PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 23374, 18 September 1939, Page 12

PICTURE THEATRES

STRAND One of the most successful plays staged comes to the screen in ‘ Black Limelight,’ which is being screened at the Strand. In it wo see a new variation of the theme of the wife and the “ other woman.” Here the wife, played brilliantly by Joan Marion, is suddenly informed that her husband is wanted for the murder of a girl whose body is found in a seaside bungalow. Although the evidence against him is nearly watertight, she does not turn against him. Some may feel that the wife would have acted otherwise in 99 cases out of 100. but then this is a plav in a thousand. .Raymond Massey heads the cast in the part of the erring husband, his tremendous acting powers retaining sympathy for a character that in other hands would appear cowardly and despicable. Walter Hudd. who plays a leading role in 1 Black Limelight ’ and gives an excellent performance, made a big hit recently in ‘ The Housemaster.’ Another of the series type of picture which has become so popular with “ movie ” audiences throughout the country makes its bow in Universal’s ‘ Freshman Year,’ a realistic comedy-drama of college life with music. GRAND Richard Dix is a'screen favourite of many years’ standing, and his return to the local screen' in ‘ Twelve Crowded Hours ’ should be justly popular. This feature is now at tho Grand in conjunction with ‘ That Girl from College.’ Dix’s film depicts him as a newspaper reporter who is carrying on a bitter campaign against the underworld of a large metropolis where the well-known “ numbers racket ” is lining the pockets of an organised gambling ring. The feminine lead is taken by Lucille Ball. ‘ That Girl from College,’ with Anne Shirley and James Ellison, emphasises the exaggerated importance which some girls place on college social standing. MOTO IN SMUGGLING MYSTERY. Mr Moto finds his most breath-taking adventures on ‘ Danger Island ’ in Twentieth Century-Pox’s exciting new mystery of that title, starring Peter Lorre as Moto, which will be the next feature at tho Grand. ■ Boasting the colourful background of Porto Rico, the story involves the incomparable sleuth in a* great diamond smuggling mystery, highlighted by several murders that are completely baffling to local police. Jean Heraholt, Amanda Duff, Warren Hymer, Richard Lane, Leon Ames, and Douglas Dumbrille head_ the brilliant supporting cast. ‘ The Live Wire,’ the second film, can boast of four leading ladies who have starring and featured roles in the new G.B.D. attraction. They are Jean Gillie, Irene Ware, Kathleen Kelly, and Sally Stewart Bernard Nedell is the star, playing the role of an American efficiency expert who is called to help a London firm of real estate agents who are facing bankruptcy. The only assets the film possesses is a muddy tract of ground in Essex, so Nedell decides to build a huge health spa on the site.

and Edgar Norton are outstanding in supporting roles—Atwill as a police inspector whose arm has been torn off by the monster. ST. JAMES Stanley Lupino’s stage and screen successes are so numerous that we have come to expect great things as normal from this gifted comedian. ‘ Hold My Hand ’ is the latest offering to the entertainment world. It is being shown at the St. James. Lupino has a new screen partner in Fred. Emney. Anyone who has not yet seen this large comedian trip from a room daintily and circumspectly after grumbling out a devastating line has a new laugh to come. To help the team in and out of trouble there are three leading ladies— Sally Gray, Barbara Blair, and Polly Ward—who please the eye or sing and dance with equal facility. Jack Mulford and John Wood are other ingredients of this Lupino confection, and to top all there is tuneful music. Perhaps there is no more potent influence in the world to-day than that of the Press. Through the medium of newspapers careers are made and broken, propaganda, both good and evil, is spread, and the opinion of the entire community often moulded. Monogram’s ‘ Star Reporter,’ which supports, illustrates just bow these things are done. REGENT A moving story, entertaining and full of idealistic fervour; so characteristic of Lloyd C. Douglas’s novels, is told in ‘ White Banners,’ the film which is showing at the Regent. That the story seems to be lived rather than acted, is a tribute to the splendid cast. Fay Bainter, who has long been celebrated as a stage actress, made her first screen appearances in ‘ Quality Street ’ and ‘ The Shining Hour.’ In ‘ White Banners ’ she has her greatest role yet. Giving an equally sincere characterisation in a sympathetic part is Claude Rains, 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 saintly _ visitor, who, in a remarkably short time, restores harmony and prosperity to the disorganised home of a struggling school teacher, played by Claude Rains. He is an amateur inventor who has become discouraged through lack of interest by his family. ■ MAYFAIR One of the most sensational of this year's films, * The Confessions of a Nazi Spy,’ is at the Mayfair. Tins is the first straight-out propaganda film made in Hollywood, and makes no reservations or compromise in its ruthless exposure of the activities of the Nazi spy ring, laid bare some months,!

STATE

Edward Small’s new romantic drama, ‘ King of the Turf,’ which is screening at the State, not only stars Adolphe Menjou m one of his most important roles to date, but also introduces a young newcomer, Roger Daniel. ‘ King of the Turf ’ is a story with a background of racing “ fans ” and gaming tables. Its characters come from all strata of society, its story is rich in drama and comedy, humour and pathos. Forceful direction, brilliant photography, gorgeous background scenes, and honest-to-goodness horse races fill the-spectator with breath-taking suspense and provide a thrilling evening. Menjou and young Daniel are capably assisted by such players as Alan Dinehart, Dolores Costello, Walter Abel, William Demarest, George Mackay, and Tom Hanlon. Alfred Green, who recently directed the successful hit, ‘ The Duke of West Point,’ has staged this new production with originality and good taste, and never for a moment does he let his action lag or his dialogue clutter up the pictorial movement of the film. The story of ‘King of the Turf ’ relates the adventures and misadventures of a punter.

EMPIRE

Famed producers of the screen’s most notable “ shockers,” Universal studios reassume the position as leader in the field of spine-tingling dramas with ‘ Son of Frankenstein,’ which is screening at the Empire. It combines the stars of the original ‘ Frankenstein ’ and equally shuddery ‘ Dracula,’ Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi. Basil Rathbono assumes the mantle of Baron Wolf von Frankenstein, possessor of the dread heritage of the family, a destructive monster. In one of his most difficult roles, that of a doctor torn between love of his wife and son and scientific fervour for his sinister experiments, Rathbone wins new laurels. The story, penned by Willis Cooper, opens when the new Frankenstein figure returns to his ancestral castle 25 years after his father’s death, as stipulated by the elder Frankenstein’s will. He stumbles upon his father’s grim creation, the hair-raising monster of destruction, played by Karloff. Lionel A twill, Josephine Hutchinson, Emma Dunn, four-year-old Donnie Dunagan,