FILM PROGRAMMES REVIEWED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 271, 14 November 1936, Page 12

FILM PROGRAMMES REVIEWED.

"TOLL OF THE ROAD."

MAJESTIC. Lieut. James Knox .. Randolph Scott Betty Winslow Frances L>rake Jackie Winslow Tom Brown Bobbie Sanborn Billie Lee Steve Bartlett Fuzzy Knight Bangs" Terry Walker District Attorney Porter llall Mike Andrews ....... Charles Quigley A skull and crossbones painted on the spot where a fatal motor accident had occurred was the startling method adopted by the chief of the traffic department to bring home to motor drivers the menace of irresponsible driving, a menace that forms the theme of the film "Toll of the Road,'' which began a season at the Majestic Theatre yesterday. Coinciding with, the present campaign being conducted in New Zealand for greater safety on the roads, this is an unusual film. Steps being taken by authorities in America to check this disastrous toll form the dramatic basis of a fast-moving romance in a film that will not easily be forgotten. In spite of the avowed object of the film, however, entertainment value has not been sacrificed, as can be seen from the cast which stars Randolph Scott and Frances Drake. No crude scenes of wholesale slaughter are shown, but there is a restrained presentation of the sorrow innocent families suffer and the farreaching effects on the community of irresponsible driving. A particularly fine performance is given by Frances Drake, the dashing young society girl who cares nothing for the danger to others so long as her car can do 80 m.p.h. Her gradual transformation under the influence of Randolph Scott and her self-sacrificing attempt to shield her brother gaol are not the least skilled parts of an engrossing film that is certain to create a stir wherever it is seen. A romantic musical comedy full of catchy dances, and even more catchy tunes, is seen in "Three Cheers for Love," the other long feature of the programme. The star is Eleanore Whitney, pupil of the famous negro dancer, Bill Robinson, and she is supported by Robert Cummings and a cast of talented performers. The story deals with Skippy, daughter of . a movie magnate, who is sent to a finishing school by her stepmother. But when she gets there she finds the school a fake with vaudeville actors masquerading as professors, all in order to crash into Hollywood. The plot—to get Skippy to take part in a school performance, invite her father to attend, and sell him the idea of buying the acts —was a huge success, and the comedy moved along at a fast pace to a pleasing climax. The technique of the dancing and harmony of the stage scenes were excellent, and both characterisation and dialougue were bright and amusing. EMBASSY THEATRE. Lovers of the dramatic are well catered fotr in the current attraction at the Embassy Theatre, "Dodsworth," a product of the American novelist, Sinclair Lewis. Starring Mary Astor, Ruth Chatterton and Walter Huston, the picture is one of the rare attractions that contain the minimum of obvious flaws in acting and technique. Ruth Chatterton is well known as an actress of the front rank, and she is well played up to by Walter Huston and Mary Astor. Despite her unpleasant role of a woman who tries to appear a good deal younger than she really is in order to attract the attentions of young men, the audience cannot fail to be impressed by the merit of her performance. She plays the part of Frau Dodsworth, wife of Sam Dodsworth, a hard-working and wealthy American industrialist. Dodsworth retires, and with his wife sets off for Europe to get his first real taste of leisure. His wife becomes entangled with various men and then divorces him. He makes the acquaintance of a charming woman, Mrs. Cortright, and just when he is thinking of asking her to marry him, received an urgent message from his former wife to return to her, as she has been deserted. He -does so, but finding her nature unchanged, returns to the woman he really loves. In the role of Dodsworth Walter Huston is really impressive, and as Mrs. Cortright, Mary Astor is also responsible for a good performance. LONDON CINEMA. An entire change is announced at the London Cinema, where two more splendid features are showing. The first is the Western film, "The Thundering Herd," adapted from the story by Zane Grey, and starring Randolph Scott, Judith Allen and Monte' Blue, and the second is an English comedy, "Just My Luck," with Ralph Lynn and Winifred Shotter. STATE, SYMONDS STREET. Some time ago Auckland saw the Ginger Rogers-Fred Astaire production, "Follow thVFleet," and was delighted, not only by the brightness of the stop-, but also by the cleverness of the dancing, and the popular type of songs that it introduced. The film has now returned to the city and heads the programme at the State Theatre, Symonds Street. For those who like a musical comedy it can be recommended as a really entertaining feature, in-which every player gives of his best.

