AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 5 April 1926, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

REGINALD DENNY. CALIFORNIA STRAIGHT AHEAD. ■ Calofornia is certainly a place of constant lovers and brealc-neclc speed kings if a true depiction of the country and its picturesque city, Los Angeles, is given in “Californ Straight Ahead.” This is to bo shown at the Theatre Royal this afternoon and to-night only. The story concerns tw'o w'ell-know r n families in California, the Browns and the Haydons, both of whom are producers of “speed” automobiles. It happens that Tom Haydon and Betty Brown are about to be married, but Haydon’s farew'ell dinner the night before plays pranks with him, and he finds himself in hospital w’ith a face that is more sticking-plaster than skin. He remembers that he is to be married, and in spite of his condition jumps out of bed and grabs a waiting ambulance van to make off to the nuptial ceremony. Here tragedy intervenes. There is a woman already occupying the van, and Tom is sadly compromised when he arrives. No w’edding eventuates, and the family of Brown no longer knows the clan of Haydon. Tom is thrown on his own resources, and takes to running a motor caravan for a living. During his “trek” to Los Angeles lie happens to encounter the Brow'll family again, who are on their way to Los Angeles to compete in the classic motor event of the State. Haydon senior is also competing. An interesting situation arises w'hen both parties are assembled at Los Angeles, and both parties are bargaining with Tom as to which car he is to drive. Asked to name his price, he says he will drive Brow'n’s car rather than his father’s for a certain fee—that of the heart of Betty. .Brown unwillingly accepts. The ensuing scenes of the thrilling motor race, the attempts of rivals to upset Tom’s race, liis final race to triumph and to the girl he loves through a maze of petrol fumes, dust, and intrigue, are more worthy of being witnessed on the screen than being described on paper. Added interest will be given by the Century comedy, “Oh, Buster,” and the “Universal New'S Reel.” Seats may he booked through phone 57 0 until 7 p.m. On Tuesday evening Corinne Griffith will be seen in the mighty special “Classified."

“IN THE NAME OF LOVE.” BRIGHT FARE AT THE GRAND. A bright new' “star” appeared at the Grand Theatre, which was packed, on Saturday evening, in the delightful comedy romance, “In the Name of Love.” She is Greta Nissen, vivacious, beautiful, and a splendid actress, and in a setting that gave her every scope to display her fine powers, this Norse beauty reached the hearts of a big audience. “In the Name of Love” is adapted from the well-known novel by Bulwer Lytton, “The Lady of Lyons,” and an excellently selected cast builds the story up splendidly to a good climax. It is a story that deals with the traffic in titles and the extent to which snobbery and social climbing will go in the pursuit of “position." Marie Dufrayne, the beautiful little "nobody” who has been changed from a charming little girl to a hateful little snob by the sudden acquisition of great wealth, has long forgotten Raoul Melnotte, who left his beloved France as a hoy to earn a fortune with'which to buy his Marie a castle. But Raoul comes back, and, though discouraged by the title-hunting Marie, he woos her again. When, however, Raoul confesses over the telephone that he is but a garage owner, the fair lady gives him a few ideas on garage owners and deceivers, that almost break his heart. Despair turns to a desire for revenge when he hears his romance made the subject of crude joking, and Raoul joins w r ith two other disappointed suitors—whose advances, by the way, have been vehemently discouraged because of the prince who wasnlf—and they plan to introduce Raoul in person as the actual prince. Events move rapidly after this, and the plans of the plotting trio, which are to lead Marie to the altar as the bride of the pseudo-prince, and thus humiliate her, develop quickly. Then comes a climax that is as int.ireuing as it is unexpected, and a liighaction picture ends in a novel way. Greta Nissen, of course, w r as Marie, and the part of Raoul w r as well played by Ricardo Cortez, a handsome screen lover of the Rudolph Valentino type. Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton, as the two rejected suitors, fill the characterisations to the life. Excellent supporting pictures are a special feature, and the Grand Orchestra, under the direction of Mrs Mansell, and which included Mr L. Bloy, of Christchurch, with his banjo, provided many pleasant things in the way of musical gems. If wet, a matinee will be held this afternoon.