FILM PROGRAMMES REVIEWED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 151, 27 June 1936, Page 18

FILM PROGRAMMES REVIEWED.

« RIFF-RAFF." MAJESTIC. . Hattie Jean Harlow Dutch Miller '.. . Spencer Tracy ' L,il Una' Jlerkel Nick Appopolis Joseph Calleia Jimmy i Mickey Kooney "Brains" McCall . J. Farrell McDonald "Flytrap" Victor Kiliuu Belcher .....' Paul Hurst Director : J. Walter Ruben. Authoress : Frances Marion. M.G.M, Jean Harlow, heroine of numerous outstanding films over the past few years, scores another success in "Riff-Raff," which opened the season at the Majestic Theatre last evening. She has been seen ir all types of roles, ranging from highly dramatic parts to sheer comedy, and each time she has emerged with fresh laurels. Among her recent pictures may be numbered such box office successes as "China Seas," "Reckless/' "Dinner at Eight" and "Blonde Bombshell." In "Riff-Raff" Miss Harlow is involved in a stormy romance with Spencer Tracy, abounding in laughs and tears. As is usual in her pictures, the story is out of the common and yet essentially true to lite, the characters displaying just those emotions that the audience would expect. The story presents the pair as inhabitants of a fishing centre, on the coast of America. Spencer Tracy takes the part of a roughspoken leader among the fishermen, with an amazing conceit in his own prowess, while Jean is shown as the best-looking girl on the waterfront and later as' his wife. Tracy's "toughness" , gets him into endless trouble and he is forced to leave the district and drift north in order to escape the vengeance of his fellow fishermen, whom he has been instrumental in driving into a strike. His. wife wins the approval of the audience by a very sympathetic portrayal of a faithful spouse. The latter part of the film is mainly concerned with her efforts to straighten things up and her plucky efforts toward reconciliation.

Auckland picturegoers will be delighted with Jean's new shade of hair. Instead of the unique platinum blonde tresses which played such a large part in building up her reputation, as one of the most fascinating women of the screen, she has now even more striking light-brown locks. Overseas critics claim that with her new dark hair the producers have revealed her as a new personality by bringing out the character in her face and giving her the advantage of colour, which her previous fair hair rendered impossible.. Both she and Spencer Tracy give very' convincing performances; They are supported by Joseph Calleia, who was so successful in "Public Hero No. 1" and "Exculsive Story"; Una Merkel, as the heroine's sister; J. Farrell'MacDonald, the impish Mickey Rooney and George Givot, who has won international fame on the stage, screen and radio with his hilarious characterisations of the "Greek Ambassador." The supporting programme includes several interesting newsreels. including a Metrotone special and a Charlie Chase comedy, "Vamp Till Ready." EMBASSY THEATRE. The story of a bitter feud, which has lasted for generations between two American mountain families, the Tollivers and the Falins, forms the central theme for the plot of the' current attraction at the Embassy Theatre, "Trail of the Lonesome Pine." Apart from the distinguished cast, which has been a great drawing card, the film has the added attraction of being taken entirely in colour and may claim the distinction of being the first* outdoor film to have natural colour. More than half the film was taken in the Sierras, 10,000 feet above sea level, that in itself proving an interesting experiment and opening up a new fiqlcl in ; colour photography. The story cpneerns the efforts of Fred Mac Murray, who takes the part of a young railroad-engineer, to build a railway through the property .of both families. He persuades the clans to allow him and commences the work, but manacres to become entangled in the age-old quarrel. To add to his difficulties Sylvia Sidney, who has been betrothed to Henry Fonda, another member of her clan, falls ia love with him. The plot works* up to a highly exciting climax. Two good •one numbers are; introduced in "Twilight on the Trail" 1 and-"A Melody from the Sky." .

PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. Sparkling comedy, With-, an occasional touch' of drama,' is- prdVrded in "Hands Across the Table,"' which heads the proftramme at the Prince Edward Theatre, Karangahape Road, -the-'leading players being Carole LombarJ, Fred MacMuri'ay and Ralph Bellamy. There are many highly sequenceslafe.the film and the dialogue is" notable for its brightness. The popular players, William Powell and "Ginger" Rogers are the principals in the second attraction, "Star of Midnight," the story concerning the efforts of a charming detective to catch an even more charming criminal. The cast includes Paul Kelly and Ralph Morgan. • KINGSLAND TALKIES. The fascinating child character player, Jane Withers, captures the hearts of all who see her, and her performance iri"Paddy O'Day,". now at the Kingsland Talkies, is outstanding. Warner Oland: is the star in the associate picture, "Charlie Chan's Secret," a thrilling story of crime and mystery, which is*- unravelled as easily yet perilously as this character of Earl Derr Biggers' has solved, a dozen crimes. ASTOR, DOMINION ROAD. Miriam Hopkins and Edward G. Robinson head the talented cast of "Barbary Coast," a thrilling story of the American Pacific Coast in the 'sixties. The film is now showing at the Astor Theatre, Dominion Road. The supporting picture is the film version of Gene Stratton-Por-ter's famous novel, "A Girl of the Limberlost," Marian Marsh taking the title role. STATE, SYMONDS STREET. Thrills are packed in the best Hollywood style into "Exclusive Story" in sufficient numbers to provide workable plots for at least three pictures. A swift-moving, newspaper drama with more than its usual quota of action, the picture should prove, even without the musical comedy, "Here Comes the Band," which is also on the bill, most satisfying fare for State Theatre -patrons. Murders .and near-murders abound, a ship fire disaster of major proportions, inner workings of New York racketeers, are combined with the comedy of Stuart Erwin. the feminine appeal of Madge Evans and th§ romantic heroism of Franchot Tone to make a first-rate drama. VICTORIA, DEVONPORT. The outstanding film of- the year, "Mutiny on the Bounty," with an all-star cast headed by Clark Gable, Charles Laughton and Franchot Tone, is being presented for a short season at the Victoria Theatre, Devonport. The story is a familiar one and picture-goers will realise that it gives such a talented cast every opportunity to display their dramatic talents. GREY LYNN CINEMA. Excellent entertainment is offered at the Grey Lynn Cinema, where two-splen-did features, "Two for To-night" and "The Lone Wolf Returns," are being screened. The stars of the first are Bing Crosby and Joan Bennett, and in the second the leading roles are taken by Melvyn Douglas and the beautiful Gaii Patrick. TUDOR, REMUERA. A thrilling story of piracy on the high seas is being shown at the Tudor Cinema, Remuera, the stars being Clark Gable, J°an Harlow and Wallace Beery, and the picture "China Seas." This story has an ingenious plot woven around the voyage of a steamer in the China Seas, the climax being surprising ana exciting. There is also a first-class supporting programme. r' ' ' BRITANNIA, PONSONBY. Thrilling adventures with a travelling circus are the feature of "O Shaughnessy s Bov," which; heads the programme at the Britannia Theatre, Ponsonby. The main roles are taken by Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper. On the same programme is the tip-top' comedy, "Brewster s Millions," with the inimitable Jack Buchanan taking the leading role.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. With the music, of Balfe's famous operetta as a background, Laurel and Hardy are up to all their own antics in "The Bohemian Girl," now at the St. James' Theatre. Large audiences of those who delight in this inimitable pair of comedians have been more than pleased during the past week and that they are funnier than ever. "Stan" and "Oily" depend to a large extent on "gags" to produce laughs and in view of the fact that this time they are cast in an entirely new type of role they have been forced to produce a different repertoire. particularly in the case of Laurel's finger tricks, which are more fantastic than ever. The plot reveals them as members of a roving band of gipsies, who are entrusted with the care of a little girl kidnapped from her parents. They firnl the task a little too much for them. The musical numbers have not been forgotten, and such songs as "I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls" and "The Heart Bowed Down" are presented with great artistry. The two principals receive plenty of support from the rest of the cast, which includes Darla Hood, Mae Busch and Antonio Moreno. The supporting programme features a very timely news short in "The Hit and Run Driver" and a Fitzpatriek travelogue, "Japan in Cherry Blossom Time." AMALGAMATED THEATRES. Current entertainment at the cinema houses under control of Amalgamated Theatres. Ltd.. includes: —Civic, "Professional Soldier," with Freddie Bartliolomew and Victor McLaglen: Plaza, "The Prisoner of Shark Island," starring Warner Baxter and Gloria Stuart; Roxy-Tivoli. "The Walking Dead" (Boris Karloff) and "Farmer .in the Dell" (Fred Stone and Jea.i Parker); Strand, "The, Country Doctor," with Jean __ Hersholt and the Dionne quintuplets: National, Jane Withers' "Gentle Julia" and Warner Oland s "Charlie Chan at the Circus": Crystal Palace and Rialto, "I Found Stella Parrish" and "The Music Goes Round ; Regal and Adelphi. Irene's Dunne's "Magnificent Obsession"; Princess. Gentle Julia" and "Here Comes Trouble ; State. Onehunga. Astaire-Rogers dancing musical, "Follow the Fleet"; Empress, "Anna "Karenina" and "Two in the Dark : Regent, Epsom, "Page Miss Glory, and "Metropolitan"; King's. Xnrthcote, King of Burlesque" and "O'Malley of the Mounted"; New de Luxe, "Escape and "Crime and Punishment": State. Devonport. "Ladv of Secrets" and "Charlie Chan at the Circus"; and Alexandra. Ihe Private Secretary" and "Metropolitan.

