PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 22149, 2 October 1935, Page 2

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE Its unusualness plus the personality of Dick Powell invest ‘ Flirtation Walk,’ at the Empire, with an interest that never flags. Together with Ruby Keeler and Pat O’Brien, Powell makes of His latest picture an entertaining show. As Dick (“ Canary .”) Dorcy, he is an army private stationed at the Hawaiian Islands. When the daughter of General Kitts arrives there Dorcy incurs til© displeasure of her finace, Lieutenant Biddle, A.D.C. to the general. Finally a remark passed about him by the aide eats into his soul, and from then on he decides to go to West Point and become an officer. Just before Dorcy receives his commission at West Point General Fitts takes over the training academy, and with him comes his daughter. With the daughter on the scene again, no imagination is needed to work out which way things go, but in the development of this satisfactory climax there is an interesting series of events. ST. JAMES ‘ Sequoia,’ showing at the'St. James, contains some of the most beautiful and artistic photography seen on the screen since the spectacular 4 Man of Aran.’ The action takes place in the Sequoia National Park, where much of the film was photographed, ‘and an atmosphere of realism and freshness has been imparted which does a great deal to heighten the effect of the drama. The story is unusual. Alongside the romance of two young people who live in the park there runs a stirring story of animal life. A deer and a mountain lion, two of Nature’s most deadly enemies, were photographed in their natural haunts from the time when they were two weeks old until a friendship developed which lasted until maturity. Some other remarkable scenes of animal life are included, and the human interest is admirably maintained by Russell Hardie and Jean Parker. A” Laurel and Hardy comedy is also shown. ( REGENT * It’s a Bet ’ is providing excellent entertainment at the Regent. Gene Gerrard gives a splendid performance as the 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. Hollo disappears into the country, and for a while things go smoothly, but when he 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 romantic side of the story is well catered for, Judy Kelly taking the part of Rollo’s fiancee in the opening scenes, and Helen Chandler that of the girl he meets when he is trying to keep out of the clutches of the law. There are several excellent supporting films. STRAND Ruth Chatter ton, who achieved a great reputation by Her work in early talking films, is cast in the leading role of ‘ Journal of a Crime,’ which is now showing at the Strand. The story takes an unexpected and sensational turn during a, rehearsal of his latest play. After robbing a bank and killing a clerk, a desperate criminal takes refuge in the theatre where the rehearsal is being conducted. A shot is fired and the actress falls. The criminal is arrested and executed, but the playwright senses an unusual twist in ; the circumstances surrounding the murder and the manner in which he obtains a confession from the guilty person—his own wife—forms a tense piece of entertainment. Adolphe Menjou plays opposite Miss Chatterton, The second picture on the programme ‘ The Church Mouse,’ features Laura La Plante and lan Hunter in an amusing, comedy. STATE The golden-voiced Grace Moore is seen at her best in * Love Me Forever,’ her latest film, which is now at the State. The song from which the picture takes it name was specially written for Miss Moore. Other songs include excerpts from grand opera and lighter selections, all given in the same joyous, effortless manner. The principal male role is played by Leo Carillo. Michael Bartlett, a lyric tenor of New York and Continental repute, and Robert Allen, also from the New York stage, are associated with him. Comedy is provided by Luis' Alberni, the excitable assistant to Tullio Carminati in ‘ One Night of Love.’ A splendid tribute to Miss Moore was paid by Miss Gladys Moncrieff, the popular Australian soprano, after she had attended a perview of ‘ Love Me Forever.’ “Grace Moore is delightful, in this film, especially in the snow scene and in the duet with the tenor, Michael Bartlett,” said Miss Moncrieff. “ Her singing of the beautifully orchestrated ‘II Bficio and her dancing at the same time - , with the accompaniment of a chorus, forms a splendid opening to the film.” OCTAGON There will be many who have pleasant recollections of ‘ It Happened One Night,’ which, was shown some time ago in Dunedin, and there will be not a few who will welcome the opportunity of seeing it once again during its present season at the Octagon. Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert are the leading players in tlie cast, and each of them gives performances which rank among the best they have done. The production has an excellent story and is full of clever comedy. Claudette Colbert has the part of a spoiled daughter of society who runs away on a transcontinental bus. On the journey she falls in love with a penniless newspaper reporter (Clark Gable), and although they quarrel at first, they become partners and eventually fall in love. The story of their vicissitudes after leaving the bus is highly diverting. The supporting film is ‘ Social Register.’ featuring Colleen Moore, MAYFAIR Joe E. Brown’s latest comedy, 1 Six Day Bike Rider,’ opened at the Mayfair to-day. The picture is said to bo not only uproariously funny, blit presents some of the biggest thrills ever shown on the screen. The situations are unusual and hilarious. Tho thrills come in the big climax of the picture, an actual bicycle race, in which there are spills aplenty. In one sequence alone 16 of the 24 professional riders who take part in tho race pile np in a crash that takes one’s breath. Brown never, it is claimed, had a role that was more adaptable to His particular line of funmaking than this one, and he makes tho most of it. He works a smile or a hearty laugh into practically every scene. Ho is first seen as a pompons, conceited, small-town youth. When his girl shows a preference for a professional bicycle rider from the city he raises such a" ruction that he loses his job and

gets into disgrace with the entire population. So he sets off with his pal for the big city to enter the great bicycle race in order to show the home-town folk wliat a big fellow he really is. LAURIER, PORT CHALMERS Tile story of ‘ The Man Who Knew too Much,’ concluding at the Laurie: to-night, is human, although its aspects are, fortunately for peace of mind, unusual. The father (with wife and little daughter) on holiday in Switzerland, obeying the dying behest of a secret service agent,, finds and holds a vita 1 clue to the intentions of a gang of terrorists who had planned to kill a foreign dignitary' when he visits' England. He knows too much, and his daughter is kidnapped—if he reveals his knowledge she will die. A particularly strong cast enacts this fine story—Leslie Banks. Edna Best. Nova Pilbeam (heroine of ‘ Little Friend ’), and others.