AMUSEMENTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 370, 13 September 1930, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS

“CAUGHT SHORT’’ POLLY MORAN AND MARIE DRSSSLER STARRED FILM DOM’S FUNNIEST WOMEN AT THE REGENT The amusing side of the recent American stock market crash ill be depicted in “Caught Short,” a MetroGold wyn-May er all-talking comedy featuring Marie (Dressier and Polly Moran, which will be shown to-day at the Regent Theatre. The story, suggested by Eddie Cantor’s book, was written by Willard Mack. The supporting cast includes Anita Page, Charles Morton, T. Roy Barnes, Gwen Lee, Herbert Prior, Edward Dillon, Gret a Granstcdt, Lee Kohlmar and Alice Moe. Charles F. Riesner directed.

Information is that the demand for further co-starring pictures for Miss Dressier and Miss Moran came as a result of their success as a laugh-get-ting team in such past productions as “Bringing Up Father,” and others. In “Caught Short,” they will be seen as landladies with competing bearding houses across the street from each other, whose dabbling in the stock market results in their sudden rise from comparative poverty to financial independence and then back again by way of the crash. Love interest is furnished by the romance between Morton and Miss Page as the respective son and daughter of the comedy pair.

Exclusive of the hilarity furnished by the Misses Dressier and Moran in their nouveau-riche circumstances, “Caught Short’’ is said to be distinguished by expert characterisations on the part of Barnes, Prior and Dillon in the role of boarders.

The settings of the picture are reported to be a relief from the excessively modernistic interiors seen in recent productions, the scenes of “Caught Short” being laid chiefly in the Washington Square “Village” district of New York City.

The boarding house atmosphere further carried out in scenes laid in tenements, meat markets, old-clothes emporiums, pawn shops and similar localities of the class of humanity represented in the picture. It is only when the stock-dabbling landladies come “into their own” that the scene shifts from the lower class districts to a luxurious hotel in Atlantic City and more elegant quarters. Musical touches of the picture include a travesty called “I’m (Spanish Now,” written by Dave Snell and Ray Egan, and sung by Miss Dressier in a party sequence; and “Somebody,” written by Roy Turk and Fred Ahlcrt, \fhiCh Chas. Morton sings. “LADIES LOVE BRUTES” GEORGE BANCROFT’S GREATEST MAJ ESTIC ’8 SPLENDID PROGRAMME Audiences who go to the Majestic Theatre to-day expecting to be thrilled will not be disappointed, for the mighty George Bancroft is there in Paramount’s “Ladies Love Brutes.” He rages and thunders with his vigorous voice, he pummels and pounds with his fearsome fists, and he laughs and roars with his whole powerful propensity for burly virility. “Ladies Love Brutes” is the story of a building contractor who has risen from the ranks, and who has amassed a fortune. He decides to become a force in the social life of New York, so that he may make even greater successes in his role of the “Sky-scraper King.” Accordingly, be has himself introduced to a beautiful young society matron- He falls in love with her, when ho learns that she is soon to divorce her erring husband.

But his chances for romance in society arc blasted when gangster enemies devise a plot to wreck him. In the ensuing action, there is a terrific

fistic encounter, in which Bancroft emerges the victor. The conclusion of this stirring tale is a happy one, with Bancroft upheld as more of a hero than ever before. Mary Astor, one of the younger beauties of the talking filmp, plays the role of a wealthy society woman. Fredric March performs admirably in the role of the inconsiderate hfisband, who finally is brought to his senses by the heroism of BancroftIn the part of Mike Mendino, a gangster, Stanley Fields gives a portrayal that comes close to the work of Bancroft for first honours. Others who acquit themselves with distinction, aro David Durand and Freddie Burke Frederick, child players who are cast as respective sons of the hero and society matron.

Claud Allister, as an English-bred tailor, furnishes an abundance of rare comedy. Rowland V. Lee, the director, hero betters his fine mark made in “Dr Fu Manchu” and “Wolf of Wall Street.”

