PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 22142, 24 September 1935, Page 13

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE “ 'Peace on Earth; Goodwill Toward Men ’ may seem an odd beginning to a, notice of a film of slaughter and horror. But is it?” asked the film critic of the ‘ Daily Express,” when writing about ‘ Forgotten Men,’ the 8.1. P. production which is being screened at the Empire. “ If those words mean anything to you; if the spirit breathing them seems a lovely and desirous thing to you, you cannot see this picture without rededicating yourself to do what you can toward this end,” ho continued. “If those words seem to embody a weakly, passive ideal; one in whose service you cannot become enthusiastically active, the camera has come to shock you out of your apathy. The young men of to-day—and there are some who say ‘ War may be horrible, but it contains fun and adventure ’ should be made to see ‘ Forgotten Men.’ . They won’t see fun, they won’t see adventure. . . . They will see the insane fury of war on the Alps; of war in the East; of war on the sea; of war triumphant.” GRAND Merry moments in the really mirth-provoking production, ‘ Annie, Leave the Room,’ which concludes tonight _at the Grand. The humorous complications arising from the operations of a film company in an impecunious lord’s mansion form the basis of an entertaining story. ‘ Captain Hurricane,’ a sea drama, is also shown. ST. JAMES Chester Morris has the leading role in 1 Society Doctor,’ which heads the current programme at the St. James. Robert Tayler and Chester Morris are both house surgeons in love with # the same nurse, Virginia Bruce. Morris is a particularly brilliant young doctor, but ho gets into trouble when Tie orders an immediate operation to be performed on the son of a wealthy city magnate. Under sentence of dismissal ho adds to his high-handed “ offence ” by attacking “society doctors,” the men with pleasant bedside manners, but a minimum of medical knowledge, who prey on wealthy neurotic patients. Further complications arise when who is looked upon with favour by a rich woman patient, decides to ignore the ethics of his profession and allow her to use her influence in getting his sentence cancelled. A Laurel and Hardy comedy heads a fine supporting bill. OCTAGON An excellent double-feature programme at the Octagon this week is offered in conjunction with comedy talkie tests conducted by Dr A. L. Lewis, of Hollywood. There have been excellent entries for the trials, and the first performances have disclosed some really good talent. The main film is ‘ Danny Boy,’ an attractive Irish story, that features Ronnie Hepworth. a 12-year-old boy, as Danny. As the film moves on Danny, the son of a street musician, becomes more and more popular with his audience, and Ins crowning effort comes when he is heard on the accordion playing “ old time ’ favourites in company with the Ragamuffins Orchestra. ‘ Song at_ Eventide ’ is the second picture. It is a musical romance featuring Fay Compton, the celebrated actress and singer, and is delightful screen fare. Several beautiful songs are woven into the story. including ‘ For You Alone,’ ‘ My Treasure,’ and ‘ Vienna, City of Mv Dreams.’ With its excellent cast of players this film completes a fine programme. STATE Filmgoers who remember the performance of Jan Kiepura in the cele brated film, ‘Tell Me To-night,’ and later in ‘My Song For You,’ should welcome the attraction now at the State, ‘My Heart is Calling.’ Tins production is equally as beautiful from the musical aspect, and has a story quite as appealing and hilarious as its predecessors. The talented singer Kiepura is said to be at his best* and that_ in Itself should prove a great attraction to Dunedin music lovers. An outstanding feature is the charming background against which the story is set. ' Other popular artists in the cast .are the inimitable comedian, Sonnio Hale, ''’ho appeared with such distinction in other films of this type, and the European stage actress, Marta Eggert. The latter is mainly responsible for the romantic element of the story, and gives a fine performance. The picture offers some of the best, entertainment sented in Dunedin for some time. There is a particularly good selection of supporting films. REGENT ‘Folies Bergero,’ a bright musical film written around the place of entertainment of the same name in Paris,,is now attracting considerable attention at the Regent. With Maurice Chevalier to give the finish and expression to his role that only a Frenchman could give, and with beautiful Merlo Oberon in support, the story goes with a swing throughout. The story begins in a theatre and ends in a theatre. To begin with Chevalier appears on the stage in the role of the comedian, Charlier, receiving the enthusiastic applause of a Paris audience. Then we are allowed to see him in a particularly brilliant piece of dual role acting. He comes on to the stage as a certain French nobleman and financier, the comedian in an impersonation. In the theatre watching him is the nobleman himself —Chevalier again, in another role. Both the nobleman and his" wife are impressed with the facility of the impersonation, and both are ready to cnnirratulate the clever actor. Neither of them realises the sfcrang way in which, the actor, Charlier, is to enter their lives. STRAND The psychology of fear plays an interesting parti in ‘ The Notorious Gentleman,’ the exciting film which heads the double-featured programme at the Strand. A brilliant lawyer, who is noted for his ability to secure the acquittal of undoubted murderers, plans a crime which will be perfect in every detail. He murders the man who, was responsible for his sister’s death, and who is also the fiance of the girl he loves. Despite a good motive and the opportunity, ho is able to convince everyone that he could not have committed the crime, and it appears that he will go free. It is then that fear enters his heart and preys on his mind to such an extent that he makes one slip. Charles Bickford makes of the lawyer-criminal an interesting characterisation. The second film is a comedy- i drama entitled ‘ The Girl From Tenth i Avenue,’ featuring Bette Jlavis and lan I Hunter.

MAYFAIR ’The screen adaption of G. K. Chesterton’s celebrated book ‘Father Brown, Detective ’ will conclude tonight at the Mayfair. The adventures of the worldly Father Brown with criminals furnishes excellent material for an entertaining tale. Paul Lucas,, Walter Connoly, and Gertrude Michael have the leading roles. A fine thriller, ‘ The Return of the Terror,’ featuring Mary Aster and John Halliday, is the other picture.

LAURIER. PORT CHALMERS

As Bill Bailey, known as the “ Bail Bond King,” George Bancroft, too long absent from the screen, has a role in ‘ Blood Money ’ that fits him like the proverbial glove. This picture, which heads the fare that commenced to-day at the Laurier, Port Chalmers, is responsible for some splendid acting by an excellent cast, including Frances Dee, Chick Chandler, Judith Anderson, Etienne Girardot, and others. Bailey i<i the boss of the underworld of a great city—a power in politics who names his own mayors, councilmen, and district leaders. But when this crooked colossus crosses off the woman who started him on his road to success he learns how weak is his, power.