FILM PROGRAMMES REVIEWED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 175, 25 July 1936, Page 14

FILM PROGRAMMES REVIEWED.

"DRIFT FENCE." MAJESTIC. ?J i ?, ge3 vP unn Buster Crabbe Molly Dunn Katlierine de Mille " Tom Keenc Jim Traft Benny Baker Curley Prentiss Glenn Erikson C.lay Jackson Stanley Andrews Director: Otho Loverington. Author: Zane Grey. Paramount. AlsoF-MAN," a comedy, with Jack Haley, Grace Bradley and Wm. irawley. Director: E. E. Cline. fine features, "Drift Fence" and * F-Man," are the two main attractions in _an excellent programme at the Majestic. "Drift Fence" is Zane Grey his best, "while " F-lVlan" is an agreeable burlesque interwoven with love and adventure.

"Drift Fence" concerns a nervous tenderfoot'' New Yorker who has been ?ent out to learn everything about pis uncle's vast ranch "from the bottom up before taking it over. He confides his distaste of the prospect to a sympathetic stranger, who agrees to impersonate him after hearing something relating to cattle rustlers in the uncle's introductory letter. From then on the fun starts, with plenty of action leavened by romance. Trouble came with the attempt to build a drift fence at Traft's property, cutting off part of what had hitherto been regarded as common grazing ground. Several "shots" of fencing incidents Trill be of especial interest to many New Zealanders. The story swings to a climax with the unmasking of Jackson as a cattle rustler and his subsequent death at the hands of - Travis, the man who impersonated Traft and turned out eventually to be a Texas Ranger. It is a "Wild West" film of the best type, directed with skill and understanding. "F-Man" tells of the varying fortunes of an unsophisticated small town youth in his efforts to become a "G-man." At headquarters in Los Angeles, however, not even a letter from Oakdale's sheriff does any good, and Johnny is regarded there as a pesi and a joke. He goes back to his old job as an attendant in a soda shop, where his sweetheart, led to believe of his "success," finds him and is therefore somewhat disillusioned. However, in the long run Johnny wins out, although more by accident than by the use of his brains.

An unusual "Pop-eye the Sailor" cartoon is the chief of the features. It represents "Pop-eye" in the role of a Baron Munchausen, . a hero with many jaighty and incredible feats of prowess i&o his credit.

EMBASSY THEATRE. ' Quite worthy to compare with "The gcarlet Pimpernel"- and "Monte Cristo," <ts richly romantic entertainment, "The Amateur Gentleman," which, is screening it the Embassy Theatre, is a British version of the famous novel by Jeffery'Farnol. Salient situations of the best-selling story remains in -the film, the atmosphere is claimed to be flawless, and the ending forms a crescendo of picturesque thrills. The kernel of the plot, Barnabas Barty's jolourful masquerade to save his father irom the gallows, is revealed in vivid dramatic perspective, and the customs, vigorous sporting activities and exquisite manners of the Regency period are cleverly employed to fill in the background. The story tells how Barnabas, educated son of John Barty, an innkeeper, determines to save his father when the latter is wrongly arrested and sentenced to death for robbing the Marquis of Camberhurst. He suspects Ronald, the Marquis' grandson, and Chichester, an adventurer engaged to Ronald's sister, the lovely Lady Cleone, and in order to follow up vital clues_ he breaks into society by his prowess with his fists and becomes famous as "The Amateur Genblerrtan/' The main parts are filled by Douglas Fairbanks, jun., Elissa Landi, and Basil Sydney. STATE, SYMONDS STREET. A product of the same studio that presented "Mutiny on the Bounty" and "David Copperfield," "A Tale of ' Two Cities," now screening at the State Theatre, Symonds Street, is one of the best versions of famous novels that have been, successfully reproduced on the screen. Leading parts are taken by Ronald Colman, who plays Sidney Carton, and is said to give the ibest performance of his career; Elizabeth who takes the role of Lucie Manette, Basil Rathbone (Mr. Murdstone, of "David Copperfield"), and Edna May Oliver. This great pic? ture took two years to make and features m addition to a particularly talented cast of leading players a supporting cast of 8000.

