FILM PROGRAMMES REVIEWED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 217, 12 September 1936, Page 19

FILM PROGRAMMES REVIEWED.

"THREE ON THE TRAIL." MAJESTIC THEATRE. Hopalong Cassidy William Boyd. Johnny Nelson Jimmy Ellison. PeCos Kane Onslow Stevens. Mary Stevens',..' Muriel Evans. Windy . . .-.... '.George Hayes. J. P. Ridley .... . .'1......... Claude King. Buck I'eters. William Duncan. Rose Peters Clara Kemball Xouus.' Kit Thorpe .... A 1 Hill. Jim Trask Ted Adams. Last night thrilled audiences at. the Majestic Theatre saw another of the popular Clarence E. Mulford series of Hopalong Cassidy stories, the attraction being "Three On the Trail," with the two inseparable screen companions William Boyd and Jimmy Ellison. The picture is admirably supported by "Timothy's Quest," a story written by the same author as "Mrs Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch." This story was quite as poignant and just as charming as the wellknown and loved "Mrs. Wiggs." The story of "Three On the Trail" consists of a well-known theme, the robbery of the stage coach by the villain, Kane's (Onslow btevens) gang of gunmen and the framing of Jimmy Ellison, who is seen as Johnny Nelson, the guilty one. The villain is hand in glove with the local sherrift', and it is not long before there is a warrant out for the arrest of Johnny. "Hopalong" manages to nullify the warrant by the very simple means of forcing the sherriff to admit there is no warrant. But there are more ways than killing a cat besides drowning, so the gunmen kidnap Johnny and "Hopalong" and calmly propose to Shoot them in order to claim the reward for the persons who were guilty of robbing the stage coach. But they have not reckoned with Johnny and "Hopalong." They resent the idea, escape, and get back to town, where they raise a posse to exterminate the villains. Then ensues a thrilling gunfiglit, which is staged around the saloon of the little cattle town of Mesquite. This sequence is particularly well filmed. > . . William Boyd gives his asual excellent display as the hard-riding, quick-shooting cowboy, who always seems to fix everyone's ■ troubles, but never gets anywhere himself. In "Timothy's Quest" the clever little juvenile, Dickie Moore, steals the picture entirely. It is the story which is entirely new, a story which appeals in a different way. Timothy, played by Dickie Moore, with his little sister Gay, played by Sally Martin, runs away from a "baby farm" and seeks shelter in Pleasant Valley. Mixed with Timothy s struggles to keep his sister and himself in the rather grudged home of Miss Vilda Cummins, is the love affair of Miss Vilda s neice, Martha Blair, played by Eleanore Whitney. The swain is David Masters, 'played by Tom Keene. Miss Vilda frowns upon the love affair and forbids David Masters' suit. She also writes to the "baby farmer" to come and take the children away. At the last moment she decides to keep them, however, and defies the demands tor money, whereupon the children are kidnapped and borne away, to be rescued by David Masters ana Martha. The longed for time of Cay's baptism has arrived and Timothy is jubilant. The acting of all the juveniles is very good, and gives a reminder oi "David Copperfieltl," "because of the way it predominates' the picture.

