TALKING PICTURES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 38, 24 November 1938, Page 8

TALKING PICTURES

Now if may ho told why Boris Karlolr lias ‘'turned human" in pictures. Alter mechanical or semi-human or supernatural “horror men.” he has just, finished two pictures in which lie plays real human beings—and rather likeable ones at that. “I found I was frightening children throughout the world, ’ Karloff explains simply. That was reason enough for the man who had built a great reputation for one particular kind of picture, to turn away from that career and in effect, embark upon another. “Night Key’’ at one studio, introduced Karloff as a human being on the screen and his newest picture., “Y\ est of Shanghai.” is another and very important step toward his “humanisation.”

Robert Taylor began his motion picture career when a screen talent scout saw him in a college . production of “Journey’s End.” He was born in Fillev, Nebraska, and studied at Doane and Pomona Colleges. Following his discovery at college by Metro-Goldw,\n-Mayer, he was cast in a crime “short” and then in “Society Doctor.” With his ensuing roles his popularity and fame were assured. Recently he made his first trip abroad to star in “A Yank' at Oxford.’ ’ His latest film is “Three Comrades.” A Musical! Treat in Store. Bringing a freshness of interpretation of many of the old-time ballads, David McGill has a treat in store for patrons of the St. James Theatre when he will appear on the stage there on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. A tenor of unusual ability and achievement, Mr McGill has had a. long and interesting career on the stage, having been juvenile lead with the famous Gladys Monerief Company, having toured with the J. C. Williamson combination and been under an important engagement with Sir Benjamin Fuller. ’That Mr McGill s visit to Ashburton is being appreciated at its full worth is demonstrated in the

fact that already bookings are heavy and it is anticipated that the whole theatre will he filled lor each evening lie appears. Mr McGill has gained high praise* and has enthralled audiences throughout England, South Africa and Australia, and he was chosen to sing, the only New Zealander, at the Anzac concert in the Sydney Town Hall last April. Mr McGill specialises in the presentation of those ballads which have from sheer merit and appeal, survived th<> age of jazz and swing and are as full of appeal now as they were when they first burst- on the world. The maturity and resonance of Mr McGill s voice will be found to be most acceptable. “Three Comrades.” From the pen of the author of “All Quiet on the Western Front,” comes another gripping screen narrative in which a nation’s woes after the World War are overshadowed by one of the most human love stories to reach the screen. In the new picture, “Three Comrades” which opens next Saturday at the St. James, showing Robert Taylor and Margaret Sullavan provide*a poignant romance, with Franchot Tone and Robert Young, also in stellar roles, adding performances which will remain long in the memory of the moviegoer. The story, based on Erich Maria llemarque’s widely-read novel, centres about Taylor, Tone and Young, three young war veterans who face a chaotic future together in a country gripped by post-war disturbances, Taylor, the youngest, falls in love with Miss Sullavan, the love affair giving all three comrades a new interest in life. Taylor and Miss Sullavan are married and it seems as though fate has offered them a share of happiness at last. But life decrees otherwise. Young, is slain <n a riot and Miss Sullavan suffers an illness on her honeymoon. When she faces an operation in a distant sanitarium, Tone sells his proudest possession, a racing car, hut Miss Sullavan dies, leaving Taylor and Tone to face the future a h ue.

"West of Shanghai.” Tlic exotic atmosphere ol’ I lie interior of North Chinn—rarely if ever before shown in ;i motion picture and particularly timely to-day with China in the headlines—comes to the screen in "West of Shanghai,” a melodramatic thriller ironi Warner Ifros. coniine; to the St. James next Tuesday. Ihiris Karlolf. childly familiar to movie audiences from his playing of "horror" pictures, is a war lord. lie is a Chinese bandit pynoral, anil, forinnatcly, isn’t in the least horrible. He's genial and good-natured and—despite the fact that he does a little killing now and then-—nr rather likeable follow on the whole. Audiences everywhere have keen highly pleased with him and the story. The play revolves around the possession and ownership of an oil concession. Jim Ilallett. an American played by Cordon Oliver. Iras discovered the field, borrowed money to develop it. but it/ i- about to be