PRINCE EDWARD, NEWTON. There axe plenty of thrills and action m the circus story "O'Shaughnessy's Boy," featured now at the Prince Edward Theatre, Karangahape Road. The main players are Wallace Beery, as O'Shaughnessy, ;i famous lion tamer employed by a travelling circus; Spankie McFarlane and Jackie Cooper, who takes the part of the, boy. Also on the programme is the story of the gallant deeds of the cadets in the American Navy, "Gentlemen of the Navy," the stars being Sir Guy Standing, Richard Cromwell, Tom Brown and RosaEnd Keith. Richard Cromwell ajid Sir Guy Standing will be remembered for their performances as the father and son at "Lives of a Bengal Lancer." CAPITOL, BALMORAL. Following in the footsteps of "No More Ladies" and- other such - gay modern comedies, "Hands Across the Table," which heads the bill at the Capitol Theatre, Balmoral, is first-rate entertainment and features a good cast, including Fred Mac Murray, Carole Lombard and Ralph Bellamy. Jane Withers■in "Paddy O'Day" is the co-feature. KINGSLAND TALKIES. Dick Powell in the musical comedy "Thanks a Million" and Clajre Trevor in "My Marriage" form the attractions at the Kingsland Talkies. The first is a musical film with an unusual story and the second a human drama of the fight of a society girl to preserve her good name after her father has been revealed as a lacketeer. AVONDALE MUNICIPAL. An interesting story, a good plot and a. splendid cast make "Broadway Melody of 1936," now showing at the Avondale Municipal Theatre, a very attractive picture. Headed by Eleanor Powell, June Knight, Robert Taylor and Jack Benny, the cast manage to present splendid entertainment. The supporting players include iome famous dancers and -singers.

TUDOR, REMUERA. William Powell, etar of "The Thin Man" and dozens of other successful films, gives another sterling performance in "Escapade," now at the Tudor Theatre, Remuera, and he receives plenty of support from the beautiful Vicnhese etar Luise Rainer. Featured with this good picture is a first-class supporting programme. BRITANNIA, PONSONBY. Josephine Hutchinson and Walter Houston are the stars of "The Melody Lingers On," a daring story that manages to introduce some first-class song numbers. It is now heading the bill 'at the Britannia Theatre, Ponsonby. On the same programme is "It's a Small World," with Wendy Barrie and Spencer Tracy. ASTOR, DOMINION ROAD. "The Perfect Gentleman," now at the Astor Theatre, with Frank Morgan (the governor in "Naughty Marietta".), Cicely Courtneidge and Heather Angel, is a comedy film that is rather out of the ordinary run. It tells the story of a down-dt-heel major who rose to be star in musical comedy. The second attraction is "Murder at the Vanities," with Carl and Kitty Carlisle. GAIETY, TAKAPUNA. The drama feature "We're Only Human," with Jane Wyatt and Preston Foster, heads the programme at the Gaiety Cinema, Takapuna. The second attraction is the Zasu Pitts-Helen Twelvetrees comedy "She Couldn't Take It," an entertaining George Raft-Joan Bennett Sim,

" ONE RAINY AFTERNOON," REGENT. Philippe Martin ... Francis Lederer Jlonique Pelerin Ida Lupino Toto Hugh Herbert Maillot : Koland Young Count Alfredo Erik Rhodes Judge Donald Meek Yvonne Comtesse de Maigret JT. Pelerin Joseph Cawthorn Director: Rowland V. Lee. l'icktordLasky. The fun began in earnest with that kiss in the darkened theatre. The whole trouble was, of course, that it was the right man but the wrong girl. That was the" critical point of "One Rainy Afternoon," and it helped towards making this film onp of the most delightfully funny productions seen in Auckland for several seasons. The audience at the Regent Theatre thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it last night. Incidentally, this is the first picture released by the new organisation headed by Mary Pickford and J?sse L. Lasky. It is certainly a beginning to be proud of; it expresses the taste and experience of its producers and will stand out. it may be hoped, as the introductory link in a chain of notable screen plays. It breaks away from existing standards with a happy combination of different styles of production that seem to blend into something entirely and refreshingly new. There is farce—gay, infectious humour— and there is satire and burlesque as well of an astoundingly human sort. There, in fact, seems to lie the secret of the whole thing; 'it is so human in its Avhole that human nature must be fascinated by it. Its players have realised the worth of the story and invested it with real life.

