FILM PROGRAMMES REVIEWED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 25, 30 January 1937, Page 12

FILM PROGRAMMES REVIEWED.

"RANGLE RIVER." MAJESTIC. Dick Drake Victor Jory Marion Hastings Margaret Dare Reginald Mannister . . . Robert Coote Dan Hastings George Bryant Aunt Abbie Hita I'auncefort Rarbwire Leo Cracknell Lawton Cecil Perry Minna Georgie Sterling Black Stewart McColl Green I'llil Smith Director : Clarence Badger. Xo pains have been spared to make "Rangle River," the liret American film made in Australia, an outstanding success. Clarence Badger, the famous Hollywood director, with the cooperation of Victor Jory, also of Hollywood, has produced a picture worthy of Australian studios, and film-goers will find much to attract them in this drama of Australian cattle farming, which opened at the Majestic Theatre Jast night. The story is set against a background of cattle ranching, and the natural beauty of. the bush country has been used to the fullest advantage. In this respect it can bo said that the photography throughout is of a high standard. Margaret Dare plays the part of a cattle man's daughter who spends money very freely on the Continent, until she recevies a curt letter from her father's ranch, demanding that she return home. Things are not exactly as she expected when she arrives back, and she has some difficulty pt first in fitting into ranch life. Victor Jory plays a very masculine role, taking part in two well-acted and well photographed fightfl, where he has the audience keyed up by the excellence of his acting. Georgie Sterling, the New Zealand actress, enters the story as a domestic help, and though she has rather an unsympathetic part, she plays it convincingly, and gives a fine acting performance. In some mysterious- way the Rangle River dries up, and the efforts of Dick Drake (Victor Jory) and Dan Hastings (George Bryant), to find water are full of incident. Dan Hastings, who§ plays the part of Margaret Dare's father, shows fine acting capabilities, and plays a rather difficult part to perfection. Robert Coote. the Englishman. useless but charming Englishman, adds colour, and as an airman of the Royal Air Eorce. introduces a novel note. The film generally shows the marks of expert direction, and the Zane Grey story, written especially for it. is well handled. Some excellent cattle shots, together with scenes depicting Australian scenery at its best, are additional attractions. while the realistic fights, showing Victor .Tory and Cecil Perry, are finely done. The supporting programme includes the complete film of the Louis-Sharkey bout, showing the fighting in slow motion. Xews reels. a colour cartoon, "The Xovelty Shop." and the , overture, "Orpheus in the Underworld," add further variety. GREY LYNN CINEMA. Samuel Goldw.vn's outstanding production of 1936 heads the programme of the Grey Lynn Cinema in "These Three." The three characters referred to in the title are two school teachers. Merle Oberon and Miriam Hopkins, and their doctor friend, Joel McCren. "Big Brown Eyes" is the second film, the stars being Cary Grant and Joan Bennett. AMBASSADOR, POINT CHEVALIER. Comedy and musical drama are combined in pleasing fashion in the main item on the bill of the Ambassador Theatre. Point Chevalier, the film version of B,life's famous operetta. "The Bohemian fiirl." Laurel and Hardy, assisted by the singer, Jacqueline Wells, head the cast. "Music is Magic." with Alice Faye and Roy Walker, is the second film. MAYFAIR, SANDRINGHAM. Grace Moore and Franchot Tone head the cast of "The King Steps Out." a film which was shown with remarkable success in the city and which has now been transferred to the Mayfair Theatre, Sandringham. As usual the story, quite an entertaining one. finds time to introduce a number of charming Grace Moore songs? Also showing is "The Bishop Misbehaves." BRITANNIA, PONSONBY. Two big attractions are promised on the week-end bill of the Britannia Theatre, Ponsonby. "Small Town Girl" and "Big Brown Eyes." The first features Janet Guvnor and Robert Taylor and is of the dramatic type, while the second is a straight-out conied.v-drama. remarkable for the number and variety of its "wisecracks." TUDOR, REMUERA. At the Tudor, Remuera, Marion Davies. Dick Powell, Charles Ruggles and Edward Everett Horton, are featured at the head of the cast of "Hearts Divided." a firstclass musical attraction. Dick Powell and Marion Davies have particularly appealing rolea in the romance, which is set in an early nineteenth century atmosphere. PRINCE EDWARD, NEWTON. Hie