AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19829, 19 June 1934, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS

REGENT THEATRE ENCHANTING OPERETTA To-day will see the final screenings at the Regent of ‘'Bitter Sweet,” featuring Anna Neagle, Fernand Graavey and Ivy St. Hellier. ‘‘Bitter Sweet” is an English entertainment of such merit and wide appeal that it suits all tastes. Its lyrics are arresting, its dialogue is unusually effective, and Coward’s melodies are charming. Every song and musical number of the stage presentation are to be found in the film, and they are alluringly rendered. The settings and dressings of the operetta are bountiful in the extreme. “Counsellor-at-Law” Elmer Rice’s recent Broadway success, “Cou isellor-at-Law,” has been made into a film drama of unusual strength and brilliance, and will open its season at the Regent Theatre tomorrow. The scenarists have adapted it literally, confining the action to the law office of the leading character, which tightens the drama and intensifies the excitement of the plot. John Barrymore, who plays the self-made lawyer, never has given a more vivid and stirring performance. An excellent cast supports him. The principal players are Bebe Daniels, as his secretary; Doris Kenyon, as his wife; Onslow Stevens, Melvyn Douglas, Marvin Kline, Elmer Brown, Vincent Sherman. The atmosphere is colourful and authentic. The situations are exciting. The characters are genuine. MAJESTIC THEATRE “THE GOLD DIGGERS OF 1933” “The Gold Diggers of 1933,” Warner Bros, all star musical spectacle, will conclude at the Majestic to-day. A fitting sequel to the sensationally popular picture “42nd Street” which started new styles in screen fare, “Gold Diggers of 1933” excels its great predecessor in beauty, in catchy tunes and lilting music, in comedy and in its story values. Its list of stars is even more imposing th;e chorus ensembles, directed by Busby Berkely, are more spectacular; its songs by Harry Warrent and A 1 Dubin, will appeal to even wider audiences. “If I Were Free.” After scoring triumphs in individual film vehicles, Irene Dunne and Clive Brook are brought together as a costarring team in “If I Were Free,” Miss Dunne’s newest RKO-Radio production, adapted from the successful stage play “Behold We Live,” by John Van Druten, which is coming to the Majesti@ Theatre to-morrow. Miss Dunne reached new dramatic heights portraying the title role in the RKO-Radio picturisation of “Arm Vickers,” Sinclair Lewis’s best-selling novel. Clive Brook similarly scored great honours in his leading role in “Cavalcade.” Now Miss Dunne and Brook are seen as the Sarah and Gordon of Van Druten’s story. PLEASANT POINT TALKIES. A glorious romance entitled “Reunion in Vienna,” will be screened at Pleasant Point to-night. John Barrymore and Diana Wynyard play the featured roles, and the delightful rhythm of the Viennese waltzes intrigues everybody. There will be variety supporting features.