AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19568, 15 August 1933, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE. “ GRAND HOTEL” STARTS TO-MORROW. To-night "The Cohens and Kellys In Trouble,” an excellent comedy that has been attracting good houses, will receive Its final screening at the Majestic Theatre. Those noted comedians, George Sidney and Charles Murray, are said to give performances equal to any they have given since they were first co-starred. Entertaining featurettes are included on the first part of the programme. "Grand Hotel,” To-morrow. For months film lovers of Timaru have been eagerly awaiting “Grand Hotel,” the film version of Vicki Baum’s widely read book, with a cast that reads almost like a “Who’s Who” of Hollywood stars, containing as It does such names as Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore, Wallace Beery, Lewis Stone, and Jean Hersholt. No story, no film, in recent years has created so much interest and discussion. Though the great cast was an indication that the production would be of a high order, the success achieved must be surely greater than even the most optimistic had hoped for, for triumphant record breaking seasons have ensued everywhere. The superb character acting, allied to a story, or stories, charged with the drama, humour, pathos and tragedy of life in its many phases, and told with so much outspoken frankness, has resulted in a film that grips the imagination and holds one’s tense interest throughout. “Grand Hotel” tells of a brief space of two days only, in the lives of many characters assembled in a luxurious Berlin Hotel. Outwardly the coming and going is in the normal monotonous manner of everyday life, but the scenes are changed when the spectator glimpses behind the locked doors. Passions and striving then become revealed; the battle with ambition, love, death and circumstance. “Grand Hotel” will commence to-morrow for three nights and three matinees.

THE REGENT THEATRE. LAST DAY OF “WEDDING REHEARSAL.” The brilliant British comedy, "Wedding Rehearsal,” said to be excellent entertainment, will be presented finally at the Regent to-night. “ The Crime of the Century.” "The Crime of the Century,” a newstyle mystery drama, will begin tomorrow at the Regent Theatre. Jean Hersholt, Stuart Erwin, Wynne Gibson and Frances Dee play the leading roles in the film with Gordon Westcott and David Landau at the head of the supporting cast. The picture offers a startling innovation. The murder which motivates the action is confessed before it is committed. Hersholt, as a prominent doctor, walks into a police station, tells of a murder he has planned, and the manner in which he will carry it through without incriminating himself. Then he begs to be locked up, so that he cannot go through with it. Police accompany him to his home, but there, under their very eyes, not only the murder he has planned, but a second, more grotesque one. takes place. Another innovation is offered here. A 60-second intermission during which the various clues are reviewed, is presented to the audience, so that it may attempt to pick the murderer itself. Ultimately Erwin, a police reporter, and Miss Dee, the doctor's daughter, solve both crimes.

PLEASANT POINT TALKIES. One of the most fascinating screen comedy-dramas of the season is “Handle With Care,” the Fox Film which will be screened at the Pleasant Point Town Hall to-night. The picture co-features James Dunn. Miss Mallory and El Brendel. "Handle With Care” is a comedy drama depicting the romantic adventures of a youthful assistant district attorney and a shop girl. Excellent supports will also be screened.