FILM PROGRAMMES REVIEWED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 259, 31 October 1936, Page 12

FILM PROGRAMMES REVIEWED.

"THREE WISE GUYS." MAJESTIC. Joe Robert Young Clarabelle ; Betty Furness " Doc " Kaymond 'Walburn "Blackie" Bruce Cabot Yegg Harry Tyler Hatclier Thurston Hall Gribble Donald Meek Director: Geo. Seitz. Author: Damon liunyon. M.G.M. There is a cinema rule —go to a romantic drama and never be disappointed. All other "type" films, such as jungle epics, horror efforts, comedy teams, women's or men's unrelieved dram?., may be popular but are certain to displease someone. The good old Drama-with-Romance pleases them all. It gives ordinary, human people in circumstances easily imaginable to the audiences which pay their good money to view the film. It deals with the most elemental of passions and with few others beside. It is a reflection of life as most of the audience would see it.

Just such a picture is "The Three Wise Guys," which opened a season last evening at the Majestic Theatre. Robert Young is the hero, but not, as might be expected, in the role of leader of the Three W.G. That point is not made clear until the final scene but one, which should anyway 'have been the last scene. When the T.W.G. drive off in their old motor car to pastures new, it implies that hero, heroine and hero's father are reconciled and that everything's well. The film, somewhat unnecessarily, goes on to -say just that. It is a long programme, and a few minutes might be saved by cutting this scene. The rest of the film, which is 99 per cent of it, runs along a smooth, even tenor, punctuated at not-too-frequent intervals by tense melodrama. Action there is aplenty; the scene shifts often and to contrasting backgrounds. The film adopts a cheery aspect and retains it throughout. Never, as might be expected, does the poverty angle dominate it to the detriment of its essential lightness; never does the gangster melodrama, although compelling and convincing enough, outweigh the other factors in the entertainment. All in all it is excellent fare of the romantic drama type. The Wise Guys consist of Bruce Cabot ("Blackie"), Raymond Walburn ("Doc") and a yegg, played by Harry Tyler. The first two, a villainous but a likeable twain, turn up in all sorts of situations in their efforts to blackmail the hero or his father. They fail in this, but eventually succeed in "cracking" a safe and stealing 20,000 dollars' worth of negotiable bonds from an office where the hero has at last secured a much-sought job, and succeed also in incriminating the hero to such an extent that he is arrested and charged. They have to bury the haul, however, in a barn, and when they return to get it, discover the heroine in the throes of childbirth. She explains her husband's position and the blackest-hearted of the criminals, "Blackie," sets about righting the situation. It is all dramatic,, highly dramatic, but with the aid of author Damon Runyon —one of America's brightest journalists and magazine-writers—it is veneered with light laughter. As regards the acting, Robert Young has the lion's share as the likeable young hero, scion of wealth, who rises to the occasion nobly in necessity. Betty Furness as the heroine, however, carves for herself a niche that Hollywood will do well to notice. Raymond Walburn is excellent as the humorous "Doc," while Bruce Cabot is a most convincing villain who makes everything come right. PRINCE EDWARD, NEWTON. Action is the keynote of the cinema entertainment to be offered to-night's patrons of the Prince Edward Theatre, Newton, where "Riff Raff" and "Drift Fence" will share screening honours. The former is a thrilling melodrama set to an excellent romantic tempo, with the glamorous Jean Harlow —now changed from her original headline - making "platinum" to a "mahogany blonde"—in the principal role. An excellent characterisation is given, as usual, by tough Spencer Tracy in the male lead. This is one of Hollywood's near-great who is rapidly climbing out of his class into that of the front rank stars, where, by right of sheer ability, he belongs. Una Merkel, one of the most reliable comediennes in Hollywood, who has helped to make many a film into a success, has a part which admirably suits her. "Drift Fence" is one of the brightest outdoor dramas yet to be shown, of