PRINCE EDWARD, NEWTON. The Auckland inade film "On the Friendly Road" has been transferred to the Prince Edward Theatre and, as in Queen Street, it should meet with an enthusiastic reception, for, without "boosting" a worthy local effort, it is a. picture that is well up to the standard of " those;;that come "from .1 he leading play ere are John Mackle 'wntf Jean Hamilton. "Exclusive Story, a first-class newspaper drama, is also on the programme. STATE, SYMONDS STREET. With a fine cast Headed by Clark Gable, Jean Harlow and Wallace Beery, "China Seas," now at the State Theatre, Symonds Street, provides screen entertainment ot the highest class. The,three famous stars are at their best, with . the result■> that the story, an exciting one, never "lags. The supporting feature is "It's in the Air," with the versatile Jack Benny. Una Merkel, Mary Carlisle and Nat Pendleton. The story is mainly humorous, but it is not devoid of excitement. STAR, KARANGAHAPE ROAD. Anna Sten, .beautiful star of "Nana" and "The Wedding Night," combines with Henry Wilcoxon to give a fine dramatic performance in the gripping story A Woman Alone," which heads the bill ot the Star Theatre, Karangahape Road. Alias Sten is, of course, a Russian, and the part she takes in "A Woman Alone, that of a Russian peasant girl, should ibe particularly suited to her. The sheer fun of the Eddie Cantor attraction The Kid from. Spain," the co-feature, is already well known. LONDON THEATRE. Ida Lupino, one of Hollywood's really promising young. actresses, is teamed with Harry Tate in "Her First Affaire," now at the London Theatre. That priceless pair, Charles Ruggles and Mary Boland, who have been, together in so _ many fine comedies, score another success m 'Melody in 'Spring," the second attraction; VICTORIA, DEVONPORT. The immortal story of Charles Dickens' 'fA Talc of Two Cities" loses none of its •appeal on the screen, as patrons of the ."Victoria Theatre, Devonport, will see durliig the picture's session there. With 'Ronald Colmari and Elizabeth Allen in the main parts, the film is a truly great one. AMBASSADOR, POINT CHEVALIER. f The story of a down-at-heel major, who does not seem to know where his next meal is coming from, is unfolded in "The Perfect Gentleman," now screening at the Ambassador Theatre, Point Chevalier. Frank Morgan plays the main part and combines with Cicely Courtneidge to produce some riotous fun. Also showing is "The Calling of Dan Matthews. GAIETY, TAKAPUNA. There is a regular of stars in the main feature at the Gaiety Cinema, Takapuna, where the musical comedy, "The Big Broadcast of 1936,' is beihg screened Besides Jack Oakiey Lyda Roberti and Wendy Barrie, who play the main parts in the story, the Vienna Boys Choir, Burns and Allen, Bing Crosby, Charles Ruggles and Mary Boland are seen.., v „ ... r . J CAPITOL, BALMORAL. Shirley Temple,' favourite juvenile star, is at her best in the picture, "Captain January," heading the bill at the present time at the Capitol Theatre, Balmoral. With her are associated Guy Kibbee, who plays the name role, and Slim Summerville. Also screening is When Knights "Were Bold," with Jack Buchanan and Fay. Wray. : ■ RIALTO, SUNDAY. To-morrow night a good programme fa to be presented at the Rialto Theatre, Newmarket, when the comedy Going Gav" will be screened. The cast of the picture includes that first-class comedian, irthur Rjscoe, who recently proved such f success in "Public Nuisance No. 1. COMMUNITY SINGING. The Town Hall will be the scene of a great community sing, which has been set down for Tuesday night. With Mr. Vernon. Drew as leader, all the old favourites -will be sung and a number ot popular items will be rendered by assisting • artists. In addition to Miss le Mauri Meihana, < the Maori singer there will be Mr. Denis Sheard and Mis. J. Lightoh. Atwaters' Mouth Organ Band wiU be in attendance. ; STRAND, ONEHUNGA. Harold Lloyd, the bespectacled comedian w£ has amused theatre-goers for some years past is up to aU. his favourite antics in The Milky W >, currently screening at the , bt ™" a Theatre Onehunga. The associate feaxneaue, y "thriller" The Invisible LUgosi and Boris Karlcrff.

