GENERAL FILM-GOSSIP-

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19258, 20 December 1930, Page 25 (Supplement)

GENERAL FILM-GOSSIP-

“CONSPIRACY/* The mystery thriller, “ Conspiracy,” is now showing at the St James’ Theatre. Although Bessie Love gained an enviable reputation on the sound screen in musical pictures, she is said to give conclusive evidence that she can play dramatic roles efficiently in “ Conspiracy.” As tly sister of a district attorney, Bessie Love determines to destroy a dope ring responsible for her father’s death. In accomplishing this, many tense and unusual situations arise. Ned Sparks deserts his famous comedy character to play the part of a wealthy and eccentric author, whose hobby is the unravelling of baffling crimes. As he works on a crime mystery he w’rites a story concerning ic. which, unknown to Sparks, directly concerns his secretary, Bessie Love. Hugh Trevor carries the romantic interest opposite Miss Love. The principles are assisted by an exceptionally strong cast including Ivan Lebedeff. Rita la Roy, Jane Keckley, Nanci Price and Barney Siegal. Zane Grey Story. Zane Grey’s great characters speak and live again on the screen in the Paramount all-talking production, “The Light of Western Stars,” which opened at the Regent Theatre to-day. The whole production is upon the best scale, and an unusually strong cast of actors and actresses includes Richard Arlen, of “ Wings ” fame, Mary Brian as the heroine, and Harry Green as “ Pie-pan,” a humorous character whose

eccentricities are responsible for numer ous hearty laughs. The story is re garded by American .critics as “ easily the best out-of-doors talking production of the year.” The midnight matinee at the Regent on New Year’s Eve promises to be a very successful function Paramount's all-talking comedy, “Animal Crackers,” will be specially shown for the occasion, and patrons will receive novelty gifts, hats and streamers. “ Strictly Unconventional.” In addition to the Humphrey Bishop Musical Comedy Company, the Theatre Royal are presenting a picture entitled “Strictly Unconventional” on the current programme. This all-talking adaptation of V . Somerset Maugham’s stage success, “ The Circle,” includes in the cast such well-known actors as Lewis Stone, Catherine Dale Owen, Ernest Torrence, Alison Skip worth! Tyrell Davis, Mary Forbes and the English actor, Paul Cavanagh. The story, which has been called a classic of satire, depicts the amusing recurrence of a domestic situation in the second generation of an aristocratic English family. A woman deserts her son to run away with a man whom she loves better than her husband and returns thirtv years later to find that the wife of her son contemplates a similar procedure because her husband is more interested in antique furniture than in her charms. The value of this travesty on marriage and divorce is said to rest on the highlyamusing characterisations of the various individuals of the two generations as well as the brilliant dialogue. Season Extended. The outstanding success of Maurice Chevalier in the splendid comedv romance, “ The Big Pond,” at the Crystal Palace Theatre, has induced the management to again extend the season for a further five days. There is no doubt that “ The Big Pond ” is one of the most entertaining productions seen in Christchurch for some time, and certainly’ deserves the success it is receiving. “ Breed Of The Border.” Breed of the Border.” Paramount’s thrilling Western, opened at the Grand Theatre to-day. laurice. Flynn is he - star. “ Lady Hood,” Paralount’s vibrant ronance, featuring ivelyn Brent, is he second feature n the Grand proramme, together • ith the serial, The Vanishing i i d e r.” Father hristmas will visit he Grand next uesdav and Wed-

nesdav with a host of presents for the children.

i “ The Painted Angel.” Hailed as the year’s surprise sensation, “The Painted Angel,” First National and Vitaphone’s all-talking dramatic comedy, will be presented at the Majestic Theatre on Monday. Billie Dove and Edmund Lowe are co-starred in this brilliant production, which tells the truth about women and shows how a world-famous beauty finds that love has made her the biggest fool of all. “ Common Clay.” “ Common Clay,” the Fox Movietone super-special, which has created such a sensation in Australia, will be presented for the first time in New Zealand, at the Crystal Palace Theatre, on Saturday next. This is a picture that will appeal to every woman in Christchurch, and no one should miss it. Talking Serial. The first talking serial to be shown in Christchurch, “ The Indians Are Coming,” will be presented at Everybody’s Theatre on Monday. Colonel Tim M’Coy and Allene Ray are the featured players in this story of the pioneer days of the West when the settlers had to fight hostile Indians day after day. Western Romance. “ In Old Arizona,” the brilliant Fox Movietone all-talking Western romance, starring Warner Baxter and Edmund Lowe, will be shown at Everybody’s Theatre on Monday. It is one of the most exciting and thrilling stories yet to appear on the talking screen, and it is packed with entertainment. “ Grumpy.” Cyril Maude, the distinguished English actor, will appear at the St James’ Theatre shortly in “ Grumpy.” Maude created the role of “ Grumpy ” in 1913, and although the play was well received, both on its first appearance at Glasgow and other parts of Great Britain, he was dubious of its success with the Americans. It was an immediate success, however, and on his return to England it met with success in London With this play he toured England Canada, America and Australia, and New Zealand in 1915. He has made , command performances before the late King Edward VII and King George V. Modern Story. “ Women They Talk About,” the second feature on the double-star programme at the Liberty Theatre on Monday, is a smart comedy-drama starring Irene Rich and Audrey Ferris. A modern story of petticoat politics with love in the offing—a laughable romance of a mother and daughter who lose at the game of politics, but hold -winning tickets in the matrimonial contest.

GE HI HI IE ® HI EE H HI Hi Hi HI S H Hi HE HI H HI EE “ The Saturday Night Kid.” “ The Saturday Night Kid,” Paramount’s sparkling all-talking comedyromance, starring Clara. Bow, at the Liberty Theatre on Monday, is this personality girl’s snappiest production to date. She plays the part of a plucky, lovable shop girl whose motto is “ Love them and leave them,” and provides plenty of fun and entertainment.