FILM and STAGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 181, 2 July 1937, Page 10

FILM and STAGE

Lively Musical. Iho top note in musicals is“ Top of the Town,” which begins at the Recent Theatre on Saturday. The picture has seven brand new song hits sung by such nationally known radio stars as the exotic Gertrude Niesen and effervescent Ella Logan, who is a smart comedian as well as a talented singer. Sill more liumour in ‘‘Top of the Town” is provided by ten other comedians, each with his own special brand of mirth. These funsters, who support Doris Nolan and

Georgo Murphy in the leading roles, include Hugh Herbert, Gregory liatofT, Henry Armctta, Mischa Auer, Kay Mayer; the Three Sailors. Jason, Robson and Blue. There is a new dancing discovery in the film, little twcleve-ypar-old Peggy Ryan. The story of ‘‘Top of the Town” concerns a beautiful young heiress, portrayed by Doris Nolan. She inherits fifty million dollars. besides a few million downright daffy ideas. She takes over a new night club managed by an orchestra leader, played bv George Murphy. On the opening night the nePirmers, under the leadership of the lie'ress, present a show that is a new high in madcap comedy. In the closing “.Jamboree” number everybody, the performers, the audience in the production, and half the extras in Hollvwood .ioin a singing, dancing, hilarious music-mad riot of fun. Unusual Love Stcry. “Love f rom u »t ranger," the first British picture Jii.ivuicu Ann tlarduig lias appeared, comes lo the Aluyrair 'Theatre on Saturday. Based on the Agatha Christie short story which the late Flunk V ouper turned into a brilliant and siicjosstiil stage play, the film adaptation was prepared by Frances Marion, Hollywood s most famous scenario writer.- Among Miss Marion’s many triumphs have oeen the scripts of “The Dark Angel,” “The Big House,” “Anna Christie,” “Min and Bill.” ' The Secret Six,” “The Clump,” ■'Emma,” “Cvnara,” “Dinner at Eight” and “Riff Raff.” “Love From a. Stranger” i> Ann Harding’s fir6t film outside America, and it otters her a role of exceptional dramatic range. It is the love story of a. typist who /is swept off her feet by the wooing of a fascinating stranger, only to find his charm is merely a mask for most sinister designs. Basil Riathbono is featured as the scheming husband. Binnie Hale is seen as the heroine’s best friend, Kate Meadows. Kate is an unmarried woman in the late thirties, who for a living teaches music to unm mica I and disinterested children. Others in the strong cast are Jean Cadel). S 3 Miss Harding’s Aunt Lou; and Coliu Keith-Johnston as the man Miss Harding jilts for the charming stranger. New Tunes.

Although! it is not a musical, Paramount’s “Swing High, Swing Low,”

which co-stars Carole Lombard and Pi ed Mae Murray, and w hich 'come, to the State Theatre soon, has a number of original sQngs written by top-notch Hollywood song writers. Miss Lombard sings in this film for the first time. -As a night-club entertainer in torrid Panama, who falls in love with the adventuring Mae Murray, she sings “I Hear a Call to Arms” hv Sam Coslow and A 1 Siegel, and “Then It Isn’t Love,” by Leo Tlobin and Ralph Rainger. Dorothy Lamour, who made her film debut in “The Jungle Princess” after a career on the radio, croons ‘“Panamanin,” a new swing hit by Coslow and Siegel, and Mae Murray. long know'll as an outstanding saxophonist, plays trumpet accompaniments to Miss Lombard.

“Angle Shooter,” is' a romance of the newspaper world and the conflict between love and professional duties, in which Pat O’Brien and Joan Blondell will he co-starred. Seven days after the completion of “Dark Journey” the first production to be made by Victor Saville at Home, ho has started work on his second picture, “Storm in a Teacup,” the AngloScottisli version of “Storm in Passerglass.” One of the outstanding successes of “Mcrrie England,” the J. C. A\ illiamson Ltd. musical production now running at Ilis Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne. is achieved by Clifford Cowley, as Walter Wilkins, an actor of William Shakespeare’s company—a role, by the way, which was played in the London production by W. S. Percy, who for many years delighted Australian arnli•nces.

