AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20066, 25 March 1935, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS

THEATRE ROYAL DOUBLE PROGRAMME Two lengthy pictures, widely differing in motiff, are being shown in the new programme at the Theatre Royal, and it is left to the audience to decide which picture they prefer. “Havana Widows” is a highly diverting story, in which there is plenty of action, and in which the many changing scenes follow at high speed. The comedy is splendidly cast, and the part of the two girls who pose as widows are enacted with plenty of colour by Joan Blondell and Glenda Farrell. There are also in the oast Frank McHugh, Ruth Donnelly, Allen Jenkins, the inimitable Guy Kibbee, and many others. The other picture is "Housewife,” a story with the eternal triangle as its basis. There again the acting is full of action, so to speak, and it is carried out chiefly by George Brent, Bette Davis, John Halliday and Ann Dvorak. George Brent is more or less happy as the head man in a large advertising business, and although he, as manager, has plenty of brains, he is cursed with an inferiority complex. His wife (Ann Dvorak) urges him to stand up more for himself, and at last he steels himself to resign from his position and start business on his own account. After a stern struggle success comes, but, as in many such Instances, the husband takes all the credit to himself. REGENT THEATRE “MISTER CINDERS” The current attraction at the Regent presents one of the greatest casts of comedians ever lined up for one picture —being the sparkling film version of “Mister Cinders.” made by 8.1. P. at Elstree under the direction of Frederick Zelnik, who also directed 8.1.P.’s other recent musical comedy hit, “Happy.” Clifford Mollison is starred, and plays the role of Jim—a modem masculine “Cinderella.” He is required to do all the dirty work in the household for his titled stepmother and his two brothers who are, of course, the counterpart of the ugly sisters in “Cinderella,” and are played by Kenneth and George Western, the incomparable comedians. Zelma O’Neal plays opposite Clifford Mollison, and this is the third time that they have teamed together in 8.1. P. films. Zelma is fast becoming one of the screen’s most popular comedians, and every presentation of “Mr Cinders” further adds to her legion of admirers. Rene Houston had a special part written to suit her own personality, and the famous member of the irresistibles is seen as a postmistress who takes a prominent part in village theatricals. W. H. Berry, one of the best of stage comedians, has the role of the village policeman. MAJESTIC THEATRE “RIPTIDE” With a daringly glamorous vehicle that affords her the type of characterisation in which she has scored her greatest triumphs, Norma Shearer comes to the screen in “Riptide,” a new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer feature, which is being screened at the Majestic. In this new film, her first since “Smilin’ Through,” Miss Shearer plays the part of a very modern girl who becomes Lady Rexford, wife of a matter-of-fact Britisher. Robert Montgomery and Herbert Marshall, as her play-boy friend and husband respectively, supply the triangular situation which provides motivation for the romance in which the sophisticated heroine shares her affections. Edmund Goulding directed the new film from his- own original story, written especially for Miss Shearer. He has given the picture the benefit of lavish production mounting with a supporting cast of unequalled excellency. Miss Shearer’s elaborate wardrobe, designed by Adrian, will be a delight to feminine eyes and, in all probability, will start new vogues and innovations in what milady will wear to be stylish this season.