FILM PROGRAMMES REVIEWED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 307, 28 December 1935, Page 16

FILM PROGRAMMES REVIEWED.

"THE BISHOP MISBEHAVES." MAJESTIC. Bishop of Broiulmlnster Edmund Gwenn Hester Grantham . Maureen O'Sulllvan Donald Meadows Norman Foster Lady Emily Lyons Lucile Watson Guv Waller Reginald Owen Mrs. Waller Lilian Bond " Red " Dudley Dirges Director. E. A. Dupont. M.-G.-M. Edmund Gwenn, who made such an impression as Jess Oakroyd in "The Good Companions," can hardly fail to please his audiences no matter what roles he plays— and he plays many. But in "The Bishop Misbehaves," the film which began a season at the Majestic last night, he is admirably cast as a kindly, ingenuous bishop with a passion for detective fiction and an unrequitted desire actually to take part in an adventure. When he and his sister stumble upon a real hold-up in a deserted country public house one very wet evening and find three people robbed, gagged and tied up, their delight knows no bounds. By dint ot using clues suggested to him by various detective novels he has read, the bishop succeeds in unravelling the mystery very satisfactorily, but the problem of restoring the property to its rightful owner is much more knotty. Situation follows complex situation with bewildering rapidity, but the bishop is master of them all until almost the end of the film. His temporary failure may have been due to a severe blow on the head from a particularly unpleasant crook, but whatever caused it, it provided the one opportunity in the film for Edmund Gwenn to show his ability as a dramatic actor, and he seized it with both hands The utter sincerity of his avowal of defeat proved the genuine moral purpose the kindly old bishop concealed under his mask of childishness and playful vagaries. This short scene raised his role from That of a merely comic actor and gave the whole character more dignity. Lucille Watson, as the bishop's sister, and Edmund Gwenn make a surprisingly good. screen combination. Thl former provides a.foil for his quick intelligence and enters into the adventure with obvious enjoyment. Romantic interest is provided by Maureen O'Sullivan and Norman Foster the former playing her part with her characteristic simple directness The .action of the story grows progressively faster as ?he film proceeds, until it reaches a breathless pace towards the end. Combined with tSs is a wide variety of scene and of types among the subsidiary characters and a refreshing absence of effort to im The SS film provides admirable entertainment? preceded as it is by an exeunt supporting programme, including a Thelma Todd" and Patsy Kelly comedy, Rightly Static " and a short revue in Techmcolour which includes some striking scenic views in Western America. ROXY AND TIVOLI. Crowded audiences at every session of the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres give striking mustration of the popularity of the late Will Rogers, whose death in Alaska with Wiley lost came as a blow to mill Torts of readers, radio listeners and film; eoers At both theatres his last film, Sin Old Kentucky," is heading a splendul double bill. He seems to have put all his into this film, which seryes as a fitting memorial to one of the neatest comedians the world has known He ha" a role which must. have, been typical of his own character in his life outside the studTos-shrewd and far-sighted warm and kindly at heart. "In Old Kentucky shows h m as a racehorse trainer in that romantic old State, where his homespun Philosophy helps him to solve the problems of his neighbours: His truly fine performance is Enhanced by the support given himbv Dorothy Wilson and Russell Hlrdie, whose delightful romance runs in a most Peasant way through the film. Bill Robinson, said to be one of the most skilful of negro tap-dancers, is an entertainment in himself. _ "Thunder Mountain," based on Zane Grey's novel, stars George O'Bnen.v and if a Western packed with the thrills of adventure on the range. NEW REGENT AND ALEXANDRA. A well varied programme is offered tonight at the New Regent, Epsom, and the Alexandra, Green Lane Heading the programme is "Red Heads on. Parade, one of. the most spectacular musical comedies of the past year. Mischievous little Jane Withers, John Boles and Dixie Lee have the leading roles ma picture which not only abounds in lavish settings, but has a sound plot. The second feature is "Dante's Inferno," with Spencer lracy and Claire Trevor.

STAR, NEWTON. A bright musical comedy and a charming romance should make highly satisfying entertainment for picturegoers at tie Star Cinema, Newton, to-night. The double bill comprises "In Caliente and "Jane Eyre." In the first, new songs and Bpectacular dances are introduced against a colourful Mexican background. Dolores Del Rio is starred. "Jane Eyre" is based on the famous novel by Charlotte Bronte. STATE, DEVONPORT. "Curly Top," Shirley -Temple's bright and tuneful new picture, showing at the State Theatre, Devonport, to-night, brings new thrills to those who have come to expect great entertainment from the dimpled little star. This film has five new songs, brilliant dances, and a .cast that includes John Boles and Rochelle Hudson. EMPRESS, NEWTON. There is splendid .entertainment at the Empress Theatre, Newton, to-night, where "David Copperfield" and "The Black Room" are to be screened. The'first, a faithful version of Dickens' story, features W C. Fields, Maureen O'Sullivan, Roland Young and other notable players, and the second stars Boris Karloff. STATE, SYMONDS STREET.