GAIETY, TAKAPUNA. A double-feature programme is being shown at the Gaiety Theatre, Takapuna, where Gene Raymond gives a splendid performance in a thrilling mystery-comedy "Seven Keys to Baldpate," On the same programme is the glamorous Dolores Del Rio and George Raft in a musical attraction, "In Caliente." AMBASSADOR, POINT CHEVALIER. Claudette Colbert gives a good portrayal of the girl who married her boss to run ihis home as well as his business, in "She Married Her Boss." Michael Bartlett is the boss. George Raft and Alice Faye give an excellent performance m the sophisticated comedy, "Every oSiglit at Eight."; \ ,'1 ' STAR, KARANGAHAPE ROAD. Claimed to be the outstanding comedydrama of the year, "Red Salute, now at the Star Theatre, Karangaliape Road, features Robert Young and Barbara Stanwyck, and is the story of the unriilj daughter of an American Army officer who decides to rebel against the rather autocratic methods of her parent. He sends her to Mexico in order to get her away from a radical leader in her college, and there she meets Young,, who takes the part of an ordinary private. Ihe pan. start to hitch-hike back to the United States, and their adventures on the waj form the basis for a very exciting plot. There is an excellent supporting programme. LONDON THEATRE. A splendid double-feature bill is offered at the London Theatre, where sport in "Keep 'Em Rolling" and drama m Ihe Great Defender," form the basis of the programme. The first is an appealing horse drama, with Frances Dee and Walter Huston, and the second, which features Mathesbn Lang and Margaret Bannerman as the principals, is based 011 the career of the famous advocate, bir ;Edward Marshall Hall. ' AVONDALE MUNICIPAL. Wallace Bfeery gives a splendid _ portrayal of "the greatest humbug in history in '"The Mighty Barnum," now screening at the Avondale Municipal Theatre. Jhe film is a very good attempt to show the life story of the world's greatest showman. Also on the programme is Chasing Yesterday," with Anne Shirley, who played so well in "Anne of Green Gables. CAPITOL, BALMORAL. Jessie Matthews, the "Evergreen" girl, sings and dances with her usual vivacity in "First a Girl," which heads the programme at the Capitol Theatre, Balmoral. In the part of a girl who delights in pretending to be a man she is more entertaining than ever. Cary Grant, Gertrude Michael and Claude Rains are the stars of the second;,attraction, "The Last Outpoet." MUNICIPAL BAND. Another of , the popular Sunday afternoon concerts of the Auckland Municipal Band will be given to-morrow in the Domain, under the conductorslnp of Mr. T.-. J. O'Connor. The fourth winter recital will be,given in the Town Hall on Sunday, July: 5. \ RIALTO SUNDAY PROGRAMME. An excellent programme o£ -films is to be offered at the Rialto Theatre, Newmarket, to-morrow night. The main picture to be screened is "Tell. Me To-night, in which the talented singer Jan Kiepura proves himseii n. gifted actor as well. Suitable shorter films have been selected. STRAND SUNDAY PROGRAMME. Dr. Ulric Williams, of Warganui, whose views on diet and other matters have had a prominent place in the news recently,;will deliver an address *on Why Not Put an End to Disease and Poverty ? at the Strand Theatre to-morrow night, under the auspices of the Rationalist Association. "The House Opposite will be shown. ■ * STATE, SUNDAY. Another of thq. Sunday entertainments under the auspices of the New Zealand Labour party will be given in the State Theatre, Symonds Street, to-morrow evening. A- two-hour picture programme, including the spectacular musical feature, "In Old Vienna," will be shown, and an address will be given by Mr. F. W. Schramm, M.P., for Auckland East. Mr. G. W. S. Marten will act as chairman. VOCAL RECITAL. A varied programme will be given at a vocal and elocutionary recital to be presented in the Lewis Eady Hall on Tuesday evening by students of Mme. Aileen and Mr. Dennis Johns. Some striking and appealing costumes will be worn m the operatic and dialogue items. MOVIE BALL. Auckland dancers acknowledge the annua] Movie Ball as one of the brightest events of the year, and this time no effort lias been spared to make it better than ever. The function will be held in the Peter Pan Cabaret on Thursday, two leading dance orchestras will be in attendance and many novel lighting effects, atmospheric decorations and colourful sets will be introduced. Prizes are offered for outstanding costumes. / PRINCE EDWARD, SUNDAY. Funds of the Auckland Provincial Unemployed Workers' Association v will benefit from proceeds of a variety concert to be given in the Prince Edward Theatre to-morrow evening. Mr. Ophir Rees will be producer, Mr. Percy Carter musical director and Miss Willa Katterns ballet mistress. Performers will include Joyce Cain, Rub} - and Ina Jones, Zelda Stevens, Elsa Petersen, Joyce Trainer, Willa Katterns, June Brewe, Lila Lee, Debbie Kingston, Jack Riley, Keith Raynes, H. Yarwood, etc.

