ENTERTAINMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 15 January 1931, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE “Shadow of • the Law” William Powell’s latest picture opened at the Regent Theatre yesterday and was greeted enthusiastically by large audiences. It is one of the strangest, most surprising melodramas that Powell has played in. He is more forceful, than ever. Perhaps it is because the plot gives him so much opportunity for the exercise of his compelling personality. The character wins friends from the start, and sympathy amounts with thrills ever increasing until the happy ending. The acting is convincing and the scenes stirring It will be screened again to-night and to-morrow. “AFRICA SPEAKS” “Africa Speaks,” which comes to the Regent Theatre Saturday next for a season of three days is a graphic motion picture and sound record of a trio taken by Paul L. Hoefler through the hitherto unexplored regions of Africa. Hoefler, who represented the Colorado African Expedition, started inland from Lagos, on the Atlantic Ocean. His objective Mombasa, on the Indian Ocean, a route which necessitated his penetrating the heart of equatorial Africa. As the expedition sped along the roads, herds of wildebeeste, koimoni and tommies were encountered. Such gorgeous bits of natural beauty as- the Ripon falls, source of the Victoria Nile, were photographed. Two weeks spent among the pygmies of the Ituri forest resulted in some remarkably intimate motion picture studies of these mysterious little people of whom the civilised world knows little. At Dikwa, in Northern Nigeria, Hoefler and his party were entertained royally b(y the Emir of Dikwa himself, who met them with a native brass band and feasted, them in kingly style. Other friendly natives were the Masai spearmen, who use only spears and shields in hunting the king of beasts. Thrilling photographs of hand-to-hand conflicts were taken and are shown. In Tanganyika the explorer obtained one of the most amazing motion picture phenomena ever made, a gigantic swarm of locusts. The giants in the film are the members of the Wasara tribe. Many of them are 7ft. tall, and few of the warriors are less than 6ft. in height. They dominate the Sara River country, and are said to be the ablest hunters found on the dark continent. Early in childhood the females of the tribe are forced to insert wooden discs in their lower lips. The size of these discs is gradually increased, until a Wasara beauty —when she is of marriageable age—frequently has a lower lip of lt2in. in diameter. The larger her mouth the more desirable she is as a wife This production is at once the most • colourful and thrilling depiction of life in the wild African jungle ever presented. > ; MAJESTIC THEATRE

The mystery play that one has grown accustomed to on the talking screen has ' had its day, and is now a thing of the I past. That has been evidenced by the 1 new departure from the old groove made jby the admirable detestive story, -the ■ House of the Arrow,” following which comes the latest puzzle drama, Midnight Mystery,” which strikes a new note and confines its action to within i twelve hours of time. In this short space much intrigue and romance are condensed, mystery arises to be elucidated later on in the play, but pre- ; vious to such elucidation suspense is j sustained at high tension, and the puzzle 1 is skilfully concealed right until the end of the plot. It would be difficult. to i think of a better cast.of actors and ac- ! tresses for the portrayal of a play of its 1 class than that which will appear at the Majestic Theatre to-night in this R.K.O. production. Popular Betty Cofhpson is ' said to score a triumph in the leading female role—a sort of feminine Sherlock Holmes who outwits the cleverest brains ,of the crime world. Lowell Sherman, a 1 star in his own right, Hugh Trevor.. the popular juvenile, Rita Laroy, the vamping lady, Raymond Hatton, the comed,- ' ian, June Clyde, a featured player, and • others of recognised acting ability. ; BESSIVE LOVE IN “CONSPIRACY,” | SATURDAY Popular Bessie Love, who will be remembered for her splendid work in “Broadway Melody,” and other successes, will appear at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday next in “Conspiracy,” a brand new type of picture for this star.. This is a gripping play of mystery, drama, comedy, sacrifice and honour, and it will appeal to all. A wonderful supporting cast is headed by the splendid character actor, Ned Sparks, whose portrayal of the crafty Clavering in the plot, is superb. Hugh Trevor and many other favourites also appear. The box plans are at the Majestic Confec- . tionery.