PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 21746, 14 June 1934, Page 4

PICTURE THEATRES

SPECTACULAR PRODUCTION STATE'S ASTONISHING MUSICAL FILM Jazz, dancing, and very clever aviation stunts as a background to a hectic romance make ‘ Flying Down To Rio easily the best musical production seen on the Dunedin screen since the talkies began. Those who visit the State Theatre, where it is heading the current bill, will agree that it is spectacular beyond words. In short, it is astonishing. The production has a well handled story, the continuity of which is preserved throughout. Handsome Gene Raymond takes his American jazz band to Rio de Janeiro to open a show in a new hotel. He falls in love with Dolores Del Rio, daughter of the hotel owner, and a hot rivalry develops between Raymond and Raul Roulien. a situation complicated by the fact that Roulien has been engaged to Del Rio for years. When the “ heavies/’ a syndicate of Greek try to spoil the deal and ruin Dolores’s father bv getting city officials to prohibit Gene’s show, that young man foils them all by taking bis band and his 200 beauties aloft. In full view of thousands of awed Brazilians, girls sing and dance on the wings of aeroplanes, adagio dancers hurl their fair partners from one plane to another, and ballet dancers trip the light fantastic while fluttering earthward in parachutes. Do lores and Gene are then married by an aeroplane pilot, and everybody lives happily ever afterward. Any attempt to list the delightful and thrilling innovations introduced in ‘ Flying Down To Rio ’ would be futile Dolores Del Rio gives, perhaps the best performance of her career as a LatinAmerican beauty. Raul Roulien, celebrated Spanish and South American star, also does very fine work, and Ins tuneful tenor voice lends enchantment to many of the romantic melodies written for the film. The picture also marks the film debut of Fred. Astaire in a big part. Idol of the London and New York musical comedy stage, and one of ihe best character comedians of the day, he is paired with Ginger Rogers in a humorous romance. Their exaggerated tangos are some of the brightest spots of the show, while the latter’s cow <drl ride on the tail of an aeroplane is distinctly entertaining. The film is elaborately staged against the colourful and architectural beauty of Rio de Janeiro, and native instruments and orchestras provide a haunting atmosphere. Featuring one hundred and fifty beauties, chorus routines are added attractions, and terpsichorean novelties are also largely displayed. One of the latter is the ’ introduction of a new tango by several couples dancing in perfect unison and formation. Of the sets one in particular is selected _ for special mention. Representing a night club of the future, it is built to resemble the interior of a hugh dirigible, and the tables of glass, edged with polished silver, are shaped like the tad of an aeroplane. The orchestra, seated in ix balloon basket* soars about aboxe the heads of the dancers. Credit for the success of ‘Flying Down lo Rio must go to several persons, including Lou Brock, the associate producer and author of the original story, Vincent YoumaiiS, who wrote the words to the song hits, ami Edward Eliscil and Gus Khan for the composition of • the ex- • ceptionally tuneful melodies; -r- - Following in part the style ot the famous curtain-raiser, ‘ Trial by Jury, the comedy film on the supporting programme is a happy mixture of tuneful songs and clever comedy. A Rathe review is a most diverting item, and a newsreel gives the latest happenings ot the world in sighF and sound. REGENT Robert Montgomery, Helen Hayes, and Myrna Loy are included in the cast of distinguished players which give such a vivid interpretation to ‘ Night Flight.,’ which finishes at the Regent tonight. This remarkable film strikes a new note in stories of the air ; in that flying by night and in heavy fogs form the chief dangers faced by the pilots of a mail service. John Barrymore is cast ns the ruthless manager of the service who would sacrifice the lives of his men for the sake of the time-table. EMPIRE ‘ Cradle Song," a deeply emotional story of mother-love and sacrifice, will be finally screened at the Empire tonight. Completely off the beaten track of motion picture entertainment. ‘ Cradle Song ’ is rt delicate handling of a difficult theme. The story tells of a child abandoned at a Pbnvent, and raised by one of the sisters. Drama and heart-break mount to a moving climax when the child, grown to girlhood, meets a young man outside the Convent, and leaves to marry him. A spiritual quality pervades the entire production, though the characters me sharply and individually etched. OCTAGON Warner Baxter, who gave such a brilliant performance as the domineering producer in ‘ 42ud Street,’ has the principal role in ‘ 1 Loved Yon Wednesday,’ the Fox film which will have its final screening at the Octagon tonight. Elissa Landi, the beautiful English actress who made successful appearances in ‘ Tho Sign of the Cross ’ and ‘ The Warrior’s Husband, lias what she considers to be the finest role of her career as Vicki Meredith, an exotic dancer who rises from obscurity to the heights of her profession. GRAND In ‘Romantic New Zealand,’ at the Grand, the cameraman has covered a wide field, and no section of the community could complain that their favoured' beauty spots have been disregarded. Even city views enter into the picture, which is a striking panorama of New Zealand’s beauty and wealth, both natural and physical. One is stirred to a sense of thrilling pride in the heritage left by the hardy pioneers who were responsible for carving their homes from the wilderness, lit dramatic fashion ‘ Romantic New Zealand 1 unfolds the life story of “ Aotearoa,” “ The Long White Cloud ” of Polynesian navigators. The coming of the' great Captain Cook in his historic ship, the EndeavCur, is followed by many colourful phases of pioneer life. Bush-felling, surveying, road-niakirtg in the hack country, the hectic life of the early gold diggings, all come io life again on the silver screen, with sound, colour, and bright descriptive talk to give the atmosphere of the period depicted Stage by stage the picture leads one on through the country’s development to the New Zoa- ; land of to-day, with its progressive cities and busy ports. As a wonderful background, the majestic splendour of our scenery runs through the whole picture. Towering alpine peaks and dazzling glaciers, stupendous fiord walls

