TALKING PICTURES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 85, 20 January 1938, Page 8

TALKING PICTURES

CHATS ABOUT THE CINEMA.

(By “ Spotlight.”) Clark Gable says that six years in Hollywood are a life-time. “In no other business in the world do things move so swi'ftly. It seems a hundred rather than just six years ago that 1 was playing a small role in “The Secret Six.’ Another featured player just getting a start was Jean Harlow. So much has happened in the six years that have followed that it is a little incredible. Every time T make a new picture 1 say to myself, ‘Clark, this is the time they’ll catch up with you.’ ” Gable and Hiss Harlow, who both became stars in 1932, are the co-stars of M-G-M’s “Saratoga.’’ “The progress made in motion pictures 'during the past six years is amazing,” declares Gable. “Few people realise the technical progress made in lighting, sound, make-up and photography. Tt is only by comparing the pictures of a few years ago and those of the past year that these rapid forward strides in the quality of movie entertainment can be appreciated. Pictures like ‘The Great Ziegfeld,’ ‘Anthony Adverse,’ ‘Mr Deeds Goes to Town,’ ‘San Francisco,’ ‘The Life of Louis Pasteur,’ and ‘Romeo and Juliet’ make this evident.

Mouth Organ Championship. To judge by the enthusiasm displayed by the general public toward the series of eliminating competitions being held at the St. James Theatre, Ashburton every Friday afternoon and evening, it would appear that the mouth organ has become more prominent as a musical instrument than ever it was before. Up to date two sections under 12 and 14 years have been decided and if the wonderful playing of these juveniles is any guide a very high standard can be expected from to-morrow’s sfection under 16 years, and the final champion of champions contest which will be decided next Friday week when the best player iii the County are scheduled to appear at the matinee with the four finalists meeting again at the evening session, Spencer Tracy in “They Gave Him a Gun.” Riding on the crest of the wave for his sterling performance as the priest in “San Francisco” Spencer Tracy now maintains his standard of excellent acting in a new picture. This one is the Metro-Goldwvn-Mayor adaptation of William Joyce Co wen’s novel, “They Gave Him a Gun” with Gladys George and Franchat Tone as Tracy’s colleagues. AY. S. Van Dyke 11. was the director. He has followed the memorable story of war closely, as the author, himself a former soldier of the line, described it. Rut more than that, the picture clings to the powerful psychological effect of war on certain characters, long after the conflict is ended. The sears .remain on their souls. The supporting cast includes Edgar ing, iff Edwards, Mary Treen and others. War scenes were filmed on the expansive location where M-G-M made “The Good Earth,” with an elaborate regard for detail! The story • describes a circus barker who enlists in the re-

gulars and there, up in the lines, meets a small-town clerk who has just learned the deadly use of a. gun. They both fall in love with the same girl, a Red Cross nurse. The ex-circus barker is reported missing and she marries the weakling, out of pity for bis helplessness. But the other man escapes from an enemy prison camp and they meet again in the States after the Armistice. Now, an expert with firearms, the clerk has become a crook. Ibe circus man tries to save him from himself, still loving the girl, but a police bullet eventually proves to be the only cure. “T ’bey Gave Him a Gun,” is a strong story powerfully acted and will be tlie week-end attraction at the St. James Theatre.

“Street Singer’s Return.’’ A sparkling musical comedy romance which comes to the St. James '1 heat re next Tuesday afternoon, filings together two famous stars of the entertainment world. Arthur Tracy is popularly known Co millions, through his gramophone recordings, as “The Street Singer.’’ and hi* (Lest lilm production, “Street Singer’s Serenade,” one ol the most successful pictures of 1930, also established him among the iorenmst stars of the screen. Tracy’s comedy partner in “The Street Singer’s Return” is Arthur Itiseoe, who will be remembered by film-goers for his perfoi malices in such films as “For the Love of Mike,” with Bobby Howes and

“Public Nuisance, No. 1.” In “The Street Singer’s Serenade” Riscoe is seen as a street corner conjurer, with crooked tendencies, and round him revolves most of the film’s laughs. He wears a badly-battered bowler, a high celluloid collar with a ridiculous little bow-tie, and an ill-fitting check suit. This •is a change from Riscoe’s usual make-up, for he is generally regarded as one of the best-dressed comedians on the stage or screen

“Sunset Range,” The only type of picture which has defied all the fads of production cycles in the cinema field is the western. And this is because westerns fill a universal, omni-present need for action and romance in the life of every youngster from six to sixty. The old west of Owen Wister and his contemporaries lives on forever in these colourful films. Strangely enough, the western pictuie knows no sectional likes or dislikes. It is popular in the crowded tenement districts of the biggest industrial cities and also in the cow-towns of the plains. All over the world, as well as in the United States, the American western picture is a universal drawing card. Year ih and year out, the Hollywood studios continue to produce scores of pictures of this type, because they fill the insatiable demand lor romantic action. Several of the most popular and most financially successful stars of the screen specialise in this type. of part and in this type of story. Probably the most popular in this group is Hoot Gibson, who lias been kept oft the screen for a couple of years due to an almost fatal aeroplane accident, hut who is now back in films and appealing as the star of “Sunset Range,” coming to the St. James Theatre on Thursday next, January 27. Hoot enjoys the distinction of being ,ono of the very few real cowboys who is a western star. He was born at lekamali, Nebraska, near an Indian reservation and while still in his ’teens was pait owner of the 3-circle ranch on the Yumatilla Reservation near Pendleton, Oregon.' It was at the Pendleton roundup where Hoot first came into prominence, by winning the international championships in every event on the programme. Subsequently, lie came to Hollywood, and soon thereafter became A star in western pictures, of which bis current vehicle is his two hundred and fourth

“The Man in B.ue.” “The Man In Blue,” the Universal picture whicli opens at the St. James on Thursday, January 27, is the dramatic story of a policeman who adopts the son of a burglar whom he kills in self defence during a gun battle. It is a powerful, inspiring story of hate and love; of distrust and suspicion ; of faith and redemption. Through it is woven a beautiful romance that makes a man’s life whole again. The cop is .portrayed by that fine character actor. Edward Ellis. The boy is played by Billy Burrud in the early sequences and by Robert Wilcox in the main situations of the play, while the girl in the story is Nan Girev, one of the “Three Smart Girls.” The youth grows, into a splendid young man,, with a powerful bond of. affection between him and bis foster father. Then the officer ? • under circumstances which cause him to suspect his adopted son, wipes out all his good work with a moment of distrust,

The son is embittered and disillusioned. Subjected to the evil influence of a scamp uncle, played hv Richard Carle, he turns criminal, is caught and sent to prison. In an inspiring climax, His regeneration is brought about by a restoration of faith and the assurance of his sweetheart’s love.

“Shall We Dance.” Once again the universally beloved Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers combination raises the standard of musical comedy in a bright, melodious and spectacular Jilm. “Shall Me Dance. - '” duo for oa.rly release in Ashburton. Rich in beautifully-photographed dance settings and containing song hits and two good comedians (F.dward Everett Horton and Eric ttlore), tnis picture is one which will be long remembered by those who see it. Of the many magnificent dance scenes the most remarkable is the dance on skates performed by the two principals, but besides this the ballet is particula.rly good.- The story opens when a famous ballet darner (Fred Astaire) decides that an equally famous revue lavourite (Ginger Rogers) should he his partner, both on and oil the stage. Things eventually become so mixed that the young couple decide to marry and Inter obtain a divorce. They wed, alter a series of ludicrous situations makes this necessary, hut the final big scene proves that the divorce is not wanted.