PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 22147, 30 September 1935, Page 13

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE With the enchainment of .Hawaiian nights, the spirit of the United States army, the thrill of West I’oint, and-the romance of youth. ‘ Flirtation Walk,’ which is delighting Empire audiences, brings the first miltary musical to the screen. Aud it is fitting that for'this picture two experienced musical comedy stars have been chosen—Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler. These stars have appeared in a number of popular musical comedies, but this latest one must be placed at the top of the list. Briefly, the story deals with the rise of a young officer and his mutual love affair with the general’s daughter, with the inevitable complications provided by the general’s aide, who is also in love with the girl. Of course, all ends satisfactorily, but not before thc'dull quota of embarrassing situations amusing incidents have appeared. There are three excellent musical numbers, ‘ Miami Mrs is the Name,’ ‘No Horse, No Wife, No Moustache” and ‘ Flirtation Walk.’ Dick Powell is the rising officer, and Ruby Keeler the general’s daughter. Pat O’Brien is also starred, appearing as Sergeant I h orn hill • Powell’s superior officer, Ihe West Point Cadet Corps is also featured.. A most attractive supporting programme is also shown. k REGENT < It’s a Bet,’ a sparkling British comedv, full of laughter and action, is being featured at the Regent, ihe popular Gene Gcrrard and gives an excellent performance as Die gay Hollo who takes up a challenge to disappear- and remain hidden for a month while the police force and the Press are doing their utmost to find him. Rollo disappears into the country, and for a while things go smoothly, but when ho reaches the stage when he has to steal eggs from a poultry farm in order to provide his morning meal, the ’comic element reaches its climax. The outlawed man has a staunch supporter in Clare, a girl who befriends turn, and aids him in ms hilarious attempts to frustrate the brains of the police force. Whan a reward is offered for his capture Holm is continually pursued by crowds or citizens eager ior the money, anti filially finds a temporary refuge as the drivqr of a ■round-about in a fair. Recognition is inevitable, and so once again he is forced to take to the fields. Tlie. romantic side of the story is well catered for, Judy Kelly taking the part of Polio's financed in the opening scenes, and Helen Chandler that of tlie girl he meets when,he is trying to keep out of the clutches of the law. Thrills are fast itiicl furious, and the pace of the picture is maintained to the end. St. JAMES That it is not necessary to have warriors or gangsters to provide a motion picture with thrills, or the affairs of a rich young woman to give the plot interest, is proved in • ‘Sequoia,’ the open-air drama which is being shown at the St. James. To sceptics who may think that it is merely a lesson in natural history it is necessary to say ho more than that into this film is crammed more stirring action than may bo found in a dozen productions with ■ more intriguing titles, while an intense interest in the progress of the story is sustained from start to finish. Against a_ spacious background of wild mountain and forest scenery, there is unfolded the intriguing story of a lawn and a mountain, lion cub' brought tip. together 'as pets by Toni Martin (Jean Parker), the daughter of a novelist who has gone to Die Sennoia National Park in search of inspiration. Reversion to his natural instincts causes the lion later to turn into, a . midnight. marauder, hut the friendship between him _ and the fawn, and between both animals and Die girl, remains unbroken during passing years. The bond is severely tested, at times, largely owing to the activities of a forest outlaw, and there are some exciting scenes when the animals come to the rescue of each other, and of Toni, A Laurel and Hardy comedy is also being screened.

