PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 22443, 14 September 1936, Page 2

PICTURE THEATRES

GRAND Entertainment ol high standard is heng presented at the Grand this week, .vhore ‘ The Invisible Ray,’ coupled with ‘ We’re Only Human,’ is proving very popular with local motion picture Tans. Its cast is headed by the two most accomplished character artists of the sensational type of films, Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi, who have thrilled audiences with their portrayals in _such memorable films as ‘ Dracula, ’* Frankenstein,’ ( The Black Room,’ and 1 The Haven.’ Karloff gives a brilliant portrayal of a scientist who discovers a powerful element with which ho becomes affected. The result is that his hands and face are luminous at night, and by the touch of his hand he can kill. Lugosi, as his friend, Dr Benet. discovers an antidote. The doctor, taking advantage of Karloff’s condition, announces to the scientific world that ho himself is the discoverer of the new element. This enrages Karloff, who is further infuriated when he learns that his wife has fallen in love with another young man. He plans a terrible death for every member of the expedition which is travelling into Central Africa to find the new element. He kills three of the party, but, in a thrilling climax, death from his own discovery overtakes him. ‘ A MESSAGE TO GARCIA.’ Wallace Beery, Barbara Stanwyck, John Boles—these three stars, together for the first time, enact t}ie .principal roles in Twentieth, Century’s ‘ A Message to Garcia,’ which comes to the Grand on Wednesday. Boles is Lieutenant Rowan, the man who curries the message to Garcia in the ' jungle interior, a message that will change the destinies of three nations. For a companion lie takes Wallace Beery, an afnusing rogue who is half-traitor, halfhero. When they discover that the man who was to guide them to Garcia has been killed they take his daughter, Raphaelita (Barbara Stanwyck), tn show them the way. The storv is built up to a dramatic, climax, in which Rowan is led by mistake into the enemy camp. The essential romantic element is introduced stUfnllv during tho course of f.k/> film, and offers a charming contrast to the exciting drama. EMPIRE An entirely new film has been made of ‘ Three Live Ghosts,’ and those who remember the success of the picture when it was made in the early days of talkies will welcome the opportunity of measuring the immense progress of film technique since 1930. The new production. which is now at the Empire, is a spendid achievement. It presents a story constructed on the lines of broadest farce in a way that will appeal to all filmgoers. Briefly, 1 Three Live Ghosts ’ concerns three soldiers—an American, a Cockney, and a titled Englishman “ queer ” from shellshock—who return from the war after imprisonment in a German camp, to find themselves officially listed as “ dead.” For varying reasons they decide to remain hidden behind this official cloak of anonymity. Their adventures ■ as they move through London as living dead men, without names or identity, provide moments of hilarious comedy. Claude Allister, Richard Arlen, Charles M'Naughton, and Beryl Mercer head tho brilliant cast. Beryl Mercer, incidentally, recreates the role which made her famous 'on the stage—that of a Cockney mother who gets into a pickle by collecting her boy’s war insurance, only’ to have him bob up, hale and hearty, when she has spent the insurance money, * KLONDYKE ANNIE.’ Mae West has become an international institution, and in ‘ Klondyko Annie,’ which commences on Friday at the Empire, she consolidates her unique position on the screen. No one other than a superb actress could make convincing the amazing characters in which Mae West specialises; but the response of filmgoers the world over to her first pictures left no doubt that Miss West had Hit upon a gold mine when she created a modern version of the alluring ladies of New York’s <*olden ago. In ‘ Kkmdyke Annie ’ tho scene changes to San Francisco and Alaska, but for all that the spirit of the gay ’nineties is preserved intact. REGENT The refreshingly light touch of Jeffery Farnol is by no moans lost in its transmission to the screen ; in fact, in some respects it is enhanced. ‘ The Amateur Gentleman ’ is one of his most entertaining works, and the screen version, at present screening at the Regent, receives skilful treatment from Douglas Fairbanks, jun., Elissa Landi, and Gordon Harker. The remainder of the strong cast is also sympathetic in its handling. It is at a little country inn that all the trouble starts. The “ Amateur Gentleman ” is the son of an ex-prizefighter, brought up as a gentleman. He breaks sensationally into society in order to discover the truth about some missing pearls, for which his father has been arrested cm a charge of theft, and, in accordance with the custom of the day, is sentenced to death. In the course of his quest he becomes a friend of the Prince Regent, the worshipper of the proud Lady Oleone, and the enemy of the suavely villainous Chichester. At various stages of the story he is the hero of a knuckle fight, the instigator of a gaol break, and tho quarry of Bow street runners. Finally he unmasks the real culprit, the scoundrelly Chichester, and 1 wins tho hand of the Lady Cleonc. English critics are loud in their praise of Douglas Fairbanks jun., whom they consider is absolutely right ns the hero of those various adventures. STATE One of tho brightest, happiest, and most delightful films Uic screen has presented for many months, ‘ Cap-ain January,’ starring ‘Mirky Temple, is at present screening at the State. A genuinely dramatic story undo lies the song, dance, and remedy ('•lights of this now story, in which Shirley plays the part of a much-loved friend of the two old sea salts. Guy Kibbee, in the principal supporting role, plays the part of the lighthouse keeper, the man who rescued the child from the sea years before, and fears that someone will take the child from him. When Sara Haden, the truant officer, threatens to take Shirley from him ICibheo stops his quibbling with Slim Summerville, with whom he is always squabbling, and they join forces temporarily to “ out ” Miss Haden. Buddy Ebsen and Juno Lang are also in tiie conspiracy to make Shirley and bet foster father happy. The climax- ct the flint is devoted to a thrilling sea chase, in which Shirley and Kibhoe flee from .Miss Haden in a sailing shin. Although they are caught, their friends contrive to bring a happy ending to the picture. The film contains a number of catchy tunes and delicht-tul dances. ‘The Right Somebody tc

