STATE THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 86, 5 January 1935, Page 4

STATE THEATRE

“Richest Girl in the World” “The Richest Girl in the World,” which opened ite 'Wellington season at tin: State Theatre yesterday, presents a novel interpretation of the age-old maxim that money can’t buy everything. Dorothy Hunter's riches couldn’t gain her a taste of true love. So she “gives” her wealth to her secretary-companion, Sylvia, and by exchanging identities tries to find out if Tony Travis, modest broker’s clerk, is attracted to her as much as sire is to him. Dorothy has been pampered since babyhood, when her last- photograph was taken, ami, having been reared in shelter, she easily travels incognito Dorothy’s charm fascinates Tony; but Sylvia’s supposed millions dazzle him. Accordingly, he proposes and is accepted by Sylvia. A jealous husband, a “sleep walker” and strange activity in an Adirondack lodge during one night ignite the fireworks which expose the whole plot to Tony. The action then moves at staccato tempo to a rousing finish. The glamour, dash and sophistication which one would expect in rhe richest girl in the world are admirably suggested by the lovely Miriam Hopkins.- She makes Dorothy Hunter a convincing character. Likewise. Joel McCrae is splendid in his role of Tony Travis. Hie handsome ap pearance endows the part with much appeal. Other roles by Fay Wray, Reginald Denny and Henry Stephenson are equally fine. “The Richest Girl in the World” naturally moves against sumptuous backgrounds, such as a Long Island mansion, an Adirondack lodge, a transAtlantic steamer, a fashionable cafe and a fashionable salon. Fashions run rampant. too. A fine supporting programme includes a picture of Mount Ngauruhoe in one of its wildest moods, REGENT THEATRE ‘ “The Count of Monte Cristo” It is a great pleasure to. see a period film in which every carefully studied detail is accurate, and there is no anachronism. More than this, “The Count of ’Monte Cristo,” now showing at the Regent, follows fairly closely the story by Dumas on which it is based. The acting is excellent, ami the photography superb. Robert Donat plays the part of Edmund Dante, .the Marseilles sailorman, who on the threshold of marriage to jthe lovable Mercedes, portrayed by Elissa Landi, is incarcerated by his unscrupulous enemies in the grim Chateau d’lf, the prison island across the harbour from Marseilles, with no chance of trial or communication with the outside world. But in jail he encounters the venerable Abbe Faria (O. P. Heggie), who is tunnelling his way to freedom. The old man shares his imprisonment with Dantes, educates him, and discloses to him the secret of a vast hoard of treasure. Dante escapes on the Abbe’s death by substituting himself for the body and being cast into' the sea. He is picked up by some Italian smugglers, and having found the treasure and established himself, as the lawful owner he returns to France, armed with unlimited money, to revenge himself on his three enemies, 'who have risen high in their respective professions. One by one he destroys them, but is almost thwarted by his affection, cleverly concealed, for Mercedes and her son. The story has a happy denouement. Robert Donat fulfils his role more than adequately, and Elissa Landi is of course quite charming. Excellent production has achieved in “The Count of Monte Cristo,” a genuine masterpiece, from both the technical and emotional point of view.. The supports, news films, an organlogue, and a ■Mickey Mouse cartoon, complete an extremely satisfactory evening's entertainment. “Blossom Time.” The marvellous singing of the world’s greatest living tenor at his glorious best, plus a charming romance, delightful settings of rare beauty, the splejrdid cast and the magic with which the director has welded these elements into the most delicious talking picture entertainment—that is “Blossom Time.” the enchanting love story of Franz Schubert, Richard Tauber’s first English screen production, which will come to the Regent Theatre on Friday. ■ ST. JAMES THEATRE "Desirable” , First-nighters at St. James Theatre last evening were rewarded with a Pharming entertainment. Miss Jean Muir, a new star discovered by Warner Brothers, appeared for the first time in Wellington in a cinema drama with the appropriate title, “Desirable.” She not only played up to the reputation given her overseas, but justified it. In addition to youthful charm. Miss Muir disclosed a rare ability, particularly in portraying emotion in tense situations without overdoing dramatic sentiment in the manner of so many sob-sisters of the screen. The play itself was a cloudless firmament in which more than one star shone with brilliance. George Brent, who discovered at first sight that the daughter was more loveable than her mother, and Miss Vcrree Teasdale, as the mother who thought more of successful life than happiness for her girl, were admirable players in a competent cast. The story is unusual and pleasant. Everybody was sorry when the play came to a finish, even though it ended happily. It was so good that greater length would have made it more desirable. The supporting films, including an interesting newsreel and an operatic romance with Tyrolean ballets and tuneful singers, provided good entertainment. KILBIRNIE KINEMA At the Kilbirnie Kinema to-night the management will present George Arliss in “The House of Rothschild.” This picture had a record run in a city theatre. There will be a matinee of Tim McCoy in “Silent Men” to-day at 2.15 p.m. PRINCE EDWARD, WOBURN A merry comedy romance with an allstar c'ast, -“Merry Wives of Windsor,” will begin at the Prince Edward Theatre, Woburn, to-day. On Tuesday will be seen “Smarty,” and on Wednesday “When New York Sleeps.” KING GEORGE, LOWER HUTT The great musical extravaganza, “Chu Chin Chow,” begins to-day at the King George Theatre, Lower Hutt. On Thursday will begin “Devil Tiger” and “Ever Since Eve,” two good features. GRAND, PETONE A double feature programme—-Claud-ette Colbert and Richard Arlen in “Threecornered Moon,” ami Noah Beery and Monte Blue in “The Thundering Herd” —will begin to-day at the Grand Theatre, Petone. PALACE, PETONE Beginning to-day at the Palace Theatre, Petone, will be the brilliant musical film “That’s a Good Girl,” starring Jack Buchanan, Elsie Randolph, Vera Pearce and others. DE LUXE, LOWER HUTT A musical romance sensation, “Footlight Parade.” with James Cagney, Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell, will begin at the De Luxe Theatre, Petone, to-day. On Tuesday and Wednesday will be the cbmedy-drama, “The Countess of Monte Cristo - ,” and on Thursday and Friday “Red Wagon.”