Spectacular Romance. “fee skating is not alone a sport, it is an art, too. I try to put some of the beauty of the dance into my skating. You sec, at first l wanted to he

a ballet dancer, and 1 studied dancing until I was twenty years old,” delares radiant Sonia Henie, whose first screen triumph, “Girl in a Million,”

opens to-day at the State Theatre, with the spectacular technicoluur Coronation film. The daughter of a Swiss hotelkeeper, lovely Sonja Henie is being secretly trained by her father, Jean Hersholt, to capture the Olympic figure-

skating championship, a title which he had won and then lost, years before, on ■ a false charge of professionalism. Sonja attracts the interest of Don Ameche, a young American reporter investigating a neighbourhood mystery, for lie sees in her unusual material for a human interest story for his paper. He despatches ids frozen-faced photographer, Nod Sparks, to l'oljow the suspicious Montague Love in an attempt to solve his mystery assignment. Sonja also interests, professionally, the fumbling, hut glib-tongued manager of a vaudeville troupe, Adolphe Menjou, stranded penniless in Hersholt’s hostelry. In the group are Arline Judge, Dixie Dunbar, Leah Ray, the Ritz Brothers, twelve beautiful girls of the hand, and Borrah Minevitch and his gang. Menjou induces Sonja to join his troupe and arranges a contract in St. Moritz for the ice ballet lie has envisioned. Realising that -ueli an appearance will disqualify her for the Olympic title so close to her father’s heart, Don flies to St. Moritz, arriving in the middle of the ballet, which he disrnpts hy abducting its star. What happens next is a fine story.

There is a great deal of interest in Melbourne regarding the possibility of a Shakespearean'company being taken to Australia by J. C. Williamson, Ltd. Mr Frank Tail, oil behalf of the firm, is carrying on negotiations in England, and at the latest was at Stratford-on-Avon conferring with the Shakespeare Memorial, Committee, which is cooperating with him. If the necessary English principals can bo secured, the company will open in Australia some time in July.

Attractive Vehicle. Greta Garbo has been in the spotlight as a star longer than any other famous screen personality of to-day, yet less is known about her than all of her competitors. Now in her eleventh year as a star she conics to the Regent screen soon in ‘Camille,” in which she is co-starred with the dynamic Robert Taylor. Aside from a few intimate friends and a small group of co-workers who have been with her year after year, no one has succeeded in penetrating the Garbo mask of exclusiveness to learn the type of human that she really is. Yet the actress, her co-workers and friends will tell -you, is extremely human. She finds comfort in pets anil inanimate objects—a rare vase, an unusual book. Her tastes are extremely simple. She has no love for personal adornment. The only bit of jewellery she cares for are a few trifling rings which she wore as a child and which, though worn thin, she has had enlarged to fit her mature fingers. Her most decided fashion taste is for shoes, lor which she has a* weakness. For those whom she considers her friends, she has the friendliest of smiles and she never forgets these friends. While she is at work she is very quiet. She seldom speaks to those who surround her but this reticence is not snobbery. .She chooses to sit in her plain dressing room between scenes, studying, analysing, absorbing. Fast-mov.ing Theme. J “California Straight Ahead” opens I on Saturday At the Kosy Theatre. Featuring John Wayne and lovely Louise Latimer in a cast that includes such players as Robert McWade, Theodore von Eltz, Tally Marshall, Emerson Treacy and Leroy Mason, it is stimulating screen fare. Tt is the story of two men, one played by John Wayne and the other by Theodore von Eltz,

who are rivals from almost their first meeting, the rivalry building to a terrific, almost single-handed battle for dominance in the transportation world, with the love of a girl also at stake. With the trucking business cutting into the railroads’ freight volume, Gifford, played by Theodore von Eltz. starts in,iking things difficult for the trucking lines. Riff Smith, John Wayne, resents it, as he is superintendent of a. large truck company. The two men have been rivals for Mary Porter, played by Louise Latimer, for a long time, and this only intensifies their business rivalry. Riff makes a 'liot-headkd' move after Gifford double-crosses him, and it looks as if he has ruined his employer, Corrigan, played by Robert McWn.de. Rut, then Biff comes through with the astounding suggestion to Corrigan that they go in for transcontinental freight haulage. A fast moving story arises from this announcement, with a thrilling cross-country race. Mystery Drama.

An absolute thriller is “Under Cover at Night,” commencing at the Mayfair Theatre next Wednesday, July 7. Here is a band new, grand idea in entertainment with a cast of such -wellknown' flayers as Edmund Lowe, Florence Rice, and Nat Pendleton.

A lavish and spectacular musical film, with a large number of beauitful girls, is planned for production some time during the . English summer. Ji will probably he called “Lovelies from Amercia.” “Victoria the Great,” staring, Anna Neagie and Anton Walbrook, is to have world distribution The last thousand feet of the film, which finishes with a pageant of the events of the reign, will bo in tcclinicolour.