"FLORIDA EXPRESS." REGENT THEATRE. Bangs Carter .;. . Jack, Oakie. Jerry Quinn Sally Eilers. Wally Tucker Kent Taylor. .Marina Laudon .Frances Drake. Harrigan J. Earrell MceDonald. Sehlepperuian Sam Hearn. Skeets . Dewey Kobinson. Simeon -Stafford Claude Gillingwater Louie -Clyde Dilson. Jenkins Dwiglit Frye. Jack Macklyn Sidney' Blackmer. To enjoy a picture which combines thrills, mystery, drama and even an element of humour, the theatre-going public of Auckland is well advised not to- iniss "Klorida Express," which opened its'- '.season at the Regent Theatre last night. Jack Oakie takes the leading role of the devil-may-care reporter and with him are Sally Filers, the pretty hostess of the Florida special train, Kent Taylor, the reckless, wealthy and likeable friend of the journalist, and the lovely Frances Drake, who is attracting a greater public each year. A train is a first-class place for a mj-stc.y to develop. All the characters are there to be accounted for. The audience feels that the villain must be one of a limited number—those on the train — but though that is true in this picture few will guess who he is, so well conceived is the plot. Right from the first scene the drama develops. The audience is made to feel that something is going to happen. Only a good picture can- give forcibly this impression of the inevitable, that though there may be interludes, humorous, dramatic, romantic or tragic, the film is working up to some definite climax. These by-plays, then, are subordinated to the theme of the picture, giving it a sense of unity .one of the essentials for good drama. Yet so well is this done that the audience fully enjoys the high spirits of jack Oakie; the love scenes with a spice of humour between Kent Taylor and Frances Drake, and the suspicious comings and goings of tho sinister Sidney Blackmer. Here are a conglomeration- of characters thrown together on a racing express. A murder takes place; there is a jewel robbery. Climax succeeds climax; drama follows drama. There is a tension throughout the whole theatre. And all the time the train roars on. Somehow this sense of speed gets into the blood. Excitement conies to ,a climax when the police force on the Richmond station, drawn up, band and all, to meet one of their number returning by the train, with sensational suddenness is transformed into a grimfaced body of men. looking for a gang of thieves whose crimes include that of murder. There are a few hectic seconds, so real, so vital, so consummately acted, that the audience actually believes for the minute that the picture is real itself. This is another test of the production above the average. The supports, too, were more than usually good. Much interest attached to pictures of the Olympic Games, while the scenic gem. Lake Como, Ttaly, was worth seeing alone. One novelty appreciated by the audience was the performance of the famous London saxophonist Dave Howard and the novelty dancing of June Rice and Patsie Pavnc. These novelty numbers were the better for the lavish background on which the orchestra and the stage were placed. AMALGAMATED THEATRES. Under the direction of Amalgamated Theatres, Limited, the following eutertaining programmes are being shown at city and suburban picture theatres: — Civic, "Under Two Flags," with Ronald Colnian and Claudette Colbert; Plaza, "The King Steps Out," starring Miss Grace Moore and Franchot Tone; Strand, Bette Davis and George Brent in The Golden Arrow"; National, "High .tension and "The Great Hotel Murder ; ,V and Tivoli, "Treachery on the Range and "So They Were Married"; State, Devonport, "Colleen" and "The Witness Chair ; Regent, Epsom, "A Message to Garcia and. "Jack of All Trades"; De Luxe, Ihe Ex Mrs. Bradford" and "Let s bing Again": Princess. "The Country Doctor and "Nobody's Fool"; State, Onehuuga, "The Ex Mrs. Bradford" and Border Patrolman"; Alexandra, "A Message to Garcia" and "Welcome Home ; Empress, '"Professional Soldier" and " 'Frisco Kid ; Regal. "I Married a Doctor" and Song and Dance Man"; Adelphi, Deeds Goes to Town" and ' 0 Malley of the Mounted"; King's, "Gentle Julia and "Stars Over Broadway"; Crystal Palace and Rialto, "Little Miss Nobody and "Ceiling Zero." TUDOR, REMUERA. Sparkling dialogue and a clever plot make great light entertainment of the current attraction at the Tudor Theatre, Remuera, "The Lady Consents. J-he story is an ideal one for screen purposes, and both the two leading players give performances that stamp them as stars above