GRAND ‘ The Morals of -Marcus,’ now .showing at the Grand, is from the pen ol Unit popular English writer, u. Locke. The story is amusing, ami deals with the discovery by Marcus Ordeync, a staid-scientist, of Carlotlu. an attractive girl hail' English and halt Syrian, hiding in his cabin, as ho is about to return from a Syrian ports to England. Ho takes her to his Mayfair home and complications then set ni. The tempestuous , Mexican star, Lupe Velez, appears in her first British production, in ‘The -Morals ol Alaieus, and gives a brilliant performance as the wild Marietta. Her delightfully temperamental nature is offset by the staid dignity of lan Hunter as Sir Marcus. Also in the cast is Noel -Madison, son of the famous Manr.eo M.oscoviteli. STATE Critics and those others who have attended screenings of ‘ Love Me forever,’ now at the State, chum that this production is even greater than ‘One Night of Love. 1 Besides a more powerful story, it has a larger cast, and an even more picturesque background. Many are of the opinion that ALss Moore’s voice is even more beantuul than before. Columbia Studios state that now methods of recording have been employed, which bring out qualities in Miss voice not heard in ‘One Night of Love.’ Victor Schertzinger, to whom a large amount ol credit for ‘ One Night ol Love must go, directed ‘ Love Me Forever. Ihe picture is an adaptation ot his oiigmal idea, adapted to the screen by Jo Sivciliuor a nd Sidney Biichman. Loo Canllo plays the, role of Corelli, the -nuisic- ■ loving Italian gambler and cale operator, the leading mate character ol the production. Luis Alherni, remembered from ‘One Night of Love ’ as the. encitftble. assistant to Tnllio t,annum, has the role of general handy man an., friend of the gambler. I'rom the New York stao-e and concert halls comes Michael Bartlett, lyric tenor, distinguished in music circles there ami abroad. Robert Allen, also from the New York stage and comparatively new to the screen, is also in the strong cast The supporting cast is completed witli nlayers such as Douglas Dumbnllo, Spring Bvington. and Gavin Gordon. In addition to the classical numbers. Love Me Forever’ introduces a new song by Victor Schertzmger called Love Me Forever.’ STRAfID ‘ Journal of a Crime,’ featuring Iluth (Jhatterton and Adolphe Menjou, is the Strand’s main picture. Boili are fine artists, and the story is such that it should provide them with plenty' ot opportunity for a display of then dramatic talents. Although it is a murder story it deals more with the psychological effects of -the crime than the crime itself, and when it is realised that it is the two, principals who arc chieflv concerned in the murder, it should he clear that there will he some tense and dramatic situations. • the story of * The Church Mouse* the other picture, breaks no new ground—it deals with the plain-looking, but very efficient, secretary of a prominent banker, who finally blossoms forth as a charming young lady and as a result captures the affections of her employer —lint .so well is it presented that it makes thoroughly enjoyable enteitainment from beginning to end. lan Hunter, as the hanker who has an eye for a pretty woman, is 'particularly .well east, and he and Miss-La Plante make a romantic pair. Although the whole iilm is a comedy the palm for the cleverest comedv work-must be handed to Clifford Heatherley in the role o a wealthy old magnate, .who considers that his business should not be allowed to' interfere with his pleasure. OCTAGON The main feature on the Octagon’s programme is tho him. ‘ It Happened One Night,’ in which Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert are the principal players. Miss Colbert lias the role or Ellen Andrews, pampered daughter of a millionaire. She wishes to marry an aviator against her father’s wishes, and, indeed, elopes with him. Her father endeavours to trace her to bring her back home, but she leaves alone from Miami, having arranged to meet the aviator in New York, 'ihc first person she meets on the bus is Peter Warne, a jobless newspaper reporter, and they quarrel at first sight. He ‘saves her from- various humiliations which, iii her sheltered life, she has not learned to expect, and eventually when all the money they have between them is gone and her photos in tho newspapers” are. causing fellowtravellers to recognise her, they leave the bus and “ hitch hike ” on their way. By questionable means, Peter acquires an ancient car and sells his meagre possessions in order to get petrol. Their main item of diet is carrotit. Eventually, the two fall in love, and in the final scenes the happy ending is reached, but not before there has Fecit a considerable -amount ol entertainment for the audience. The supporting film is ‘ Social Register.’ lecturing Colleen Moore. MAYFAIR There will he many who will ho pleased to learn that the favourite old novel ‘ Airs Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch ’ has been transferred to the screen and is at present on exhibition at the Mayfair, and there will also be many who have not read the book who will be delighted with this whimsical story. It is a well-balanced production, with abundant humour against the inevitable tragedy of Cabbage Patch life. Mrs Wiggs is played, and not overplayed, by Pauline Lord. Her interpretation of the part is sympathetic and lively. She is necessary to all the other players, for to them she is the mother who encourages or the friend who helps. Zasii Pitts is her usual amusing self as the maiden lady who is a neighbour of Airs Wiggs. Other chief parts are taken by W. 0. Fields, who makes humorous use of his nose and his expressive hands, Evelyn Venables and Kent Taylor. The other film on the programme is ‘ British Agent,’ in which the lending roles are taken by Kay Francis and Leslie Howard. The scene of the story is Russia, and the period the early days of the revolution. Miss. Francis is seen as a member of tho Russian aristocracy, upon whom the suffering of the peasants has left such an impression that she becomes imbued with Communistic ideals. .She meets Stephen Locke (Leslie Howard) during a disturbance, and lie saves her life in a street riot. The chance acquaintanceship develops into something much deeper, and the film tells in ‘exciting fashion the story of their adventures together in that dramatic period of Russian history. _