AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 February 1931, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

EVPRYBbOYS PICTURES. TO-NIGHT AND SATURDAY. ’ “BURNING UP.” Real moving picture action, combined with clever dialogue, is the treat in store for the patrons of the .Princess. Theatre, when “Burning Up,” Ricirard Arlen’s first starring Paramount picture .''conies here to-night, and Saturday. “Burning Up,” is a romantic drama, with lovely Mary Brian as Arle'n sweetheart, and four of the most popular character men Of the screen in important roles, A. Edward Sutherland, whose recent successes; “Fast Company,,’ “The Saturday Night Kid” and “Pointed Heels”, were received here ontheusiastically, made this picture. Sutherland is the wizard of the new method in motion picture entertainment. His stories move quickly from situation to situation, from climax to climax, and the dialogue is worked naturally- into the action.;-' Sutherland believes that motion pictures should first depict a j Rtory-'in 'action', and that dialogue Is the crowning touch that makes the people more real.-

” .Arlen is- fortunate--in. his first starplieture: - His- role calls for the , same clean-cut characterisation which has endeared tin’s youthful actor to moving picture audiences. As the story opens, Arlen is unwittingly mixed up „ . with,, a..gang of crpgkcd promoters. He falls i’ll ToVe with Mary Brian, whose father is to he the victim of the promoters’ scheme. Alien discovers the frame-up and, in a thrilling climax, winch introduces some exciting automobile race track sequences, he defeats their an.cE wigs the girl. Hardy, Tully. MnrshalJ. cind Charles Sellon, four well-known and well-liked character actors, are.,in the cast. Also four shorts; Prices 3/-, 2/- plus tax. '■ft HUMPHREY BISHOP COY. MERRY AND BRIGHT. The Humphrey Bishop Coy drew a bumper house at the Princess Theatre last night when a merry and bright was submitted. Droll (comedy wax the centre-piece of the programme, and consequently there . was not -a dull moment.. Laughter “holding both its sides,” was the rule of the evening. The programme too was ‘■snappy... Never a .moment wasted.— 'ere one performer had vanished in the wings, the next item was on presentation—',;tjj the stage management. There'Avas taste in every .number. vThfr scenery was appropriate, aided by 4 ‘'effective lighting, ! and the frocking .was. g feature. of. the' evening, every scene being dressed' most appropriately.

j-. Mr‘'M.' 1 Barling took n full share of the comedy section, and was happy in Hie task; 5 'novtff "sparing himself. He Ijiad wonderful help as a foil from Miss Elaine Haye, while Mr Sid Montague was ;i worthy double. Mr Fred Webber at the piano captivated the audience. Another quaint performer was Mr A. Hem‘•ley who always struck a, mirth provoking vein.- There were sobie pleasing, song numbers. Mr Walter Kingsley, was. very effective in several. feature songs. The ladies of the company helped, too, in that section. Miss Thelma Trott was outstanding as -a vocalist. The violin solos,by Miss M. Blackburn were a delight, and in'keeping with the high of the instrumental work 'throughpaf;;tbc evening.- The dancing of the partywas : another feature quite distinicftiye.: In this Miss Cooper excelled mg a. dithccr. The feature numbers weifftyery^,capably produced, every their aid. The finale, '“The Marlh-'-qf the Grenadiers,” was a most ■unusual item, capitally given. Here melody was combined with humour and precise acting, the drilling episode being very neatly done. The whole was a pronounced success, and the applause was frequent and unstinted. The audience heartily applauded 'a- •veiled ■suggestion that the , Company ipiglrt- return. to Hokitika be-fore-the South': isl an cl tour closed.