AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18830, 19 March 1931, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

“HELL’S ISLAND.” AT THE GRAND. “Hell's Island,” a powerful dramatic production is the current offering- at the Grand Theatre. Jack Holt and Ralph Graves, are again presented in uniform, but this time it is as privates in that dare-devil regiment—the French Foreign Legion. Starting with that delightful banter for which Jack Holt and Ralph Graves have become famous, the film builds itself into a drama of exceptional strength. The background of the action displays a wide latitude, ranging from the dry burning deserts of the Sahara to the moist malarious jungles of Hell’s Island in French Guiana. A veritable kaleidoscope of colour is provided by the mixing of the rakish Foreign Legion, with its blending of men of all countries; the picturesue Arabs, Riffs and other Orientals presented amid exotic scenes of the oasis of Bel Abbas in Northern Africa. The film has a basis of fact taken from the Riff uprising a few years ago. The fanatical bravery of these Arab tribesmen, their superb horsemanship the cool daring of the famous Legionnaires are all depicted with broad strokes in this Columbia production directed by Edward Sloman. Dorothy Sebastian has the feminine acting honours almost exclusively to herself. Her role of Marie, the entertainer in a North African cafe, gives her the greatest opportunity of her career. Supports are good “GOOD NEWS.” NOW AT MAJESTIC THEATRE. “Good News,” which opened at the Majestic Theatre last evening has Bessie Love in th? featured role. This is a production of unusual interest, because it brings to the screen the famous stage success, intact with many of the original Broadway cast appearing in supporting roles. This is Bessie Love’s first all musical comedy portrayal. She is paired with Gus Shy, the well known stage comedian, who repeats the role he made famous on the stage. Bessie sings and dances in several novel numbers and gives a performance replete with comedy material. The supporting cast includes Dorothy McNulty, Mary Lawlor, and Billy Taft, who also were in the stage version of the collegiate musical hit, / Miss Lawlor again appearing in the 1 ingenue lead, Miss McNulty featuring I the Varsity Drag numbers and Taft playing the freshman part. Stanley ' Smith, one of the talking screen’s newest singing juveniles, is teamed with Miss Lawlor in carrying the romantic interest. He last played in * Sophomore” and “Sweetie,” in which he won outstanding recognition. Others in the cast are Cliff (Ukulele Ike) Edwards, who needs no introduction; Lola Lane, of “Speakeasy” fame; Delmar Daves, author-actor, who scored in “So This is College”: Frank McGlynn. noted for his Abraham Lincoln characterisations; Tom Jackson, who was the detective in “Broadway” on the stage and screen, and Abe Lyman’s famous bana. The picture is filmed upon a lavish scale and has been produced upon a strictly musical comedy basis, music, dancing and comedy sounding the keynote throughout. Supporting items are excellent. There will be a matinee to-day.

‘THE FALL GUY.” AT THE ROYAL. Jack Mulhall, Mae Clarke and Ned v!o Ve featured roles in “The ' Fall Guy,” which opened at the I xtoyai last evening. Johnny iuea from his job, tries bootlegging as a means of support. He accepts a suitcase from “Nifty” Herman, a racketeer. Thinking it contains liquor, he takes it home. He hides the suitcase under a chair and takes his ! seat at the dinner table with his wife. 1 Bertha, his sister Lottie, his brother- | in-law Dan, and his sister’s sweet- ) heart, Charles Newton. Newton, un- ; known to all but Lottie, is a governI ment agent, and when Lottie accident- • ally reveals the suitcase it turns out to be a “hot” grip which Newton and his aides have been trailing for several ! days. It is filled with dope. Newton is forced to accuse the brother of the girl he loves. Just as he is about to j take Johnny to jail, “Nifty” Herman comes to the door. Newton hides and gives Johnny a chance to prove his I innocence. Johnny not only tricks l “Nifty’ ’into revealing that Johnny i was unaware of the dope in the suitI case, but also that “Nifty” heads the gang Newton has attempting to I break up. “Nifty” is captured and all ends happilv when Newton gives Johnny a job as his assistant. A I number of entertaining supports also I are screened.