PRINCE EDWARD,, NEWTON. and Hardy, whose antics have delighted thousands of picture-goers during the past few years, are well up to the usual standard in "The Bohemian Girl," the main attraction on the programme of the Prince Edward Theatre, Karangahape Road. Assisted by Jacqueline Wells, they present the familiar scenes of the operetta in an entirely new way. Strange to say the story is little altered. The singing is beautiful, and, combined with .the clowning of the two principals, makes great entertainment. The second attraction is: "Give Us Thiu Night," with Gladys Swarthout and John Boles, another singing feature. VICTORIA, DEVONPORT. .In "Rose of the Rancho," currently screening at the Victoria Theatre, Devonport, two glorious voices,, those of John Boles and Gladys Swarthout, are heard to full advantage. In conjunction with, the musical feature ■is being shown "Robin Hood of El Dorado," the story of a Mexican peasant who was forced into outlawry. The main players are Warner Baxter and Ann Loring. r - 1 BRITANNIA, PONSONBY. There is plenty to thrill patrons of the Britannia Theatre, Ponsonby, in the current attraction- at . that theatre, "The' Garden ' Murder Case," a, Philo Vance story,- in which the btfkru are Edmund Lowe and Virginia Bruce. June Lang and Thomas Back are seen in "Every Saturday Night," also on the programme. ' STAR, KARANGAHAPE ROAD. „ After a season in Queen Street, H. G. Wells' story, :'-'The Man Wlio Could Work Miracles,"' has been transferred to the Star Cinema-, Karangahape Road. As in nearly all of. the stories written by Wells, "The Man Who Could Work Miracles" has -an underlying meaning, and is, in reality, a gentle satire on the methods of modern business men. The cast of the film is headed by Roland Young, and he is assisted by Joan Gardner and Ralph Richardson. The picture was directed by the genius of British films, Alexander Korda. ASTOR, DOMINION ROAD. .Thrilling adventures in a far corner of the Empire are portrayed in "The Last y u tP°st. currently screening at the Astor Theatre, Dominion Road. The mam players are Cary Grant and Ger- ' trude Michael In addition to "The Last Outpost is.fDr. =Monica,".which/-judging ' & the of o the leading players, « Warren William and Kay E'rancis, should 1 prove popular. HANDEL'S "MESSIAH" The Auckland Choral Society will give its annual rendering of Handel's "Messiah" in the Town Hall on December 10. Every year this proves what is perhaps the event of the musical season in Auckland and this year the society should be again assured of a fine attendance. The choir has been augmented and special soloists have been engaged. Further announcements will be made later.

" STAGE STRUCK."