Love ’ is tho song hit of the picture, composed by Jack I'etlen and Lew Pollack. David Butler directed. ‘ FOLLOW THE FLEET.* The team of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers should by now need no recommendation to ilic picture-going public of Dunedin. They are generally accepted to have brought dancing to the lighest possible pitch, both as. a team and as individuals. They are again earned together m ‘ Follow the Fleet,’ which will begin a season at the State on Friday. There is little nepd to go back over the successes that tjiese two have had together, but tho names of such films ad ‘ Flying Down to Rio,’ ‘ The Gay Divorcee,’ ‘ Roberta,’ and • Top Hat ’ will give an angle on the film when it is realised that the coming presentation is quite the equal of the best of them. Further guarantee of the merit of the film is „iven by the name of Irving Berlin under the song hits. ST. JAMES Although it might have been thought that Jean Harlow had readied the height of success in ‘ China Seas,’ it is said i#iat she is even better in ‘ Riff Raff,’ with Spencer Tracey, which is at present at the St. James. It is a story of the primitive emotions of men and women who go down to the sea in ships, wresting an existence from the constant struggle with the deep. Like ‘ China Seas,’ ‘ Riff Raff ’ gives Miss Harlow a tremendous opportunity to display her dramatic ability. This is no society drama, no polite comedy of the drawing room. This is a love story without a word of love, a romance as savagely elemental as the environment in which it takes place. Add together ‘ Red Headed Woman,’ ‘ Red Dust,’ and ‘ Hold Your Man,’ then think of a young ‘ Min and Bill ’ —and some idea of the powerful drama which is ‘ Riff Raff ’ will be obtained. Cast as a waterfront girl whose speech and manner are no more polished than those of the people among whom she lives, Jean Harlow nevertheless allows no trace of vulgarity to creep into her work. On tho other hand, both by her vitality and sincerity, she has the sympathy of the audience from the beginning. Playing opposite her is Spencer Tracy, wdio is seen as a rugged young fisherman with an amazing idea of his own prowess and importance. The story tells first of the breezy romance which leads to their marriage, and then it takes a more serious turn when it unfolds a chain of events which show the husband in a series of troubles that arise from his stubbornness and conceit.