The screen play is from a French story, "Monsieur Sans-Gene," and it tells of the bewildering adventures of a struggling Paris actor. He is carrying on a clandestine flirtation—the sort of thing that brings in its train kisses in a darkened picture theatre. . It goes on quite pleasantly and quite thrilling enough, to be sure, but it cannot last. It doesn't. The turning point comes when the young man is shown to the wrong seat. He bestows a rapturous kiss on his neighbour—the wrong girl. She is beautiful, but apparently respectable, and there is a shriek and a slap and even a scandal. There is a trial—and what a trial! —but things are growing deeper as love takes

a hand. A hectic romance follows, set mainly in ice skating palaces. The trial was a good publicity stunt and the young actor becomes the toast of Paris. It is a bizarre sort of romance, with newspapermen and photographers recording every move, and it kept the audience in constant bursts of merriment. As for those who act in it, Francis Lederer blossoms out as a remarkably good light comedy-romantic player, and Ida Lupino plays as never before. Never has she shown such promise as in this film. Then there is an array of comedians whose very names are enough of a recommendation—Hugh Herbert. Roland Young, Erik Rhodes, Joseph Cawthorn and Donald Meek. It is hard to discrimi-1 nate between thern. j The supporting programme, up to the | usual Regent standard, is highlighted by a stage presentation by the orchestra under Mr. Trevor Eady, "The Evolution of Dinah." The.re are recent newsreels. a bright comedir with music, an aerial travel film of South America, and another amazing "Silly Symphony" by Walt Disney, "The Broken Toys," in which famous screen comedians are introduced. AMALGAMATED THEATRES. The following entertaining programmes are featured ,on the bills of the city and suburban picture houses under the direction of Amalgamated Theatres, Limited. Civic, William Powell and Jean Arthur in the first rate comedy, "The Ex-Mrs. Bradford;" Plaza, an original human comedy featuring Robert Taylor and Loretta Young, "Private Number;" National, the film version of a true story, "The Prisoner of Shark_ Island," starring Warner Baxter and Gloria Stuart; Strand, Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur and another one of those polished comedies, "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town;" Roxy and Tivoli. Richard Dix and a "G-man" iti "Special Investigators," and a cast in Broadway Hostess;" Crystal 1 Palace and Rialto, Rafael Sabatini's "Captain Blood," with Errol Flynn and .Olivia de Havilland; State, Onehunga. Franchot Tone and Bette Davis in "Dangerous," and Rochelle Hudson in "The Music Goes 'Round;" Princess, Shirley Temple and Guy Kibbee in her latest hit "Captain January;" State, Devonport, Jane Withers in "Gentle Julia," and Wheeler and Woolsey in "Silly Billies;" Regent, Epsom, "King of the Damned," featuring Conrad Veidt, and Charles Bickford iin "East of Java;" Alexandra, Green Lane, "The Music Goes 'Round," and "East of Java;" De Luxe. Mount Albert, "Magnificent Obsession," with Irene Dunne and Robert Taylor; Empress, Newton, "Charlie Chan at the Circus," and "I Found Stella Parish;" Adelphi, "Charlie Chan at the Circus," and "Stars Over Broadway;" Regal. "Follow the Fleet," and "Page Miss Glory;" Kings', Northcote, "A Midsummer Night's Dream," - and "Frisco Kid."