REGENT THEATRE. "Perhaps more than any film which has come from either side of the Atlantic does 'Things to Come' use the opportunities of modern screencraft to the fully" wrote Joan Littlefield. prominent British film writer, of the film which has entered its second week at the Regent Theatre. '.'The film begins with a world war in 1940, which lasts for 20 years and brings desolation and pestilence in its train. Civilisation is broken up and man returns to his primitive state. . But away in Basra the scientists and the engineers and the airmen are working for a new world state, and this they eventually perfect in the year 2035. Man. however, is never satisfied. and while the scientists are building a giant space gun with which to shoot people to the moon, the poets and the artists are revolting against 'progress' and wanting to get back to. the 'good old days.' They are urged to take action, "and rush, in their thousands, to destroy the gun. Before they reach it, however, the first man and woman have already been shot moonwards. We do not learn how they fare. The film ends with a question. Man dies, but mankind goes on. Whither mankind? It is. a tremendous theme, and though not everyone, will agree with Mr. Wells' conception of the future, no one can fail to marvel at the imaginative way in which his literary ideas have been carried out in terms of filmcraft. This is to a large extent due to Mr. Wells himself. At the age of nearly 70 he lias thrown himself heart and soul into this business of the cinema, studying it systematically and in detail, and spending most of his working hours in the studio." DANCING. Peter Pan, to-night, Lauri Paddi's band. Peter Pan, Thursday, fifth annual Movie Ball. Showboat. Trevor Eady's band. Pirate Shippe, Milford, King's old-time carnival; Peerless Pirate Six. Carlton Cabaret, fourth monthly carnival night; Art. Larkin's band. Ye Pig and Whistle Roadhouee, dancing and restaurant. Municipal Hall. Newmarket, old-time carnival; Bob Adams' orchestra. Scots Hall, old-time carnival; Astoria dance band. St. Sepulchre's Hall, Ventura Dance Club. Masonic Hall,, Newton, G.L.B.'s oldtime dance; Operatic Quintette orchestra. Rial to Ballroom, modern dancing; Edgar Bendall's orchestra. 1 Foresters' Hall. Onehunga, Manukau Rugby dance; Red Ace orchestra. Peter Pan, July 10, Hockey Association s complimentary ball. Crystal Palace Ballroom, W.aitema'a Swimming Club's dance; Epi Shalfoon s band. Labour Hfi.il, Karangahape Road, oldtime dance; Clemm's orchestra. Ambassadors' Hall, Dominion Road, Columbia Social Club's old-time carnival. St. Mary's Hall, Ellerslie, to-night and Wednesday, old-time dancing. Zealandia Hall, ' Balmoral, old-time carnival; Zeala'ndia dance band. Gaiety Hall. Surrev Cr:-scent. Tui oldtime dance; Sax Walters' Revellers. O'N.eill Street Hall, Comrades' Club's annual dance and cards; Dan Callinan's band. Parnell R.S.A. Hall, modern and oldtime dancing; Clough's band. ( AMUSEMENT GUIDE. HIS MAJESTY'S —"As Husbands Go." PICTURE THEATRES. EMBASSY — Kred Mac Murray and Sylvia Sidney In "The Trail or the Lonesome Pine " ST. JAMES'—Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy in "The Bohemian Girl " MAJESTIC—Spencer Tracy and Jean Harlow in "RilT RaiT." REGENT—H.' G. Well/s' "Thing's to Come." LONDON—Walter Huston and Frances Dea in "Keep 'Em Rolling" and MatUeson Lang- in "The Great Defender." AMBASSADOR—"She Married Her Boss." ASTOR—"Bijrbary Coast." AVONDALE—"The Mighty Banium." BIRKENHEAD—"Wanderer or the Wastelands." BRITANNIA—'.'O'Shaug-hnessy's Boy." CAPITOL—"First a Girl." DELTA—"The Lives or a Bengal Lancer." GAIETY—"Seven Keys to Baldpate." GREY LYNN—"Two For To-night." KINGSLAND —"Paddy O'Day." MAYFAIR—"Top Hat." NEW PICTUREDROME —"One More Spring" PRINCE EDWARD—"Star or Midnight" and "Hands Across the Table." SOUTHERN CROSS — "The Winning Ticket." STAR (Nswton) —Robert Young and Barbara Stanwyck in "Red Salute." STATE .(Symonds Street) — "Exclusive "Story." STRAND (Onehunga)—"Strike Me Pink." TUDOR—"China Seas." VICTORIA^-"Mutiny On the Bounty."