PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 21744, 12 June 1934, Page 11

PICTURE THEATRES

STATE . The unforgettable ‘ Carolina,’ a masterpiece of acting by Lionel Barrymore, and a magnificent portrayal, by the charming Janet Gaynor, will conclude at the State to-night. It is a picture abounding in richness and beauty.' The cast includes seven stars, all of whom do more than justice to the parts allotted to them. This _ outstanding screen play depicts realistically and dramatically the aspirations and the struggle of the south; also a southern family’s efforts to regain the glory that once was theirs. Janet Gaynor and Lionel Barrymore. have the leading roles, and their pbrtrayals are superb. Robert Young, Henrietta Grosman, Richard Cromwell, and Mona Barrie head the supporting cast. HAND The first feature-length New Zealand film, ‘ Romantic New Zealand,’ which is noy being screened at the Grand Theatre, is drawing the attention of all interested in their own country. The film, which was produced by Filmcraft, Ltd., in co-operation with Trucolour Films Ltd.,, and the New Zealand Government Tourist and Publicity Department, is one deserving of the heartiest patronage, for not only does it provide entertainment of a standard of excellence seldom seen on the screen, but it offers educational possibilities . which are not to be ignored. In the opening scenes the life of the Maori is pictured as it was lived many years before the white man came to these shores, and from time to time the picturesque Native appears again, and his methods of cooking, playing, and fighting are graphically described. The picture goes on to describe the discovery of New Zealand, first by ,the Dutch sailors and later by Captain Cook, and some of the oldest buildings in the country—those at the Bay of Islands—are shown, as is the site of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Modern New Zealand is next the subject of treatment, and the audience is transported by air'over Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin, and Christchurch. In the first city the harbour which permits huge liners berthed n>t the end of the main sireet is the main subject of interest, while Wellington’s charming seaside suburbs, Dunedin’s stately architecture, and the beauty of Christchurch’S willow-bordered Avon arc the main features of _ the other cities. The big-game fishing of the northern waters is shown with all its thrills, and the trout fishing of Lake Taupo and the salmon fishing of lake Tc Anaii are also dealt with ih an attractive manner. -

EMPIRE Perhaps the greatest quality about ‘ Cradle Song,’ at the Empire, _ is its sincerity. There, is not the hint _ of strain anywhere in the acting, to which outstanding distinction has been lent by the performance of Miss Wieck. _ Of an intensely sensitive beauty, she_ gives an extremely natural interpretation of one of the most difficult parts which any screen actress has been called upon to take. The story itself is a difficult one for presentation within the allotted time of a screen play. Perhaps it leaves room for speculation as to whether it was happiness to which the convent-bred' Teresa, played by a charming Evelyn Venable, went when she married the first young man she had ever seen, but the real significance of the story is not concerned with the life of Teresa except in so far as it reflects the sentiments of her young foster mother, the devoted St. Joanna of the Cross, the character which Miss Wieck plays so well. Joanna renounces her own hopes to motherhood by consecrating h er to devotion; and the story concerns the manner in which she tears her thoughts away from a contemplation of the joys and of her family, and_ devotes herself entirely to a religious life. But a, child is left with the sisters, and upon it Joanna lavishes all the tenderness of the : lotherhood which her vows have denied her. She rears tho child and brings to bear upon it the same severity of mind which she has used upon herself. . Dreading (he day in which the girl should decide to leave the convent, she tries to postpone that time. How Teresa meets and falls in love with a young man and how the event reacts upon Joanna make an exceedingly powerful story, and give Dorothea Wieck an exacting ' portunity, which she-takes magnificently. There is an attractive supporting programme. •CTACOH The cast. that Fox has gathered to portray the principal roles in ‘I Loved You Wednesday,’ which is the current attraction at the Octagon, represents one of the happiest pieces of selection in recent months. Warner Baxter is powerful and suave as the engineer; Elissa Landi is beautiful and alluring as the dancer who wins his heart. As the faithless lover, Victor Jory gives weight to his of becoming one of the screen’s shining lights, and Miriam Jordan is excellent in the role of his charming but neglected wife. Laura Hope Crews does wonders with a highly amusing part of masseuse, to a great dancer. The story starts’with the early love of the dancer for an untrustworthy student of architecture. It is carried on happily until the dancer learns of the existence of a forgotten wife. .She leaves for South America, where she meets and falls in love with an engineer. They part, only to meet again in New York, where they find how indispensable their separation has made them toward each other. At this time, however, the architect appears on the scene again, but so does his wife. The dancer has a momentary reversion to her first love, but in a climax that is truly brilliant, this foursome of sophisticates solves their problem. Two elements in the film deserve enthusiastic mention. One is the sequence showing Baxter as the engineer at work on Boulder Dam. It is a stupendous dramatisation of man’s dogged conquest of Nature. The other , is the ‘ Dance of the Maidens,’ certainly one of the most elaborate presentations ever featured in a motion picture. The supporting programme is of a varied and interesting nature. REGENT Thrills, comedy, pathos, and romance are deftly combined in ‘ Night*Flight,’ the great aviation drama, enacted by talented players, which is the current attraction at the Regent. John and Lionel Barrymore, Helen Hayes, Clarke Gable. Robert Montgomery, and William Gargan head the imposing cast of this thrilling production. The story is a powerful drama depicting the flying of the mail by night in South America. It was directed by a man, who holds a transport pilot’s license, Clarence Brown, and is from the pen of Antoine de Sain-Exupery, a pilot on the very lino he writes about. It is said that ‘ Night Flight ’ is the only truly accurate, authentic, and human aeroplane story so far written. The principal characters are John Barrymore, stern, driving manager of the air line; Clark Gable, pilot of the storm-caught plane from Puntas Arenas; Robert Montgom-