STRAND, ONEHUNGA. A good double-feature programme is offered at the Strand Theatre, Onehunga, where Joan Crawford and Brian Aherne in "I Live My Life" and Joseph Schmidt, world-famous tenor, John Loder and Charlotte Anders in "My Song Goes Round the .World" are featured. DRAMA FESTIVAL. Commencing on Tuesday, August 11, and continuing for the three nights following that date, the Auckland area of the British Drama League will hold its fourth annual festival of drama in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall. A real feast of plays is to be presented by some of the leading players of the city. ROUSHWORTH'S SKATING RINK.

A special programme will be presented for the entertainment of Roushworth's Skating Rink patrons this evening, the star attraction being the first appearance of Will Harris, who has come direct from Sydney. His turn consists of tap dancing and ' singing with his ukulele. Another popular feature will be an exhibition of hand balancing and' feats of strength by Len Wilson and his troupe.. This will be the last night of the seven-lap speed test.

RIALTO, SUNDAY. Sidney Howard, who has been styled "Britain's Prime Minister of Mirth," heads the cast of the main attraction on the Sunday night programme at the Rialto Theatre, Newmarket. There will also be a special programme of featurettes. COMMUNITY SINGING. Popular community singing concerts will be continued again on Wednesday at the Town Hall, under the leadership of Mr. Vernon Drew, and at the Lewis E&dy Hall on Friday evening at 7.30 p.m., when Mr. Matt Guthrie will conduct. VICTORIA, DEVONPORT. The hilarious adventures of the Marx brothers when they endeavour to crash two of their favourite singers into the •New York opera form the basis of the plot of "A Night at the o]»era," which is now showing at the Victoria' Theatre, Devonport. On the same programme is the story of Byrd's great Antarctic expedition, "At the Bottom ■ of the World." - STRAND, SUNDAY. A gazette and a good programme of supports will be followed by a gripping drama, "Guilty," at the Strand Theatre to-morrow evening. The picture programme will be preceded by Mr. A. Hall Skelton, who will speak on "The Heroic Struggle of the Jews During Centuries of Persecution." UNIVERSITY PRODUCTION. Lovers of Shakespeare are to be given a treat on August 4, 5 and 6, when the Auckland University College will produce "Macbeth," under the direction of Professor W. A. Sewell. Everyone is familiar with the story, the best of its kind that Shakespeare (or was it Bacon?) wrote. The all-important role of Macbeth Kill be taken by Kenneth Melvin,

JAMES' THEATRE,

I Large audiences continue to flock to. j the St. James' Theatre, where "Petticoat Fever," in which Robert Montgomery, Myrna Loy and Reginald Owen give outstanding performances, is continuing in its second week.. It is not often that such fresh, original comedy is provided for our entertainment and those who miss seeing the popular Montgomery as a lonely wireless operator marooned in the wilds of Labrador are sure to be disappointed later. The plot presents Montgomery preparing to stand the siege of the'long Arctic winter when an aeroplane crashes near his cabin, the passengers being Miss Loy and her fiance. Reginald Owen. The resulting series of incidents are capable of amusing any audience. Miss Loy is at her best and • conies up to the standard she set in "The Thin Man" and "Wliipsaw" with ease. Montgomery can always be relied upon for a good performance and Reginald Owen gives a great portrayal of the jealous fiance who finds be is losing in the struggle to retain the alfections of Myrna Loy. AMBASSADOR, POINT CHEVALIER. Hilarious comedy is provided in "The Bishop Misbehaves," now at the Ambassador Theatre, Point .Chevalier. It is the story of a clergyman who occupied his position during the day and turned detective at night, .the stars being Edmund Gwenn and Maureen O'Sullivan. "The, Last Outpost" is the supporting feature. LONDON THEATRE. "Ilell Cat" is the title of the main attraction on Hie bill of the London Theatre, and with a cast headed by Robert Armstrong and Ann Sothern, it promises to provide ample excitement. The second attraction is "Sing and Like It," an hilarious comedy, with Zasu Pitts and Edward Everett Horton. STAR, KARANGAHAPE ROAD. Thousands of readers, . young and old, have thrilled to the stirring adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel, the product of the fcitile imagination of Barotites Orczy, and his doings in France while rescuing French aristocrats have become famous. On the screen he becomes more elusive and romantic than ever. The picture is the first feature on the bill of the Star Theatre, Karangahape Road, Leslie Howard taking the part of the hero, and Merle Oberon acting as his wife. Howard is well-known -as an actor of the first rank, and Merle Oberon has made a name for herself in such productions as "The Dark Angel" and "Those Three."

