AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20065, 23 March 1935, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE NORMA SHEARER IN “RIPTIDE” Norma Shearer has the leading role in “Riptide,” which will open at the Majestic to-day. She gives a brilliant performance, frequently achieving high points of dramatic interpretation and at all times putting convincing effect into her various moods. Robert Montgomery as a carefree young bachelor provides a refreshing comedy contrast to the serious mien of Herbert Marshall. The film has been produced on lavish lines, and the smoothness of direction is a tribute to the capable Edmund Goulding. The story shows Miss Shearer as an ultramodern young lady who marries an English lord, a part being played by Marshall. They live happily in London until the husband is forced to go to New York on a business visit. On the advice of a friend, the wife decides to escape from her lonely existence, and goes to a fashionable hotel. Here she meets an old friend, a role played by Montgomery. He forces his attentions on her, but she resists him. However, exaggerated reports appear in the newspapers and the husband sues for a divorce. From this point the story moves briskly to a dramatic climax. Robert Montgomery gives a delightful performance and his theory that if a man slept all day he might well evade such inconveniences as income tax and telephone calls, is typical of his carefree attitude.

PROSPERITY PAIR FINAL FUNCTION The final function in aid of the Timaru Prosperity Fair Committee’s funds will take the form of an athletic gymkhana at Fraser Park on Saturday next. An outstanding programme is being arranged and patrons are assured of an excellent afternoon’s entertainment. The two Timaru Bands who did so well at the recent New Zealand contests have been asked to perform, and already one of them has signified its willingness to cooperate. The South Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club has been in touch with several of the leading New Zealand amateurs, and Timaruvians should have an opportunity of seeing our champions in action. One of the most spectacular events on the programme will be a drill display by High School pupils, who, as everybody knows, can be relied upon for an excellent performance. To add variety to the programme, several novelty events are being introduced and each will carry interest. One of the best events in this section will be the interhouse girls’ relay, in which teams from local departmental stores and businesses will compete. THEATRE ROYAL DOUBLE PROGRAMME The bright programme which Is to be screened at the Theatre Royal consists of two pictures which meet the needs of those who like a light story with an atmosphere of excitement. “Havana Widows" is a comedy of the type that the American studios produce particularly well, and, with Joan Blondell and Glenda Farrell in the leading roles, and with Guy Kibbee in a first-rate comedy part, it keeps the audience in the merriest of moods. It is a story of the adventures of two chorus girls who are told of an easy way of making money. All they have to do is to entangle an admirer and then sue him for breach of promise. Setting off for Havana they attempt to put their plans into effect, but unexpectedly all their well-laid schemes go wrong, and the fun grows steadily until a happy climax is reached. The witty American dialogue is a feature of the picture which many will enjoy. The other picture Is “Housewife,” a new version of the eternal triangle theme. The strong cast includes George Brent, Bette Davis, John Halliday, and Ann Dvorak, the last-named

taking the part of a wife who makes a persistent effort to spur on to greater efforts a husband who has plenty of ability, but is handicapped by an inferiority complex. The wife has other worries, however, when the husband becomes entangled with another woman in the advertising business, and an interesting story leads up to the point when the wife achieves the happiness that is due to her.

REGENT THEATRE “MISTER CINDERS” The chief attraction at the Regent Theatre to-day is “Mister Cinders.” Its main ingredients are mirth and melody, and they exist in joyful abundance. There are four particularly tuneful and snappy numbers, “Where’s Jim,” “I Could Get Used To You,” “Just A Blue Sky,” and the popular “Spread a Little Happiness,” from the original stage show. The stars, Clifford Mollison and Zelma O’Neal, put these numbers over in great style, and, in addition, the Western Brothers do their famous “Delightful People, Aren’t We All?” There are many hilarious situations; the climax to the whole picture is a magnificent party, given by an American millionaire, in honour of his daughter’s coming-of-age. The fun starts with the arrival in armour of the “Earl of Ditcham,” alias Jim Lancaster, the poor relation of the Lancaster house, all the rest of whom had been invited to the party. The Earl, a great explorer, turned out to be an extraordinary personage, and talked the most perfect drivel about his knowledge of South America, all of which was pvt down to his fine sense of humour. An amazing performance of “The Midsummer Night’s Dream” was also a big feature of the evening, but it was hardly one that would have been appreciated by the great William Shakespeare himself. The real excitement of the evening, however, came with the discovery that the presents had been stolen, and this, coinciding with the revelation that the Earl of Ditcham was an impostor, led to the arrest of the latter. But P.C. Merks was better at arresting people than holding them, and the armoured Earl effected his escape and proceeded to capture the real culprits.