Some of Warner Bros.* most famous musical comedy stars are brought together in a new addition to their celebrated series of spectacular productions. This film is "Go Into Your Dance," screening to-night at the State Theatre, Symonds Street. It features Al Jolson and his wife, Ruby Keeler, Glenda Farrell, Patsy Kelly and Helen Morgan, and introduces several catchy songs. A fine supporting programme has been arranged. SOUTHERN CROSS, ELLERSLIE.

Spectacular dancing and beauty parades are seen to repletion in the lavish film "George White's Scandals of 1935," which is showing to-night at the Southern Cross Theatre, Ellerslie, in conjunction with "Air Hostess," a gripping drama of America' 6 great transcontinental airways system. GREY LYNN CINEMA. Flawless direction and superb acting by George Arliss make "Cardinal Richelieu," screening at the Grey Lynn Cinema to-night one of the finest of the recent cvcle of historical films. He is ably supported by Maureen O'Sullivan. RIALTO SUNDAY PICTURES. Another popular programme is to be presented at the Rialto Theatre, Newmarket, to-morrow night. Bright films have been chosen, headed by "Just My Luck. This features Ralph Lynn, the lovable "silly ass" of Aldwych Theatre fame. Winifred Shotter makes a charming leading lady. ADELPHI, RICHMOND AVENUE. Will Rogers is teamed with Irvin S. Cobb,* the famous comedian and author, in "Steamboat Round the Bend," one of the last films Rogers made before his death. They make a fine combination as rival captains in the steamboat days on the Mississippi. It is showing with "The Gay Deception" at the Adelphi Theatre, Richmond Avenue, to-night. KING'S, NORTHCOTE. Shirley Temple charms her audiences as only Shirley can in "Little Miss Marker," screening at the King's Theatre, Northcote, to-night. The justly popular little star finds herself mixed up in every sort of childhood adventure in this picture. Excellent supporting films are also to be shown.

