ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 21097, 31 May 1930, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC.

MIGHTY ALL-TALKING TRIPLE FEATURE PROGRAMME.

Previewing pictures day in and day out tends to dull the appetite, making the reviewer rather on the blase side, but it must be said that unbounded enthusiasm is always -shown when George Bancroft’s pictures are seen. And in “.The Mighty” opening at the Majestic to-day, George Bancroft presents a role bigger and better in every way ,to anything he has done before. The picture is a real thriller. This all-talking picture is a study in men. Bancroft starts off as the gunman who has much contempt for the law, so much contempt, in fact, that it takes four M.P.’s to put him in the army when he disregards a draft notice. He goes overseas as a private, his secures many decorations and promotions for him, and he emerges’a fully fledged major and a national hero. On his way back to his old haunts he breaks his journey to see the family of one of his old "buddies,” is offered the position of Chief of Police by the town officials, and accepts. Esther Ralston is the sister of his old friend and knows his past, but he is not aware that she knows the secret of his past. A big police picnic is given in honour of Bancroft and his successful clean-up campaign. The “criminal gang” prepares to take advantage of his absence and raid three banks. In the middle of the celebrations he learns of their plans. Off goes'deep-chested George at the head of fifty motor-cycle officers, riding at breakneck speed, firing as fast as their automatics will shoot. Macfiine-guns crackle, the officers attack with hand grenades and all the modem implements of peace time war. The rest of this thrilling story you can sec for yourself when “The Mighty” is seen and heard at the Majestic commencing today. Glamorous, romantic Southern Cali--fornia in the most colourful period of its history is the scene of Ken Maynard’s latest all-dialogue Universal epic of love and adventure —"Senor Americano” which also comes to the Majestic Theatre to-day. The stirring action of “Senor Americano is laid in the exciting days just preceding the annexation of California by the United States. There is a charming romance between a dashing young officer of the American cavalry and the beautiful daughter of an aristocrat of old Spain. An Oswald the Rabbit Sound Cartoon will accompany this tremendous offering.

THE REGENT.

MATINEE AND NIGHT.

BEBE DANIELS IN’ HER SECOND TRIUMPH—“LOVES COMES ALONG”

Bebe Daniels, the glamorous goldenvoiced heroine of “Rio Rita, makes her second appearance on the audible screen in “Love Comes Along,’’ Radio Pictures’ all-talking drama, which opens at the Regent to-day. It is the new Bebe Daniels who is to be seen—the star who has deserted the field of light comedy for ever and who has taken her place among the greatest of dramatic actresses. “Rio Rita” established Bebe Daniels as a new personality, giving her the opportunity of revealing startling all-round dramatic ability. Furthermore, it disclosed her as an accomplished vocal star, capable of singing a score worthy of a featured operatic soprano. “Love Comes Along.” it is. said, gives Miss Daniels an even greater chance to display her talents than the preceding picture. Wallace Smith's adaptation of the play “Conchita,” furnishes the star a dramatic role of unusual power. Bebe sings four new song hits, including “Long Comes Along,” and “Night Winds,” written especially for the picture by Oscar Levant and Sidney Clare, Radio Pictures’ successful composers. Miss-Daniels is cast as a member of a show troupe which has been stranded at -a remote port. She meets a swaggering young sailor from a tramp schooner and a most intriguing love affair results. Jealousy, however, causes an estrangement between the two. The manner in which their love •is revived forms the high point of an unusually beautiful romance. One of the most talented supporting casts ever assembled appears in “Love Comes Along.” Lloyd Hughes, long a favourite in silent pictures, appears for the first time in a dialogue film. He discloses not only a rich, pleasing speaking voice, but also is called upon to sing with Miss Daniels. The supporting items include a comedy, “Hurdy Gurdy,” the- Biltmore Trio; a vocal quartette; also Fox Movietone News and Metrotone News.

THE CIVIC. LAST NIGHT OF SILENT PICTURES. RAMON NOVARRO IN "THE FLYING FLEET” AND JUNE COLLYER IN "NOT QUITE DECENT.” ' After carrying on for a number of years and providing Invercargill audiences with the best obtainable in moving picture -entertainment the Civic, bowing to the inevitable, will be open as a “silent” house, for the last time to-night, and it is to be hoped that all those who still express a liking for silents will grasp this last opportunity of seeing and enjoying a good silent programme. The main feature is a picture that was most favourably reviewed by the London Morning Post entitled “The Flying Fleet.” The story is an original one for the screen,and if the screen writers continue in equal vein, it augurs well for. the pictures. Ramon Navarro, Ralph Graves, Anita Page and Eddie Nugent are some of the players, and the tale is a fine healthy one of four friends in the training academy, and of what befalls them when they take up naval* aviation; ‘The Flying Fleet" is modern to the last scene; aircraft carriers, ranging the seas for the lost plane, aerial reviews, and naval pageants, the story of two men, deep friends, and the girl who comes between them, a story that has a happy ending for all three. Apart from the pleasing story that is “The Flying Fleet” everybody will appreciate this film for the spectacular air and naval scenes, for the display of might. The other feature is a Fox special entitled “Not Quite Decent.” The story is an intensely dramatic one, stressing the strange situations in which a mother and daughter found themselves without .knowing each .other’s identity. The direction is good and so is the acting, particularly of Miss Dresser, who takes the part of the mother. June Collyer does well as the innocent daughter. Allan Lane is pretty good as the young man, Oscar Apfel, Paul Nicholson, Marjorie Beebe and others are in the cast.