AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19959, 17 November 1934, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS

THEATRE ROYAL BRIGHT DOUBLE BILL A bright double programme will provide first class entertainment for patrons of the Theatre Royal to-night, when two outstanding attractions will be presented. The first is a good Western, “Robbers’ Roost,” starring George O’Brien and Maureen O’Sullivan. The wholesale plundering of the cattle on a big ranch in the southern part of the state some twenty years ago forms the historical basis of the tale. The ranch owner, a wealthy Briton, is careless enough to hire a rascally foreman to run the place for him, and the foreman drives the entire herd over the line into Mexico, sells them and vanishes with the proceeds. The second attraction is “The Crooked Circle.” It is a most ingenious concoction comprising the best elements of a crook drama, a mystery play, a shock-thriller and a most hilarious comedy all in one clever story. Ben Lyon appears as a wealthy amateur criminologist and member of the “Sphinx” Club, whose activities engender the ill-will of “The Crooked Circle,” a mysterious underworld organisation. Despite threats and warnings the young man goes to a reputedly haunted house, known as “Melody Manor” and then things start happening rapidly. Not even the furniture of this weird house is exempt from the part played in providing thrills. With Ralph Spence as the author, the spectator is not surprised to find each chill balanced by a hearty laugh, most of them provided by the superb teamwork of Zasu Pitts and James Gleason. THE REGENT “CONVENTION CITY” Joan Blondell, Richard Powell, Adolphe Menjou, Guy Kibbee, Mary Astor and Ruth Astor head a distinguished cast in “Convention City,” which promises to provide excellent entertainment at the Regent to-day. The picture comes to Timaru w r ith good credentials, it having been well received in other parts of the Dominion. It is a bright and breezy story and has the advantage of splendid casting and direction. The interest is maintained from start to finish. The picture is liberally punctuated with humorous interludes and has an appealing story which is modern to a degree. “Convention City” promises to justify in Timaru all the good things that have been said about it elsewhere. The first glimpse of the principal characters reveals them en route to Atlantic City—the nation’s principal locale for salesmen’s jamborees. From then until they straggle to the train once more at the finish of a week’s roystering, there is action and surprise. As a cast for this sprightly comedy, First National assembled one of the most impressive lists of “names” that has come out of Hollywood in many months. PLEASANT POINT TALKIES An outstanding drama, entitled “The Rebel,” featuring Vilma Banky as a beautiful spy who sacrificed her country, and Luis Trenker, who is costarred, will be screened at Pleasant Point to-night. The sheer beauty of the Tyrolean panorama is rendered doubly exquisite by the camera’s magic. Variety supports will be screened.