PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 23370, 13 September 1939, Page 3

PICTURE THEATRES

STATE A stirring story of adventure with a tiny section of the United States navy during the last war is told in * Submarine Patrol,’ which heads tho current programme at the State. The “ splinter fleet,” as the small wooden sub-chasers were called, are pressed into service as convoy vessels across the Atlantic, and the experiences and adventures of the crew of one of them form the main theme of the production. Richard Greene is seen as a young man whoso desire for adventure lands him in this tiny craft, and Nancy Kelly is his sweetheart, who is on one of the cargo vessels in the convoy. There are some exciting battles with submarines and not a little humour, much of which is provided by Slim Summerville and Warren Hymer. RACETRACK THRILLS. Latest recruit to the ranks of juvenile stars is young Roger Daniel, who shares honours with Adolphe Menjou in ‘ King of the Turf,’ which will be tho next attraction at the State. This film tells the story of a formerly wealthy racehorse owner who has become a drunken race track hanger-on. He meets a young jockey who has read of him in his heyday, and who gets him to attempt a come-back. He purchases an almost unmanageable thoroughbred for a ridiculous price, and, with the boy’s help, sets out to train it. But, unknown to the owner, the lad has run away from his home. Tho horse is a winner, and the boy’s mother sees his photograph and thinly-dis-guised alias in a paper, and makes the discovery that the now rehabilitated owner is her former husband, and the boy his son. Neither of tho pair is aware of this, and the boy still does not know when his mother arrives to claim him. He cannot lose his love of racing, however, and his father, now a rather pathetic figure, has to resort to crookedness to cure him. Dolores Costello plays the part of the mother. EMPIRE Clever comedy and all the excitement of a first-class murder mystery are blended by an expert hand in ‘ Fast and Loose,’ the feature at tho Empire. It stars Robert Montgomery as Joel Sloan, an expert 911 books, who possesses a nair for a little amateur detecting on the side, and Rosalind Russell as his wife. These two make a wonderful team, their sparkling domestic interludes providing highly amusing relief from the serious business ot murder. There arc three murders. AH the bother starts over the attempted sale of a Shakespeare manuscript by a collector who is in financial difficulties. Sloan is commissioned to do the job, and in the ordinary course of business his activities lead him from one extraordinary situation to another. KARLOFF AND LUGOSI. ‘ Son of Frankenstein,’ which will head the nest programme at the Empire, is’an eerie production in which Basil Rathbone plays Wolf Frankenstein, bent on carrying on the unnatural experiments of his father, while Boris Karloff recreates tho monster role. Bela Lugosi, who played the title role in ' Dracula,’ assumes an even more terrifying character as Ygor,_ a crazed shepherd. The story begins when young Dr Wolf Frankenstein arrives at his sinister ancestral home, which has been standing empty for 25 years, since tlie death of father, accompanied by his young wife and child. Amid wild crashes of thunder and lurid flashes of lightning the family receives a chilly greeting from the sullen villagers. They learn that there have been several murders in the village, all apparently committed by the same person. Frankenstein discovers that the monster created by his father lies in the secret vaults beneath tho castle, and, aided -by Ygor, who lias looked after the monster for 25 years, the scientist once more looses the monster oh a terrified world. ST. JAMES The construction of a railway across the United States of America in tho middle of last century forms the central theme of the gripping film, ‘ Union Pacific,’ which continues to attract large audiences to the St. James. Sucli a theme presents almost unlimited possibilities for the portrayal of tho romantic and violent days of that period, and the manner in which Cecil B. de Mille has handled tho spectacular side of the production enhances a reputation which was built up by his skilful use of spectacle. Barbara" Stanwyck. Joel M'Crea. Akim TamirofF, and Lynn Overman have trie leading roles. STANLEY LUPINO COMEDY. Stanley Lupino, veteran English comedian, is starred in the Associated British production. ‘ Hold My Hand.’ which will head the next programme at the St. James. The supporting cast is a strong one, including Fred Emney. Barbara Blair, Sally Gray. Polly Ward, John Wood, and Bertha Belmoro. Lupino owns a newspaper business, which is literally “ going to pieces.” In fact, everything falls down or breaks apart at a touch. The supporting feature will be ‘ Star Reporter,’ starring Warren Hull and Marsha Hunt; Hull

