of love. A short feature presented by Fox Movietone, namely “The Arrival of Amy Johnson in Brisbane,” will be an item of universal interest in to-night’s programme, when the public of Timaru will have the first opportunity of seeing the landing and crash of Johnnie’s ’plane, “Jason’s Quest.” For six miles along the city streets, Johnnie is cheered by thousands of enthusiastic admirers, in recognition of her marvellous achievement. An Oswald the Rabbit sound cartoon, a Fox Movietone News, and a Universal News Reel, will be included. Box plans are on view at the Bristol until 5 o’clock, after which reservations may be obtained by ringing the Theatre office, ’phone 651.