PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 23379, 23 September 1939, Page 9

PICTURE THEATRES

THE NEW PROGRAMMES THE REARDONS AGAIN SECOND OF DETECTIVE SERIES ‘ There’s That Woman Again,’ * Columbia picture, which commenced yesterday at the State, is the second of a promised series of films depicting the doings and misdoings of Bill and Sally Reardon. Bill is a detective who has given up his “safe” job with the police department to carry on a private practice. He is in his normal state of financial embarrassment at the opening of the film, and this is not helped by the fact that the big jewel robbery he is investigating simply refuses to be solved. Bill’s wife, Sally, has a high opinion of her own abilities as a detective, and a correspondingly low one of her husband’s, so that when she starts following clues of her own the fun becomes fast and furious. The first picture of this series had as its leading lady Joan Blondell. This time it is Virginia Bruce’s turn to act the “ dumb dame ” who manages, generally through no fault of her own, to stumble on some vital evidence which leads in the long run to the discovery of the villain. In a comparison of tho two Virginia Bruce becomes the more successful figure of the two and displays the abi]ity to fulfil the role with more spirit than her predecessor. Where Joan Blondell carried through the part in a natural manner, she “ lives ” the role with a vivacity that is so much a part of her particular charm. Virginia Bruce possesses the intelligence that allows her to portray a “ dumb ’’ character convincingly, thereby strengthening what in the other film was rather a weakness.

There are many tense and exciting scenes, and one three-minute sketch which took place in a New York subway during the rush hour is excellent. In it Tom Dugan, who has been detailed by Reardon to trail his “ missus ” and keep her out of mischief, becomes sandwiched between two shop girls who do not hesitate to tell him what they think of him when, because of Sally’s machinations, they fancy he has insulted them. Both the girls in this scene put up a clever performance. Of the supporting cast Margaret Lindsay is prominent, as beautiful and as competent as over. This film is well up to the ‘ Thin Man ’ standard. CRONIN'S REST SELLER GRIPPING DRAMA OF DOCTOR'S CAREER Mirror of a world-famous story, and preserving all the highlights which made that story a best seller of an unusual type, ‘ The Citadel,’ which opened its Dunedin season at the Regent last night, is a feature picture that has all the elements calculated to make it as great a success upon the screen as it has been in the sphere of literature. In short, it is one of those rare epochal pictures to have missed which will entail ignorance on a subject likely to

loom large in the current topics of the day for many years to come. A story oi gripping human interest is surrounded in ‘ The Citadel ’ by a larger and even more absorbing motif which idealises, while at the game time condemns, the medical profession. More than fine entertainment, 1 The Citadel is an inspiration, and it has the further recommendation of being accompanied by a supporting programme up to the best Regent standard. In its plot ‘ The Citadel ’ is the story of a man who sets out fired by the highest ideals of the medical profession. As a general practitioner he throws himself into the fight against disease, public apathy, professional jealousy, and the curse of political wangling for individual profit. Ruthlessly exposing the evils of certain professional practices, he makes himself a power in the highest circles, only to fall to the blight of easy money. Awakened to, and appalled by the moral depths to which he has fallen, he fights again to win back his own selfrespect, and on the way blazes a track for all the world to see and for all the healers of the world to follow.

The medical revelations, though sensational and of special signifiance at the moment to New Zealanders, are but incidental to the story, which is studded with thrilling emotional and adventurous climaxes of the convincing kind that keep the spectators keyed up and interested. Crammed with character studies, the film also provides plenty of bright comedy. Altogether, 1 The Citadel ’ makes great entertainment apart from any other consideration. Produced by the English studio which issued ‘ A Yank at Oxford,’ with Robert Donat and Rosalind Russel] in the leading roles, and some of the finest English character actors in support, it has that particular atmosphere which the best English pictures attain to make a special appeal to enthusiastic picture fans of this country. The drama of Dr A. J. Cronin has been modified in one substantia] particular. In the book the young doctorhero loses his wife in a street accident, but on the screen Mrs Manson lives to see the return of her husband to his early humanitarian vision. This has been done skifully, however, without lessening the effect of the climax or the moral ” of the story.

