AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20640, 1 February 1937, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS

VARIED ENTERTAINMENT FINE FEATURES AT REGENT Variety is the keynote of the current programme at the Regent Theatre. An attractive feature is “Changing of the Guard,” filmed in technicolour. 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 main picture Is “The Tenth Man.” featuring John Lodge and Antoinette Cellier. Lodge takes the part of a politician of considerable promise and undoubted ability, whose methods are open to question. During one of tfie most crucial stages of his career, when he is fighting one of his most important parliamentary battles, he discovers that he no longer has the support of his wife. As a divorce would ruin his chances of success the politician persuades his wife to wait until the election crisis is over, but when this time comes she is ready to become his helpmate again. In the part of the friend who threatens denoument, Clifford Evans is ideally cast. “THE FLYING DOCTOR” AUSTRALIAN FILM AT STATE An auspicious film and one which definitely enhances the prestige of Australian productions, “The Flying Doctor,” is being screened at the State Theatre. With polished acting, direction and photography the picture satisfies even the most severe of critics. In order to ensure the success of the film noted performers and executives were imported from overseas and their influence is seen in practically every department of the picture. Charles Farrell is suited to perfection in the roL of a typical outback wanderer with his dog who refuses to ignore the call c 2 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 ne 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.

“DANGEROUS” AT MAJESTIC ' OUTSPOKEN DRAMA Few more attractive productions have been screened than “Dangerous,” which is now at the Majestic, featuring Bette Davis and Franchot Tone. Tone plays the part of a young architect, happily engaged to an attractive actress in a cheap cafe, and in convergirl, who meets the once-celebrated sation with her recalls that he first saw her in the role of Juliet when she was at the height of her fame. One of th? 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. Although in parts it is a very outspoken, as a real drama should be, the acting of the principals, particularly Bette Davis, makes the story very convincing. Her part is an extremely exacting one. It demands of her the power to be hysterical at one moment and serious in the next. From the first reel to the last, Miss Davis is meant to have a tragic role to play, and she makes the most of this. Tb-'re is no doubt that in spite of her vivacity and gaiety she Is most at home in a tragic role.