PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 22465, 9 October 1936, Page 13

PICTURE THEATRES

REGENT Two glorious voices make ‘ Give Us This Night,’ which opened at the Regent to-day, a memorable fiim. Of all the wealth of semi-operatic pictures with which the music and pictureloving public has been treated recently, oven including those featuring; Grace Moore, this is undoubtedly the nest. It features .lan Kiepura, golden-voiced Continental tenor, and Gladys Swarthont, brilliant Metropolitan Opera star. A special musical score was written for the film, which, in addition to a number of hits of what may be termed the popular type, includes a complete original opera, specially composed for the two stars. The setting is Italy ._ and the story traces the unconventional career of a young fisherman, possessed of a remarkable singing voice. A famous girl opera star and a noted composer visit the fisherman’s native village and arc entranced by his singing. They assist him to. achieve success, but a tangled love affair takes all the joy from his triumph. The threads are straightened out after some bril-liantly-played dramatic scenes. The story moves along smoothly and does not lean weakly on the singing to carry it through as has been the case in so many musical films. There are some magnificent settings, beautiful frocks, and an adequate dressing of bright comedy. Above all, there arc the voices of a king and queen of soflg. EMPIRE The downing of Laurel and Hardy and the music of Balfe in ‘ The Bohemian Girl,’ which commenced its second week at the Empire, in conjunction with ‘ The Hit-and-run Driver,’ make first-class entertainment. Those who are familiar with the opera will find that only the outline of the story and the songs are left in the picture version, but that has been done with the obvious purpose of giving the utmost scope for the two comedians, and so clever is their work that one is more than willing to Jet Hollywood’s handling of the story go without criticism. In any case, Balfe’s opera is inclined to the dramatic, and has almost morbid touches —poor faro for theatre-fjoers these days. The pleasant music of the opera—its most captivating feature—has, however, been retained 1 , and that is more than sufficient compensation for the alterations to its story. Indeed, for its music, the picture is almost as outstanding as for its comedy. It lacks the name of any famous singer; but there is some mag-' nificent singing by the choruses, and one or two very fine pieces of solo work. The story is not lacking in dramatic quality, very neatly contrasted with the humour. At no stage is the buffoonery of Laurel and Hardy continued too long, and the contrasts have made the picture the more effective. The story—about a baby princess who is kidnapped by Hardy’s flighty wife and left in the care of the comedians—is comparatively unimportant, but it offers the comedians ample scope and gives the picture an unroariously funny ending. STATE Few comedy stars have achieved the popularity of Jack Hulbcrt. The secret of this lies in his disarming personality and in his versatility. His latest musical production, * Jack of All Trades,’ which is the current attraction at the_ State, presents Robertson Hare and Gina Malo in important roles, as well as giving the star great aope for his famous dancing. ‘Jack of All Trades ’ is a worthy successor to ‘ Bulldog Jack ’ and ‘ The Camels are Coming.’ It is the first time that Hulbert and Robertson Hare have appeared together in a film, and the electric vitality of the former forms a delightful contrast to the stolid pessimism of the latter. Gina Mnlo will he remembered for her delightful work in ‘ Lily of and other British films. She brings charm and whimsical comedy to her role in * Jack of All Trades.’ The theme, which concerns Jack’s adventures as he bluffs his way through meetings of bank directors or rescues his lady-love from a burning factory, is undoubtedly the_ medium to •show this fun-maker at his happiest. His adventures begin when he goes to a grand house as an extra, waiter and is mistaken for a guest. Hero wo See the real Jack Hulbert of the twinkling feet and the jolly voice. Among his many song numbers are three With particularly attractive lilts: ‘ You’re Sweeter Than I Thought You Were,’ ‘ Where There’s You There’s Me,’ and ‘ Tap Your Tootsies.’ The last-mentioned is the reason for a delightful scena, in which 27 lovely girls assist Jack in his dances. The delightfully nonsensical story gives full scope to ihe star. The factory in which are staged the most exciting parts of it he film is a marvel of modern studio designing.