Donat’s work is first rate, and he carries his audience with him every minute he is on, while Rosalind Russell has seldom before achieved such a high pinnacle as his loyal wife and trenchant judge. A splendid supporting cast has been assembled round the principals. Ralph Richardson scores as the tippling doctor who was nevertheless Donat’s true friend. Rex Harrison is cast as Dr Lawford, Emlyn Williams as seretary of the miners’ committee, Penelope Dudley as Toppy Leroy, Mary Clare as Mrs Orlando, Joss Ambler as Dr Llewellyn, and Percy Parsons as Stillman.

PETER B. KYNE SAGA GREAT CALIFORNIAN OUTDOOR DRAMA An intensely dramatic film story, enacted by a great cast and based on a well-loved novel, can hardly fail to he exciting motion picture fare. Add to this the exquisite pictorial beauty of California’s redwood country, filmed in vivid technicolour and you have ‘ Valley of the Giants,’ based on the famous Peter B. Kyne novel, which opened yesterday at the Empire The liyne saga of the redwood forests has been filmed twice before—in the days before the screen learned to talk. Milton Sills and Wally Reid were the stars, and they have a worthy successor in young Wayne Morris, who is probaby closer to the author’s conception of the hero than either of the former stars. Ho is the big, lusty, young lumberman who fights so valiantly to prevent the despoliation of his beloved redwood forests. Comparatively a newcomer to Hollywood’s list of ranking star names, Morris, who won his laurels in ‘ Kid Galahad,’ gives a magnifient performance, which is backed up by the fine work of an outstanding supporting cast. Merely listing the names of the performers in the Warner film is impressive enough, for they include Claire Trevor, Charles Bickford, Alan Hale, Frank M'Hugh, Donald Crisp, Jack La Rue, John Litel, and Dick Purcell. But none of them rests on previous laurels; they all prove anew their right to their well-earned reputations. ‘ Valley of the Giants ’ knits together in one well-integrated tale typical incidents of the successful fight of native Californians to prevent the ruthless despoliation of their famous redwood forests by lumber interests. It is a perfect subjet for a colour picture, and persons who have never visited the redwood forests are likely to find as much interest in the views of the big trees and the shots of their being felled by lumbermen as they are bound to find in the unfoldment of the tensely dramatic plot. The Empire invariably shows a care-fully-chosen assortment of short films, and in this instance they are fully up to standard and most entertaining. They include ‘ Wholly Smoke,’ a Looney Tune cartoon, a musical revue, and a further instalment of the exciting wild west serial, ‘ The Lone Ranger.’ The entire programme is well worth seeing.

ATTRACTIONS AT THE STRAND WELL-VARIED FEATURES * The Road to Rend,’ a first-rate farce, was screened initially at the Strand yesterday. The dialogue is amusing in itself, and the Universal Studios have propelled it at such a pace, and with such wit and point, that not a particle falls short of its true value. The cast is of tried actors, who excel. Hope Hampton has personality. _ She knows how to give a situation its maximum of drollery, and she sings with a degree of brilliance. There is a quantity of interpolated music. The play opens with Musetta’s song from ‘ La Boheme ’ in full stage setting; and the later melodies include a charming one sung by cowboys along a little river in Nevada. Miss Hampton, jogging along on horseback, pours forth steady and golden tone as no equestrienne could ever do in real life. But the scene is romantic, and the music alluring.^ The film depicts in a gay manner the story of a temperamental grand opera singer, who leaves for “ the city of broken hearts ” to obtain a divorce, and goes through a series of temEestuous exploits which wind up with a appy ending in a Reno divorce court. Making her farewell performance before departing for Reno. Hope Hampton sings the famous Musetta waltz from the opera ‘ La Boheme.’ In addition to this aria, she sings three popular songs after her exciting arrival at the ranch near ißeno, where most of the action takes place. Randolph Scott was an idea! choice for the cowboy. His nigged features suggest that winds, both parching and cold, have been battering away at them for years. He is handsome enough to have attracted a rich and famous opera singer, as the story suggests; ana ho