REGENT. George Randall Dick Powell l'eggv Itevere Joan BlonUell Fred" Harris Warren William Sid Frank JleHugii P.Uth Williams Jeanne Madden Grace' Carol Hughes ■Gilmour Frost ..Craig Reynolds Wane Hobort Cavaoaugh A musical feature of delightful-freshness, j "Stage Struck," commenced a season at j the Regent Theatre last evening. The 0 theme is an old one, but that does not prevent the film from being a joyous + story of song, humour and dancing which cannot but exercise a tremendous appeal. From first to last it runs through its course with a lightheadedness that does £ one good. To most people "talkies" are „ for amusement and relaxation. "Stage g Struck" certainly satisfies these desires. 0 The story, or what story there is, is e about a stage-struck country girl, but it e really revolves around Dick Powell as the t. director of dancing in a "flesh and blood' l' show. And so excellent dancing is prot vided by over 100 of what are supposed to e be Hollywood's most beautiful girls. How[l ever, although Powell dominates the scene, one welcomes the fact, his pora trayal is so good, and as well as that v other elements are allowed the attention •- they warrant. The well-known Yacht ■f Club Bovs are brought in several times in e a legitimate way, fitting in with the sequence of events, instead, of merely being s "dragged in." s Miss Jeane Madden as the stage-struck 1 heroine of the piece does her part excelf lently, as indeed do all the principals and S cast, which includes such well-known stars as Joan Blondell, Warren V/illiam " and Frank McHugh. One of the "high a lights" of the humorous parts is where c Powell and a mastiff dog crawl together i out of a rather compromising situation, c Another unusual scene is where Powell and e Miss Madden visit an aquarium and are 0 seen in unique settings. 0 The accompanying programme is in : keeping with the Regent's usual high standard. Wotan's win in the Melbourne 1 Cup is graphically shown in a news film. 3 There is an excellent cartoon, and most interesting is a recoad of the way a 3 famous artistic photographer goes about 5 his work. The Regent Band renders ? several numbers, which last night were greatly appreciated. 1 AMALGAMATED THEATRES. 1 Programmes at the picture housesunder . the control of Amalgamated Theatres, f Limited, are as follow: —Civic, the bright 1 comedy, "My Man Godfrey," with Wils liam Powell and Carole Lombard;; Plaza, the Australian production, "The Flying Doctor," with Charles Farrell and. Mary Maguire; National, "Yellowstones"- 'and [ "The Great Impersonation"; jStrand, Bette Davis and Warren Williams in "Satan Met a Lady"; Roxy arid Tivoli, "Crash Donovan" and "Postal Inspector"; Crystal Palace and Rialto, '"Under Two Flags," with Ronald Colman and Claudette Colberg; King's, "It's Love ; Again" and "Grand Jury"; Princess, I "Hearts Divided" and "Tudor Rose"; , State, Devonport, "Dancing Pirate" and "Sons of Guns"; State, Onehunga, "The King Steps Out"; Adelphi, "Hearts Divided" and "Times Square Playboy"; De Luxe, "She Loves Me Not" and "Trapped by Television"; Empress, "Poor Little Rich Girl" and "The Patrolman"; Regal, "Little Miss Noboby" and "The Border Patrolman"; Regent and Alexandra, "I Married a Doctor" and "Rhodes of Africa." AVONDALE MUNICIPAL. A newspaper story, that, like most other film newspaper stories, has a furious pace from start to finish, heads the bill of the Avondale Municipal Theatre. It is "Exclusive Story, and the stars are Madge Evans and Francliot Tone. William Boyd and Jimmy Ellison are the stars of the second attraction, "Hopalong Cassidy Rides Again." AMBASSADOR, POINT CHEVALIER. I At the Ambassador Theatre, Point 3 Chevalier, the two pictures screening are "White Lies" and "This is the Life.' The first, a dramatic attraction, stars V' ct:c>r Jory, soon to be seen in "Rangle