AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18823, 11 March 1931, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

NEW WESTERN FOR GRAND. "PARDON MY GUN.” Included among the many entertainment features which crowd the thrilling action for dominance in "Pardon My Gun,” Pathe’s novel western comedy feature with music, which commences at the Grand Theatre to-night, is a big western “whoopee” party which preceded the rodeo and broncho race. Although the atmosphere is kept strictly western, the entertainment offered by the guests is equal to the finest vaudeville show. It begins with a new popular song, "Deep Down South,” put over in great style by Mona Ray. This is a number written especially for the picture by George Green and Monte Collins. Hank McFarlane. one of the two MacFarlane Brothers of the cast, offers a banjo and yodelling specialty of exceptional qual'ty. Ida May Chadwick, well-known Orpheum headliner and musical comedy favourite, is introduced as a bashful country girl. Her burlesque toe dance is nothing short of a riot. All "Limber Legs” Norman also contributes to the merriment. Abe Lyman and his record ng band provide the music for the party, although they are hardly recognisable in their wide-brimmed Stetsons and chaps. A cowboy quartette singing some of the western ballads which are so popular at the present time, is another bright spot on the programme. George Duryea and Sally Starr head the cast of "Pardon My Gun.” Others who are featured are Robert Edeson, Lee Moran, the MacFarlane Brothers —world’s champion juvenile r'ders and ropers—Mona Ray, Harry Woods, Harry Watson and Stompie, a new coloured comedy find.

"LET’S GO NATIVE.” A MAJESTIC ATTRACTION. The great Jack Oakie grin invasion which began, for the delectation of millions of talkie-goers, a year or so ago, continues its irrepress'ble spasms of laughter. In Paramount’s “Let’s Go Native,” Oakie is seen as Voltaire McGinnis, the goofy but go-getting taxi cab driver who gets all mixed up with Miss Macdonald’s plans for her troupe of show-girls who are mak ng a trip to South America to put on a revue for a millionaire. When Oakie’s cab runs into a police station in New York, he is bound to seek refuge on the ship. He gets a job as a stoker, but later is promoted to a mess attendant. On the boat are William Austin, society ne’er-do-well, James Hall, disinherited young blue-blood in love with Jeanette MacDonald, and the 75 girls of her show. The ship strikes a derelict, and all the principals are stranded on a tropical isle where Skeets Gallagher is king. There is an abundance of pearls, and the island spouts o'l every time a tent peg is driven, but it is all valueless to the castaways, for they are beyond the pale of civilisation. Oakie’s part in this hectic plot, one may be sure, is a part that calls for many smart sayings and much humorous action. Featurettes on the programme are Paramount Sound News, the popular boy comedian Mickey McGuire, in a rollicking comedy, "Knights in Venice.” and “On the High C’s.” Seats may be reserved as usual.

EXCELLENT DOUBLE PROGRAMME AT »THE THEATRE ROYAL. Fuller-Haywards will again present another of the popular two-feature programmes to patrons of the Theatre Royal ttvs evening. Reversing the story of the bride deserted at the altar, Radio Pictures’ newest all-talking production, ‘‘Runaway Bride,” with Lloyd Hughes and Mary Astor, at the Theatre Royal, proves to be a highly diverting romantic drama with a host of unusually entertaining episodes and some clever acting by a fine cast. The tempo of the production is immediately established by the opening sequence depicting an eight-cylinder elopement by a young couple, scions of wealthy families. As swiftly as the elopement careers on its wild start, so swiftly does it break on the rocks of discord, with M ss Astor running away on her wedding eve in the turmoil of a sensational robbery and shooting. She secures employment as a cook for a wealthy bachelor, played by Lloyd Hughes. The romance that develops is enlivened by situations of rousing drama and clever comedy, coming to a lively denouement in which the bachelor, the groom-to-be and the girl settle their difficulties in a smartly directed scene. Mary Astor, as sweet and lovable as ever, and showing herself an actress of great competence and charm, offers an ingratiating portrait as a young society girl whirling to wed without thinking of the future. Lloyd Hughes appears with Miss Astor for the first time in the talkies, although the two virtually established themselves as one of the screen’s most likeable couples in silent films.

There are aspects of unusual import in "Skin Deep,” Warner Bros, special p’eture in which Monte Blue and a fine company will be seen. This cross section of city life gives an insight into the ways of gangs and gangsters. It treats them as human beings, with motives which affect every other circle of society. It casts a glaring light on a new vista of the underworld with its ambitious love and vengefulness. Blue has an opportunity to play a character of very strong contrasts and he acquits himself to general satisfaction. In his support are Davey Lee, Betty Compson, Alice Day, John Davidson, John Bowers, Georgie Stone, Tully Marshall and Robert Perry. Four years old Davey Lee again gives a moving portrayal as the child who saved the exconvict from committing murder.