the ordinary. MAYFAIR, SANDRINGHAM. The Mayfair Cinema, Sandringham, lias secured a really fine picture to head its programme in "The Scoundrel,, in which Noel Coward, gifted author, actor and composer, makes his first screen appearance. There is no doubt that he makes a tremendous success of it. The female lead is taken by Julie Haydon. Also showing is ."All the King's Horses. ASTOR, DOMINION ROAD. Paul Muni, a very popular player, Ann Dvorak and Kobert Barratt appear in "Dr. Socrates," the big feature on the bill of the Astor Theatre, Dominion Road. The co-feature is "The Bishop Misbehaves," with Maureen O'Sullivan and Edmund' Gwenn, the latter being the player who scored, such a success in tlie recent "Laburnum Grove." SUNDAY. A .pleasant evening's entertainment is in .'store for those who visit the Strand Theatre to-morrow night. After an address by Mr. J. S. Langley on Has Science Killed God?" a . gazette and a number of supporting features will be followed by the comedy Ihe Jerry Builders." Mr. Langley is a noted lecturer and debater. PANTOMIME. The splendid response by the public when' Miss Jeanne Manmx, the mvalid producer, staged her pantomime, goldilocks and the Three Bears, has warranted a repeat performance in aid ot the Mayor's fund for crippled children. Many of the children in the cast are fine performers and Some first-class enteitamment is assured for those who see the production in the Concert Chamber ot the Town Hall this evening. "WAITING FOR LEFTY." The Workers' Educational Association will present Clifford Odets" play, "Waiting for Lefty," for its annual production this year. "Waiting for Lefty is a "workers'" play, in which the audience is actually made the body of a strike meeting of New York taxi drivers, and there is shown, by means of a series ot rapid episodes, the crises m life which brought each of the committeemen on to the common platform. The audience is, in fact, an integral part Oi the play. MUSICIANS' SOCIETY. The Auckland Society of Musicians intends to hold another of its concerts m the Lewis Eady Hall to-morrow afternoon. The public are invited to attend and they should be well, entertained. BRITANNIA, PONSONBY. Although the picture is almost "stolen" by the chilu actress, Bonita Granville, John McCrea, Miriam Hopkins and Merle Oberon are by no means overshadowed in "These Three," now showing at the ; Britannia Theatre. Ponsonby. 1 lie second feature ie the dramatic story> Mary ■ Burns, Fugitive," with Sylvia Sidney and Melvyn Douglas. STATE, SUNDAY. At the State Theatre, Symonds Street, to-morrow evening, the Hon. Peter Fraser, Minister of Education and Health and deputy-Leader of the Government, will give an address, which will be tollowed by a two-hour picture programme. The main feature will be the Ann Harding drama, "Holiday."

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. An exceptionally powerful melodrama that holds the audience in tense suspense throughout and with situations that are emotionaly stirring is "Fury," the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer lieadliner on the new programme at the St. James' Theatre, which delighted a large audience last night. Nothing like the mob scenes have been seen here before. So realistic is the manner in which the crowd of a county town in America is stirred to a frenzy and in an outburst of violence gathers before a prison to demand a talk with a kidnapping suspect held within, that it terrifies one because one. knows that such things do happen in the United States. The fact that an innocent and fine person, portraj'ed by Spencer Tracy, is the victim of an outrage awakens deep sympathy. The story is finely drawn and carries a punch and is both an indictment and propaganda against lynching and mob rule. As the man who returns from the dead to indict 22 men and- women for his own "murder," Spencer Tracy lias the best role of his career.