FILM PROGRAMMES REVIEWED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 224, 21 September 1935, Page 13

FILM PROGRAMMES REVIEWED.

" BECKY SHARP."

CIVIC AND I'LAZA. Beck.v Sharp ........ Miriam Hopkins Cnpt. ICawdon Crawley. .Alan Mowbray Marquis of Steyne .. Sir C. Hardwicke Amelia Sedley Frances Dee T,n(ly Bareacres Billip Burke Miss Crawley Alison Skipworth Joseph Sedley Nigel Bruce William Dobbin Colin Taple.v Director: Koubeu Mamoulian; 1t.K.0.liiulfo, "Living" is indeed the word which sums up pimply and concisely the effect of the now technico'.our process applied to a full-length picture for the first time ju "Becky Sump," which opened to large audiences at both tile Civic and Plaza Theatres yesterday. S.i closely docs it approach llawlesa reproduction that the screen bccomca the stage, and even the world itijelf. To the spectator, the sensations which the change gives rise to are lnlril to define. Before the warm colo'urs Hood the screen he is likely to adopt a critical attitude; he lias recollections of earlier attempts ai, colour — blurred, misty figures and bright artificial colours running into each other. This new thing must bo something more than that if he is going to accept it. And that, it seems, is the secret of the effectiveness of this new proccts. It is so near to Xature that the .spectator soon forgets tl'.e novelty of the change. The sense of artificiality of the old greys and blacks and whites is destroyed and the spectator bccomes so absorbed that ■lie seems soon to take a place himself among the actors as a silent watcher of a drama of real life. The ingenuity of the director helps to create this sensation; he does not shock the audience's sense with clashing colours anu Gaining titles, but gently warms the greys and blacks with clear, lifelike radiance, leading gradually up through blues and greens to a colour climax of vivid redo and gleaming yellows. The old blurr and inistinces and gaudincss haye gone; everj shade of colour is broug-.it within reach, from rich chocolate to the most delicate of blues. Even in movement—as, for instance, in the ball on liic eve of Waterloo —definitions arc crisp anil clear. It is as if blood is sent tingling through lifeless veins, making men's cheeks ruddy and women's complexions fresh and real. And what a field lies open to the design Dr and director! For the first time they have brought aesthetic sense on to the screen —the sense of taste and colour harmony between curtains and frocks and furniture must be applied to give the correct "atmosphere."' The story itseif and its enactment must not be neglected, however, in achieving lifelike reality. As for the story of "Becky Sharp." Thackeray's classic "Vanity Fair," on wliich the" film is based, has stood the test of yean;, and is brought to the screen witii all its sparkle and charm. The enactment is superb. Miriam Hopkins, recognised as one of.the world's foremost actrawco, achieves a personal triumph as the intriguing and resourceful Becky, full cf ambitions for society and riches, and finally falling to cheapness and degradation. Sir Cedric Hardwicke as the Marquis of Steyne and Alan Mowbray as Becky's husband -give outstanding performances. Nigel Bruce as Joseph Sedley is splendid as a typical roast-beef-and-ale John Bull Englishman, aiul Colin Taple.v, the young Dunedin actor, gives a good impression as "William iJoj'oin. There are line supports at both theatres. "Becky Sharp" i-.; an K.1v.0.-Radio production.

ROXY AND TIVOLI. Phil Stong's "Village Tale" reaches cinematic form in the picture now being screened jointly at the Koxy and 1 ivoli Theatres together with Tonic, a hilarious comedy. Taking the author of "State Fair's" popular novel and portraying it with a cast of all-star importance, director John Cromwell produced a stirring and authentic cross-section of life and morals as depicted in a typical small town, modern but narrow, where public opinion ]ijays>a dQniinant,.pnrt in the lives.of the two .main characters in the story. Splendid performances are" given by Kay Jolinpon and Randolph Scott, as the two J ov ers who defied this public opinion and r.iallj won the happiness they had fought ior. Rousing performances arc given by Robert Barrat, as the trouble-making brother, who urges his weaker brother to avenge what he alleges is an intrusion into his private life; by Arthur Hohl, as his weaker brother; and by Dorothy Burgess, as the temptress of this village. One of the finest pieces of acting in the picture is by Donald Meek, as a loyal old hired man, while other excellent characterisations arc given by Andy Clyde. Janet Beecher, Edward Ellis, Guinn Williams, Ray Mayer. T. Roy Barnes and Dewitt Jennings. The story includes fine comedy, stirring drama and one of the prettiest love tales ever told on the silver screen. The other picture, "Spring Tonic, tea* tines Lew Ay res and Claire Trevor 111 a succession of comedy situations. Pitts, Walter King, Tala Birell and Siegfried Rumann arc in the supporting cast.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO. Excellent direction, thrilling situations and clever dialogue make "After Office Hours," showing jointly at the Crystal Palace, Mount Eden, and the Rialto, Newmarket, a really good entertainment. Although a murder melodrama, it is not gruesome because its comedy dialogue predominates. It stars Clark Gable, Constance Bennett and Stuart Erwin, who adds to the gaiety by his role of newspaper photographer. Supporting it at the Crystal Palace is a drilling melodrama, "The Great Hotel Murder, with Victor McLaglen and Edmund Lowe At the Rialto, Charlie Chan (Warner Oland) unravels what is probably his greatest cas in "Charlie Chan in Epvpt.

STATE, SYMONDS STREET. A fashionable summer hotel P/ 0 ™J e f, the scene for "The Gold Diggers ot IDdJ, one of the past season's most popular musicals, which is now showing at til State Theatre, Upper Symonds Street. Produced even more lavishly than its pie decesßors, the film features in the leading role Dick Powell, who introduces several song "hits." Also in the cast are Ado p Menjou and Gloria. Stuart. KINGSLAND TALKIES. George Arliss gives a performance worthy of his great reputation in the Last Gentleman, the superbly-acted him, heading the bill at Kingsland lalkies. ine late Will Rogers fills the supporting h m, "Life Begins at Forty, with his inimitable home-spun philosophy. GREY LYNN CINEMA. Wallace Beery plays a truly magnificent part as "The Mighty Barnum in the picture of that name now at the Grey L} Cinema. He is ably supported by Adolphe Menjou. Edmund Lowe appears ( witii Ann Sothcrn in a musical romance, Lets Fall in Love," at the same theatre. STAR CINEMA, NEWTON. Darryl F. Zanuck, enterprising Hollywood producer, was responsible 101 tne line emotional drama "Gallant starring Ann Harding, Clive Brook and Count Tullio Carminati. 1 his film, first of his productions for Twentieth Century Pictures after his break away n'om Warner Bros.-First National will be presented this evening at the Star Cinema; Newton. In support of "Gallant Lady is the uproariously amusing bix-ciay Bike Rider," starring the popular widemouthed comedian Joe E. Brown, in a hilarious tale of love and adyenture .n New York's famous six-day bicycle races in Madison Square Garden sports arena. BRITANNIA, PONSONBY. Ann Harding and Robert Montgomery play two thoroughly sophisticated roles in "Biography of a Bachelor Girl," whipn will share to-night's bill of fare at tne Britannia Theatre. Ponsonby, with bweet Music," taken, straight from " l >' release? Rudy Vallee and Alice AViii j are principals in this film. MAYFAIR, SANDRINGHAM. Few films have attracted such audiences as "One Night of Love," Grace Moore: s sensational musical picture, which is to be shown this evening at the Majtair Cinema. Sandringham, with On Seciet Service" (Carl Diehl and Greta Nissen) in support.