the calibre of the popular Hopalong Cassidy pictures. Larry ("Buster") Crabbe, Tom Keene and Katherine de Mille are featured. AMALGAMATED THEATRES. Current fare at the houses under the aegis of Amalgamated Theatres, Ltd., is as follows:—Civic: "Swing Time," with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Plaza: Jessie Matthews in "It's Love Again." Roxy-Tivoli: "Crime of Dr. Forbes" and "Straightaway." National: "The Little Colonel" (revival) and "36 Hours to Kill" (first release). Strand: "The World Moves On" (revival) and "Half Angel" (first release). Crystal Palace and Rialto: "Story of Louis Pasteur" and "McFadden's Flats." State (Onehunga): "Poor Little Rich Girl." Adelphi: "Ex Mrs. Bradford" and "Treachery Rides the Range." Regent and Alexandra: "Private Number" and "Let's Sing Again." State (Devonport): "Come Out of the Pantry" and "The Country Beyond." Princess: "Rhodes of Africa" and "Border Patrolman." Empress: "Little Miss Nobody" and "It Had to Happen." Regal: "Ceiling Zero" and "Special Investigator." Kings (Northcote): "Professional Soldier" and "The Last Outlaw." De Luxe: "Pot Luck" and "Human Cargo." - STATE, SYMONDS STREET. Romantic comedy of the most enjoyable type is contained in "Wife Versus Secretary," the principal picture listed for this evening's programme at the State Theatre, Upper Symonds Street. This film, which incidentally enjoyed unqualified success on Queen Street, has, instead of just one- or two stars, three first-rate Hollywood names—Gable, Harlow and Loy. The handsome Clark has moments of variety which his confirmed fans go into hysterics over, with both the alluring Jean Harlow, late of the platinum tresses, but now a "mahogany blonde," and dark, svelte Myrna Loy, who has earned the title of the screen's perfect wife by her many brilliant portrayals of that nature, commencing with her unforgettable work in "The Thin Man." MAYFAIR, SANDRINGHAM. Eddie Cantor's most recent musical extravaganza, "Strike Me Pink," will be sereeued before audiences at the Mayfair Cinema, Sandringham, to-night and Monday night. "The Lady Consents," Ann Harding and Herbert Marshall, will also be shown. TUDOR, REMUERA. Another of the bright type of modern comedies, "The Bride Comes Home, with Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray, is now at the Tudor Theatre, Remuera. The cast also includes Robert Young. An especially well-chosen supporting programme is featured. GAIETY, TAKAPUNA. Jan Kiepura, one of the most outstanding tenors in tne cmema world to- ! day, takes tlis main role in "My Heart iis Calling," currently screening at the .Gaiety Theatre, Takapuna. A touch of comedy is lent to the story by the actions of Sonnie Hale. GREY LYNN CINEMA. Two big box-office successes are combined on to-night's bill of fare at the Grey Lynn Cinema. These are William Powell's "Rendezvous," with lovely Rosalind Russell as leading lady, and Freddie Bartholomew's "Little Lord Fauntleroy, in which C. Aubrey Smith and Dolores Costello Barryinore are principal supporting players. | LONDON CINEMA. I Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn, leading English comedians for a number of years i past, are the stars of the main feature 'at the London Cinema, "Thark," a bright comedy. The co-feature is a romantic drama, "Java Head," starring John Loder, Anna May Wong and Elizabeth Allan. I The combination of comedy and drama should provide good entertainment.

" ACCUSED." KEG EXT. Tony Seymour . . Doug. Fairbanks, jun. Gaby Seymour ....... Dolores Del lilo Yvette Delauge. .... Florence Desmond Eugene Koget Basil Sydney Morel Esme Percy Ninette Googie Withers Dubec, Concierge .... Moore Marriott Director: Thornton Freeland. Criterion.

Theatrical dance settings and Parisian life supply the background for a highly dramatic murder mystery in "Accused," which attracted an unusually large Friday night audience to the Regent on its opening release. It is the second j)roduction of the British company which attracted notice by its first film, "The Amateur Gentleman," and once again the experienced though young actor Douglas Fairbanks, jun., has been given the leading part. But it is not by any means a one-man cast. All'the players rank high in talent and acting ability and a particularly good choice was made in counsel for the defence at the murder trial.

