Cinema Reviews

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21886, 12 September 1936, Page 7

Cinema Reviews

STATE “JACK OF ALL TRADES” Jack Hulbert and Robertson Hare have made a capital success of “Jack of All Trades,” the comedy which commenced a season at the State Theatre yesterday. Both Hulbert and Hare have firmly established their reputations as comedians, but this is their first appearance together, and they make an ideal combination. The comedy, dancing, and singing are firstclass, and the picture can be recommended without hesitation. If merit is any indication, the picture must have a most successful season. The capacity for being brow-beaten is Robertson Hare’s most laughable attribute, and so well does he exploit it that it is hard to say whether he x Hulbert takes the honours for comedy alone. Hulbert in truth proves to be a “jack of all trades.” Out of work, but with a remarkable capacity for bluffing, he is soon lording it in a bank. He is uproariously funny when he persuades Hare, the bank director's secretary, to find him a position, and equally successful is the scene in which he commits the board of directors to a fantastic scheme for the mass production of shoes. A reverse in hisfortunes finds him as a nightwatchman in the boot factory. The action is always brisk, but the story develops even more rapidly with the introduction of a gang of “firebugs” who plan to destroy the factory. They are brought to book py the jovially foolish hero after some hair-raising adventures. It is impossible to stop laughing during the scene in which Hulbert and Hare are being pursued by the villains over an endless conveyor-belt. It is all brilliant farce. In some of Hulbert’s pictures there has been cause for regret that too little is seen of his undoubted ability as a dancer, but in the present offering the dancing will satisfy the demands of most. In some of the dances Hulbert is partnered by Gina Malo, who has also outstanding talents. The irresistible farce is well leavened with dancing and singing, and the photography is really outstanding in parts. The production is a credit to the resources of British studios, which are renowned for comedy of this type. The supporting programme is of varied interest. One “short” that is outstanding is devoted to the English Grand National. The race is closely followed by the camera, and the struggle at the finish is intensely exciting. In addition to two newsreels there is an unusual film showing the technique of goalkeeping in Association football, done partly in slow motion.. CIVIC “THE COUNTRY DOCTOR” It was a happy thought on the part of those responsible for the casting of “The Country Doctor" to give the doctor’s part to Jean Hersholt. This fine German actor has yet to give a poor characterisation. Whatever his part, he invests it invariably with individuality and life. In “The Country Doctor,” which -yesterday commenced a return season at the Civic Theatre, Hersholt takes you with him, in sympathy, to the wilds of Northern Canada, among the snows and the forests, where you live with him the life of a backwoods doctor caring for the ills of a lumber camp. You see how ultimately the life of a general practitioner is bound up with the lives of the people in his charge. With Hersholt as the doctor, the birth of the famous Dionne quintuplets becomes credible. The acting throughout is excellent. Slim Summerville as the sheriff adds the necessary humour to the film. His long shambling figure and incredibly mournful face are a joy to see. The Quintuplets themselves are re-, vealed as five very lovable little creatures. They are seen being tended by their nurse and played with tv their doctor, and tumbling about with the handsome toys that have been sent to them from far and near. Michael Whalen and June Lang supply the romantic interest to an entertaining film. “Charlie Chan at the Circus,” which has been transferred from the Mayfair, is the second attraction on the programme. It presents the suave Warner Gland, the Swede who falls so naturally into the part of a Chinese, and who has played Chinese parts ever since he started on the ‘screen. The story is set in a huge circus—one of America’s three largest—and tells of a murder and the way Charlie Chan, the detective Gland has made famous, discovers the identity of the murderer. Keye Luke, a genuine Chinese, has the part of Chan’s son, and is responsible for a good piece of acting. Lovers of the mystery drama will enjoy this film.

MAYFAIR “UNDER TWO FLAGS” In “Under Two Flags,” the Mayfair Theatre last night presented a film which will live long in the memory of theatregoers. An epic of the Foreign Legion, the production is on a stupendous scale, with a cast of 10,000, and presenting some of the most realistic battle sequences ever depicted on the screen. The picture headed the change of programme at this popular place of entertainment, and it is worthy of note that every seat in the theatre was occupied. “Under Two Flags” is an outstanding film in several respects. It is splendidly produced, with a remarkable faithfulness to detail, and, in addition, the story is one of the most romantic ever written. Many tales have been told about the famous Foreign Legion, and numerous pictures produced on the subject, but the palm must go to this fine effort of Darryl F. Zanuck. Superb acting is another feature of “Under Two Flags.” The four leading players are Ronald Colman, who repeats his striking success of “Beau Geste”-—a picture of somewhat similar type - Claudette Colbert, brilliant star of “It Happened One Night”; Victor McLaglen, award winner in 1935 with “The Informer”; and Rosalind Russell, of “Rendezvous.” As Corporal Victor, a blue-blooded Englishman with a “past,” Colman was in his element. Promoted because of unusual valour, he falls foul of his company commander (McLaglen), who mistakenly believes him to be a rival in his affections for the French girl (Claudette Colbert), who runs the little estaminet patronised by the rank and file of the legion. Actually, Colman is in love with a proud, aristocratic girl (Rosalind Russell), whom chance brings to the little desert outpost. Sent to posts of danger three times by his commander in a deliberate effort to have him killed, Colman returns to the fort each time, after stirring brushes with the Arabs, and then, in a fit of remorse, the officer takes the entire force to his rescue. The relieving force is ambushed, and in a dramatic situation the two rivals reconcile their differences. They get ready to face their death; but as the clouds of battle settle a great wrong is righted. “Under Two Flags” is the last word in realism, the desert scenes being Something distinctly out of the ordinary. It is, indeed, a glorious spectacle drama of men’s heroism and women’s devotion, set against one of the strangest and most moving backgrounds that have ever come to the screen. It is a picture that should please even the most captious critic. OTHER THEATRES LlßEßTY—“Trapped by Television,” a film which takes for its theme the newest expression of man’s scientific prowess, began at the Liberty yesterday, Mary Astor and Lyle Talbot are the stars. “In (Did Kentucky,” with Will Rogers, is the second feature. GRAND—Edward G. Robinson was seen yesterday at the Grand in “Tiger Shark,” a drama of the Mexican tuna fisheries. The associate feature was “Hard to Handle.” in which James Cagney is supported by Mary Brian and Ruth Donnelly. CRYSTAL PALACE—“Sanders of the River.” with Paul Robeson, commenced a season at the Crystal Palace yesterday. Leslie Banks and Nina Mae McKinney are co-atarred in the epic of the British Civil Service in Nigeria. Robeson sings some new songs. MAJESTIC —“Devil’s Squadron,” with Richard Dix, a story of the test pilots who risk their lives in trying out new aeroplanes, commenced yesterday. “Garden Murder Case," with Edmund Lowe, was the second feature. REGENT—Grace Moore in “The "King Steps Out,” began at the Regent yesterday. This time she has for her leading man an actor of the first rank, Franchot Tone. The famous singer proves herself a comedienne in this £?av rnTnflnpp TlVOLl—“Snowed Under,” with George Brent and Patricia Ellis, began yesterday. It is a rollicking comedy romance with a New England setting, telling of a young playwright snowbound in a house with three women. PLAZA—“White Woman," with Charles Laughton, Carole Lombard, Charles Bickford, and Kent Taylor, commenced at the Plaza Theatre yesterday. It is the story of a white woman trapped in the Malay jungle. AVON—"The Trail of the Lonesome Pine,” at the Avon Theatre, tells of a feud between two families who live on adjoining mountain land. The film is in colour. Fred Mac Murray, Henry Fonda, and Sylvia Sidney are starred.