AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19578, 26 August 1933, Page 22

AMUSEMENTS

l “LOVE ON WHEELS.” GREAT COMEDY FOR REGENT. “Love on Wheels,” the delightful British musical comedy, which has met v. '.'.h outstanding success in other parts of New Zealand, is to open at the Regent to-day. For the first time m a British film the atmosphere and action of life in a huge store has been captured. Gainsborough Studios, who produced the delightful success, “Sunshine Susie,” came to an arrangement with Selfridges, proprietors of the most famous department store in London, to produce a number of scenes in their great store in Oxford Street. The result is that interest is held by these authentic scenes of the one and only Jack Hulbert in the role of Fred Hopkins, assistant in the store, dancing about between the counters with his famous grin and twinkling feet. Victor Saville, the director, has proved that British producers can make as clever and witty a production as ever came from Hollywood. The inimitable Jack Hulbert is supported by a brilliant cast, including Gordon Harker, who presents his finest performance to date as a Cockney bus conductor with a lively sense of humour; Edmund Gwenn (Hornflower in “The Skin Game”) in the role of general manager of the stores ;and Leonora Corbett, a charming newcomer who dances and sings delightfully. Several catchy tales, among them “Hungry for You,” “Two in a Bar” and "Shall We Wear Pyjamas” will linger in your memory. “CHRISTOPHER STRONG.” GRIPPING DRAMA AT MAJESTIC. Said to be unusual in its conceptions and brilliant in its acting, “Christopher Strong," the screen adaptation of the controversial novel by Gilbert Frankau, is sure to attract a great deal of attention at the Majestic, where it opens to-day. “Christopher Strong” gives an unusual twist to the old theme of the eternal triangle. A titled young woman who gets her thrills from re-cord-breaking in airplanes, motor-cars and speedboats, and a leading statesman whose private life has been above suspicion for years, meet at an early morning party. They are the poles apart in temperament and outlook, yet they fall in love in a wildly reckless way, despite the patient and loyal wife that the statesman has at home. In the meantime his daughter becomes involved with a married man, to the distress of both the father and the mother. Gradually, however, the father changes. He approves of the marriage > f his daughter to her lover after his divorce, to the evident surprise and distress of his wife. His own affair has by this time drifted to the stage from which, torn between loyalty to his wife and his love for the girl, he finds there can be ho definite step either way, without harming someone. The climax is a sensational one. THEATRE ROYAL. “CALIFORNIA TRAIL.” The week-end programmes which have been presented at the Theatre Royal have found favour with a large circle of picture patrons, and it will be found that: the bill of fare; for. this afternoon and . to-night' is well up to the -,usual high standard of eptertainmeht: Heading the, programme will be “California Trail.” with Buck Jpnes in the' title role. Jones has , long . since been recognised as the ace of Western stars, and in this latest release, which is full of action and suspense, he has •a role, whioh enables him to give full scope to his undoubted talent. The story is a mpst interesting one, and is pieturised in a manner which will appeal to all lovers of Western films. Jones is supported by a strong cast. Included in the supports is episode 9 of the “Jungle Mystery” serial, and a special coloured cartoon entitled “Three Little Pigs.” This film is in the form of a pantomime, and should find much favour with the children. Comedy and news reels complete a most entertaining programme.