In the filming of the trial the producers and the company have excelled themselves. It is the best thing of its kind yet done on the screen. It is not just a picking out of a few highlights in court, but a co-ordinated and thoroughly convincing impression of what an important trial is. The judge, the prosecutor, the witnesses, the jury, the public, the police, and the two principal characters, defending counsel and the accused herself, are all closely watched through the camera's eye as the trial progresses, and as the sensational climax approaches the atmosphere rises to tense heights. As sympathy runs in full tide on the side of the girl whose life is. in the balance the crowded court —and with it the audience —hangs on every word of Basil Sydney. Then a pistol shot rings out and a knife flashes across the court. The identity of the murderer is revealed and the curtain falls.

The events which lead up to the trial are clearly told, except for the intentionally mysterious happenings on the vital night. Nothing is allowed to rob the later disclosure in the court of its dramatic surprise and suspicions are cleverly directed against an individual who is finally shown to be guiltless of the crime. As the plot develops intrigue and jealousy are given free play and the rivalry of the two women, Dolores Del Rio as the wife of Tony (Douglas Fairbanks); and the powerful and dangerous Yvette Delange, is particularly well developed.' Individuals who move about stealthily and silently like shadowed beings enhance the dramatic effects and one could readily believe that some of these were the creations of a Dickens. Florence Desmond, John Roberts, Cecil Humphreys, Edward Rigby, George Marriott, Cyril Raymond and Roland Culver all make a varied and interesting group of character studies and their work is of a uniformly high standard. The supporting programme includes close-ups of the Spanish Civil War around Alcazar and Irun, a Mack Sennett comedy, the tragic T.T. race and an Australian budget. STAR, NEWTON. Spencer Tracy—the unforgettable Father Mullin of "San Francisco"—is starred in one of his "tougher" roles in "Murder Man," a newspaper drama, which is principal support film to "Naughty Marietta" on to-night's double bill at the Star Cinema, Newton. In "Naughty Marietta," which gained many American and English popularity and merit awards, Jeanette Mac Donald of the wonderful voice is teamed with the screen's outstanding male lead, Nelson Eddy, greatest cinema "discovery" of 1935. Nelson and Jeanette (pronounce the lady's name "Janet," on her own authority) sing a welter of appealing song numbers, including the amazingly popular "Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life," "Cliansonette," "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp," etc. AVONDALE MUNICIPAL. Comedy and some fine singing are combined in "A Night at the Opera," with the three Marx brothers, Allan Jones and Kitty Carlisle, now showing at the Avondale Municipal Theatre. The second picture is the story of a farmer who became a film star. It is "The Farmer in the Dell," and the main players arc Fred Stone and Jean Parker. AMBASSADOR, POINT CHEVALIER. The drama of "Mary Burns, Fugitive," now screening at the Ambassador Theatre, Point Chevalier, will appeal to those who like the more serious type of story that does not sacrifice excitement for polished acting. The stars arc Sylvia Sidney and Melvyn Douglas. Also showing is "Oneway Trail," with Tim McCoy and Doris Hiil. KINGSLAND TALKIES. Otto Kruger, popular star of "Dracula's Daughter," heads the cast of "Lady of Secrets," a drama, now at the Kingsland Talkies. Paul Kelly and Claire Trevor star in "Song-and-Dance Man," the second attraction. CAPITOL, DOMINION ROAD. With Jackie Cooper in "Tough Guy" is Rin Tin Tin, jun., descendant of the most famous film acting dog that ever lived. This film, together with the Edward Everett Horton comedy "Her Master's Voice," will be shown this evening at the Capitol Theatre, Dominion Road. Edward Everett Horton is at his amusing best in the leading role of this production. ASTOR, DOMINION ROAD. The screen has not yet shown Aucklanders such splendidly entertaining glimpses of Shakespeare as does the English romance "Peg of Old Drury," in which Anna Neagle and Sir Cedric Hardwiclce live once more the love story of Peg Woffington and David Garrick. The picture screens to-night at the Astor Cinema, Dominion Road, in company with "Gentlemen of the Navy." BRITANNIA, PONSONBY. A dramatic romance, with more drama | than romance, plus a spot of music, is i set in the gold rush days of old California in "Robin Hood of Eldorado," in which Warner Baxter will star to-night at the Britannia Theatre, Ponsonby, where the musical comedy "Anything Goes," adapted from the Broadway "hit," will also be showing. VICTORIA, DEVONPORT. Laurel and Hardy have excellent comedy parts in Victor Herbert's operetta "The Bohemian Girl," which is to be presented this evening by the management of the Victoria Theatre, Devonport, in conjunction with "Timothy's Quest," a homely emotional drama in which Tom Keene, Dickie Moore and Virginia Weidler are the biggest box-office personalities. CAPITOL, DOMINION ROAD. The world famous Dionne quintuplets, of Ontario, are featured with a talented Hollywood cast in "The Country Doctor," which shares this evening's screening honours at the Capitol Theatre, Dominion Road, with "Seven Keys to Baldpate," a ! most amusing comedy-mystery play by Eai-1 Derr Biggers. DANCE RECITAL. Miss Rona Edwards will present her pupils in a dance recital in the Town Hall Concert Chamber next Wednesday evening. REVUETTE AND BALLET. Miss Cecil Hall will present a novel and attractive revuette in the Town Hall Concert Chamber next Saturday evening. Spectacular costuming will be seen in the ballet scenas. CLASSIC CLUB CONCERT. A programme of vocal and instrumental items will be given by members of the Classic Club at a concert in the Lewis Eady Hall on Tuesday evening. The programme will include art songs, lieder and instrumental solos. There will be over 20 performers, including some of Auckland's most talented artists.

