PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 24290, 3 September 1942, Page 2

PICTURE THEATRES

MAYFAIR * Young People,’ which is the main feature on the new programme at the Mayfair, -is considered to be the best of the films in which Shirley Temple has played the leading role. The picture contains plenty of music and songs, and Jack Oakie, a well-known screen comedian, sees that there is no dearth of humorous interludes. The supporting film, ‘ The Power and the Glory,’ is a story of the Royal Australian Air Force. With a topical background, the film tells of the attempts of “ fifth columnists ” to kidnap a refugee scientist living m a populated country district m Australia. The film is well produced and contains many spectacular scenes, among which are pictures of an aerial combat and the bombing of a U-boat off the Australian coast. TO-MORROW'S PROGRAMMES ST. JAMES Great in its simplicity and deftly blending vigorous, stirring* drama with a magnificent inspirational mood, ‘The Great Commandment ' will be screened to-mor-row at liie St. James. The moving story is based on one phase of one of the world’s greatest dramas, and depicts how peace was brought about during a revolt against the tyrannical Roman rule. However ancient in its settings, the film has modern overtones and implications. For all its profundity, the plot is not complicated. The drama revolves around the activities of Joel, splendidly portrayed by John Beal, who is the leader of the youthful and fiery zealots sworn to wipe out Roman rule. But when Joel discovers the “new leader” his‘philosophy changes, and he goes back to his people, carrying the message of “ The Great Commandment.” REGENT Breaking away from its long run of slick and sophisticated comedy, the Regent will present to-morrow ‘H. M. Pulliam, Esq.,’ which has been translated to the screen with such fidelity that it has lost none of the intimate quality that exists between a book and a sympathetic reader. The film is a triumph for Hedy Lamarr. Not far behind her is Robert Young as Harry Pulham. Ruth Hussey is good as his wife. Harry Pulham went to the last war, where he became associated with a rowdier life and did not dislike it. On his return he got a job in an advertising agency in New York, and he fell in love with an intelligent and fascinating girl. Many trials and tribulations are endured by Harry until his ship carries him back to calm waters and a well-ordered and happy married life. 1 OCTAGON Plenty of comedy and thrilling situations are combined in ‘ A Yank in the R.A.F.,’ which will be released at the Octagon tomorrow, Despite its routine aspects—especially m its typically Hollywood conception of youthful romance between aviators and cabaret entertainers who are also engaged in war work—the picture gives one a glimpse of the R.A.F. There is a realistic atmosphere in the dynamic Dunkirk sequences, with the sky darkened by lighting and falling planes and the sea crowded with heterogeneous craft and an escaping army. Authentic newsreels are incorporated in these gripping scenes, which are well worth all the rest of the film. Tyrone Power and Betty Grable are well cast as the tempestuous lovers in this war romance, but John Sutton (as an R.A.F. officer) and Reginald Gardiner (in a welcome humorous role) have great attraction in more subtle characterisations. STATE The Crazy Gang has already delighted audiences for some years on the stage and over the radio. Now these six comedians have taken to the cinema. In ‘ Frozen Limits,' the principal attraction at the Slate to-morrow, they journey to Alaska, where their methods are boisterous and casual. In fact, the whole production has been arranged for the screen without much thought tor camera technique or timing. The dialogue, however, is bright and entertaining, and there is a wealth of smart riposte which should set any audience chuckling with delight. With it all, the comic six. who comprise Flanagan and Allen, Nervo and Knox, and Naughton and Gold, contrive to establish themselves as a resourceful crew The parody gains impetus as it proceeds, and the final climax is an explosion of knock-about comedy, whjch can be compared with that memorable romp by the Marx Brothers at the end of ‘ A Night at the Opera ' * EMPIRE A thrilling Metro-Goidwyn-Mayer production, ‘ Tarzan’s Secret Treasure,’ forms the principal attraction on the change of bill at the Empire to-morrow. The screening of this new picture marks the twenty-fifth year since the filming of the first Tarzan production The picture also marks the thirtieth anniversary of the publication of the first Tarzan story. Johnny Weissmuller as Tarzan and Maureen O’Sullivan as Jane are reunited for tho fifth time in the now jungle adventure, based on the Edgar Rice Burroughs characters. Their previous Tarzan pictures were ‘ Tarzan, the Ape Man, filmed in 1932; ‘ Tarzan and His Mate, 1934; ‘Tarzan Escapes,' 1936; and ‘Tarzan Finds a Son,’ 1939. Animal actors include Checta, tho almost human ape: Buli, the educated baby elephant; Leo, a lion actor • and other animals of the jungle, including lions rhinoceros, elephants, and crocodiles. A man-made jungle and river, the largest engineering task ever essayed for a Tarzan picture, were constructed on a 60-acro tract. STRAND Wanda McKay, the beautiful brunette who plays a girl of the Golden West with William Boyd in the latest “ Hopalong Cassidy action picture,, ‘Twilight on ■ the Trail,’ was once “ Miss American Aviation. ‘ Twilight on the Trail,’ with Brad King and Andy “ California ” Clyde in the cast, opens to-morrow at the Strand. Miss McKay be<*an her career as a model, and J her face wa*s seen on bill boards throughout the country in. advertisements for a popular cigarette She was featured many times on magazine covers as a typical American girl Brought to the attention of Hollywood through her “ Miss American Aviation title, Wanda was signed by Paramount and appeared in a number of pictures before wmnim* the feminine lead in Twilight on the Trail.’ In the supporting feature. ‘Mandrake, the Magician, the last four chapters will he screened