has a lively sense of humour. Alan Marshall has been, cast with equal felicity as the man from New York, who proves that he can beat a rural resident at >iis own game. The smooth exterior masks a personality of steel. Glenda Farrell makes her usual vivid impression. Few can seem so utterly fascinatingly disillusioned as she. Helen Broderick is a joy as Aunt Minerva, who is always trying to patch up a shattered romance, and Willie Fung makes a brief but triumphantly funny appearance as a Chinese cook. The associate feature is ‘ Mystery Plane,’ featuring John Trent, Marjorie Reynolds, and Polly Ann Young, which presents an adventurous story of aviation. Also included on the programme is a special New Zealand film, ‘ Fighters of the Deep,’ which is well worth seeing. NEW ROLE FOR KAY FRANCIS • MY BILL ’ A MOVING HUMAN STORY Kay Francis, appearing in ‘ My Bill,’ is the principal figure at the St. James, this picture (which opened its Dundein season yesterday with ‘ Fighting Thoroughbreds ’) shelving her in the unusual role for her of a widow “ who had so many children she didn’t know what to do.” The children themselves give her plenty of trouble, and their escapades form the basis of a charming plot. Sacrificing that intangible asset generally termed glamour, which has previously been the bulwark of her career, Kay Francis has taken the opportunity presented by this picture to prove that she is, first and foremost, an accomplished actress. She has dared what few motion picture actresses in her position would consent to do—that is, to play a woman who is older than her real self and is the mother of four children, of whom the eldest is supposed to be 16 years of_ age. In the story Miss Francis is a widow who has just finished running through the inheritance left by her socially prominent husband. In desperate straits, she borrows money from a banker who was her childhood friend. This causes scandal, and her eldest three children leave her and go to live with a wealthy aunt. Only little Bill (Dickie Moore) remains with his mother, but, small as he is, he proves to be a real bulwark in time of need. _ Jhen it is the little fellow who reunites the family as a Mother’s Day gift to Kay, and, as the story ends, not only is the family reunited, but the town gossips’ tongues are to be silenced by Kay’s marriage to her childhood sweetheart. Blonde Mary Carlisle, one of filmdom’s loveliest stars, is cast in Republic’s 4 Fighting Thoroughbreds.’ Ralph Byrd and Robert Alien play opposite her, and the supporting cast lists such seasoned performers as Marvin Stephens. George Hayes, Victor Kilian, Charles Wilson, Eddie Brian, Charles Foy, Don Rowan, and Kenneth Duncan.

THRILLING KIOTO ADVENTURE DIAMOND SMUGGLERS AND INTRIGUE One of the most popular of screen personalities is Peter Lorre, who has brought fame to the name of Mr Moto, the bewildering little Japanese detective, whose exploits have thrilled thousands of theatre audiences during the past few months. His latest adventure, entitled ‘Danger Island,’ heads the programme at the Grand, and it may well be considered to surpass all other films in which be has figured. In the romantic setting of a West Indian island. Mr Moto delves into the activities of a ring of diamond smugglers, and it is probable that the astute little detective is the only one to guess who the ringleader really is. ■ The strong supporting cast includes Warren Hymer, who appoints himself bodyguard to Mr Moto, who, incidentally, is quite capable of looking after himself, and Jean Hersholt, as well as a number of other well-known actors. ‘ The Living Wire,’ the second attraction, featuring Jean Gillie, is a romantic story of an American “ efficiency ” expert who comes to London to earn an honest living.

BUILDING THE SUEZ SWEEPING FILM DRAMA THRILLS I Outstanding entertainment is embodied in the star-studded programme which is now at' the Mayfair for either of the two full-length attractions, ‘ Suez ’ and ‘ Stablemates ’ could alone comprise a worthy programme. Tyrone Power, Loretta Young, and Annabella head the cast of the former attraction, a techni-colour production which dramatically portrays the building of what was at the time the world’s greatest canal. An engineering feat of no small significance, those pioneers who made the gateway from the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean had also to contend with numerous other obstacles, ranging from finance and Nature’s sandstorms to raiding tribesmen backed by a foreign Power and opposition from those statesmen who could have materially eased the way for its quick completion. ‘ Stablemates,’ the associate film, is of a different nature, and lends pleasing contrast to the lengthy programme. Wallace Beery and Mickey Rooney are well cast, while the unusual qualities of the feature make it a film, to be remembered.