-; Co-starred 111 "Fury," Sylvia Sidney, as the sweetheart, is responsible for a particularly fine and natural portrayal of a difficult role. ih J story concerns Tracy, who, after hard work and saving, leaves by car to meet his sweetheart, who works in the country, bring her back to town and maTry ner. Arrested as a suspect for kidnapping, he is thrown into the county prison. ibe inhabitants, goaded by an idle man and a vicious character, storm the gaol to get Tracy and lynch him. They set fire to the gaol and when the National Guard approaches they throw dynamite into the prison, which is demolished. Unknown to them. Tracy escapes from his cell and his friends mourn him as dead, but he returns to his brothers, a changed man, bitter and revengeful. He compels his brothers to demand the arrest and trial of the leaders for murder. They are convicted. At first he refuses to appear in court to save them, but he later relents and follows his sweetheart's bidding. He is then at peace and later marries, lne courtroom scenes have been cleverly contrived and are extremely interesting. Walter Abel, Frank Albertton and George Walcott, are included in the- cast ot this fine thriller. The secondary subjects on this pro; gramme include "How to Train a Dog, another of the funny Robert Benchley oddities, "New Frontiers," an interesting educational film, "The Old Mill, a colour "I-larman-Ising" picture, and a couple ot gazettes depicting current worlds happenings. EMBASSY THEATRE. An opera singer with whom it is certain death to fall in love is the character portrayed by Mary Ellis in Fatal Lady, which is being shown at the Lmbassy Theatre In the course of the astounding plot revealed as the story progresses, every man who falls in love with or pays attention to a beautiful metropolitan opera star is murdered in a most mysterious fashion. Innocent in any way ot the terrible crimes, the singer is forced to flee from country to country. A young American finds her singing in a 1 aris apache musical show and, as many others have done before him, immediately falls in love with her. When the culprit. makes an attempt on the American s life there is a most amazing climax and the mysterious murders are solved. The audience is kept in the dark all along and right up to the final stages is not aware of the identity of the villain. Mary Ellis performance as the luckless opera star is well up to the highest standards and the 6tage star. Walter Pigeon, also acts well m the leading male role. There is also some splendid music in the film. Othersi in the cast include Alan Mowbray. Norman Foster, Russ Powell and John Halliday. DANCING. Peter Pan Cabaret, modern dancing; Johnnie Madden, crooner. Pirate Shippe, Milford, old-time dance carnival, ".Spring Chicken. Carlton Cabaret, modern dancing; free supper at Brown Owl Road House. Rialto Ballroom, Jock St. Claire-Allen e band. • , St. Sepulchre's Hall, Technical Old Boys Rugby dance. St. Mary's Hall, Connon's popular dance. Manchester Unity Hall, George Hatton'e orchestra. Labour Hall, Clemnis popular orchestra. Municipal Hall, Newmarket, old-time dancing; Bob Adams' band. St. Columba's Hall, Surrey Crescent, Grey Lynn R.S.A. old-time dancing. Point Chevalier Sailing Club, L. Mati's Hawaiian band. Parnell R.S.A. Hall, modern and old-time dancing. Druid's Hall, Newton, Old Coromandel Boys and Girls' Association social and dance. Purl Hall, Jervois Road, old-time dance; Vagabond dance band. Ambassadors' Hall, Dominion Road, Columbia Social Club, old-time dancing. Arts Hall," Kitchener Street, modern and old-time dancing. Orange Hall, S.vmonds Street, Embassy Dance Club; Ted Croad's band. Masonic Hall, Newton, old-time dancing, Operatic Quintette orchestra. Foresters' Hall, Epi Shalfoon's band. Oratia Settlers' Hall, grand dance; Dave o'Mai ley's band. O'Neill Street Hall, Ponsonby, Monday night, Epi Shalfoon's orchestra. Gaiety Hall, Surrey Crescent, Tui oldtime dance class. AMUSEMENTS GUIDE* I TOWN HALL —Boxing-, Semi v. Nlcholl. H.IYI. THEATRE—Amateur Society presents "New Moon." PICTURE THEATRES. ST. JAMES' — Spencer Tracy and Sylvia Sidney In "Fury." LONDON —Ida Lupino In "Her First AlTaire" and Charles Rug-gles in "Melody in Spring:." MAJESTIC —William Boyd and Jimmy Ellison In "Three On a Trail." REGENT—-Jack Oakle and Sally Ellers in "Florida Special." EMBASSY —Mary Ellis and Walter Pldgeon in "Fatal Lady." AMBASSADOR —"The Perfect Gentleman." ASTOR—"Dr. Socrates." AVONDALE —"Wlng-s in the Dark." BIRKENHEAD —"The Merry Widow." BRITANNIA —"These Three." CAPITOL —"Captain januairy." DELTA —"Escapade." GAIETY —"The Big- Broadcast." GREY LYNN—"A Tale or Two Cities." KINGSLAND —"I Dream Too Much." LIBERTY —-"O'Shaughnessy's Boy." MAYFAIR —"The Scoundrel." PICTUREDROME —"A Nl-ght at the Opera." PRINCE EDWARD — "On the Friendly Koad" and "Exclusive Story." SOUTHERN CROSS —"One Night or Love." STAR (Newton) —Anna Sten in "A Woman Alone" and Eddie Cantor in "The Kid From Spain." STATE (Symonds Street) —"China Seas." STRAND (Onehunga)—"The Milky Way." TUDOR—"The Lady Consents." VICTORIA —"A Tale of Two Cities."