AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19670, 12 December 1933, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS

REGENT THEATRE “THE MEDICINE MAN.” I Patrons of the Regent will have a final opportunity to-day of witnessing “The Medicine Man,” which features Claude Allister, Frank Pettigell and Jean Stuart. The story is a most interesting one, and is full of delightful humour. “Lady and Gent” “Lady and Gent” will have its initial presentation to-morrow. George Bancroft has the lepd, and there is a large and a capable cast supporting him, but Bancroft himself carries off the majority of the honours. This personal success may be > attributed to the fact that the role was built for his particular style of acting. It is a role that makes him into a human being; something more than a mere shadow on the screen. And it is a vibrant and lovable character. He is ‘Slag’ Bailey, a steelmill worker; but he is more than that—he is a friendly, goodnatured, if bungling fellow of the type that everyone discovers among his or her own acquaintances at one time or another. With fists that are large and a heart that is larger he blusters through adversity with never a care for the ill-luck that he sometimes encounters. Wynne Gibson has the main supporting role. Those people who saw her in the leading part of “The Strange Case of Clara Deane,” will know of what this young actress is capable.

MAJESTIC THEATRE

“HER FIRST MATE” The season of “Her First Mate” is to end at the Majestic to-day. Slim Summerville and Zasu Pitts are cast in the main roles, and they give fine characterisations. There is good comedy, but it is a comedy that is made of slightly sterner stuff than most: and there are moments when it verges on the pathetic. “Strange Interlude” “Strange Interlude,” will be shown to-morrow. As a play, “Strange Interlude” was probably the most discussed and highly praised stage work in the history of American drama. Its amazing use of spoken thoughts or “asides” has been retained in the screen version necessitating the use of two separate sound systems to record dialogue. Of additional interest is the fact that the action of the plot covers a period of 30 years, requiring nine different transformations of character to denote the ageing of the principals. The story of "Strange Interlude” revolves about the daughter of a college professor who finds herself on the verge of a nervous breakdown when her lover is killed in the Great War. As a hysterical reaction, she strips herself of all inhibitions and lives a life of complete abandon. Later, she finds herself adored by one man. married to a second, and in love with a third. The narrative continues until Nina Leeds is j an aged woman, at which time her j problems conflict with those of her grownup son and his sweetheart. ! Norma Shearer and Clark Gable are :

supported by two of the best-known actors on the New York stage— Alexander Kirkland and Ralph Morgan. Norma Shearer has given us many brilliant performances, but it is questionable whether she has ever acted with more charm and dramatic skill. Clark Gable as the doctor, and Alexander Kirkland and Ralph Morgan, as the other two men in Nina’s life, give carfefully studied portrayals. PLEASANT POINT TALKIES. “His Royal Highness” is a typical George Wallace comedy, the comedian i figuring first as a stage hand in a I theatre, and later as the ruler of a mythical kingdom. Bright musical num- ! [ bers include a chorus of over 100 voices i from the Melbourne University Con- j servatorium. There will also be a grand variety of musical supporting | features.