AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18659, 30 August 1930, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

RUTH CHATTERTON AND CLIVE BROOK. IN “THE LAUGHING LADY.” Ruth Chatterton, charming romantic actress who graduated from the Broadway stage to the new and more popular medium of the screen, will be seen at the Majestic Theatre this evening in her fourth production within a year, “The Laughing Lady.” This Paramount comedy-drama is based on a stage success by the British playwright, Alfred Sutro. Miss Chatterton is supported by Clive Brook and more than a dozen character actors recruited from the Broadway stage. Her earlier releases were “The Doctor’s Secret,” “Madame X” and “Charming Sinners.” All the parts are cleverly interpreted, particularly the roles acted by Ruth Chatterton and Clive Brook. The interest in this film never wanes and the reproduction of the voices is almost perfect. “The Laughing Lady” is not a mere photograph of a play, but an expertly fashioned piece of cinematic work, with gentle humour and engaging suspense. But, above all, the characters are wonderfully well drawn and lifelike. The mirth of the laughing lady is virtually an unessential phase of her character. As the part is played by Miss Chatterton, one does not wish her to burst into hilarious merriment, for it might spoil the even tenor and restraint of the narrative. Miss Chatterton does just enough laughing to account for the title. She is charming throughout her scenes, and while watching this shadow-story one feels that it is a film that could hold its own with most of the ten best features of the year that has just flitted by. The situations are adroitly handled and the teaming of Mr Brook with Miss Chatterton is an excellent idea. From the very instant Mr Lee appears upon the scene one dislikes him, the part being cleverly portrayed by Raymond Walburn. Mr Brook delivers an accomplished, unerring performance, as smooth and convincing as anything he has done on the screen. It is a natural role, in which he takes full advantage of every line and every movement. Other attractions on the programme are a “Bouncing Ball song cartoon, Charles Murray, the popular comedian, in an all-talking comedy, “His Worship the Mayor”; and the Fox Movietone News.” Seats may be booked at the Bristol until noon. The usual matinee will take place this afternoon.

GRAND THEATRE. “JOURNEY’S END” OPENS TO-DAY. In writing of the great epochal drama, “Journey's End,” which opens at the Grand to-day. Sidney W. Carol, the famous critic of the London “Daily Telegraph” says;—“Journey's End” has been characterised as the world’s greatest war play, yet it is emphatically a drama which, while truly great, does not emphasise the horrors of warfare. Somehow one feels elevated by the witnessing of this great entertaining romantic epic of gallantry. It is a wonderful, entrancing treat, made by Englishmen and acted entirely by British actors for a general public. It should run, if such a thing could be, for ever. It abounds with laughter even in the teeth of death. You may have a catch in your throat, but you will be the better for it. It is the most perfectly satisfying talkie play I have ever seen. ‘Journey’s End’ as a play was interpreted and presented in twenty-four different languages, and the talkie version, while sticking mainly to the stage drama, is described , as even better. It is a human war document which grips and holds you with its tense action until the spell is broken with some rare piece of comedy which replaces the tears with the wrinkles of uproarious laughter. It is one of the few talkies which has evoked from time to time loud cheers from those who attend its screening. British in sentiment, British in its perfect English characters and voices, it stands as the greatest tribute to British chivalry that the screen has given us.” The critic of the London “Standard” in writing of “Journey’s End” says:— “This remarkable talkie is indeed a triumph. ‘Journey’s End’ in talkie form is technically first class, emotionally effective, dramatically powerful. Its humour gets over every time. Its consecutive interest, its suspense are superlative. It has been arranged with the skill of a Russian, psychologically developed with the talent of a German, photographed with the artistry of a Frenchman, and the clearness of an American, and yet it is British in spirit, treatment, and appeal. Do not misunderstand me. British minds made it. Such a picture shown all over the world cannot fail to be tremendously convincing, satisfying. stirring advertisements for British grit, British tenacity, British singleness of purpose, unselfishness and comradeship. It must prove itself the finest commercial traveller the British Empire has ever employed. Without the least breath of palpable propaganda. it should act as the greatest and most efficient agent for general peace since the Christian doctrine aros* ”

“NIX ON DAMES ” ROYAL THEATRE. Excellent humour and realistic story with an O. Henry twist at the end combine with first-class acting to' make “Nix on Dames” at present screening at the Royal Theatre, a thoroughly pleasing talking picture. It is a vivid and .colouiful study of two woman-haters * and their respective feminine captivators, with the liappy-go-lucky life of an actor's boarding house as the* background. Th£ story is fine to begin with and has been given a delightfully sympathetic interpretation by the director. Donald Gallaher, and by the unusual cast. All the players were selected with an eye to their past vaudeville experience, and the result is that they are completely at home in their parts. Mae Clarke William Harrigan and Robert Ames share the leading honours. Miss Clarke who will be reroember3d for her notable work in “Big Time,” is even better in this production, while the two men give perfect characterisations nf the Damon-and-Pytnias acrobatic team. Camille Rovelle Maude Fulton and George Macfarlane are outstanding among the supporting cast, and the song numbers by L. Welle Gilbert and \bel Baer are catchv. A good sunporliner programme includes a speech b ,r H.M. tb? King, Schubert's Serenade, a musical monologue, a clever comedy and a Paramount Sound News. “LOVE LIES” AND “SO THIS IS LOVE.” “Lilting music, a snappy ballet, a wealth of colour, a delightful love story, and plenty of wholesome and ori“**yil humour.” is how a Melbourne critic described “Love Lies," the London Gaiety Theatre musical comedy success, which is to be staged by J. C.

Williamson. Ltd., in conjunction with Richard White and Eric Edgley at the Theatre Royal on Monday and Tuesday next. Another critic wrote, “ The stage will hold its own, if every new production reaches the high standard set by Love Lies. This seemed to be the general opinion among the first nighters, who enjoyed *-very minute of the show. The jokes in this London production are of decidedly better quality than those offered for our entertainment in the average American comedy. The London artists who will make their first appearance here in “Love Lies” will doubtless receive a royal welcome, and everybody will be glad to greet that most natural comedian, Mr Clem Dawe, who will be making his first appearance here in a musical comedy production. Since he last appeared in New Zealand Mr Dawe has toured England and America. Mv Michael Cole, a noted young English artist, will play the part taken by Mr Cyril Richards in the London production; Miss Betty Eley, the leading lady, whose part, that of a singer and dancer, is played by Madge Elliott in London, a Mr Bobby Gordon, a young Londoner, will assist Clem Dawe in the comedy scenes. Others in the cast are Marie Eaton, Dan Agar, Paul Plunkett, Les White, Mona Barlee, Eric Edgley, John Wood and Leo Fowler. An outstanding feature is the clever “tap dancing” by a ballet of Australian girls, and other features are the dressing and the mounting. Only one perj formance can be staged of “Love Lies.” ( and it will be followed by the latest I London musical pomedy success, “So

This Is Love," on Tuesday night. The sensational specialty dances presented by Mona Zeppel and Will Delaney created a furore in “Love Lies,” and “So This is Love” in Auckland. The box plans now open at the Bristol.