AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18618, 14 July 1930, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. ‘‘THE RETURN OF SHERLOCK HOLMES.” More than usual interest attaches to the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, on account of his recent death, and it is most fitting that the screen version of one of his most popular books should be showing at the Majestic Theatre at the present time. Perhaps the best-known character is fiction is that great detective figure of Conan Doyle’s creation, Sherlock Holmes, whose uncanny intuitior enabled him to unravel the most baffling mysteries. Patrons of the Majestic Theatre on Saturday night saw him, if not in the flesh, at least in action on the talking screen, in Paramount’s reconstruction of the novel, "The Return of Sherlock Holmes,” with Clive Brook as the redoubtable detective and H. Reeves Smith as his übiquitous associate, Dr. Watson, Brook, whose pleasing voice and finished acting have already been seen and heard in “Interference” and “Charming Sinners,” adds a further conquest to his laurels. He is ably supported by a strong cast, including Harry Morey, Donald Crispe, Betty Lawford and Phillip Holmes. From England comes word that one of the most famous detectives of the world, who has for some time been in retirement, has been successful in tracking and bringing to justice, one of the biggest criminals of the recent decade. This man had succeeded in inventing an apparatus whereby he was able to tap wireless messages, and thereby gained valuable information, and acting on this, he and his gang were able to carry out a series of surprising and baffling coups on the transatlantic. Police of England, under orders from Scotland Yard, and the police of the United States have been baffled. When a famous man, who, for the time being must remain a nonentity, was killed and his son disappeared, this great and wellknown man came from yetiremeht and took the case in an effort to solve the mystery. The man is Sherlock Holmes, perhaps the best known detective of recent years, and at the request of Dr. Watson, his friend and assistant in many a crime solution, he offered his service's in the hopes of finding the young man who was engaged to marry Mary Watson. His clues took him across to America, on one of the palatial liners tnat cross that ocean. Assuming various disguises on the trip, he was able not only to find the young man, held a prisoner on board, but stumbled upon another great crime which had been baffling the police of two continents. To enter into further detail would but spoil the story for those not familiar with the plot, but with the hall mark of Conan Doyle on it, it is not necessary to say that the story is a most gripping and entertaining one. Interesting supports complete an exceptionally good programme.

“THE NIGHT RIDE.” ' THEATRE ROYAL'S NEW PROGRAMME. Gangland and the newspaper game, offering an unequalled field for colourful adventure and romance, furnish the background of “Night Ride,” a fast-moving, highly-dramatic all-talking Universal picture, playing at the Theatre Royal this evening, in which Joseph Scliildkraut stars in his first “straight” role. Scliildkraut, as a “dude” star reporter, wins the gii*l of his dreams, and w'hile they are being married the telephone rings and calls him back to duty on a red-hot story. True to newspaper tradition, he leaves his bride-of-a-minute and dashes off on his story—the pursuit of a murdering gangster, "Tony Garotta.” “Garotta,” however, traps Schildkraut and takes him for the well-know’n "ride,” in the meantime bombing the house in which Schildkraut has left his bride. What happens then, with dramatic situations piling on top of each other, is as exciting as a story can be. Schildkraut appears to advantage in his role as a reporter. Opposite him as his imperilled bride is winsome Barbara Kent, whose performance makes one look forward to her next picture. No finer characterisation of a big-city gangster has been seen on the screen than that given by Edward G. Robinson in the part of "Garotta.” He was imported from New York for the role after his remarkable performance as the Greek gunman in the stage production of “The Racket.” Others who turn in commendable performances are Harry Stubbs, as Schildkraut’s reporter pal, and DeWitt Jennings, as the police captain. Fuller - Hayw'ard’s have arranged excellent supporting shorts, including "Vernon's Aunt.” a lively all-dialogue comedy featuring the breezy comedians Dent and Archer. "The Hurdy Gurdy” brings back again Oswald the Rabbit, and this cartoon is one of the funniest yet. A singing and orchestral number, and the "British News Bulletin” will also be presented. Seats may be reserved through ’phone 570. •THE DESERT SONG.” v | g6rGEOUS MVSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA. i Never before has the talking and ! musical screen been glorified—there is no other word for it —by such a display , ; of vocal talent and grandeur of production than in "The Desert Song." i the screen version of which will open a season at the Majestic Theatre on ! Wednesday. From the Romberg - I Hammerstein operetta, which enjoyed ; ■ such a phenomenal success on the i stage, this delightful film play posi sesses all the chaf-m of the stage play, • with that sweep and breadth which , ' only the screen can imply, and it has a cast of players who are real artists. : John Boles, of "Rio Rita” fame, has ' the role of the Red Shadow, the most ; j picturesque and gallant shadow of the • i modern musical comedy stage, a sort | of Fren i Robin Hood. who. although ! I the son of the commandant of the military outpost, refuses to ride against Ime rebellious Riffs, and instead, all I unknown to his friends, constitutes I himself their champion, and creates a | \ c -end round the figure of the "Red : I Shadow,” leader of the Riffs. “The i I Desert Seng” does the very best with [ tnis story of the Red Shadow, who. as l f Pierre Birabeau is R foolish fella** 1 and who in both guises, woos Maiiem [ the romantically-minded girl, who oa ' come to Morocco looking lor adveniu.c - and excitement. Interspersed in thi? 1 storv are glorious songs, haunting 1 nur ic ar.d ; jme glorious ballets. The i cast chv. 1 •" of ths best< Johll Boles. | masked - ! -d. riding his white Arab. ’ | k love songs, is a nnn to melt i Ui::"* her.)"- ,J - c °tde: t maiden, and Jh° rial c nine lightning -ansformaf'ffor..- inff> the person of Pierre. Cari lolta KuL. a lyric soprano, a clever

actress and a pretty woman, is a perfect Margot, while Sid H Kai is played and sung by Robert Guzman, the tenor. Louise Fazenda and Johnny Arthur are Susan and Benny, those two imaginative reporters who write up gossip and the Riff war, and who are captured by some desert marauders with a sense of humour. Their duet. ‘‘lt,” is a scream. Viewed as a whole, "The Desert Song” is a picture m which one can find no fault, no artistic error—a spectacular, cohesive, wTellsung drama. The singing choruses are rendered by a big company of voices, and are so wonderfully reproduced that they are superior to any previous musical attractions. “The Desert Song" will be presented from Wednesday to Saturday, with matinees daily. Box plans will open at the Bristol this morning.