ENTERTAINMENTS

Waipa Post, Volume 44, Issue 3182, 26 May 1932, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE REGENT THEATRE. ANN HARDING'S " DEVOTION." TO-DAY AND TO-MORROW. Dear to the heart of anyone who ever has lived in London is the locale of Ann Harding's latest picture, Devotion," now at the Regent Theatre. Taken from the novel, "A Little Flat in the Temple," by the English author, Pamela Wynne, the major portion oi the story is laid in that portion oi London close to the business section but itself as peaceful as a quiet countryside. Faithful reproduction oi the sections of the Temple which can be seen in the picture are guaranteed by the fact that Robert Milton, who directed " Devotion," lived in this district of London for some years and is a great lover of its quiet beauty. Leslie Howard, who plays opposite Miss Harding in the picture, is a native ot London, and declares himself delighted at the fashion in which the production presents the intangible charm ot the Temple district. Against this exquisite background, in contrast to its air of history and tradition, there is played an unusually pleasing s.ory oi modern romance, light comedy, and drama. That such a story and setting should have Ann Harding- as the stalls one of the happy combinations too seldom seen in pictures ™S iTI J I handles expertly a role demanding a wide emotional range. Perhaps never has Miss Harding appeared to moie excellent advantage. She proves once again that she is an actress of fine Ability, whose talent is not confined to one type o 4 role. SATURDAY AND MONDAY. " lonelFwives." The philosopher who insists that, all the world needs for a readjustment of its maladies is to laugh more, must have uttered that remark after seeing Al Woods' stage success on which "Lonely Wives" is based. this is a picture for laughing purposes only. There is a corking plot, and there are many hilarious situations. Every character is a masterpiece of mirth, while scintillating dialogue completes what will be hailed as the screens most perfect funfest. Maybe you think you know your comedy, but you haven't seen anything yet—not until you've sat through "Lonely Wives, which comes to the Regent Theatre on Saturday for an engagement of two days. For this funfest begins where others leave off. Vision such a comedy riot that half the office workers around the studio stayed after worx each night so they could see the daily "rushes" of the picture. The situations are there, the dialogue is there, the merry scrambled plot is there, and how" the players are there. In assembling this cast, Pathe has achieved the apparently impossible. It has gathered together several players, each of whom is usually starred in his or her own right. Edward Everett Horton heads the cast. Esther Ralston.! golden beauty of the screen and an able comedienne, will gather in thousands of fans everywhere. Laura La P'ante, perhaps the outstanding light comedienne of the screen, has an important role, while Patsy Ruth Miller's piquant talents are always a delight. Spencer Charters- has proved himself a picture stealer second to none. Maude Eburne has stood for able character comedy for twenty-five years. Now imagine all these working together and you'll have some idea of the calibre of " Lonely Wives." THE EMPIRE THEATRE. TO-DAY AND FRIDAY. " SPLINTERS IN THE NAVY." A good, clean comedy, " Splinters in the Navy," is the main attraction at the Empire Theatre to-night and Wednesday. A roaring- nautical comedy, presented by Greater Australasian Films, it causes one continual laugh from start to finish. This great comedy is full of good, clean, British humour,' which moves at a fast pace, being forced along by a splendid cast, headed by Sydney Howard. This famous London mirthmaker is in his element, and it is his antics as well as his voice that carry the show along with a swing. He is ably supported by artists whose speial parts all combine to make a great picture with characteristic naval atmosphere. The scenes take place on the lower deck of H.M.S. Stupendous, a name in keeping with the picture, and many are the touches guaranteed to bring the picture to the hearts of the people. Some excellent singing is to be heard—rollicking sea chanties which must grip the imagination. Of these " The Call of the Sea" is the most brilliant number. Altogether, the lighter side of life in the navy as portrayed in " Splinters" forms a delightful entertainment. There is an excellent collection of " shorts." In an All-Australian News Reel, Viv. McGrath, the Australian boy wonder tennis player, is featured. In slow motion the movement of this unorthodox two-handed player are shown. Included are " City of Monks," scenes from the " freedom cityj" Reno, and a cartoon comedy, " Monkey Melodies." i SATURDAY AND MONDAY. "SON OF INDIA." . Thrills and romance are cleverly mixed in " Son of India," in which Ramon Novarro will delight audiences at the Empire Theatre. In his turban and Hindu accoutrements, the star was never more romantically attractive. The story, which keeps moving at a fast pace due to clever direction upon the part of Jacques Feydei-, opens with an exciting bandit raid in which a rich rajah is murdered and robbed. Novarro, his son, is able to escape by an ingenious method in which he is buried alive but breathes through a stem. A single valuable jewel which he has retained on his person makes him rich. On an elephant hunt he saves the life of an attractive American girl, which starts off a series of romantic adven-

tures leading to the inevitable conflict of inter-racial marriage. Novarro as usual plays his role with a spontaneous sincerity. Madge Evans, who has not been seen on the screen since she played child parts, is charming as the heroine, and excellent work is done by Conrad Nagel. Marjorie Rambeau, C. Aubrey Smith, Mitchell Lewis, John Miljan and Nigel de Brulier. The scene of the elephant stampede is one of the most exciting shown on the screen in some time. . It is doubtful if a villain ever had a more spectacular death than that of Miljan in this episodej It carries the audience to the very edge of their seats and keeps them there. " THE SPELL OF THE CIRCUS." " I consider Wallace Beery the greatest natural handler of elephants that ever lived," said Charlie Murphy, a well known animal trainer, who plays a " heavv " role in Universal's chapter nlay, "The Spell of the Circus." Murphy hastened to add that he and the prominent screen player were once emp'oyed in the SellsFourpaugh circus as elephant trainers. " Beery could do more with the big beasts than anv person I ever saw," Murphy maintains. The first chapter of " The Spell of the Circus " will be shown at the Empire Theatre on Saturday.