AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18832, 21 March 1931, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

GRAND THEATRE. DOUBLE FEATURE PROGRAMME. Ken Maynard comes to the Grand Theatre in a thrilling Western “The Fighting Legion,” which heads the double programme to-day. Dave Hayes is given a Texas ranger star by a dying ranger who has been mysteriously shot, and goes on a mission to avenge his death. Hayes and his pal, Cloudy, ride into the town of Bowden where Hayes establishes himself as ranger. There he meets Molly Williams, whose father is attempting to put down lawlessness. Blake, a banker, and Edwards, cattle buyer, are secretly behind the Bowden gang. Blake details Jack Bowie, a henchman, to get Hayes, and leads an attempt to lynch Hayes as an imposter, but Hayes escapes. Hayes returns to get Bowie as the man who killed the ranger. Bowie is about to confess and name the men higher up in the crime when he is shot. Molly sees Edwards fire the shot that killed Bowie. Edwards carries her away and makes her his prisoner. Hayes rescues her after a terrific fight with Edwards. Bowden is captured and Hayes, now a real ranger, settles down to a happy life with Molly. “For the Love O’ Lil,” is a delightfully diverting piece of entertainment. The plot is one of those triangular affairs. Sandy, a lawyer’s clerk, and his pretty sweetheart, Lil, are obviously made for one another, but true love cannot run smooth for them because of the interference of Lil’s wealthy suitor, Wyn Huntley. The story, however, ends on a pleasing note with the young couple reunited.

ENGLISH AND AMERICAN FEATURES. .FOR THE THEATRE ROYAL. Two full-length dramatic attractions are listed for screening at the Theatre Royal this evening commencing at 7.45. “Only The Brave,” is a romantic and thrilling story of the Civil War, and is another such picturesque and romantic type of film as “The Virginian,” which won great favour with recent audiences. With the American Civil War as a setting for deeds of chivalry and heroism, Gary Cooper and Mary Brian are ideal in the leading roles. “Only the Brave” is the story of a captain who absents himself from camp without leave to spend a few fleeting hours with his fiancee. He arrives to find her in the arms of another man. and. returning disillusioned to his company, is immediately arrested as a deserter. Caring neither whether he lives or dies, he agrees to visit enemy country as a spy. carrying false papers. He knows that capture means death, but goes to save a brother officer. In the dangerous Southern territory, the young officer meets the charming daughter of a Southern gentleman. She is lovely, but a coquette, and, although loving her, the Northern man tells her so. But when the spy’s life is in danger, the young people find that enmity in war is not a barrier in the path of love. Gary Cooper -sustains the reputation won in the days of silent films, and Mary Brian just fits the picture of crinolines and ringlets in the romantic days of old America. Mr Phillips Holmes makes the most of his role as a Southern officer, with a light-hearted outlook on life.

“The American Prisoner” comes from the British International Picture Studio, and is an adaptation of Eden Phillpott’s novel of the same name. The picture deals with the turbulent days of the early 18th century, when England was at war with Napoleon, exciting times were witnessed when nemy merchantmen were captured or “gun-running,” and were imprisoned at Dartmoor. As “Lt. Stark,” Carl Brisson, now a world favourite, has a dashing role, and is supported by Madeleine Carroll, a delightful British star. Their voices fecord perfectly both speaking and singing flawlessly. Miss Nancy Price, a character actress of renown—gives a remarkable inter - prettion of an “old hag,” and A. Bromley Davenport, as the “Squire,” has a role that is polished and cultured. “Only the Brave,” with a special series of shorts will be presented at this afternoon’s matinee. “ALIAS FRENCH GERTIE,” AND “THE HOTTENTOT.” AT THE MAJESTIC. The Majestic Theatre will provide film fare in variety this evening, when a double feature bill will be presented. Radio Pictures’ newest vehicle for Bebe Daniels, “Alias French Gertie,” reveals another triumph for that already celebrated star. Distinguished for her performance as a singing sensation in Radio Pictures’ “Rio Rita,” Miss Daniels displays new power as an actress in her role of a clever female “racketeer.” Concerned with an expose of the smooth methods of high society crooks, the story, thrilling and vividly enacted, allows Miss Daniels broad scope for her latest talents as a dramatic player of distinction. The underworld atmosphere is startlingly real and exciting, and much of it is due to the splendid playing of the leading performers, Miss Daniels and Ben Lyon. This is Ben Lyon’s first appear ance opposite the glamorous Bebe and spirited and sympathetic performances are given by the two. Bebe is portrayed in the dual role of a French maid and crook. The part calls upon her to speak a good bit of French and the argot of the underworld. In the cast are Robert Emmet O’Connor, Betty Pierce, the Tondeleyo of the famous stage production of “White Cargo,” John Ince, Daisy Belmore, Nella Walker and Arthur Housman.

One cannot imagine a more ludicrous figure than Edward Everett Horton as S. Jay Harrington in the racing hit “The Hottentot,” the lovelorn tenderfoot who has been edged into the favour of Betty Fairfax of old Virginia, by false tales told by a matchmaker (of real folks, not of races), to the effect that he is an experienced horseman. Patsy Ruth Miller is charming as the enthusiastic horse fancier, who believes S. Jay to be a real hero of the turf. S. Jay Harrington, presented in a wrong fight, finds himself brought nearer and nearer to the nerve-racking test of riding Hottentot, the untamable, in the steeplechase which i 6 to be won for Betty. No finer comedy characterisation has been given than that of Horton, who previously portrayed the part on the stage. Edmund Breese gives an amusing performance as an extremelv loud and horsey individual, and the part of the groom and the butler are made very real by those vets of the screen. Otto Hoffman and Douglas Gerrard Stanley Taylor is fine as the brother of the heroine and Edward Earle is effective as the forceful Larry Crawford. Plans are at the Majestic Theatre. The complete programme will be shown at this afternoon’s matinee.