STRAND ‘ Tlie Singing Kid,' -Eirst Nationals latest musical spectacle, with Al Jolson in the stellar vole, opened to-day at the Strand. The picture combines hilarious comedy with drama, spectacular specialty numbers, and catchy new songs. Uis a colourful production until the glittering background of New York show life, with beautiful chorus and dancing girls, and 50 black beauties from Harlem, mostly members of tnc ‘ Blackbirds/ ‘ The Cotton (dub Itevuc,’ and other shows. Two big specialty numbers were staged by Bobby Connolly, including ‘ I Cove to Sinj'-n,’ in which Al Jolson is icatuiou with the Yacht Chib Boys in a melodious medley of lyrical nonsense, and ‘ Save Mo. Sister.' in which Jolson and Mini Shaw appear in blackface, _ singing a tuneful air to the syncopation of Cab Calloway and his hand. It is in this second number that the coloured dancers do their best work, beginning in a night club and then on to a tabernacle where they dance up “ dem golden stairs.” The story concerns a Broadway entertainer who loses his voice after his fiancee and his manager rob him of every cent, ho has and then elope. ‘ Timothy’s Quest,’ the new Paramount picture in support, brings to the screen the popular story of a waif’s search for love. Young Dickie Moore portrays the title role. The film recreates all the “folksy” people of Pleasant Valley, from Miss Vilcla, Nitty Tarbox, and ■Tahe Doolittle, to the villainous Doc Cudd and the impish Samantha. Eleanore Whitney and Tom Keene interpret the young lovers in the little New Hampshire village for whom “ the course of true love never runs smooth,” until Timothy comes to their aid. MAYFAIR ‘Red Salute,’ in which Barbara Stanwyck and Robert Young are the featured players, is a light-hearted romance, in which there we some moments of high drama. The picture, which is showing at the Mayfair, is never dull, and the plot is different from that of the majority of films. The story tells of a daughter of au American army man who becames stranded on the Mexican border. The adventures she experiences when, assisted by a young private in the army, she eventually recrosses the border and finally gets back to 'Washington, prove exceptionally interesting and highly diverting. As the army man’s daughter, Miss Stanwyck gives an excellent portrayal, and Robert Young as the young private is also seen to advantage. Cliff Edwards. who contributes largely to the comedy of the picture, is at his best. There are some outstanding supports, including a Walt Disney colour cartoon.

DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME. Such is the .sensational nature of the revelations in ‘ Exclusive Story,’ which will come to-morrow to the Mayfair, that the author. Alartin Mooney, went to gaol in preference to betraying the sources of his information. The story has been written as an exciting newspaper romance, and centres round the activities of racketeers in New York and the efforts of a newspaper to stamp the gangs out. By casting Franchot Tone as the crime reporter who has the job of getting information, the producer made a master stroke. Playing opposite him is Aladge Evans ns the daughter of one of the victims who appeals to the paper for aid. This is one of the rare pictures which get the maximum of thrills in the minimum space. The picture provides for this with Tone’s battle with the underworld in an endeavour to discover the truth of the gang plottings. Although both the principals give excellent performances, their work is equalled by tnat of Stuart Erwin in the role of a newspaper reporter who has more brains than he is given credit for. Joseph Calleia gives another notable performance as a gangster. ‘ Nevada,’ another of the popular Zane Grey Western romances, starring Buster Crabbe, will be the supporting feature. ST. JAMES The inimitable Philo Vance, with his sauve polish masking that coldly analytical brain, holds sway on the screen of the St. James this week, where ‘ The Garden Murder Case ’ opened to-day. Edmund Lowe is the famous scientific sleuth, and a more delightful interpretation never has been given to the famous role. Lowe is superb. His nanehalence as he moves through a series of perilous situations is at once thrilling and humorous, and his masterly handling of those he suspects of crime is supreme entertainment. With him is Virginia Bruce, but a new, lovelier, and livelier Virginia Bruce than the screen has seen before. She has sacrificed her long hair and wears au attractive new bob, and with it has come a new personality that is even more intriguing. She is a perfect foil for Lowe’s whimsical love making.

The story is the latest of S. S. van Dine’s exploits of Philo Vance. It deals with three mysterious murders, each of which appears to he accidental. Put Vance refuses to believe them accident, and through his application of scientific criminology, during which he subjects himself to active peril, he is finally able to trap the culprit, but* with surprising results. _ The supporting cast for the two principles is unusually well chosen. Gene Lockhart is especially fine as an egotistical millionaire who meets a tragic death. H. B. Warner, as a coldly impersonal military man whose wife is another victim of the mysterious killer, is another outstanding figure, as is Freclida Inescort, lately of the New York stage, as the wife. Nat Pendleton has been seen before as Sergeant Heath, but never more delightfully. Benita Hume gives an excellent portrayal in a difficult role as a nurse whoso patients are menaced by the weird tragedies. Henry B. Walthall, as usual, is fine. Douglas Walton. Kent Smith, Grant Mitchell, Jessie Ralph, Charles Trowbridge, and Etienne Girordot are others who deserve unusual mention. ‘ The Garden Murder Case ’ is the newest production of Lucien Hubbard and Ned Morin, of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, and was capably directed by Edwin L. Marin, from a screen play by Bertram Millhauscr. GRAND Supercharged comedy interspersed with merry melodics and fortified with a cast ot comics who are “ tops ” establishes R.K.O. Radio’s ‘ To Beat the Band,’ now screening at the Grand, as excellent entertainment. This musical zooms to high altitudes with such master pilots as Hugh Herbert, Helen Broderick, Eric Blore, Roger Pryor, Fred Keating, Ray Mayer, and the original California Collegians at the laugh controls. Hugh Herbert is named as heir to 59,000,000d0l by an eccentric old aunt. She stipulates, however, that her nephew, who is in love with the blonde debutante Phyllis Brooks, must marry a willow within three days. Roger Pryor, a disillusioned young man, is side-tracked at Herbert’s apartment while bent on suicide. Herbert, who wants both the