drama "Fury," the main attraction on the bill of the Prince Edward Theatre, Karangahape Road, is taken full advantage of by the two main characters in the story. Spencer Tracy and Sylvia Sidney. Miss Sidney, in particular is allowed to give full rein to her histrionic talents. The programme also includes the exciting air story "Sky Parade." in which the principal parts are taken by .Timmie Allen, the well-known radio personality, and William Gargan. STAR, KARANGAHAPE ROAD. At the Star Theatre, Karangahape Road, the programme is headed by "The Last Outpost." an exciting drama of life in one of the furthest pickets of the Empire. In the main roles of the story are Gertrude Michael and Car.v Grant, two players who may always be relied upon to give useful performances. The second attraction is the hilarious comedy, "Are You a Mason?" with Sonny Hale and Robertson Hare. This is undoubtedly one of the most amusing comedies that have been shown for years. STRAND, SUNDAY. The feature of the Sunday evening programme at the Strand Theatre will be an address by the Rev. J. H. Chappie on "Thomas Paine." tlie famous writer of "The Rights of Man." The picture programme is headed by "Radio Pirates." STRAND, ONEHUNGA. "Kelly the Second." a farcical comedy, featuring a cast headed by Patsy Kelly and Charlie Chase, is the main item on the bill of the Strand Theatre. Onehunga. Also showing is the dramatic feature "Till We Meet Again," with Gertrude Michael and Herbert Marshall. RIALTO, SUNDAY. "Lily of Killarney,"- featuring the Irish tenor John Garrick, is the picture to be shown on the Sunday night programme of the Rialto Theatre, Newmarket. The film is said to be a typical Irish story. CAPITOL, BALMORAL. J- ®- Priestley's story "Laburnum Grove, ' a sparkling corned}' of a man who was not all he seemed to be, is featured at the Capitol Theatre. Balmoral, in conjunction with "One Way Ticket," a drama in which the lead is taken by Walter Connelly. In "Laburnum Grove" the leading roles are filled by Sir Cedric Hardwicke and Edmund Gwenn. ASTOR, DOMINION ROAD. Bright dialogue, first-class acting and a splendid cast all help to make "The ExMrs. Bradford," now at the Astor Theatre, Dominion Road, one of those pleasant modern comedies that seldom fail to entertain. Jean Arthur and William Powell are featured at the head of the cast. The co-feature is "We're in the Money." LONDON, QUEEN STREET. Two of the most popular singers on the screen to : day are Grace Moore and Tullio Carminati. both of whom appear in "One Night of Love," the film that lifted both artists to fame. The film is now at the London Theatre, Queen Street. The musical numbers are perhaps the most pleasing that have been heard on th<t screen for some years. i

"THREE MEN ON A HORSE." REGENT. Krwin Trowbridge . . Frank McHugh. Mabel Joan Blondell. Audncy Trowbridge .... Carol Hughes. Charlie Allen Jenkins. I'atsy Sain I.evene. Carver Guy Kibbee. Harry Edgar Kennedy. Director: Merryn Le Roy. American comedy of the most farcical type is maintained throughout the picture which opened its New Zealand season at .the Regent Theatre last evening. "Three Men on a Horse." A highly successful stage play, "Three Men on a Horse" has been running 011 Broadway for three years and now the screen version, featuring Frank McHugh, Joan Blondell and Allen Jenkins, promises to enjoy real success, for it has been produced in such a fashion that not one of the farcical situations that make up the story fails to have its appeal for the audience. At times the story is productive of hysterical laughter; for the rest the theatregoer is kept constantly chuckling. Frank McHugh is well cast. As a writer of verses for Christinas and Mothers' Day cards, a timid but sometimes truculent' soul, the comedian has been allowed to give full rein to his antics and consequently his performance is the best he has ever carried out. Erwin Trowbridge is his screen title and a typical suburban villa is his home. His monotonous life is brightened (for the audience at least) when a group of down and out gamblers discover that he possesses an uncanny faculty for "picking the winners." It would not be fair to describe the story. The racecourse touts watch their "Oiwin" with mother-like tenderness and are prepared to go to the most amazing lengths to ensure his complete relaxation and comfort while selecting the right horses. Although they pay him a substantial commission "Oiwin's" paramount desire is to return to his occupation as a greeting card poet. Altogether the story is a splendid farce. As