CIVIC THEATRE. I With a fine type of singing peculiar to himself Dick Powell adds to his already fine reputation as a musical comedy star ia "Thanks a Million," the current attraction at the Civic Theatre. By no means a crooner in the sense to which the word has now fallen, Powell has a delightful flair for presenting modern ballads in a most attractive way. This new film is finding great popularity with Auckland picturegoers, for it is a refreshing change from the spectacular back-stage productions of late. The way in which it is produced, with delightful variety items interspersed through a novel and entertaining plot, makes it a film in which the interest, of the audience has no opportunity to tire. Rubinoff, the owner of a famous Stradi- j varius violin, plays modern music in a manner that is a revelation. The band. which he conducts in the film adds to the' entertainment by presenting comedy songs and amusing interludes, and Paul Whiteman's orchestra makes an all-too-short reappearance on the screen. Then there ia the story: It shows Powell as a young singer who allows himself to be nominated as a candidate in the State elections in order to get a chance to sing on the air. As the elections approach there comes an air of suspense, which is borne to an excitiijg climax. PLAZA THEATRE. "I have played all kinds of parts on the stage—on tour in the English provinces mostly; but, of course, nobody remembers anything about that now! It was an invaluable experience to me, and one that I am drawing on all the time. So George Arliss rebukes the idea that "The Guv'nor," in which he plays an elderly tramp, marks a perilous departure from his historical type. Oddly enough, those tours of the provinces furnished Mr. Arliss with the costume he wears in the film. He used to bargain with "picturesque figures" met on country walks, and purchase clothes for a fumigated and theatrical future. Made even more dilapidated by studio experts, The Guv'-nor's" antique wardrobe appears to what might be called "disreputable advantage" in "The Guv'-nor." which is the current holiday fare at the Plaza Theatre. Gene Gerrard, long Britain's film victim of mothers-in-law and misunderstanding wives, has an excellent role as "Flit," Arliss' fellow tramp. NATIONAL AND REGAL. A holiday programme of mirth and melody is being presented jointly, at the National Theatre, Queen Street, and the Regal Theatre, Ponsonby Road, this week. There is being screened the first presentation in New Zealand of "The Rainmakers, in which Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey have the leading roles. Complete with his horn-rimmed glasses and cigar Woolsey provides yet another volume of laughs with his "wise cracks" and his facial expressions. Baby-faced Bert Wheeler has another array of songs and dances to help out, and his romantic role as usual provides excellent material for the wit of Woolsey. The laugh team can always be depended upon, and The Rainmakers" is no exception to the rule. Special featurettes are on the same programme. BRITANNIA, PONSONBY. Laughs and thrills are blended in tonight's picture programme at the Britannia Theatre, Ponsonby. Two films are to be] screened, "Hell in the Heavens and "The County Chairman." The first, a thrilling air film, stars Warner Baxter, and the late Will Rogers is featured in the second. ASTOR, DOMINION ROAD. Since their farm conditions are a good deal similar to those of New Zealand, the pictures which Australia has produced with the backblocks as a background have found great popularity here. Such a falm is "Grandad Rudd," screening at . the Astor Cinema, Dominion Road, to-night, with "Vagabond Lady" (Evelyn VenableJ. LONDON CINEMA. Ideal holiday entertainment is attracting picture-goers to the London Cinema, where two attractive films are being shown "Dangerous Crossroads offers Chic Sale in a fast-moving comedy-drama, while "The Wiser Sex" is a powerful story with Claudette Colbert in the leading role. TUDOR, REMTJERA. Acclaimed everywhere as the greatest musical film ever made, and proved so by the unbounded enthusiasm with which it has been received by crowded audiences all over the world, "Naughty Marietta, at the Tudor Cinema, Remuera, to-night, is a film to be seen again and again. Jeanette Mac Donald and Nelson Eddy have the leading roles. There is a wellchosen supporting programme.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO. Conrad Veidt has made several pictures under the British banner now, and to each he has given an acting genius that has placed the film well up the grade. At the Crystal Palace, Mount Eden, and the Rialto Theatre, Newmarket, he is playing to-night in "The Passing of the Third Floor Back," and it is difficult to remember a role that was more splendidly taken. On the same programme is a mystery thriller, "One New York Night,' in which Franchot Tone and Una Merke/ have the leading roles. • GAIETY, TAKAPUNA. Shirley Temple brings about a reconciliation between two people who have separated through misunderstandings in "Our Little Girl," screening to-night at the Gaiety Cinema, Takapuna. The two people are her parents, played by Joel McCrea and Rosemary Ames. PRINCESS, DOMINION ROAD. Showing at the Princess Theatre, Dominion Road, to-night are "Steamboat Round the Bend" and "Hard Rock Harrigan." ■ The first film stars two of America's greatest comedians, the late Will Rogers and Irvin S. Cobb, in a hilarious story of the Mississippi River. "Hard Rock Harrigan" stars George O'Brien. STATE, ONEHUNGA. Warner Oland, as the suave and philosophical Chinese detective Charlie Chan, finds unpleasant surprises in his native land of filmdom in "Charlie Chan in Shanghai," screening at the State Theatre, Onehunga, to-night. This thrilling film is supported by "The Girl Friend," a bright musical comedy.

MAYFAIR, SANDRINGHAM. A double-feature programme is to be presented at the Mayfair Theatre, Sandringham, -where Wheeler and Woolsey in their rollicking comedy "The Nitwits" provide hilarious entertainment. Joan Blondell and Dick Powell are the leading players in "Convention City," the second attraction. STRAND, ONEHUNGA. "The Flame Within" is the title of the dramatic attraction at the Strand Theatre, Onehunga, to-night. Ann Harding and Herbert Marshall are the stars. On the same programme is "She Loves a Uniform," with Patricia Ellis and an all-star cast. VICTORIA, DEVONPORT. "Public Hero No. 1," the greatest of all; the "G-Men" stories, is featured at the Victoria Theatre, Devonport. Such players as Lionel Barrymore, Jean Arthur, Lewis Stone and Chester Morris are certain to provide plenty of excitement. On the same programme is "Live Ghosts," with., Laurel and Hardy. | CAPITOL, BALMORAL. ! • Dick Powell, Adolph Menjou and Gloria! Stuart are featured in "Gold Diggers of, 1935," the main attraction to be pre-i sented to-night at the Capitol Theatre, i Balmoral. Hilarious comedy is provided by' Charles Butterworth and the/popular ; Una Merkel in the farce, "Baby Face Harrington." ; i NEW DE LUXE, MOUNT ALBERT. At the New De Luxe Theatre, Mount Albert, to-night, two contrasting films will make well varied entertainment. First is "Drake of England," a stirring film record of the great Englishman's life. This is to be followed by "Hot Tip," a hilarious comedy with Zasu Pitts and James Gleason. '

