AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20639, 30 January 1937, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

THEATRE ROYAL TWO FINE FEATURES Thrilling entertainment is provided in “Million Dollar Ransom,” which heads a fine double programme at the Theatre Royal. Edward Arnold gives a memorable performance as q retired bootlegger who has taken his medicine like a man, turned over a new leaf and for the sake of his Innocent young daughter is determined to go straight. What happens when this girl, reared in mediocre circumstances, falls in love with a millionaire boy, whom she does not know goes to make up a heart-gripping tale. Some excellent comedy moments are capably supplied by Andy Devine, while Win! Shaw, from the musical comedy stage, makes her screen debut in this picture in a very impressive manner . Laughs a-plenty are provided by Zasu Pitts and Slim Somerville in "Lover, Honour and Oh Baby,” the associate feature. Miss Pitts is a filing clerk who to get business for Summerville, her lawyer lover, tries compromising herself with a vegetarian banker who always tries to take girls who work for him to Rochester. Wanting to make Rochester safe for working girls, as well as to help Summerville, she succeeds in her efforts. “THE FLYING DOCTOR” AUSTRALIAN FILM AT STATE With “The Flying Doctor ’’ which opens at the State Theatre to-day, Australian film producers seriously enter the competitive screen arena. Transcending anything hitherto achieved in the Commonwealth, the film levels up in entertainment value and polished acting, direction and photography with features emanating from the wealthier concerns abroad. Charles Farrell has starred in numerous Hollywood successes, and went to Sydney to head the talented cast selected to appear in “The Flying Doctor.” He is suited to perfection in the role of a typical outback wanderer, with his dog who refuses to ignore the call of freedom after marrying a squatter’s pretty daughter, portrayed with simplicity and charm by Mary Maguire. In Sydney he follows all manner of occupations, including that of a wrestler, after which he wins an apparently worthless gold claim in a poker game, only to find himself a wealthy miner overnight. After a spectacular drinking saloon brawl he is wounded and blinded, although he is temporarily saved from death by the flying doctor of Cloncurry whom he befriended while in Sydney. Lovely scenes of Australian countryside add to the beauty of the film. REGENT THEATRE COLOUR AND DRAMA The new programme at the Regent Theatre to-day is one of variety, headed by the "Changing of the Guard,” all in delightful colour. It opens with the New Year’s Eve reminiscences of an old Scottish Colonel to his granddaughter (Sybil Jason), about the glories of his regiment and introduces some fine male chorus work at the officers’ mess after the toast of “The King” has been drunk and the pipers have played round the table. Then Sybil Jason takes charge and leads a ballet of girls dressed in the uniform of the Gordon Highlanders through some spectacular routines. “The Tenth Man” is adapted from Somerset Maugham’s famous play of the same name. John Lodge is seen as George Winter, an entirely unscrupulous financial magnate, who juggles with imaginary subsidiary companies and uses trust funds for his own benefit. During a stiff fight for parliamentary re-election, rumours that his wife is going to divorce him reach his constituents, but by threatening that scandal would ruin her lover’s career, he bullies his wife into pretending that all is well. There is suspense, vivid incident, and amusing comedy by-play during the election campaign, but just as Winter’s success is announced the "tenth man” appears. It has been Winter’s creed that nine out of ten men are either fools or knaves, but in the thrilling climax the "tenth man” changes everything.

MUNICIPAL BAND TWO CONCERTS TO-MORROW Only a short time remains before the Timaru Municipal Band will leave for Nelson to take part in the Dominion Brass Band contest. The trip will be a very expensive one, and in its efforts to build up its contest fund the band has been dogged by bad luck. The last two Sundays have proved very wet ,and the proceeds have been negligible, while the same might be said of the indoor concerts which have been held. To-morrow afternoon and again tomorrow night the band will appear on the Bay, and it is hoped that the weather will prove fine so that the band will have the privilege of playing before large crowds. The Timaru Highland Pipe Band has generously agreed to assist in the afternoon, and will give a display on the Bay. The two bands will parade from the Drill Hall at 2 o’clock. By kind permission of the Matron of the Hospital, the collecting will be done by members of the nursing staff.

MAJESTIC THEATRE FRANCHOT TONE AND BETTE DAVIS IN "DANGEROUS” Among all the 300 or more films that are exhibited In local theatres in a year there could be few more arrestingly attractive productions than the absorbing and sophisticated drama “Dangerous,” in which Bette Davis will appear at the Majestic Theatre today. She has charm and beauty, a flair for characterisation, and in addition what so many film personalities lack—acting ability. With sheer personality and talent she holds the attention of her audience In spite of the esential unloveliness of her part. She appears as an actresss who was once the idol of the American stage, ruined by scandal, saddled with a reputation as a Jonah and now almost in the gutter. She is compelled to spend most of her tiro® in this a bed-

raggled condition hair unkempt, skin shiny and clothes blowsy, yet she succeeds in making her character a real person. Franchot Tone appears opposite her and by a skilful delineation supplies just the necessary complement to her artistry. He plays the part of a young architect, happily engaged to an attractive girl, who meets the oncecelebrated actress in a cheap cafe, and in conversation with her recalls that he first saw her in the role of Juliet when she was at the height of her fame. One of the most imaginative pieces of acting in the film is Bette Davis's pathetic, half-mumbled snatches of Juliet’s wonderful lines which she tries to declaim in the dinghy atmosphere of the cafe. The young architect finally takes her to his weekend cottage and commences the task of rehabilitating her with the assistance of his housekeeper, Alison Skipworth. Bette Davis and Franchot Tone have the screen largely to themselves, the bulk of the action taking place in the little country cottage with its background of barns and fields and horses.