MAYFAIR, SANDRINGHAM. An entirely original story unfolds itself .in the current at the Mayfair Theatre, Sandringham, where Barbara Stanwyck* and Robert Young are featured in "Red Salute," the story of a girl who ran away from a school in Mexico with a young private soldier. DANCING. Peter Pan, Lauri Paddi's band. Pirate Shippe, Milford, "Bluebeard" old-tiine dance. Carlton Cabaret, sixth monthly carnival; Art Larkin's band. St. Sepulchre's Hall, Ventura Dance Club. Scots Hall, Astoria old-time dance; Astoria band. Municipal Hall, Newmarket, old-time carnival; Bob Adams' orchestra. Rialto Ballroom, modern carnival; Edgar Bendall's orchestra. Masonic Hall, Newton, G.L.B. old-time dance; Operatic Quintet orchestra.

Orange Hall, Newton, Embassy Dance Club; Ted Croad's Chevalier band. Manchester Unity Hall, Parnell Rugby Club's dance; Stratton dance demonstrations; Dave O'Malley's "Revellers." Crystal Palace Ballroom, Waitemata Swimming Club's dance; Epi' Shalfoon's band. Labour Hall, Karangahapeßoad, special niglit; Clemm's orchestra. Ambassadors' Hall, Columbia Social Club's old-time plain and fancy dress ball. Zealandia' Hall, Balmoral, old-time carnival; Zealandia band. Point Chevalier Sailing Clubhouse, vice-versa dance. St. Columba Hall, R.SA. old-time dance and cards. Queen Street, 313, Yugoslav Benevolent Society's dance. Foresters' Theatre, Onehunga, Manukau Rugby Club's vice-versa dance. Town Hall, August 6, Community Sunshine Ball. St. Mary's Hall, old-time dance; Connon's orchestra. Parnell R.S.A. Hall, modern and oldtime dancing; Clough's band.

AMUSEMENTS GTJIDE. HIS MAJESTY'S (Fullers) — The IlartO'Brlan Revue. PICTURE THEATRES. EMBASSY—DougIas Fairbanks, Jun., and Ellssa Lanil in "Tlie Amateur Gentleman." LONDON — Robert Armstrong and Ann Sothern In "The Hell Cat" and Zasu Pitts in "Sing: and Like It." ST. JAMES'—Robert Montgomery and Myrna Loy In "Petticoat Fever." MAJESTIC—Buster Crabbe and Tom Keane in "Drift Fence" and Jack Haley in "F Man." REGENT—Frances Lederer and Ida Luptoo in "One Rainy Afternoon." AMBASSADOR—"The Bishop Misbehaves." ASTOR—"The Perfect Gentleman." BIRKENHEAD—"PubIic Hero. No. i." BRITANNIA—"The Melody Lingers On." CAPITOL—"Hands Across the Table." DELTA—"Steamboat Round the Bend." GAIETY—"We're Only Human." GREY LYNN—"Whipsaw." KINGSLAND—"Thanks a Million*" LIBERTY—"Grand Exit." MAYFAIR—"Red Salute." NEW PICTUREDROME—"Broadway Melody Of 1936." PRINCE EDWARD—"O'Shaughnessy's Boy" and "Gentlemen of the Navy." SOUTHERN CROSS—"The Dark Angel." STAR (Newton) —Leslie Howard and Merle Oberon In "The Scarlet Pimpernel." STATE (Symonds Street) —"A Tale of Two Cities." STRAND (Onehunga)—"l Live My Lire." TUDOR—"Escapade." VICTORIA—"A Kig-ht at the Opera."