EMBASSY THEATRE. Principal melody in "A Star Fell Prom I .Heaven," the English musical production now screening at the Embassy Iheatre, comes from Joseph Schmidt, a tenor we known on the Continent. Coupled with the music and the sentimental attraction of a story in which the tenor is an unsuccessful lover is humour of the most robust kind. It is chiefly in the form ot satire on a film producer who uses long words in the wrong focus. The Snarling Tiger is the trade-mark of a film c °)~ poration which has as its slogan. If its a good picture it's a Miracle. ihe plot revolves round the placing of credit tor magnificent singing in one of the Aniacie films. The corporation's singing star (Billy Milton) loses his voice as a result of a violent quarrel with his manager and, to save a production hold-up, a student in music, Josef (Joseph Schmidt; "doubles" his voice for the star. ine heroine, played by Florine McKinney, w ho starred in Hollywood's version of Thorne Smith's "Night Life of the Gods, informs Josef's fellow students that he has been robbed of credit for the .singing and they denounce the film star at the premieie, only to find that he lias already told the newspapers and that his vocal "double" is famous. With that, the romantic tangles straighten out to everybody's satisfaction.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Three outstanding "star" features are attracting large audiences daily to see anu hear "San Francisco" at the St. James Theatre. These are the singing of Jeanette Mac Donald (in the theme song "San Francisco," "Would You?" "The Holy City," "Nearer, My God, to Thee," "Jewel Song" from "Faust," and "La Traviata ), the acting of Clark Gaible and the terrifyingly realistic earthquake scenes. But there is another although less publicised feature of the film well worthy of mention. That is the acting of Spencer Tracy. So often seen in "touglx" roles, either as gangster leader or hard-nut lici'o, he dons in this picture the inverted collar of priesthood and proceeds to -convert the blasphemous "Blackie" Norton (Gaible) to the ways of God—and love. the aid of the earthquake he succeeds. _ There are some excellont scenes in which he takes the honours, such as when he talks of Norton's mischievous youth in dodging Mass—"That reminds me, young Mcll.'-g----gerty ducked last Sunday," and lie jots it down. Spencer gives a distinct dignity and "heart-throb, albeit not of a romantic nature, to an already outstanding production. HALLOWE'EN PARTY. Under the auspices of the St. Andrew's Society, a grand Hallowe'en party will be held in the Town Hall Concert Chamber to-night. A Hallowe'en play, written and produced by Miss Lillian Braithwaite, will be staged during the evening. STRAND, ONEHUNGA. The ever-popular war comedy, "Three Live Ghosts," starring Claude Allister, Richard Arlen, Charles McNaughton and Beryl Mercer, will be shown, together with "Woman Trap" (Gertrude Michael and George Murphy), to-night at the Strand Theatre, Onehunga. PEOPLE'S THEATRE. Following success of the W.E.A.'s recent presentation of the Clifford Odets trade-union drama, "Waiting For Lefty," a meeting will be held in the W.E.A. Hall to-night to discuss the People's Theatre movement in New Zealand. RIALTO, SUNDAY. A drama of Egypt, entitled "Bella Donna," featuring that magnificent dramatic actor Conrad Veidt, has been selected for