River," B and Fay Wray. In the second the main J players are Jane Withers and John » McGuire. ' KINGSLAND TALKIES. ' Some fine comedy is contained in the 1 story of the Dio'nne quintuplets, to be 1 seen in the film, "The Country Doctor," 1 now at the Kingsland Talkies. In addition to the famous quintuplets the cast includes Jean Hersholt, who plays the ■part of the doctor. The co-feature is • "No Limit." [ TUDOR, REMUERA. There have been few comedies produced that have been such a success as "The Thretf Live Ghosts," now screening at the Tudor Theatre, Remuera. With a cast headed by Claude Allieter, "Beryl Mercer, Richard Arlen and Cecilia Parker, it is a comedy of the brightest type. The three "ghosts" are men who return from the ' war and find that they are listed as dead. MAYFAIR, SANDRINGHAM. At the Mayfair Theatre, Sandringham, Robert Donat, 'famous star of "The Count of Monte Cristo," may .be seen in another success, "The Ghost Geres West,"-in -which he is partnered by Jean Parker. The story concerns an American millioff&ire (Eugene Pallette), who buys a Scottish castle and then transfers it to America. With it goes the family ghost. GAIETY, TAKAPUNA. The tv.-i "--lur". cn the bill of the Gaiety Cinema, Takapuna, are "Mary Burns, Fugitive" and "Sillie Billies." The first, with a cast headed by Sylvia Sidney and Melvern Douglas, is a story of kidnapping, and is notable for the splendid acting performance of Miss Sidney. The second is a Wheeler-Woolsey comedy. STRAND, SUNDAY. The usual Sunday evening programme at i the Strand Theatre will comprise a debate i "Do the Dead Live?" —sides being taken by Mr. A. Hall Skelton, Rationalist, and Mr. S. Oldfield, president of the Psychic Institute — and the film "Creeping Shadows," a drama, with Franklyn Dyall and Margaret Graham. , ' V- STRAND, ONEHUNGA.,The rough character of the people 1 living on the fishing coasts of America is fully brought out by Spencer Tra'cy andJean Harlow in "Riff Raff," first attraction at the Strand Theatre, Onehunga. Eleanor Whitney, Tom Keene and Dickie Moore are the main players of "Timothy's Quest," also showing. GREY LYNN CINEMA. Yet another of Eddie Cantor's famous musical' features, "Strike Me Pink," heads the programme of the Gr6y Lynfi Cinema, /rhe.-vpqp-eyed"--comedian is supported by Ethel Merman. , .In /'Drift Fence," a 'Zane'Grey story, which' is" the supporting attraction, the star is Larry Crabbe, and he is responsible for a good performance. RIALTO, SUNDAY. , "There Goes Susie" is the title of the Sunday night attraction at the Rialto Theatre, Newmarket, Wendie Barrie and Gene Gerrard being the stars. _ A picture of the musical comedy type, it provides > bright entertainment from start to finish. ] QUEEN CARNIVAL CONCERT. j The Mount Albert School queen carnival will end oil . Tuesday evening with the < crowning ceremony in the Town Hall Concert Chamber, when Mr. T. T. Garland will perforin the coronation. The i coronatibn-.'ceremony has been arranged \ and designed" by Madame Anetta Stock. £ The actual ceremony will be followed by j a grand concert, and a number of wellknown artists are billed to appear. CHILDREN'S PROGRAMME. ® "A Little Tin Soldier" is the title of t the production in which the pupils of j Beryl Net tie ton and Bettina Edwards will i appear in the Concert Chamber of the lown Hall this evening. Most of the favourite characters of the nursery will be portrayed . and an entertaining programme seems assured. A number -£ miscellaneous- items will also be pre- a sented. . <