long as the new-found treasure can "pick the winners" his Bowery acquaintances hail him as a genius in accents that will be the delight of every audience. A better choice to play the part of the timid poet would be hard to conceive. His mentors, Allen Jenkins. Ted Hart and Sam Levine, together with that delightful comedienne Joan Blondell. pour forth a constant stream of rotigh and ready witticisms, and possess a fund of "wisecracks" that has seldom been equalled. Joan Blondell. as a Bowery "Mabel." and Carol Hughes. McHugh's wife, who have the only feminine parts in the story, are excellent. Supporting features include a Pathe Gazette reviewing 1936 world events, a British Paramount News, a musical short featuring the Yacht Club Boys and a cartoon intended to satirise the crooning of Bing Crosby. AMALGAMATED THEATRES. Programmes at the picture houses under the control of Amalgamated I heatres. Limited, offer a wide diversity of entertainment. Attractions are as follow: —Civic, "Anthony Adverse": Plaza. "Champagne Waltz": Strand, "hast Meets West"; National, "Mummy's Boys" and "Don't Turn 'Em Loose"; Roxy and Tivoli. "Daniel Boone" and "Straight From the Shoulder"; Crystal Palace and Rialto, "My Man Godfrey" and "Soft Lights and Sweet Music"; Princess. "Girls' Dormitory" and "Charlie Chan at the Racetrack": State. Devonport, "The Road to Glory" and "Walking on Air": Regent and Alexandra. "Sw T ingj Time" and "Star for a Niirlit"; State. I Onehunca, "The White Angel" and "Sing. Baby. Sing"; Kine's, "Secret Agent" and "White Fang": De Luxe, "The Firing Doctor" and "To Mary, with Love": Empress and Adelplii. "Show Boat." and at the Adelplii only. "Satan Met a Ladv." Empress onlv. "Half Angel": Regal. "It's Love Again'* and "Satan Met a Lady." VICTORIA, DEVONPORT. . Mae West is at her best in "Klondik? Annie." currently screening at the Victoria Theatre. Dp von port. and. in company with the virile \ ictor MacLaglen, provides amusing entertainment by her usual methods. Co-featured is the western drama. "Three Godfathers." in which the main roles are taken by Chester Morris and Lewis Stone. The story is bv Peter B. Kvne. GAIETY, TAKAPUNA. There are few juvenile players on the screen to-day who are equal in personality or musical ability to Bobby Breen. currently screening at the Gaietv Theatre. Takamina. in "Let's Sing Again " Contrasting with "Let's Sing Again" is a light-hearted musical comedy. "Coronado," with Jack Haley and Betty Burgess. KINGSLAND TALKIES. Grand Exit ' is the main attraction on the programme advertised as the weekend bill for the Kingslaird Talkies In the principal role of this first-class com-edy-drama is Edmund Lowe. STATE, SYMONDS STREET. Drama and comedy in the lives of circus . ™ spt for th in entertaining fashion "1 /> Sh.Tiighnessy's Boy." now screening ™ Then (re. Symonds Street Wallace Beery as O'Shaughnessy. a lion tamer, and Jackie Cooper, as his educated son. are two characters who win the approval of the audience by the appeal of the story they enact. Co-featured is Speed. with the rising players. James Stewart. W endv Barrie and Ted Healr As its name implies it is an exciting storv ot the motor racing world. AVONDALE MUNICIPAL. A Philo Vance "thriller" heads the proTW 10 • „ Avonrlale Municipal Theatre in "The Garden Murder Case» the part of the famous fictional character heinc fi led by tlmt talented screen pi aver Fdmund Lowe. He is supported bv Vir"mia Bruce. Arthur Roscoe in "Public Nuisance No. 1' is also showing. i PSYCHIC SCIENCE LECTURE. I Mr. and Mrs. G. E. Wright, in' the course of a tour of the British Empire will give a loot,,re H demonstration in the Lewis Eady Hall to-morrow on psj onie science. AMUSEMENTS GUIDE. W,BB C?r N n l v^ AV savers PICTURE THEATRES and Dare LONDON—Grace Moore In "One Night or Joan B,onde, » EmB ln "lw P « y A r o e S n » ,S Bnd Ge ° rfre Brent ST - — Robert Montgomery and Mad ire Evans In "Piccadilly Jim." AMBASSADOR—"The Bohemian Girl." ABTOR—"Moonlight Murder." AVONDALE—"The Harden Murder Case." BIRKENHEAD—"Paddy O'Day." BRITANNIA—"SmaII Town Girl." CAPlTOL—■•"Laburnum Grove." DELTA —"Foreign AlTalres." GAIETY —"l.et's Sing Again." GA,E Hour."° UhUhU) " The GREY LYNN—"These Three " KINGBLAND—"PaIooka." —"The Fx Mrs. Rradord." MAYFAIR— "The King' Steps Out." ORPHEUS (Otahuhu)—"Special Agent." PICTUREDROME—"The Tunnel." S PRINCE EDWARD—"Fury" and "Skv Parade." } STAR (Newton) —"The Last Outpost" and Are You a Mason?" BTATE (Symonde Street)—"O'Shauirhnessy's Boy." B TUDOR—"The Moonlight Murder." VlCTOßlA—"Klondike Annie."

