AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19301, 30 September 1932, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS

“THE MAN WHO PLAYED GOD.” GEORGE ARLISS’S SUPERB ACTING. George Arliss’s latest production. I “The Man Who Played God,” now at the Regent Theatre, gives the first gentleman of the screen full opportunity to display his fine acting capabilities. In “The Man Who Played God, ’ Arliss easily attains the dramatic and artistic heights of his previous productions, investing the picture witn power and human appeal which make it great entertainment. The drama is heightened by the sudden deafness which takes his music from him and completely changes his life, thoughts and outlook of life. The picture tells the story of six months in thi life of Montgomery Royle, a piano virtuoso, whose role is played with incomparable artistry by Mr Arliss. Royle is shown first at the heigth of his success in Paris; but tragedy stalks in with dreadful suddenness, when, at a .tremendous moment in the film, he becomes stone deaf. He returns to his New York home a broken man, or, as he puts it, a mere shell, and bitterness at first fills his heart. At the very moment of its climax, but in a way which it would be unfair to explain, Royle discovers how he can play a tremendous part in the lives of his fellow-beings. This brings him extraordinary delight, and the film moves on to a fine and inspiring ending. Arliss gives a performance which will long remain vivid in the memories of those who see the film. Inseparably bound up with the main theme is Royle’s wonderful romance with a young girl, whose part is played excellently by Bette Davis, a newcomer to the screen. They are together in some of the finest scenes in this eminent production. The supporting programme is of the usual high standard.

‘ ‘RICH AND STRANGE” AT MAJESTIC. ENGLISH CAST IN STORY OF LIFE ABOARD SHIP. The drama, comedy and romance which surround people on board an ocean liner, which is after all a small world of its own, are vividly portrayed in “Rich and Strange.” which will conclude its season at the Majestic tonight. Directed, and adapted from Dale Collins’ book by Alfred Hitchcock, the story of the film pivots round the adventures of a simple couple who set out on a world tour, made possible by an unexpected fortune. After a bout of sightseeing, during which filmgoers are treated to enchanting peeps at far off lands, they sail for Singapore, and it is during this trip the trouble starts. Under the magical influence of nights under tropical skies, they fall a prey to cupid’s darts and the reaching of port means the parting of the ways for . Fred and Emily Hill. But Emily dis- I covers that the Princess, to whom her j husband’s passion is directed, is an adventuress, and throw's her own chance of happiness to the winds in order to save her man from disaster. The “princess” departs and the Hills begin their journey home —poorer and sadder. A fine supporting programme will also be screened.

“But the Flesh is Weak.” Robert Montgomery is the star of “But the Flesh is Weak,” which heads the new programme to open a s.eason at the Majestic to-morrow. Signal success attended Mr Montgomery’s efforts in “Shipmates,” “The Man in Possession" and “Private Lives,” and his new film gives him every opportunity to display his talents. Nora Gregor, one of Vienna’s most beautiful and most famous actresses, has the chief feminine part, while Nils Asther, C. Aubrey Smith, Edward Everett Horton and Frederick Kerr are other prominent players who appear in this offering. Montgomery is seen as debonair young fortune-hunter, who falls in love with the wrong girl. The complications grow fast and furious when a Russian prince comes on the scene as a claimant for the wrong girl’s hand. When Montgomery, disregarding her money, really falls in love, however, everything comes right. Vivid glimpses of London’s casinos and the play haunts of the British capital abound in the production.

THEATRE ROYAL. COMMENCING TO-MORROW. "ALMOST MARRIED.” Love fighting for hapinness against a madman’s power! Such is the chilling, thrilling theme of “Almost Married,” spine-tingling Fox mystery drama, coming to the Royal tomorrow. Long, tapering artistic fingers, fingers trained to sing the melodies of love—caressing, fondling—then suddenly reaching up to grasp the throat! Beneath the smooth, suave exterior of the most brilliant genius of his time lurks the possessing demon of the mad musician—the maniacal obsession that the only fulfilment of love lies in the murder of the one you love! Eerie, weird and creepy, a maste •- piece of shivers and spine-tingling excitement, “Almost Married” is yet entirely human and believable throughout. Dealing with the struggles of two human souls caught in the toils of an inhuman mind, it also shows the struggle between good and evil in the unplumbed depths of the obscure subconscious. Superbly played by Violet Heming, Ralph Bellamy, Alexander Kirkland and a supporting cast including Allan Dinehart, Eva Dennison, Grace Hampton, Herbert Bunston, Maria Alba, Herbert Mundin and Mary Gordon. “Almost Married” adds considerably to the directorial laurels of William Cameron Menzies, Hollywood's only “specialist” in the weird. It is the talking screen’s version of Andrew Soutar’s novel “The Devil’s Triangle.” On the same programme is the all British Comedy “Midnight,” discribed as a riot of fun.