ery, pilot of a plane crossing towering mountains; Helen Hayes, fear-ridden wife of Gable; Lionel Barrymore, the lumbering inspector of aeroplanes; and Myrna Loy, wife of William Gargan, tho pilot of the plane to Brazil. It is around these players that a highly dramatic plot centres. There is a terrific drama in the airport office, for example, during the minutes when the two Barrymores, Helen Hayes, and attaches are listening intently for the faint messages of Gable’s plane, off course, lost, arid with only a few' minutes of gasoline left! “ A show in thmselves ” is the verdict after having seen the featureites which support an excellent programme. ST. JAMES A simple theme close to everyday life is dealt with in ‘ ‘ The House of Trent,’ which is the current attraction at the St. James. Set in quiet English surroundings with an entirely British cast the picture has a delightful atmosphere. The acting of Ann Grey and John Stuart coinbmes grace with naturalness. There is a fascinating story, and interpreted by the talented cast it makes first-class entertainment. It is in the years immediately preceding the outbreak of war that the unbroken happiness of the young wife and children is cruelly struck by tho untimely death of their father. Years of struggle follow, and the family is next seen in 1933. The children are now young in their early twenties. John, after a successful university career, returns to his home to wait until he is called to enter a famous London hospital. By accident he meets Angela, the attractive daughter of Lord Fairdown, and although she is meant by her father for another to join two largo newspaper interests, both fall deeply m love with each other. Unexpectedly John is called to London, and a series of circumstances arc set in motion which lead the Trent family through great suffering to happiness and the fulfilment of the hopes of the devoted couple. The supports include an interesting series giving a demonstration of the leg theory by Harold Larwood with Hendreu and other wellknown batsmen at the wicket. STRAND George O’Brien, famous Western star, is given his first non-Western role in ‘ 1 Loved a Woman,’ which is screening at the Strand, which also features Herbert Mundin and Mary Brian. It is essentially to be classed as a comedyromance. It covers, in the present fashion, a period of American life from the ’hineties to the armistice, and Edward G. Robinson is shown as Samuel Hayden, the dilettante son of a beef baron of Chicago. When he takes his father’s place he endeavours to carry out reforms, especially in abolishing the disgraceful slums in which employees of the meat-packers live. He is aided at first by Martha Lane, the daughter of another beef baron who would like to put his hand on some of Samuel Hayden's millions. They marry, but years afterwards he falls under the influence of a beautiful ' opera singer. Henceforth Mrs Hayden devotes her life to bring her husband to her feet. Her revenge is complete when, having made a corner in provisions during the war, he finds stocks on his hands which he cannot sell. The part of the wife is well played by Genevieve Tobin, on whom twenty years do not leave a trace. Kay Francis is excellently cast as the opera singer, to whom lovers are but episodes in her artistic life and career. The picture has every indication of being an unusual film treat. KING EDWARD A breach of promise suit, with Slim Summerville as the lawyer and Zasn Pitts as the girl, is the theme of ‘ Love. Honour, and 0, Baby,’ which heads a double-feature programme at tho King Edward Theatre. It is said to be the most uproarious of the popular come dies screened by these entertainers. The plot revolves around Slim, cast as a ne’er-do-well lawyer, and Zasu, filing clerk, who gets all the facts of life from her employer. Verree Teasdalc takes the part of the blonde villainess. George Barbicr, Lucille Gleason, Miss Toasdale. Donald Meek, Purnell Pratt, and Adrienne Dore, the latter said to be one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, are also in the oast. A gripping film of Polar adventure, ‘ S.O.S. Iceberg ’ is also being screened.

LAURIER A particularly strong cast, beaded by tbe popular American comedian Joe it. Brown, appears in ‘ Son of a Sailor, which will bo screened at the Laurier Theatre, Port Chalmers, to-night and to-morrow. Known by his broad mouth, this celebrated actor has given outstanding performances in many pictures, including ‘ Broad Minded,’ ‘ Yon Said a Mouthful,’ ‘ Elmer the Great, and ‘ Maybe It’s Love.’ Brown has a style of his own, and his peculiar swaggering bravado, together with his naturally funny face, makes him a favourite with audiences of all ages. In this film, which was produced by First National Pictures, he has the assistance of a very capable cast. Thelma Todd, who will be remembered for her performance in ‘ Fra Diavolo,’ Frank M'Hugh, and Jean Muir all have prominent parts. The story concerns Joe E. Brown nad Johnny Mack Brown, who are pals on an aeroplane carrier in the navy. Joe is induced to take part in the boxing championship of the fleet, and the contest is one of the most humorous scenes ever presented.