"PICCADILLY JIM." ST. JAMES". Jimmie Crocker .. Robert Montgomery Ann Chester Madge Evans Mr. Crocker, sen Fr ""* Aunt Eugenia ®''" e Bnvliss Eric Blore Ralph Forbe. Macon Robert BencWey Mr Pett Grant Mitchell Mr« Pett Cora Wetherspoon Ogden Pett Tommy Butt The delightful characterisations of that famous English humorist P. G. Wodehouse, his dialogue and comedy situations are splendidly interpreted in the picture, "Piccadilly Jim," which began a season at St. Jauies' Theatre last evening. Made though it was in America, the character casting of the picture is well suited to the Wodehouse tradition, and though the story has not followed the original closely it is well-knit and satisfying. The name-role is taken by Robert Montgomery and he imparts to it just the right whimsical flavour; but in the honours of the picture he is met with strong competition from Eric Blore and Frank Morgan, while dainty Madge Evans and Billie Burke play their parts capably. It would be impossible to imagine a Wodehouse story that did not have a valet in it —one of those useful gentlemen's gentlemen who not only look after the wardrobe and the creature comforts of the "master, sir," but who assist him with cunningly concocted plots in the winning of his lady fair, and the upset of his enemies. Such is the lot entrusted to Eric Blore, and that favourite of film audiences does his part nobly. His will be a character that will be remembered and chuckled over for many a long day. The "Piccadilly Jim" of the picture is a debonair gentleman who makes an alcoholic entrance into the picture in association with that prince of alcoholics, Robert Bencliley (who has a role very reminiscent of that which he held in "China Seas." and remains delightfully inebriated throughout his all too short appearance). Jim is a artoonist, the 6ole support of his erring Shakespearean actor-father, Frank Morgan, and there are some magnificent moments when he (Jim) talks to Morgan like a Dutch uncle. The comedy situations increase in intensity when Jim chooses, all unknowingly, to make a comic strip of the family of Madge Evans, to whom he has lost his heart. and the complications become exceedingly complicated with each ' succeeding episode. The picture can be guaranteed to produce laughter—as it can be guaranteed to be followed bj* more Wodehouse pictures. The box office results will see to that. In addition to this feature the short programme at St. James' has many attractions. chief among which is the latest "March of Time"—dealing with three interesting subjects—the change in teaching methods in the United States schools, the career of Franklin D. Roosevelt as President and its renercussions on the United. States, and the development of the Irish Free State under the leadership of President Eamon de Valera. There is also an interesting picture dealing with the life of a Hollywood extra. DANCING. Peter Pan: Modern dancing; Theo Walter's personality band. Pirate Shippe. Milford: Old-time carnival. "Pirates of Penzance"; Pirate Shippe band. Arts Hall, Kitchener Street: Jack Renton's band; old-time dance. Druids' Hall. Xewton: Old-time, Premiere dance band. Purl Hall, Ponsonby: Old-time tiancing. Municipal Hall. Newmarket: Old-time dancing; Bob Adams' band. Zealandia Hall, Balmoral: Ralph's Astorians. St. Mary's Hall, Great South Road: Connon s Dance.