AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18822, 10 March 1931, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS.

“PARAMOUNT ON PARADE.” NOW AT ROYAL THEATRE. “Paramount on Parade,” the gigantic revue featuring the cream of Hollywood’s talent will be screened again at the Royal Theatre to-night. After reviewing this picture a prominent Sydney critic wrote as follows: A spirt of the most charming intimacy pervades the picture. There is not space enough to describe the numbers in detail. Buddy Rogers, Lillian Roth and a chorus have an excellent number, called “Any Time’s the Time to Fall in Love,” which has a “song hit.” William Powell, Clive Brook, Eugene Pallette, Warner Oland, and Jack Oakie do a clever travesty of murder mysteries Maurice Chevalier and Evelyn Brent appear in an Ernest Lubitsch sketch, called “Origin of the Apache.” Harry Green is amusing as the toreador, with Kay Francis very convincing as Carmen. Nino Martini makes his singing debut as a Venetian gondolier. Ruth Chatterton as a French cocotte. singing about her Marine, is one of the delightful surprises. Chevalier in a sketch and song, and Mitzi Green are sensational. Helen Kane was a great success in a song, with numbers of children. Dennis King is fiery and dramatic in a cleverly introduced song, “Dream Girls,” a beautiful sentimental interlude, with 10 young players. George Bancroft was seen in “Impulses,” and Chevalier appeared again in the finale. Jack Oakie, Skeets Gallagher, and Leon Errol are the masters of ceremony, whose reappearance gives continuity to the picture. Good supports also are screened. “SPURS” AND “PERSONALITY.” AT THE GRAND. The double feature programme now at the Grand Theatre will be shown for the last time at that house to-night. Hoot Gibson appears in one of the best pictures of his career, “Spurs.’ Packed to capacity with thrills, the action is sustained throughout, giving “Spurs” tremendous force as a western romance. Never has Gibson appeared to such advantage as he does in this picture. “Spurs” is the story of a war between cattlemen and a band of notorious outlaws, led by an unscrupulous renegade whose fortified retreat in the canyon country had resisted all the forces of the law. The story includes a thrilling rodeo in which Hoot Gibson gives one of his most remarkable performances at riding bucking bronchos. The romantic element is not lacking. Helen Wright, a charming actress, has the feminine role opposite Gibson. Humour is supplied by the escapades of Gilbert Holmes. The supporting cast is composed of Robert Homans, Frank Clark, Buddy Hunter, William Bertram, Philo McCullough, Cap Anderson, Pete Morrison and Artie Ortego.

The second feature is a hilarious comedy, “Personality,” starring Sally Starr and Johnny Arthur.

“THE LADY OF SCANDAL.” FINAL SCREENING TO-DAY. "The Lady of Scandal” will have its final presentation at the Majestic Theatre to-night. Retention of the English flavour of the drama was assured by the selection of a cast predominantly British, all of the male members being born in Great Britain, while Ruth Chatterton, who has the featured role, is the wife of an Englishman, namely. Ralph Forbes, who is also in the cast. The remaining members are Basil Rathbone, Nance O’Neil, Mackenzie Ward, Fred Kerr. Herbert Bunston, Effie Ellsler, Moon Carroll, Edgar Norton, Cyril Chadwick and Robert Bolder. The story is of the smart English draw-ing-room type centreing about an actress who becomes engaged to the son of a British peer. Parental opposition resolves itself into strategy and she is asked to remain in the home of the aristocratic family in order that she may accustom herself to the ways of society. Instead society accustoms itself to her. The characters vary from monocled lords and haughty dowagers to the droll Cockney father of the actress. Spectacular details include an elaborate replica of a London theatre and the reproduction of an important British tennis match. In the theatre scene, Miss Chatterton appears with a dancing chorus of “Piccadilly Johnnies” and sings a typical musichall number called “Say It With a Smile,” written especially for her by Elsie Janis and Jack King. Supports are excellent. There will be a matinee to-day.