AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19906, 17 September 1934, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

ANNA STEN IN “NANA” SHOWING AT THE MAJESTIC Ansa Stem who is the star of the intriguing “Nana,” at the Majestic Theatre, brings something extremely entertaining to the film. This intangible attraction may be the glamour of the foreigner; it is sufficient to carry the picture even if It had no background from its most unusual story. Daring films are too often infused with the unpleasant; “Nana” is an exception. It has the depth and realism whicn springs from Nana’s unhappy profession, but it is never sordid. The deft hand of Dorothy Arzner. Hollywood’s only successful woman director, is in constant evidence thrrughout the production. Goldwyn may consider himself well repaid for the 18 long months spent in preparation, for every detail is polished and finished. The sets and costumes are magnificent and authentic. No more romantic player than Phillip Holmes could have been found to play the handsome young Lieutenant George Muffat. in whom Nana finds her one real, great, tragic passion. The love scenes are moving and beautiful. Lionel Atwill is very convincing as Colonel Andre Mufiat. George’s elder brother, who falls an unwilling slave to Nana’s witchery and subsequently wrecks the romance and life of his young brother. As the fatuous old Greiner, dean of Paris music halls, who loses his head over Nana and raises her to the heights, only to drop her back into the gutter again when he learns of her love for the romantic young lieutenant, Richard Bennett is superb. “ON SECRET SERVICE” REGENT PROGRAMME A thrilling drama of espionage. “On Secret Service,” heads the programme at the Regent Theatre. Similar In many respects to “I Was a Spy,” this latest British production was adapted from a picture originally made in a German studio. It has the background of war between Austria and Italy and Carl Diehl, a German actor, has the part of an Austrian officer who makes a perilous journey to Rome to establish contact with Austrian agents. Greta Nissen is also pleasing in the role of an ■ Italian spy who has to choose between love and duty. The picture develoos into the story of two young lovers caught In the netword of international intrigue. The Austrian offier, Herr Hombergk, and Marcella, the Italian spy, first meet In Vienna, but thenhappy romance is cut short by the outbreak of war. Their next meeting is In Rome with Hombergk in the secret service. Marcella's love is put to the test and she shields him on. two occasions when he falls under suspicion. She pleads with him to leave the country, and there is a thrilling but dramatic climax when she attempts to stop him from leaving by aeroplane disguised as a trusted Italian “ace.” THEATRE ROYAL INTERESTING DOUBLE BILL Two features are included on the programme at the Royal, “The Silk Express” and “Hold the Press.” The story of “The Silk Express” is by Houston Branch, whose own observations, as a boy in the middle west, of the fast passenger trains drawing to one side to allow a three or four car silk express train to pass them, led him to work out this saga of the silk trade. The work of Neil Hamilton as the head of the silk manufacturers who run the train, and of Sheila Terry and Dudley Digges, as a paralytic and his daughter, trying to reach the New York specialists in time to save his life, and taken on board the fast express for that purpose, is said to be outstanding. in ’“Hold the Press,” interest centres rou ;d Tim Collins, a reporter, who loses his position through letting a murderer es - cape. JENNER-AUDIBERT RECITAL SCOTTISH HALL TO-MORROW Musical people of Timaru will be interested in the appearance of Mr Ernest Jenner, A.R.A.M., L.R.A.M., pianist, and Miss Cecily Audibert, the wellknown soprano, of Christchurch, in a recital of music at the Scottish, Hall, to-morrow night. Ernest Jenner has, since 1923, specialised in pianoforte concerto work under Sir Henry Wood, Sir Hamilton Harty, Eugene Goossens and the Spanish conductor Arbos. These engagements were fulfilled in London and Liverpool. Miss Audibert has appeared with great success for the Royal Christchurch Musical Society, the Male Voice Choir and the Orchestral Society. She is a pupil of , Signor Enrico Riggatieri, of Milan, and will be heard in lieder, modern songs and operatic arias. Mr Jenner will play works by old and new masters.