REGENT THEATRE. In the realm of screen spectacle, Cecil B. de Mille knows no master. Who can forget his triumphs of the silent era, "The Ten Commandments," "The King of Kings" and others? Yet he seems to have excelled all his previous efforts in his latest production, "The Crusades," which is playing at the Regent Theatre. Everybody who has been to school knows something about the Crusades, which have been described as ."one of the noblest adventures in the history of mankind," and in this film those stirring days are lived again in a way which inspires the onlooker, while keeping him thrilled aud entertained. De Mille has caught the real significance of the all-absorbing religious enthusiasm which prompted the Christian manhood of the Middle Ages to undertake the conquest of the Holy Land from the Mohammedans, and he has blended this spectacular side of the film with the romance of Richard Coeur de Leon and Berengaria, his queen. It must be confessed that de Mille has little compunction about altering and condensing history in order to make an entertainment which everyone will enjoy; but so well does he do it that, if the characters and incidents of the real Crusades were not exactly as they are shown here, one feels they certainly should have been. St! JAMES' THEATRE. A musical comedy out of the ordinary is "Broadway Melody of 1936," which is drawing large audiences to the St. James Theatre in an extended season. The smart and clever comedy, the tuneful and sparklingly fresh music, the excellent performances of the stars, and above all the wonderful dancing, are of a sort that have seldom been bettered. Everything is new except the title, and it seems that this film will even surpass the records made by its predecessor of some years ago. Ihe locales of the film are in the heart of Broadway—a producer's office, a newspaper office, a hotel aud a theatre—just the atmosphere which picturegoers love to associate with such a falm. Among the people in the film, Eleanor Powell has been described as a sensation. New Zealand audiences may not become as enthusiastic'as that, but Miss Powells acting, singing and .dancing are cer.ainly a revelatior.. Then there is Jack Benny, famous radio entertainer, who plays the part of a smart columnist on a daily paper. Others outstanding are Villa and Buddy JLbsen, Una Merkel, Sid Silvers and Robert Wildhack, whose snoring act is screamingly funny.

STRAND THEATRE. It would be difficult to imagine seasonable programme than that offering this week at the Strand Theatre, Queen Street. Heading the . programme is "Scrooge," a new version of the old Christmas message conveyed by Charles Dickens' MChristmas Carol." Playing the role of Scrooge is Sir Seymour Hicks, and the famous actor makes of it a role to be remembered. Similarly Donald Calthrop as Bob Cratchit has created a role that is a perfect presentation ot the Dickensian ideal.. Also on the programme is a British feature, In Town To-night," in which some of the most famous of the British radio stars give o their best. Stanley Holloway's 'Lion and Albert" and "With Her Head Tucked Underneath Her Arm" would make it a success, even if there were not a dozen other features.

PRINCE EDWARD, NEWTON. Flesh-and-blood vaudeville has made a welcome appearance at the Prince Edward Theatre, where Freddie Webber and. his vaudeville company are presenting variety entertainment. Dancing, bright songs ana excellent settings are combined to make a show that is ideal for the holiday season. Freddie -Webber, well-known on the comedy stage in Australia, plays a large part, and items are Riven by Ida Lynn, Al Webber and Roy Baker. An entertainina comedy film, "Smart Girl," with Ma Lupino and Gail Patrick, is also showing. STRAND SUNDAY PROGRAMME. Starting with lantern elide talks at 7.15 p.m., an entertainment will be presented to-morrow evening in the Strand Theatre by the Rationalist Association and Sunday Freedom League. Mr. A. L. M. Hall will speak on "Christmas Origins at 7.30 p.m., and at eight o'clock a twohour programme of film gazettes, comedy "shorts" and a full-length' drama of the dreaded Goodwin Sands, entitled lne I Lady from the Sea," will be screened. DANCING. | Peter Pan, holiday entertainment. I Pirate Shippe, Milford, holiday old-time I carnival; "Peerless Pirate Six." Carlton Cabaret, gala night; New Year s Eve, all night carnival. ■ . Municipal Band Hall, Newmarket, oldtime carnival; Bob. Adams' orchestra. St. Columba Hall. Grey Lynn, ex-ber-vieemen's old-time dance and cards. Crystal Palace Ballroom, New Year s Eve, Epi Shalfoon's "Music Masters. St. Mary's Hall, Ellerslie, Connon s oldtime dance. _.„, , Parnell R.S.A. Hall, Percy Williams Gaiety Band. /■-„•'., -- „ , Tamaki Yacht Clubhouse, ISew Years Eve Carnival.