ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18777, 27 October 1932, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

XO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMMES. STRAND THEATRE. A welcome relief from hum-drum screen mystery drama is provided in “By Whose Hand?” a fast-moving production. Its exciting series o events takes place on a wildly-racing express train, which of itself is not a hackneyed locale. Furthermore the picture is replete with well-placed dramatic suspense, subtlety, and surprise action. In faot, it is difficult to recall such a consistent string of thrills in one film. The theme hinges on the escape of a "killer” and his intention to even up old underworld Boores as well as make a getaway. The numerous thrilling episodes that take place show to what extent the story has made to provide excitement. Ben Lyon plays the reporter Barbara Weeks the girl, Nat Pendleton Killer Delmar, William V. Mong the dope peddler, Kenneth Thomson tha jeweller, and Ethel Kenyon the adventuress.

THEATRE ROYAL. 'Modern life in communlstio Russia, with all religion, virtue and beauty desecrated and destroyed, and replaced by a much-vaunted but hollow and unlovely freedom, Is analysed in caustic style in "Forgotten Commandments." The film strikes at the basic weakness of modern Russian doctrines. Communlstio theories, enforoed by a man of powerful chaaroter, w’ork wonders until he himself becomes Involved. He then finds that the ideals for which he has striven with all his might are a trap into which he himself has fallen, and the conclusion finds him a sadly disillusioned and bitter man. A new actress to the soreen, Sari Maritza, is introduced In the role of a genuine believer in the new doctrine, and It is her rigid adherence to the principles taught her by the eminent leader that ultimately proves his downfall. A number of the finest soenes from the great silent picture "The Ten Commandments” are incorporated in the film. MARIE DRESSLER TO-MORROW. The art of being able to sway the emotions of thousands belongs tp few artists of the screen to such an extent as it does to Marla Dressier. This fii-year-old figure has demonstrated time and again that she possesses ability to make an audience enjoy crying as well as laughing. Her latest production, " Emma," in which she is olaimed to give the most outstanding performance of her careef 1 , will open a season at the Theatre Royal next Friday. A faithful, loving old housekeeper who has taken the mother’s place in the lives of four children, Emma Is a character played by Miss Dressier with all the force, and understanding that made her contribution to ♦‘Min and Bill" so noteworthy.

OIVIO THEATRE. The humour and drama to be met with at a big railway terminus Is the stage for “Gent.jman for a Day," starring Douglas Fairbanks, jun., with Joan Blondell. The entire action is staged In a large railway terminus, and depicts the adventures of two happy-go-luoky ne’er-do-wells who by the vigorous exercise of wit manage to maintain their precarious existences. Amid the crowded throng of a railway terminus they manage to ilnd opportunities to exercise their doubtful talents and rub shoulders with every rank of society. For the period of a few brief hours Douglas Fairbanks, Jun., rlsei* from his humble station, becomes a wealthy' gentleman with money to burn, aids a damsel in distress, falls foul of the authorities when he discovers that the money he has chanced upon is counterfeit, but finally proves that he is at heart a gentleman, despite his vagrancy. The film calls for some exceptionally exolting action, and that much-abused phrase “fast-moving” really does in this instance apply to it. The cast in support of Doug(is Fairbanks, jun., and Joan Blondell includes Guy Kibbee, Alan Hale, Mary Doran, Ruth Hall and Junior Coghlan. ROXY THEATRE. "The Shanghai Express," featuring the glamorous -Marlene Dietrich, will lead the new programme at the Roxy Theatre to-night. This is a most exciting drama, many of the scenes being set on a train in China which is held up by bandits. Miss Dietrich gives a great performance as Shanghai Lily, and is well supported by Clive Brook as an English army officer, Warner 01 and and Anna May Wong in realistic Oriental characterisations, end other popular players.