object of his affections and the fortune, outers into a compact with Pryor. But lie overlooks the connivance of his lady lawyer, Helen Broderick, Fred Keating, a dance hand “ baron,” who is also named in the will, and even his loyal but “ looney ” butler, Eric Blore. ‘ To Beat the Band ’ brings together three new teams—Hugh Herbert and Helen Broderick, Roger Pryor and Phyllis Brooks, and Johnny Mercer and Matt Malneck, “ song smithies ” par excellence. The Mercer-Malueck tunes are interpreted by the new movie orchestra, the California Collegians, and other members of the cast, including handsome Ronald Graham. Evelyn Poe, Bill Carey, Roger Pryor, Fred Keating, and Johnny Mercer. In support is ‘ The Kentucky Minstrels of 1935,’ featuring Scott and Bailey, the Dcbroy Somers Band, and other popular artists. OCTAGON Cary Grant, who was one of the stars of ‘ The Eagle and the Hawk,’ returns again to a role in an aviation film. Paramount’s ‘ Wings in the Dark.’ The picture, starring Grant and Myrna Boy. had its Dunedin premiere to-day at the Octagon. Although ‘ The Eagle and the Hawk ’ was a picture' of war aviation, ‘ Wings in the Dark ’ is devoted to depicting the thrills and romance in the development of peace-time aviation. Grant plays the role of a scientific explorer of the air, a man who strives to make aviation safe by perfecting blind-flying. When he is blinded in au accident Myrna Loy, the girl who loves him, helps him to carry on his work with money she earns in spectacular stunt flying. Grant learns how she has been helping him; he leaves her rather than accept charity. But fate intervenes, and Grant, in a gripping dramatic climax, goes on a flight that saves Miss Loy’s life and unites the lovers. Directed by James Flood, the picture features Roscoe Karns. Hobart Cavanaugh, Dean dagger in the principal featured roles. Charles Laughton, motion picture Academy award winner and one of the foremost actors of the English-speaking stage and screen, is assisted by five of Hollywood’s leading comedy players in Paramount’s ‘ Ruggles of Red Gap,’ the picturisation of Harry Leon Wilson’s famous story, which in in support. With Laughton in the title role are Mary Boland, Charlie Ruggles, Roland Young. Zasu. Pitts, and Leila Hyams. Leo M'Carcy. well-known comedy director, made ‘Ruggles of Red Gap.’ Maude Eburne and Lncien Littlefield are prominently cast in the supporting cast of the picture. LAURIER, PORT CHALMERS Final proof, if any be needed, that British films can claim equal status with Hollywood’s best, is to be found in the triumph of Jack Buchanan’s ‘ Brewster’s Millions,’ which will be shown at the Laurier, Port Chalmers, this evening. Jack Buchanan is at his best, and his best is good enough for anybody. In his own charming way he sings, acta, dances, indulges in slapstick, burlesques Bing Crosby, and supplies the hind part of a carnival dragon. The picture is based on the famous stage farce of the same title, and with suitable adaptation for screen purposes it tells how Jack Brewster (Jack Buchanan) has to get rid of a £500,000 fortune in six months in order to inherit £6,000,000. That means spending money at the rate of £l5O an hour for 24 hours a day. Of course Jack succeeds, but it is a close thing, for most of the time everything he touches turns to gold, including dud shows, dud shares, and a dud Derby outsider. The scenes range from Epsom Downs to the Market Square of Ajaccio, and from a Bloomsbury boarding house to the bridge of a 1,500-ton luxury yacht. All provide excellent background for Buchanan’s fooling. Lili Damita is his leading lady, and Nancy O’Neil is the heroine he marries in the end. GREEN ISLAND A nagging wife and au ambitious daughter drive a distracted father into dishonour in ‘ Alice Adams,’ coming to the Municipal to-morrow, which stars Katharine Hepburn. The story is an unvarnished picture of the tragedy and suffering wrought by poverty and injustice in the family of a struggling clerk in a small mid-western town. Miss Hepburn plays a young girl driven to deceit and pretence as a mask for poverty and social obscurity. Her story is that of millions of girls in similar circumstances, who long to free themselves from the fetters forced upon them by caste and lack of money. Her final triumph teaches a story of the futility of pretence and the power of truth and honesty. Fred Mac Murray, Fred Stone, and Evelyn Venable are In the fine supporting cast. Careful attention to production detail makes a flawless R.K.O. Radio picture of ‘ Alice Adams,’ the Booth Tarkington prize story.