‘ PAGE MISS GLORY.’ A stupid chambermaid who is forced to masquerade as “ the most beautiful girl in America ” is the central character in the farce ‘ Pago Miss Glory,’ to commence a season at the St, Janies on Friday. Two young men living on their wits enter a photograph, in which they have combined the best features of a number of beautiful girls, in a beauty competition. The photograph not unnaturally wins the first prize, and the authors have to produce the girl whom it represents. An elaborate masquerade is" planned, with the chambermaid as the unwilling victim, and From this point onward the story_ is continuously amusing. Marion Davies. ~r/>Mv. Dick Powell. Pat O’Brien, and Frank MTiugli head the cast. STRAHB * Hell-ship Morgan,’ which has commenced a season at the Strand, is a powerful tale of life on the high seas. The theme indicated in the title has been used as the basis of several fine adventure novels, but owing to the .difficulties of procuring authentic settings it has seldom been used in motion pictures. These difficulties have been successfullv overcome in this production, the sea scenes in which are particularly impressive. The cast is headed by three sterling character . 'ayers in George Bancroft. Victor Tory, and Ann Sothern. The muscular Bancroft is well cast as the skipper of a tuna fishing ship, a man who has earned his reputation for ruthless achievements. By appealing to the sense of loyalties of a penniless girl (Ann Sotherni, he marries her and takes her to sea. On the ship she meets the handsome first mate (Victor Jory), and soon realises where her affections lie. The rivalry between the two men reaches its climax during a terrific cyclone, when the ship is in danger of sinking and the crew mutinies. Baner ft gives what deserves to be ranked among the best of his long Hue of strong characterisations. Colonel Tim M‘Coy, starred in Columbia’s outdoor drama, ‘ Justice of the Range,’ the associate feature, as a range detective, owns one of the finest collections of Indian curios in existence. While in Wyoming he supervised the Indian reservations. His trophies, which include a scalp, beadwork, headdresses, costumes, war bonnets, and pipes, are gifts from his Indian friends. Billy Seward is featured opposite M‘Coy in * Justice of the Range.’ HAYFAIR ‘ Peck’s Bad Boy,’ starring Jackie Cooper, which commenced screening at the Mayfair on Saturday, was greeted by an enthusiastic audience, which paid it the tribute of much laughter as well as a few tears. It is a great human document. The story is that of a misunderstood boy, who, though full of mischief and lively spirits, is at heart a fine, manly youngster who wins everybody’s liking on sight. Played by Jackie Cooper, lie is an unfailing delight. William Powell encounters the most baffling mystery of his career in VStar of Midnight,’ the second feature on the programme. As compensation for the difficulty of the case he has a peppery, titian-trossed Ginger Rogers as his assistant in clue tracing. The sophisticated mystery drama unites Powell and Miss Rogers on the screen for the first time. The plot centres about the weird disappearance of a beautiful woman, and the mysterious murder of a newspaper columnist which ensues. Romance and subtle comedy combined with the mystery dement make the story one of absorbing interest and varied appeal. The programme is concluded by the appearance of the popular child star Shirley Temple in the comedy ‘ Pardon My Pups.’ OCTAGON The talking firm version of Jerome Kern's famous musical comedy ‘ Roberta ’ is now liavi n(r a successful season at the Octagon. Writing of ‘ Roberta,’ an Austral’an critic sc'd: “ It is a brilliant and entbra ,l i' , g of light entertainment. Fred. Astaire superhuman, the dancing to ‘ I’ll Be Hard to Handle ’ being an absolute tornado. Of marvellous intricacy and technical perfection is the number which goes with ‘ When Smoke Gets in Your Ryes.’ ‘ Roberta ’ is, in short, a dancing marvel. RKO have achieved a triumph with this musical comedy, retaining plenty of human interest in the story, adding gorgeous spectacle, but doing it with discretion and giving talented players every opportunity.” In addition the comcdv has a rare sparkle, the trucking is lavish, and the music is

delightful. The story tells of an American footballer who finds that he has inherited “ Roberta,” the most famous gown establishment in Paris. Three stars that shine a little more brightly than any of the others are Astaire, Ginger Rogers, and Irene Dunne. Individuallv Edna May Oliver and James Gleason have won reputations as comedians. Together they are one of the most amusing pairs of entertainers to appear on the screen. In ‘ Murder on a Honeymoon,’ which is in support, they have parts which give them opportunity to exploit their talents to the full. Mis: Oliver is an inquisitive schoolmistress who suspects that every death is a murder, and Gleason is a fast-talking but stupid police inspector. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE Shakespeare has been brilliantly translated into screen terms by Dr Max Reinhardt in the picture version of 1 A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ commencing on Wednesday at His Majesty’s Theatre. The film brought Reinhardt into tho cinema studios for the first time, and no one could move appropriately have undertaken rho big task. He produced ‘ A Midsummer Night’s Dream ’ in the open air at Oxford, and again in the great Hollywood Bowl, Where, presumably, it was pounced on by the film p.-ople as a likely “ novelty.” To define the features of the film separately would require a whole newspaper, bu t the more notable are the spirited scenes in which the mischievous intentions of Puck, played by Mickey Rooney, are centred. With a piquancy that almost takes the breath of the audience away the scenes change from the woodland where Rottom, a role in which James Cagney excels himself, is love-making with Titania to the song of welcome to Theseus. A true conception of the ideal fairy woodland has been j <en into the picture, and.no flaw or defect in any technical detail is to ue delected. The music which accompanies the production is all py Mendelssohn. Other names which appear, in tho large cast are lan Hunter, Dick Powell, Grant Mitchell, Joe E. Brown. Victor jcy, Jean Muir, Anita Louise, Olivia de Havilland, and Venoe Teasdale.