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Yesterday marked the commencement of the fifth week of the season of "San Francisco" at the St. James' Thoatre. ' Bringing Clark Gable and Jeanette MacDonald together for the first time as a starring team. The film gives Miss MacDonald her widest scope in vocal numbers in her screen career —a total of ten presentations, ranging from a solemn hymn to the most beautiful operatic "arias. Clark Gable returns to the vigorous type of role that first elevated him to stardom as a blustery, gambling baron, who has no faith in anything but his own power and his charm over women. Co-starring with Miss Mac- ■ Donald and Gable is Spencer Tracy in his most unusual role, that of a priest. A distinguished supporting cast includes • jack Holt, Jessie Ralph, Ted Healy, Shirley Ross, Harold Huber and A 1 Shean. Among Miss Mac Donald's vocal numbers are: "The Jewel Song,'.' "Prison Trio" and other escerpts from Gounod s "Faust," an aria from "La Traviata, "Love Me and the "World is Mine." "My Heart is Free," Gounod's "Ave Maria," "Nearer, My God, to Thee," "Battle Hvmn of the Republic," "San Francisco," and "Would You?" The management of the theatre states that up to the present time more than 70,000 people have seen the film. CAPITOL, BALMORAL. Bing Crosby is heard in some of the numbers that he has made famous in "Anything Goes," • at the Capitol Theatre, Balmoral. Supporting him are Ida Lupino and Charles Ruggles, the latter having one of the funniest roles of his career. The supporting feature is "Murder Man," starring Spencer Tracy and Virginia Bruce. BANDS CARNIVAL. Auckland massed bands will present an attractive programme of music at Blandford Park to-morrow afternoon. In addition to a number of old favourites the bands will give an exhibition of marching. The programme will commence at 2.30. DANCING. Peter Pan, modern dancing; Lauri Paddi's band. Pirate Shippe, old-time carnival dance, "Circus Life." Ventura Dance Club, St. Sepulchre's Hall; Len Meredith's band. Labour Hall, special night; Clemm's orchestra. Municipal Hall, Newmarket, old-time dancing; Bob Adams' orchestra. - Crystal Palace, Waitemata Swimming Club; Epi Shalfoon's band. St. Mary's Hall, Great South. Road, Connon's dance. Parnell R.S.A. Hall, modern and oldtime dance; Clough's band. Brown Owl Roadhouse, Waterfront Road, dancing. Purl Hall, Ponsonby, old-time dancing. Orange Hall, Symonds Street, Embassy Dance Club, Ted Croad'e Band, old-time. Ambassadors' Hall, Dominion' Road, Columbia Social Club. New Romanoe Dance Hall, Karangahape Road, modern dancing. Manchester Unity Hall, Hobeon Street, Dave O'Malley's Band. St. Columba Hall. Grey Lynn, Queen Carnival crowning, dancing. North Street Hall, Monday, Children's Fancy Dress Party, City Boys' Band. Gaiety Hall. Surrey Crescent, Tui Oldtime Dance, Serenadcrs' Orchestra. Balmoral, old-time dancing, Zealandia Dance Band. amusements guide. CARLAW PARK—Wrestling-, George v. McCready. H.M.B. THEATRE —'Geo. Wallace and Company. PICTURE THEATRES. MAJESTIC — Randolph Scott and Frances Drake In "Toll or the Road," also Eleanore Whitney and Robert Cum-mlng-s in "Three Cheers For Love." REQENT —Dick Powell and Joan Blondell in "Stage Struck." EMBASSY —Ruth Chatterton and Walter Huston in "Dodsworth." ST. JAMES' — Clark Gable and Jeanette Mac Donald in "San Francisco." LONDON —Randolph Scott In "Thundering Herd" and Ralph Lynn In "Just My Luck." AMBASSADOR —"This is the Lire." ASTOR —"The Last Outpost." AVONDALE —"Exclusive Story." BIRKENHEAD —"Escapade." BRITANNIA —"The Garden Murder Case." CAPlTOL—"Anything- Goes." DELTA —"Ruggles or Red Gap." GAIETY—"Mary Burns, Fugitive." GREY LYNN —"Strike Me Pink." KINGSLAND —"The Country Doctor." LIBERTY—"Queen or Hearts." MAYFAIR —"The Ghost Goes W«st." PICTUREDROME —"A Tale or Two OltfeS." PRINCE EDWARD —"The Bohemian Girl" and "Give Us This Night." SOUTHERN CROSS—"Thoroughbred." STAR (Newton) —Roland Young in "Tho Man Who Could Work Miracles." STATE (Symonds Street) —"Follow the Fleet." STRAND (Onehunga)—"MlT RalT." TUDOR —"Three Live Ghosts." VICTORIA —"Rose or the Rancho."