AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20780, 15 July 1937, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS

“RUGGLES OF RED GAP” LAUGHTON COMEDY AT REGENT Charles Laughton, universally recognised as one of the greatest actors of stage and screen, plays his first motion picture comedy part in the title role of Paramount’s “Ruggles of Red Gap,” now at the Regent Theatre. The picture is adapted from the wellknown story by Harry Leon Wilson, depicting the adventures of a stolid English butler in a bustling Western town. Mary Boland, Charlie Ruggles, ZaSu Pitts and Roland Young appear with Laughton in “Ruggles of Red Gap,” which was directed by Leo McCarey. “ Fire Over England ” “Fire Over England,” the next change at the Regent, marks the splendidly successful debut into English films of Erich Pommer, most famous of German directors, and the fine stage actress, Flora Robson. Good Queen Bess and her brave sea-dogs make perhaps the best possible material for a patriotic picture that relies on sound production rather than hollow jingoism for its appeal; and Erich Pommer has done his subject full justice. Magnificent in its pageantry, thrilling in its loyalty, “Fire Over England” remains the most considerable achievement of British films since Alexander Korda's “Henry VIII,” well deserving its award of the 1337 gold medal by the motion picture division of the League of Nations. Yet, despite the pageantry and the splendour, It is always Elizabeth that one remembers—Elizabeth at the council table dominating her councillors, Elizabeth on a snow-white palfry riding through the streets, Elizabeth old and weary before her mirror. Flora Robson gives a portrayal as rich as it is powerful.

“THE PLOT THICKENS” MYSTERY-COMEDY AT STATE The death of a wealthy collector by a mysterious bullet, and the subsequent killing of a museum custodian in an even more mysterious fashion, form the setting on which is built the baffling suspense and action of “The Plot Thickens,” with James Gleason and ZaSu Pitts which is at present at the State. To-morrow's Attraction An entertaining and sophisticated comedy, “That Girl From Paris," will commence a season at the State tomorrow. The cast is headed by Lily Pons. Although the film commences with her as an opera singer, the story rapidly takes her to America, where, having no passport, she runs foul of the immigration authorities and is forced to flee from the police. She falls in love with the handsome leader of an orchestra, portrayed by Gene Raymond, and a thrilling series of adventures follow, complicated by the attendance of the press and a number of hopeful suitors. In spite of the rapid action, Miss Pons has time to show her capabilities as a singer, and her items include not only several modern songs, but also “Una Voce Poco Fa,” from “The Barber of Seville,” “Tarantella” and a new interpretation of “The Blue Danube.” Five songs have been specially written for this picture, and Miss Pons is heard in three of them, “Seal It With a Kiss,” “My Nephew from Nice,” and “Call To Arms.” Raymond, who in real life is an excellent musician, is the conductor of the four-piece orchestra with whose fortunes Miss Pons is so hilariously involved.

“THE MURDER OF DR. HARRIGAN ” THRILLING MYSTERY AT MAJESTIC “The Murder of Dr. Harrigan,” the new mystery thriller, opened yesterday at the Majestic with Kay Linaker, Ricardo Cortez, and Mary Astor in the featured roles. Based of the story by Mignon G. Eberhart, famous author of mystery dramas, the picture carries a most baffling, as well as most exciting, plot in which one man is spirited away from an operating room of a hospital without leaving a trace, the attending surgeon is strangely slain, his body being found in an elevator with a surgical knife in his chest, and three women are attacked and choked by an unrecognised person. There is hilarious comedy also, centring around a merry mix-up in the hospital between a nervous patient and an inebriate, roles played by Don Barclay and Johnny Arthur. The story cumulates in intensity from one terrifying situation to another to the astonishing climax. A special matinee will take place this afternoon when a programme of subjects suitable for juveniles will be screened.

ROYAL’S DOUBLE BILL MYSTERY AND CIRCUS STORY Cicely Courtneidge is at her best in the uproarious comedy, “Things Are Looking Up,” which heads the double programme at the Royal. This popular comedienne’s typical humour, sparkling and Infectious, make the picture one of the brightest of the year. Cicely owns a circus and she has a twin sister, Bertha, who is a teacher at a girls' school nearby and a younger sister attending the school. Complications arise when the teacher, a strict and staid person, falls in love with a wrestler and elopes. To save her young sister from disgrace, Cicely agrees to masquerade as Bertha until the latter is brought back to the school. William Gargan, a Hollywood star, plays the part of the music master at the school, who helps Cicely out of several precarious situations. “Thunder in the Night,” a Fox mystery melodrama, the other attraction, is providing mental exercise for the keen followers of mystery tales and a pleasant revelation for the admirers of that likable and versatile star, Edmund Lowe, who emerges in an entirely new type of characterisation in this picture.