AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20105, 11 May 1935, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE s “ OUTCAST LADY ” In “Outcast Lady,” story of a glamorous woman’s reckless devotion, Constance Bennett has what probably is her most colourful characterisation since she abandoned the social whirl of the continent to resume her dazzling career on the screen. The picture commences at the Majestic today. In her latest vehicle Miss Bennett proves that her forte is drama, particularly if that drama is set in a background of glamorous romance. Her knowledge of life in the upper strata in England, in France and other places in Europe particularly fitted her for the heroine of this unusual story. A story of brilliance, of modern, highly intelligent people, of men and women who live sophisticated, colourful lives, "Outcast Lady” is heralded as the smartest dramatic attraction of the season. With Herbert Marshall in the role of Napier, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, producers of* the film, have given the screen a new type of romantic team. The “treat-’em-rough” lovers will have to give ground before the suave, tender yet forceful romance of these two moderns. Elizabeth Allan, most promising of the youthful English actresses imported to this country during the past two years, is the third point of this unusual triangle and as a result of her superb, sympathetic performance climbs still higher on the magic road that leads to stardom. Other prominent stage and screen personalities include such well known

names as Hugh Williams, Henry Stephenson, Leo Carroll, Robert Loraine and Alec B. Francis. Robert Z. Leonard, probably the best qualified of any director in Hollywood for this type of entertainment, has carefully blended the many years covered by the story into a compact, dramatic whole.

REGENT THEATRE

“ LEST WE FORGET ” “Lest We Forget,” which will head the new programme at the Regent today, is described as a somewhat unusual picture, taking as its characters four typical men, an Englishman, a Scotsman, an Irishman, and a Welshman, who agree in the trenches to meet again in the days of peace. A brief prologue describes this pact and the scene then shifts to a beautiful country English residence 16 years later. Two of the comrades arrive and the Welshman, who is now a miner in Wales, puts in a belated appearance. They decide to commence dinner without waiting for the fourth man. The empty chair is mute testimony of a forgotten promise or perhaps something more pathetically tragic. The evening brings with it hosts of reminiscences, discussion on the trend of modern affairs cleverly relieved by songs and music in which the daughter of the Englishman gleefully joins. During the festivities, a romance between the daughter of Captain Rayner and the son of one of his old friends becomes apparent, and provides a pleasing interlude. The story works up to an outstanding climax and concludes in a most surprising and satisfactory manner. To Stewart Rome, well known for several of his recent perfect portrayals, is entrusted the part of Captain Rayner, Anne Yates, as Sylvia Rayner, and Esmond Knight as Fat Doyle, take the juvenile parts. “Lest We Forget” is said to have been extremely popular with English audiences, and was accorded a very successful run at the Empire Theatre, Leicester Square, London.

THEATRE ROYAL “FRIENDS OF MR SWEENEY” Two attractions will be shown at the Royal to-day, “Friends of Mr Sweeney,” and “I am a Thief.” The main film “Friends of Mr Sweeney,” is a unique and uproarious comedy with situations so irresistibly ridiculous that it will set audiences howling with laughter and delight. Charlie Ruggles and Ann Dvorak have the leading roles, Ruggles playing the part of Asaph, a timid, mousey sort of a man who is a brilliant writer, but who is so browbeaten by his boss that he is afraid to even think for himself. Miss Dvorak has the role of Beulah, his secretary, who suspects her employer has a soul behind his mild exterior and is secretly in love with him. The picture is based on the novel by Elmer Davis, which was dramatised for the screen by Warren Duff and Sidney Sutherland. “I am a Thief” is an exciting drama, and features Mary Astor and Ricardo Cortez. The programme commences at 7.45. j