TALKING PICTURES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 44, 1 December 1938, Page 8

TALKING PICTURES

| ’ (By “ Spotlight.”) |

One of the screen’s most immaculately groomed heroes, William Powell, hates to wear clothes. Lest the impression arise that Bill is concealing a bushel of nudistic tendencies, it should be explained right here that what AV iI - liam Powell doesn’t like to do is wear “dress up” clothes. In “The Baroness and the Butler” Powell gets a. brief respite from tux, tails and morning coats when he appears as a butler.

ing to -tile St. James next Tuesday, with George Brent and Beverly Roberts in the leading roles. I lie thrilling dramatic romance of the story is heightened bv the fact that the scenes—almost all of Avhieli are in the open—Avere photographed Avhollv in natural colours. Brent and Miss Roberts ha\'e an excellent supporting cast including such outstanding favourites as Barton MacLane, Robert Barrat, Allen Hale, El Brcndcl. Billy Bevan and Joseph King. Hundreds of real lumberjacks appear • n the exciting scenes. Brent is first seen as a rich idler, who makes a casual visit to the Avoods Avhere his brother oaviis a vast tract of timber —and is attempting by crooked methods to injure the business of a rival lumber company manager by a girl. BeA’crly Roberts. DiscoA’oring the trickery of his brother, Brent denounces him and is about to go hack to the city Avhen his brother lias him shanghaied and returned to the deep Avoods Avhere the lusty melodrama of love* and hate runs its furious course. There are fights galore between the steel-muscled lumbermen of the two camps. There are thrilling scenes of a runaAvay log train and the blasting of a log jam—there are glamorous love scon os—stirrin g action.

Gene Autry Sings “Boots and Saddles.”

The screen’s most popular singing Western star. Gene Autry, will msiktf his debut at the St. James to-night in the outdoor film “Boots and Saddles.” This production presents Gene Autry as the self-appointed guardian of an English lad who comes to America to try to liquidate iiis deceased father s ranch holdings. Gene persuades the lad not to sell the ranch, hut instead to use it for the same purposes the prospective purchasers would use it for—training army horses. There is a thrilling coinpetition to determine how the army contract shall bo awarded, Gene s bid for training the Worses, and his rival’s bid being identical. The army colonel suggests a horse race, and the rival attempts to burn down Gene’s stables so that the invincible “Champion” will be destroyed. Needless to say, Gene and Champion come through, but not without plenty of thrills and suspense. “Boots and Saddles” is an exciting action entertainment everybody will enjoy and the popular song of the same name sung to good effect by Gene has made this film one of the most soughtafter productions of the year.

“Nurse' From Brooklyn.” The impact of a valiant girl’s love against the inbred tiger-code of sinister waterfronts makes “Nurse From Brooklyn,” Universal’s exciting picture av lnch Avill be screened Avith tlie Tim McCoy Western thriller. “The Westerner,” commencing next Thursday, one of the most unusual dramatic romances ever to hit the screen. The picture drives home the emphatic lesson that crime does not pay. It reveals many of the hitherto hidden methods used by a police department in tracking down a hidden killer in a great city. But, most of all it reveals the hidden streams of emotion in the human soul Avhen confronted Avith a tragic decision. 'The story deals with a beautiful nurse av)io is led to believe by her fiancee, a waterfront hoodlum raised AA'itli her in the Brooklyn slums, that her brother, whom he killed, was shot by a policeman just to earn a promotion. She makes the cop fall in love with her and when she is about to lead him into a trap to be killed, her oavu love for the man stymies her determination, Sally Filers and Paul Ivelly head the cast in the roles of the nurse and the policeman. They have strong support in the stellar performances of Larry Blake and Maurice Murphy. The picture, based on a popular Liberty) Magazine story, is directed by S. Sylvan Simon.

William Powell, suave, debonair, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa. Glamorously exciting Annabella, now in her American film debut, was horn in Paris. Henry Stephenson, one of Hollywood’s finest “old gentlemen,” was horn in Granada, British West Indies. Helen Westley, one of the founders of the Theatre Guild and famous for her portrayals on both stage and screen, was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. J. Edward Bromberg, praised by the critics and awarded their highest honours for his work in- the stage version of “Men In White,” first saw the light of day in Temesvar, Hungary. Lynnßari, who Avent to California by Avay of Boston, began life in Roanoke, Vo. Joseph Schildkraut, folloAving in his late father’s footsteps, has been a star of stage and screen for years. He was born in Vienna. Nigel Bruce, scion of an old English family, Avas born in San Diego, Calif., Avhiie Sir William and Lady Bruce were touring America.

“The Baroness and the Butler.” Debonair William PoAvell . . . lovely) Annabella! He’s the perfect butler and she’s the perfect lady. They’re perfeet-

“These Three.” Nearly every poor man Avonld 'ike to enjoy the life of a millionaire for two weeks, and every rich man would like

lv sensational, co-starred together m “The Baroness and the Butler,” Darryl F. Zanuck’s noAvcst 20th Centurv-Fox hit production Avhich Avill be the weekend attraction at the !St. James. It’s Bill Poavcll at his best, and lovely Annabella . . in her first American-made picture . . . the most glamorously *sciting personality ever to grace the screen. “The Baroness and the Butler” provides a gay situation Avith in a few seconds of the opening of the picture and carries the light tempo through the entire story. Poavcll is so proper (even as a butler) and yet lie outrages the Count’s family and Irionds by a surprising breach of conduct. Just as they are awaiting the results ol the election in which tin* Count has taken an. active part, the butler shuts off the radio. The Countess (Helen Wbstlev) is incensed ! The wireless is turned oil again—just in time for all concerned to learn that Poavcll has been elected to Parliament by the political party Avhich opposes the Count. Annabella, as the baroness, is nonplussed at this situation. The chief worry of the (< i ill (Henry Stephenson) hoAvevcr, is i hat le may lose a good butler. Some hdariotis sit uations arise as the two politic il opponents go to Parliament togetlier--1 u say nothing of the situation between tile Baroness (Annnbolla) and her termer servant. The supporting cast of “The Baroness and the Butler” also features Joseph Schildkraut, J. Edward Bromberg, Nigel Bruce and Lynn Bari.

to go back to the simple pleasures—at least for the same time. And that is just what Frank Morgan, Robert \oung and Reginald Owen do iu “Romance for Three,” Avhich Avill he .released in Ashburton at an early date. Morgan turns poor Avhiie the other two actors become rich and powerful. Their plan Avorks until Morgan’s daughter, Florence Rice, his housekeeper. Edna May Oliver, and his “girl friend” Mary Aster. find out about it. But in the meantime Morgan, avlio lias Avon a contest and lias been given two weeks’ vacation at an alpine resort, appears to he a poor man, and therefore is treated badly by the management. Only one man is kind to him, and lu* is Henry Hull, the dish-washer. When Morgan’s family makes him return to his normal life as the wealthy capitalist, he orders the hotel manager and porter to his office, explains that he Avas actually staying at his own hotel, reminds them of their treatment toAvards him, and makes the dish-washer their boss. Miss Rice and Young are outstanding in the leading romantic roles, while Morgan does the finest. Avork of his career as the capitalist, with Miss Oliver. Miss Aster, Herman Ring and Walter Kingston I giving fine performances.

“Gctl’s Country and the Woman," "Cod’s ('mimrv and Iho Woman." Warner Bros.’ brilliant picturisation of tlio James Oliver Cimvood novel of the same name—dealing with a fond between lumber companies in the deep forests of the Great North-west, com-