“CHAMPAGNE.” OPERA HOUSE ATTRACTION. A SPLENDID PROGAMME. A sparkling comedy of ‘Champagneis to be the feature at the Opera House this afternoon and evening. It was produced by Alfred Hitchcock, the famous English actor, fur British International Pictures, and has in the leading role, Betty Balfour, who has for the last few years been credited as being Britain’s foremost screen actress. Although rather small of stature. Miss Balfour is the type of star that immediately catches the hearts of all who see her. Possessed with a charming vivacious personality, she uses it to the utmost in her latest production, “Champagne,” which C.A.F. are releasing. Opposite her Is Jean Bradin, the handsome young actor who appeared with much success xecently in A. E. Dupont’s “Moulin Rouge.” The locale of the film passes across two continents, first'starting in New York, the story goes to Europe in the most extraordinary manner. Betty, daughter of a millionaire, to fgllow her lover, sets out in her father’s aeroplane to catch the liner half across the Atlantic. This is a most interesting, tensely absorbing drama, which picture-goers cannot afford to miss. GARRISON BAND. GRAND RECITAL IN MAJESTIC THEATRE. A grand recital will be given by the Garrison Baud and assisting artists in I he Ma jestic Theatre to-morrow evening, when a programme of exceptional numbers will be submitted. Thu banci numbers will include the contest march, “Through Bults and Bars? ’ Owen Williams, theb rilliant cuphoniumist, will play that beautiful euphonium solo, • ‘ Schenschut, ” with variations and full band accompaniment. The beautiful Weber selection, “Dur Freisehutz,” which the band hold the honour of winning at the Dunedin Exhibition, will also be included. On that occasion the adjudicator, Mr F. J. Ricketts, better known as Kenneth Alford, specially complimented the band on their magnificent rendering of thiu difficult work and mentioned iro..i the platform that he had only bwsn thrilled twice in his life by a brass band and once was on that night by the Wanganui Garrison Band’s rendering of “Dur Freisehutz,” a truly wonderful compliment. The assisting artists are Miss Blanchett (contralto), who was very successful at the recent Wellington Competitions, Mr Geo, Boslicr (tenor), a favourite with Wanganui audiences, Mr Wilfred Sharolow (xylophone), who will render a difficult solo with baud accompaniment. Tile accompaniments will be in the able hands of Mrs 8. F. Kendall, F.T.C.L.. With such an array of talent and the band playing in first-class form, the luxurious Majestic Theatre accommodation should bo well taxed. The recital commences at 8.15, and will conclude in time for patrons to catch tlio trams. GRAND THEATRE. “HAPPY DAYS.” FOX MOVIETONE MUSICAL MASTERPIECE. How’s this for a billion dollar cast of personalities! These stars and four score other entertainers appear in the happy-go-lucky minstrelsy melody drama, “Happy Days,” which opens to-day and to-night at the Grand Theatre. Frank Albertson, Warner Baxter, El Brendel, Walter Catlett, William Cbllier senr., James J. Corbett, Chas. Farrell, Janet Gaynor, Richard Keene, Dixie Lee, Edmund Lowe, Sharon Lynn, Geoorge MacFarland, Victor McLaglen, J. Harold Murray, George Olsen, Paul Page, Tom Patricola. Ann Pennington, Frank Richardson, Will Rogers, David Rollins, “Whispering” Jack Smith and Marjorie White. Produced on a lavish scale with a wealth of new songs, dancing ensembles, chorus numbers and many unique features, tne Fox Movietone picture has been hailed

in previews as the most spectacular achievement of the talking screen. Into the production is woven a dramatic story of an old minstrel, portrayed by Charles E. Evans, whose friends did not forget him in his hour of need. The romantic element is provided by Marjorie White and Richard Keene. Benjamin Stoloff directed “Happy Days,” which has a choral ensemble of mixed voices and 50 beautiful dancing gins. (Sidney Lanfield and Edwin Burke of laborated on the story and dialogue. The supporting programme is the latest Fox News and a clever comedy, “That’s Funny.” Seats should be secured early at the theatre office or by ’phone 3152. DAFFODIL SHOW. WANGANUI EAST. A very comprehensive schedule has been prepared for the spring show at Wanganui East next Saturday. The open class of twenty-four varieties, for which the “Chronicle” Company is donating a handsome challenge cup, and the Wanganui and West Coast championship of six varieties, for which the Society is providing a £5 5s cup to be won outright, are expected to draw entries from far afield. Several other good trophies are being supplied, one of which is for twelve and six varieties of daffodils from bulbs costing not more than 2s 6d each. On Monday evening a lecturctte on growing and staging daffodils will bo given in St. Alban’s Hall by Mr W. A. Grace.