and grim volcanic peaks form the setting for the human interest that makes the film a living story throughout. Technically, the film is a credit to New Zealand enterprise, which is also responsible for the presentation of many beautiful scenes in their true colours by a process which is the invention of this country. ‘ Romantic New Zealand ’ should not be missed on any account, and it can be unhesitatingly recommended as ideal film fare for children. The supporting picture is ‘ Ever Since Eve.’ ST. JAMES Portrayed by an entirely British cast and'set in quiet English surroundings, ‘ The House of Trent,’ which will conclude at the St. .Tames to-night, is a film which caters for the tastes of those who appreciate a simple theme close to every-day life. Anne Grey and .John Stuart combine grace and naturalness in the leading roles. The story traces the history of an English family through the years of the Great War and tip to the present time. There is a fine selection of supporting pictures. STRAND With Edward G. and Kay Francis in the principal roles.'* I Roved a Woman,’ will conclude at the Strand to-uight. Air Robinson gives a brilliant portrayal in a role, which, in general outline, is not unlike that which he played in ‘ Silver Dollar.’ The story opens with the clash of the artistic and the business temperaments. Robinson, as Samuel Hayden, scorning to enter his father’s tinned meat business because he considers he has a soul above such things. KING EDWARD The dramatic events which befall the passengers of a largo liner on her voyage Irom Europe to America constitute the theme of ‘ Luxury Liner,’ winch is now being shown at the King Edwaid Theatre. George Brent, Zita Johann, Vivienne Osborne. Alice White, and C. Aubrev Emith (ill the leading roles m this drama of a little community at sea. Brent appears as a doctor who secures a passage with the ship as its physician in order that he might be able to follow his wife, who has run away with another man, while Zita Johann plays the part of his nurse, whose sympathy eventually enables him to lorget his troubles while lie is attending to the needs of a number of ailing passengers. His glimpses of his wife, "’ho is also a passenger, are brief, but are sufficient to make him question the value of his former grief and also to drive her to desperate measures in order to atone for the wrong she has done him.