Jungle Dangers. Popular belief has it that film players lead a life of c.ase and luxury. But in the filming of the new adventure serial, “Jungle Jim,” only the perils of the real jungle could have surpassed the dangers faced by the actors and actresses. Working with wild animals and taking part in hazardous stunts, the players were in constant danger of injury. There were several minor mishaps that might well have-proven

very serious. Raymond Hatton fared the woust of all. He was face to face with death when attacked by a tiger. The animal inflicted rather a bad

wound on the actor's bond. Grant Withers, who plays the lead role of “Jungle Jim,” narrowly escaped injury when attacked by a leopard. Prettv Betty Jane Rhodes, the femin-

ilie lead, nearly drowned. “Jungle Jim” is showing currently a.t the Kosy Theatre .is a special added attraction.

Hilarious Escapades. The romance of a thrilling trio whose kisses crash the headlines and whose escapades sell extras, with handsome Tyrone Power outroinancing his “Lloyd’s of London” role, lovely Loretta. Young bringing her fresh charm to a portrayal that is enchantingly different, and lion Amcclie creating a dashing new screen characterisation, provides hilarious excitement in “Love Is News,” opening soon at the State Theatre.

With Loretta in the role of a beautiful heiress heckled by sensation-seeking newspapers, the enjoyable pace is set at once when she vows vengeance against Tyrone Power, who lias just tricked her again into the headlines, without, however, reckoning with his dynamic, hard-driving managing editor. Don Aineche. To give Tyrone a dose of his own medicine, Loretta determines to make him a public figure, and not only announces her engagement to him hut also states that she has presented him with a million dollars. The story really begins there. Policeman’s Role.

It started a couple of years ago when Barton Mac Lane, now in “Bengal Tiger” at the Kosy 'theatre, was assigned the role of the Public Enemy in “G-Men” —destined to he the first of a scries of photoplays glorifying the American Department of Justice. The actor wanted to he one of the policemen At that time, but the studio executives stood firm in their belief tha.t ho would make a much better gangster than he would a G-Man. “I’ll play the gangster this time; hut I want to ho a ‘cop’ in my next picture. ‘l’d like to vary my roles as much as possible’,” Mac Lane said. He went into the public enemy’s role with this agreement understood and turned ill a line performance. Holding the producers to their promise, Mae Lane turned around ■ind played a policeman in his next picture. He’s’been doing it —with few variations, ever since. In the wardrobe department there are two closets reserved for the actor’s costumes. One is full of policemen’s uniforms. New fork policemen, Chicago policemen, ■sail Francisco, and Detroit river •>olice.

Roland Young will appear with ’onstancc Bennett in “Topper.” Edward Everett Horton has been gned to play an outstanding comedy ole in “The Groat Garrick.” The tar will he Brian Aliearne.

Marlene Dietrich has completed her part in “Knight Without Armour” and has left for Hollywood to start work oil her next picture. I George Brent and Warner Baxter ■will probably be assigned to the romanjtic lead roles in “Casino,” a dramatic production which will go into production Jin the near future.

“War Lord” is the definite title for a picture depicting the rise of a Chinese guerrilla general, in which Boris Karloff will play the title role.

London menaced by American gangsters is the intriguing and exciting theme of “Crime Over London,” containing an exceptionally strong cast headed by Margot Grnhamc, Joseph Cawthorn, Paul Cavanagh, Bene Bay and Basil Sydney. Miriam Hopkins and Joel McCrea, one of the most popular romantic teams, are starred again in “Woman Chases Man,” a comedy. “He Wouldn’t Get Married” will be the title of Leslie Howard’s next picture, instead of “Love Derby.” Olivia de Havilland will be co-starred. There was no “doubles” substitute for Joe E. Brown, starring in “When’s Your Birthday?” Though the widemouthed comedian’s pictures often call for falls, leaps and crashes which might easily result in painful injuries, he always" insists that lie himself shall take the chances.

George Geo will be given an enthusiastic welcome hack when he returns under the J. O. Williamson, Ltd., management to appear in “Swinging Along” and “Over She Goes,” two new musical comedies which have been acquired. “Swinging Along” lias been running in London for over a year at the Gaiety Theatre and “Over She Goes” for the same period at the Savillc. There have been few more popular comedians in this country than George Gee, who achieved success in such musical plays as “The Lilac Domino,” “Firefly,” “Little Dutch Girl,” “Naughty Princess,” “Merry Widow,” “The Arcadians,” “Sally,” “Kid Boots,” “Good Morning Dearie,” “Tell Me More,” and “A Night Out.”