(By “Spotlight.”)

foreclosed on him because he hasn't enough cash. Myron Galt (Douglas Wood) and Gordon Creed (Ricardoforte/.) financiers, are in a race for the property and arrive at the field together, to find that General Y\ u Yen Fmig (Karloff) is in possession of the adjacent village. It develops that Hallett has once saved General Fang s life and Fang repays him by seeing to it that Haliott becomes the complete owner of the oil wells. The villainous Creed is killed in the mix-up. The feminine romantic interest is carried by Beverley Roberts, playing a young medical missionary. and a screen newcomer, Sheila Bromley, as a daughter of the financier Galt. Excellent performances are turned in by all those American actors, plus the Orientals, Richard Loo, James Loong, Tetsu Komi and Alia. Tchioaka ; and the Russian, Vladimir Sokoliff.

Ritz Bros, in “Life Begins at College” Bigger and battier, madder and merrier. wilder and wackier, than in “Sing. Baby, Sing,” “On the Avenue,” and “You Can’t Have Everything,” those three comedy-mad Ritz Brothers are starred for the first time in “Life Begins in College,” 20th Ceritury-F.ox musical hit featuring Joan Davis, Tony Martin and Gloria Stuart and a noteworthy east. A hilarious, tuneswept jamboree, “Life Begins at College,” contains all the essential elements for a gay, entertaining hit—giddy gags, gorgeous girls and frenzied fun. The gloroarious cast also includes Fred Stone, Nat Pendleton, Ed Thorgersen, Dick Baldwin, Joan Marsh, Dixie Dunbar, Jed Proutv. Maurice Cass, Marjorie Weaver and J. C. Nugent, screening in conjunction wjtli “Boots and Saddles,” commencing next Thursday at the St. James. The Screen play moves with zest and speed from one riotous situation to another, with the three Ritz circus unloading the niftiest comedy gags of their careers. With them is Joan Davis, pretty red-headed comedienne, who attains new heights- of hilarity as a love-struck girl pn a hearthunt for an Indian, of all things. The unassuming Indian with only 10,000 dollars a day to spend, is snubbed by all the fraternity brothers until the Ritz Brothers take him in and then the fun begins in a riotous frolic of mirth and merriment. Surrounding the plot- are dazzling ensembles with hundreds of gorgeous girls dancing to the swill gable tunes of Pollack and Mitchell. From start to finish, “Life Begins at College” is jammed with laughs that leave one hysterical with joy. Gene Autry in “Boots and Saddles.”

Gene Autry, Universally acclaimed “World Popular No. 1 Singing Western Star” rides again ! His latest production “Boots and Saddles.” comes to the St. James Theatre next Thursday. Gene turns in an excellent performance, with his usual catchy songs and his nonchalant manner. In the course of the production he reforms two-horse-rustlers, and a spoiled ten-year-old youngster as well. Assisted by an able east including “Smiley Burnett,” Ronnie Sinclair, Republic’s latest find, Judith Allen and .Guv Usher, it is no wonderj that Gene’s latest picture has been eagerly awaited hv his legion of admirers. Spud, young owner of the ranch manager, arrives in America, to sell it to Neale, an unscrupulous rancher. Neale, intending to use the ranch for training army horses, is furious when Gene suggests to Spud that he do likewise without selling the property. Gene and the hoys ride out to the army post to present their hid and Gene meets and falls in love with the Colonel’s daughter, Bernice. The colonel perplexed by the almost exact similarity of the bids from Gene and Neale, declares a race, stating bis intention to award the contract to the winner. Neale inflamed further at Gene because of his love for Bernice, burns down the stable sheltering Gene’s horses. Nevertheless*, the day of the race finds gene mounted on “Champion” at the starting post. The entire production is packed with action and the climax is particularly thrilling.