REGENT THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 104, 26 January 1935, Page 4

REGENT THEATRE

“Blossom Time” A century has rolled by since the "enius of Franz Schubert first enthralled a music-loving world. To-day, as if. to celebrate this event, another genius, Richard Tauber, golden-voiced tenor, arises to perpetuate the art ot the great composer by the miracle of the audible screen. Mere words padded with, adjectives could not adequately describe the musical and romantic entertainment iu “Blossom Time,” which is now in its second week at the Regent Theatre. This wistful love story of Schubert will live forever among the most cherished memories of all who see it. The production is on a lavish scale, and incorporates some of the most magnificent “sets’ ever used. Particularly worthy of description is a cathedral interior, complete with chancel, high altar, pulpit, elevated choir stalls, and pillared nave. The who e “set” occupied the largest stage available in a British studio. A beautiful choir attended to support Tauber’s singing, while the majestic tones of an organ were relayed from St. Joseph’s, Highgate, six miles away. The results are most impressive. For the wedding congregation, which glittered with military and diplomatic insignia, several thousands of pounds’ worth of jewellery were used, and 500 medals and special decorative orders were hired. Others in “Blossom Time” include lovely Jane Baxter as the heroine, Vicki Wimpassinger, Carl Esmond, as the dashing Count Rudi von Hohenberg, Athene Seyler as the dancing Archduchess, and Paul Graetz as the girl’s father, Herr Wimpassinger. Tauber sings in English eight glorious melodies: “Thine Is My Heart” (“Impatience’ ), “Love Lost for Evermore,” “Faith in Spring,” “Red Roses,” “Serenade," “Hark'. Hark I The Lark,” “March Militaire,” and “Once There Lived a Lady Fair.” In addition to. the big film the supporting programme is also excellent. Musical Show’ Coming. A picture which has attracted great interest among theatre-goers abroad is “Transatlantic Merry-Go-Round,” which is coming to the Regent Theatre shortly. The picture contains four song hits, and is brimful of mirth, melody, and mystery. DE LUXE THEATRE “Babes in Toyland” Other comedies which Laurel and Hardy have produced may have been good, but their latest hit —“Babes . m Toyland,” which commenced screening at the De Luxe Theatre last night-— easily eclipses any of their former triumphs. Not only is the film (winch is adapted from Victor Herbert’s Magic Operetta) hilariously funny, but it is also ingeniously conceived. The theme centres around those fairyland people which one still dimly remembers as an essential part of one’s childhood, with the great improvement that they are brought to life on the screen, with the help of Laurel and Hardy. Had not the love of Tom-Tom (the Piper’s son) for BoPeep been menaced by that mean old miser Silas Barnaby, Laurel and Hardy who worked in the warehouse that kept Santa Claus stocked, would not have been called upon to play the parts of heroes. Laurel and Hardy get into trouble when they try to defend Mother 80-Peep’s shoe-home from Silas Barnaby, who has a mortgage on the house, and will only release it on the condition that he marries 80-Peep. He is eventually thwhrted by Laurel and Hardy, who rescue 80-Peep and Tom-Tom from Bogey-land. The dramatic culmination is .the defeat of the Bogey-land people and Barnaby, himself the c'hief Bogey. PARAMOUNT THEATRE “Spitfire” In the mountains of Carolina there are communities of white people who have been out of touch with the centres of civilisation so long that they are primitive of habit, ignorant and superstitious to a degree surprising to those who think of the United States of America as one of the most progressive countries of the world. "Spitfire.” which is being shown at the Paramount Theatre, is a story of these people, and Katherine Hepburn acts the part of a girl of them. This girl of the mountains, having faith iu a kind of Christianity and a habit of praying for the sick, is marked down as a witch, by the neighbours, who, when a baby dies, would lynch her but for the intervention of an engineer from a nearby, dam construction camp. “Spitfire” is not for those who do not like the unorthodox, but it provides interesting character study by Katherine Hepburn and entertainment of the rarer kind. A full supporting programme includes Miss Iris Mason at Fhe organ. MAJESTIC THEATRE “Man of Two Worlds” An old problem iu a new setting is presented to patrons of the Majestic during the coming iveek: “Man of Two Worlds” is the story of the savage who, balf-tamed, is introduced to civilisation. Some savages in such a situation might become home-sick and weary of their new life, but Francis Lederer, as Aigo, the great Eskimo hunter, has acquired just enough experience of his English environment to wish for more. He creates an awkward problem which is increased by the fascination which Joan, the daughter of Aigo’s explorer-master, exerts over ■ him. An unexpected touch provides the logical solution of the situation. Francis Lederer faces a difficult role, but is most convincing first as the native Eskimo, and later as an entrant into what seemed to him a new world, and commands all the attention of the audience. Elissa Landi fills her part as Joan with capable restraint, and the supporting players are in sympathy with the story. The scenes of Eskimo life are an interesting departure from the usual settings in films. The supports include a news, two comedies, and a Popeye cartoon. KING’S THEATRE “The Silver Spoon” and “The Purchase Price” While the King’s Theatre has always a happy knack of presenting entertaining programmes, it is doubtful if any could give more pleasure to audiences than the double-feature programme which began jts season yesterday. The major item. “The Silver Spoon,” is a mysterythriller of unique make-up. It concerns two gentlemen tramps who have accepted a wandering life in order to forget a love affair. How each is brought to the knowledge of knowing the same woman precipitates a legion of complications. A murder is committed in a house which they raid, and from then on mystery and comedy-farce are mixed in merry proportions. Binnie Barnes, and lan Hunter, and Garry Marsh, as the tramps, carry the major roles with satisfying ability. A night club singer brought suddenly face to face with the adamant life of the American waybacks hints at the theme in “The Purchase Price,” the second feature.