AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 172, 22 July 1936, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. What happened when a handsome young man kissed the wrong girl in a darkened theatre one rainy afternoon'ie depicted in hilarious fashion in the gay Parisian romantic comedy entitled "One Rainy Afternoon," which brings Francis Lederer and the charming Ida Lupino to the screen of the Regent Theatre on Friday. The screen play, which has been adapted from the French story "Monsieur Sans Gene," concerns the frantic adventures of a struggling Paris actor, who is carrying on a clandestine flirtation. He and the lady concerned invariably meet in darkened movie theatres, and it is in one such rendevous that he is directed to the wrong seat and inadvertently kisses the beautiful stranger beside him. The result is a court case, but the victim of his mistake falls in love with him, pays his fine, and he goes free. A hectic romance develops, and is carried on in ice-skating palaces. As this brief resume of the plot shows, the story is an unusual one, and should give both players an opportunity to display the talents that they undoubtedly possess. Francis Lederer is reported to be as good as in ''The Gay Deception," and Ida Lupino, in her usual quiet way, is more charming than ever. The picture does not rely entirely 011 its original story and cast for its attraction, however. There are two tuneful song numbers, "One Rainy Afternoon" and "Secret Rendezvous," both of which are sung by Francis Lederer, who is blossoming forth as a singer for the first time on the screen. It is quite a long time since Lederer has been seen here, although Ida Lupino, of course, played one of the leading roles in "Anything Goes." MAJESTIC THEATRE. Exciting outdoor drama, such as one hi- 3 come to expect of Zane Grey stories, is tlie keynote of "Drift Fence," which opens at the Majestic Theatre on Friday. It unfolds a colourful story of the days when desperadoes ruled the Arizona cattle lands and refused to let the ranchers confine their herds within fences, as the open _ range gave them unlimited opportunities to help themselves at will. No one is more adept than Zane Grey in presenting primitive struggles of the earlv frontier days, arid "Drift Fence" is one of the most engrossing stories that have come from the pen of this doyen of Western writers. Adventure, romance and humour are said to be skilfully blended, the cast including such popular players as Larry ("Buster") Crabbe, Katherine de Mille and Tom Keene. Tom Keene plays the part of a Texas ranger who comes West with the purpose of thwarting the rustlers who are terrorising the ranchers. He succeeds, but not before he has gone through a series of adventures that come well up to Zane Grey standard. Co-featured with "Drift Fence" is a comedy of American life that is sure to please. It is "F Man," the tale of a boy who wanted to become a "G" man, but could not make the grade, so the chief detective made him an "F" man. The adventures ho becomes involved in while pursuing a "public enemy" make a sequence of highly amusing events. Jack Haley is the boy and Grace Bradley takes the part of his sweetheart.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Those who enjoy a really good modern comedy will be well pleased with "Petticoat Fever," the main attraction on the programme at the St. James' Theatre. The picture has all the elements that, go to make a film that is more than merely entertaining, in that it has an essential originality that is decidedly refreshing. It is original in its plot, in its characters, and in its surroundings, and in the opinion of overseas critics is one of the few good films seen so far this season. It stands out from the ruck of second-class pictures as something that should not be missed. Robert Montgomery, debonair and impudent as _ ever, takes the leading male role as a lonely wireless operator, stranded for the Arctic winter in Labrador. That is real enough, but then out of the skies comes the fascinating Myrna Loy, and to the dumbfounded operator that seems very unreal. The unfortunate part of the affair, however, is the fact that with her is her fiance,. Sir James Felton, a pompous and self--1 satisfied English nobleman. The resulting battle of wits for the favour of the charming young lady provides a series of hilarious situations that cannot fail to appeal to the sense of humour of the audience, particularly when the wily Montgomery sends his rival off on a wild goose chase in the belief that he is escaping with Miss Loy. Robert Montgomery is claimed to be as entertaining as in "No More Ladies," and Miss Loy easily comes up to the standard she created in "Whipsaw" and "The Thin Man."

EMBASSY THEATRE. June Duprez, 17-year-old daughter of the famous American stage comedian Fred Duprez has at last realised her ambition, after being thwarted by two other promising careers. She is making a name for herself as an actress. Her film debut was made in the English screen adaptation of Jeffery Farnol's famous romance, "The Amateur Gentleman," now showing to excellent houses at the Embassy Theatre. Douglas Fairbanks, jun., and Elissa Landi are stars of this picture. From childhood June Duprez wanted to go oil the stage. It was not the proverbial tyrannical family, but her own great musical talent which thwarted her. She is a first-class pianist and her recitals at the Wigmore HalJ called forth lavish praise from the critics . . . but she wanted to act. Yet another talent cropped up, which took her to an art school for a year. Her creations with pencil and brush could earn bev a goodly income, but she wanted to act. At last she found opportunity to go on the stage. She joined the Coventry Repertory Company where she learned the A.B.C. of acting. Then she married. It looked like retirement until she was offered the chance of going into pictures, being merely decorative in "The Dictator" and in "My Heart Is Calling," with Jan Kiepura. The directors o£ Criterion Films, new company founded by Dbuglas Fairbank, jun., were so impressed with her charm and her large dark brown eyes that they gave her a chance to speak a few lines as a lady's maid. The first shots were pronounced 0.K., with the result that she is now considered one of the most promising of England's young film hopefuls.

AMALGAMATED THEATRES. City picture houses under the direction of Am alga mated Theatres, Ltd., are showing the following programmes: — Civic (Friday): William Powell and Jean Arthur in the mystery-comedy "The Ex Mrs. Bradford." Plaza (Friday): "Private Number," with the new team, Robert Taylor and Loretta Young. National (Friday): "Warner Baxter and Gloria Stewart in "The Prisoner of Shark Island." Strand (current): The first-class comedy "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town," with Gary Cooper and .Jean Arthur. Roxy j and Tivoli (current): Richard Dix as a G-r.-an in "Special Investigator," and "Broadway Hostess," with an all-star cast.