screening at the Rialto Theatre, Newmarket, to-morrow night. STRAND, SUNDAY. Leon Gordon's famous stage play, "White Cargo," was filmed in England in 1930, and this version, starring the late Leslie Faber, a promising young dramatic actor who died shortly afterwards, will be shown at the Strand Theatre to-morrow. ROUSHWORTH'S RINK. A night of entertainment has been arranged for patrons of Roushworth's Skating-rink, Khyber Pass Road, this evening. A ballroom waltzing competition on skates will be held, also other novelty events. "NINE TILL SIX." Mrs. McCormack will stage the unusual play, "Nine Till Six," for the Diocesan High School Old Girls' League next Thursday evening in the Town Hall Concert Chamber. COMMUNITY SINGING. Next Wednesday evening's community sing in the Town Hall will take the form of a "naval night," when 11.M.5. Achilles naval and dance bands will provide items and accompaniments. Items will also be given by P.-Officer Phelps (concertina), Reg. Rushen (siffleur), Stoker l'arkes (accordion), and Mrs. Gordon Hillyer. Mr. Vernon T. Drew will be song leader. DANCING. Peter Pan, Lauri Taddi's band; Miss Rujina, Continental dancer. Pirate Shippe, Milford. oldtime carnival, "All Hallowe'en." Carlton Cabaret, modern dancing; Art. Larkin's band. St. Sepulchre's Hall, Ventura Dance Club; Len Meredith's band. Orange Hall, Newton, Embassy Dance Club; Ted Croad's Chevalier band. Municipal Hall, Newmarket, oldtime carnival; Bob Adam's orchestra. Rialto Ballroom, reopening dance; Jock Allen's orchestra. Masonic Hall, Newton, G.L.B. oldtime dance; "Operatic Quintette." Crystal Palace Ballroom, Waitemata Swimming Club's dance; Epi and Tony Shalfoon's band. , Labour Hall, oldtime dance; Clemm's "Melody Boys." Arts Hall, oldtime dance; Reg. Oliver's Savoy orchestra. /ealandia Hall, Balmoral, oldtime dance, Zealandia band. Gaiety Hall, Tui oldtime dance; "Tui Serenaders." St. Mary's Hall, Ellerslie, oldtime dancing; Connon's orchestra. O'Neill Street Hall, f flannel dance; Melody Dance Band. Purl Hall, oldtime dance. Masonic Hall, Newton, Thursday, Realm oldtime dance. Labour Hall, Monday, Supreme Dance Club's oldtime dance; Savoy orchestra. AMUSEMENT GUIDE. PICTURE THEATRES. LONDON —Tom Walls In "Thark" and Elizabeth Allen in "Java Ahead." MAJESTIC —Robert Young 1 and Betty Furness in '"Three Wise Guys" and Billy Lee and Frances Farmer in "Too Many Parents." REGENT — Doug:. Fairbanks, jun., and Dolores Del Rio in "Accused." EMBASSY —Joseph Schmidt and Florlne McKinney in "A Star Fell From Heaven." ST JAMES' — Clark Galilo and Jeanette TOacDtoald in "San Francisco." AMBASSADOR —"Mary Burns, Fug-iitive." ASTOR —"Peg- of Old Drury." AVONDALE —"A at toe Opera." BIRKENHEAD —"I Ldve My Lire." BRITANNIA —"Robin Hood or Eldorado." CAPITOL —"The Country Doctor." DELTA —"The Alan Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo." GAIETY—"My Heart Is Calling." GREY LYNN —"Little Lord Fauntloroy." KINGSLAND —"Lady or Secrets." LIBERTY —"Street Singer's Serenade." MAYFAIR —"Strike Me Pink." PICTUREDROIVIE —"Here's to Romance." PRINCE EDWARD—"RiiT RaiT" and "Drirt Fence." SOUTHERN CROSS —"First a Girl." STAR (Newton) —Jeanette Mac Donald In "Naughty Marietta" and Spencer • Tracy in "Murder Man." STATE (Symonds Street) —"Wire Versus Secretary." STRAND (Onehunga)—"Three Live Ghosts"' TUDOR —"The Brkle Comes Home." VICTORIA—"The Bohemian Girl."