THE THEATRES

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 375, 17 March 1932, Page 3

THE THEATRES

GEORGE ARLISS TRIUMPH. “ The Millionaire,” George Arliss’s latest talking picture, is now in its third triumphant week at the Plaza Theatre. The production is as admirable as one would expect'from this famous actor, and shows Arliss in his first modern role in talking pictures. The supporting cast is strong, although it serves mainly as a background for the English actor. The love interest is handled by David Manners and Evelyn Knapp, whilst Noah Beery, James Cagney and Tully Marshall also have parts. “ The Millionaire ” shows George Arliss at his best in a whimsical story of an old man cut off by his doctor from everything that interests him. He appears in the character of a man who has built a great motor manufacturing business out of a small engineering shop, and, apart from being a great engineer, is an enthusiast at his job. When his health forces him to give up his work in the factory he becomes a thoroughly bored old man, pampered by his family and treated as something very fragile. Six months of this sort of treatment gets on the nerves of the active old manufacturer, and, without the knowledge of his family, he joins a young man in running a petrol station. His interest in the new business is intense, and the sharp competition from an unscruplous opponent gives back to the millionaire all his old zest for business. His health also improves. The story itself is very light, and ends in the expected manner. The young partner marries the daughter, and the millionaire, completely restored to health, is able to take up his work in the factory again. As the millionaire. George Arliss has a part whic hallows him full scope for his great talents. He handles the role with that light, natura touch which has made his screen work outstanding. A SPLENDID PICTURE. A splendid cast in a splendid picture describes “The Squaw Man,” which the programme at the Regent. Theatre. The story brings in the wellworn theme of the love of a white man for a coloured woman, but introduces it in a new way, making a. story of intense dramatic power, which retains its appeal from first to last*

BRIGHT COMEDY. Whenever Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey get together in a picture it no longer is a staid conventional one which glides smoothly to the usual finish. The very opposite happens, for these two comical actors split the picture fore and aft with shots of mirth, and leave it wallowing in a sea of laughter as happens in “Caught Plastered,” which is being shown at the Majestic Theatre. GOOD FARE AT LIBERTY. One of the thrilling scenes in “ La sea of the Rio Grande,” which is being shown at the Liberty Theatre, is the stampeding of a herd of cattle. Lightning is the cause of the trouble and when the stampede began, the maddened creatures trampled everything in their path. The picture stars Dorothy Burgess, and concerns the sacrifice of a girl for her lover. The second picture, “ This Modern Age,” is centred in Paris. CONSTANCE BENNETT FILM Constance Bennett has the starring role in “ The Common Law,” a realistic drama of society life, which is being screened at the Crystal Palace. Adapted from the book by Robert W. Chambers, “ The Common Law,” which has been modernised for the film version, is a vivid story calling for the best in acting ability, and Miss Bennett is given full scope for the exercise of her wonderful histrionic talents. EXCELLENT DRAMA. There have been few better talking pictures made than “My Sin,” which is being screened at Everybody’s Theatre with Tallulah Bankhead in the lead. The great English actress gives a polished performance in a part which is admirably suited to her talents. There are, indeed, very few actresses at present on the screen who could have carried the difficult part without strain and with the deftness of Miss Bankhead.