is seen as a young publisher using bis papoi to elect a district attorney to clean up the crime in the town. J hero are several exciting sequences before the final scene is reached. Morgan Wallace, Clay Clement, and Wains Clark are in support. REGENT Klisabcth Bergner has the greatest part—or parts, tor she appears in a dual role—of her career in ‘ stolen Lite,’ now' at the Regent, which her husband, Dr Paul Czuiiicr, has pioduced and directed. Margaret hw l " nedy, who adapted the story from the prize-winning novel by K. J- Denes, contrasts Miss Bergncr’s worn in this with ‘ Kscape Me Never.’ According to Miss Kennedy, * Stolen Lite .affords the star fresh scope; and tliosi ■who have already seen the picture are particularly loud in their praise of her performance, which is stated to be the finest thing she has ever done. Iht dual role offers her opportunities lor drama and comedy, and althoug played by the same actress the two characterisations are of an entuey different nature. MOVING DRAMA. A moving story, entertaining and full of idealistic fervour so characteristic of Lloyd C. Douglas’s novels, is told in ‘ White Banners, a him w'hich is listed for showing at the Kegeut on Friday. That the story seems to be lived rather than acted is a tribute to the splendid cast, lay Bainter, who has long been celebrated, as a stage actress, made her first screen appearances in 1 Quality Street arul • The Shining Hour.’ In ‘ White Banners ’ she has her greatest role yet. Giving an equally sincere characterisation fn a sympathetic part is Claude Rams, while Jackie Cooper contributes an amazing portrayal _ that lifts him out of the ranks of juvenile players and reveals him as an accomplished actor. The story takes place in a small country town in the early days of the century. Out of a snowstorm emerges a mysterious visitor, who, in a remarkably short time, restores harmony and prosperity to the disorganised home of a struggling school teacher, played by Claude Rains. Ho is an amateur inventor who has become discouraged through lack of interest by his family. STRAND Presenting a warm and vibrant love story into which are woven the romance, laughter, and restless desires of youth. Universal's emotional drama. ‘ Youth Takes a Fling,’ is showing at the Strand. Joel M’Crca is starred as the Kansas farm boy who socks' adventure by going to sea. and Andrea Leeds is co-starred as the romantic salesgirl in the wedding gown department of a big store, who lives only for the day she herself will be a bride. How their conflicting ambitious, hopes, and desires almost wreck their young lives has been blended into a captivating drama. In ‘ Silver on the Sage.’ the latest of these films, Hopalong Cassidv (William Bovd) and his Bar 20 saddle-mates—“ Windy ” Halliday (George Hayes’! and “Lucky” Jenkins (Russell Hayden)—have to face one of the most_ tricky and dangerous problems of their careers.

GRIPPING BRITISH THRILLER. One of the most successful thrillers to be produced in England, ‘ Black Limelight,’ will be shown at the Strand on Friday. Raymond Massey heads the oast, with Joan Marion and Walter Hudd in support. The story concerns a number of brutal murders committed while the moon is full. Massey, although innocent, is in fear of the police because of the circumstantial evidence against him. Bravery on the part of his wife establishes his innocence, and is the cause of the murderer’s capture. William Luncligan, who plays the male lead in ‘Freshman Year.’ the. supporting attraction, literal!v talked his way into a film career. He was chief announcer for radio station AVFBL, Syracuse, N.Y., when a talent scout, listening to o7io of his programmes, decided that Lundigan would make, a fine screen material if his appearance matched his voice. A trip to the radio station disclosed that Lundigan was a tall, good-looking young man of 23, and he was signed by Universal. GRAND Playing together for the first time, Richard Hix and Lucille Ball head the cast in ‘ Twelve Crowded Hours,’ which will be screened at the Grand to-night. Dix is cast as a newspaper reporter who is determined to crush a policy racket. Miss Ball is cast as a dancing instructress, whose brother is seiit to gaol unjustly as a result of one of Div’.s newspaper stories. The romance of Dix and the girl in the constant shadow of clanger is woven throughout the dramatic storv. Produced hv R.K.O. Radio, * Twelve Crowded Hours ’ also features Allan Lane, Donald Mncßride, John Arledge, Cy Kendall, and Granville Bates. More than a score of Hollywood’s most beautiful girls appear as co-eds in R.K.O. Radio’s ‘ That Girl From College,’ in support, in which Anne Shirley and James Ellison have the chief roles. The story is a revelation of the ethics governing some_ college Greek letter groups. Anne Shirley and James Ellison appear as a romantic team. The story reveals in dramatic fashion the sacrifices girls make to become members of college sororities.

MAYFAIR First class fare is offered in the double bill which opened at the Mayfair to-day, for, besides one of Edgar Wallace’s best mystery thrillers, ‘ The Gaunt Stranger ’ (adapted from ‘ The Ringer there will be the entertaining ‘ Sailing Along.’ Jessie Matthews, England’s gift to the musical comedy stage, takes the lead in the latter production, which combines all the best of British film talent. Dazzling dancing routines, catchy new numbers, and a wealth of humour are embodied in the production, while there is an excellent supporting cast, headed by such favourites as Jack Whiting and Roland Young. The second feature, ‘ The Gaunt Stranger,’ has murder, romance, and humour all playing their part in the unfolding of its gripping story. Maurice Meister. a criminal lawyer, receives a message from a notorious killer, advising him of the date and hour of bis impending death. At the appointed hour Inspector W'unhury and the divisional surgeon, Dr Lomond, arc present at Meister’s house, but in spite of their caution the killer strikes the fatal blow. In an exciting climax the killer is revealed.