FILM PROGRAMMES REVIEWED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 37, 13 February 1937, Page 16

FILM PROGRAMMES REVIEWED.

"DEVIL AND THE DEEP." MAJESTIC. Paulino Sturm ... Tnllulab Bnnkliead Commander Sturm . diaries Luughton Lieutenant Semptor .... Gary. Cooper Lieutenant Jueckel Gary Grant Hassan Tniil Porcasl Mrs. I'lnnrt Juliette Cuniptim Mr. Planet Arthur Hoyt Director: Marion Goring. Paramount. Also: "Spendthrift," with Henry Fonda, Mary Brian and Put l'nterson. The headliner on the new bill of fare at the Majestic, "Devil and the Deep," featuring Charles Langhton, attracted a packed house last night. Excellently directed ami acted, it is an intensely dramatic entertainment, for most of the acting unfolds in a submarine that had been purposely sunk by its commander, who' is presented as partly insane and madly jealous of his wife. The scenes in the submarine have been produced' with realism. There is a collision with a merchant vessel. The water is shown rushing in and the men frantically attempting to shut off the bulkheads. Soon the fact becomes known that the commander is insane. The men refuse to take orders from him, taking them from the hero, his lieutenant. The drowning of the commander, when he opens the flood doors, is realistic in the extreme. The jealousy of the - commander is so realistic that his thoughts are made to stand out as if they are spoken aloud. Langhton, in this picture, scores a really great triumph of character aetin;; in liis portrayal of the Jekyll-Hyde commander. It is a memorable interpretation and one which placed the seal on the ability of this fine English character actor. The lovely Talhilah Bankhead has done nothing better in her screen career than her Pauline —the wronged wife of the mad submarine commander. "Willi an artistry that is all her own she sustains every exacting requirement of this difficult role and gives further proof of her consummate ability. The picture was skilfully directed by Marion Gering. Others in the cast who give fine portrayals are Cary Grant, Paul Porcasi, Juliette Compton and Henry Kolker. The secondary film-on this programme is a GOOO-feet picture labelled "Spendthrift," a comedy-drama and the story of a young millionaire who has plenty of assets but no money. "Spendthrift," which features Henry Fonda, Mary Brian and Pat Paterson, is alone well worth the price of admission. It is one of the best and most exciting productions, showing the actual race for the Kentucky Derby, and makes an appeal to all lovers of horses. It is also full of delightfully mirth-provoking situations. In addition to a Paramount News, depicting current world's happenings, there is a decidedly rollicking "Popeye the Sailor" cartoon.

ST. JAMES , THEATRE. P. G. Wndehouse's delightful English comedy, ''Piccadilly Jim," has been brought to the screen in the picture of the same name, which is enjoying a season at St. .Tames' Theatre. In the title role, Robert Montgomery gives a most refreshing portrayal and one that will be enjoyed by all. Madge Evans makes a charming partner. This lovely and popular actress is one of Hollywood's few remaining bachelor women—spinsters is hardly the term! She has confessed that several times she hoe been near to marriage, but each time her head said to her heart: "Not yet. not yet!" She has made countless films—remember her in "Lovers Courageous," also with Robert Montgomery? That was her personal favourite among all her films. She disliked most intensely "David Copperfield." in which she scored a major success, contrastingly enough, as the adult Agnes Wickfield. who became David's second wife. "Piccadilly Jim" also has Frank Morgan, last seen as tho mucous lint gold-hearted Billings of "The Great Ziegfeld." Another of the popular "March of Time" series heads the St. James' supporting programme. , • . v STAR, NEWTON. One of the most famous of stage plays, a comedy that has made literally millions of people laugh for over 30 years, comes to the screen in the current attraction at the Star Cinema, Xewton. This is "Brewfiter's Millions," with the popular and ever-fascinating Jack Buchanan as the idiotic and liopelessly-in-love young man who falls heir to a fortune of £500,000 but finds he must spend this completely within six months in order to inherit £20,000,000, only to discover that everything into which he puts his money to lose it becomes disgustingly prosperous. Lila Damita .has a prominent role in the film, which is supported by "Charlie Chan in Egypt," in which the intrepid Oriental trapper of murderers has hairraising adventures among the ancient tombs and secret ways of the Land o the Pharaohs. STATE, SYMONDS STREET. Gertrude Michael scored perhaps her greatest personal triumph when she starred in the title role of "The Notorious Sophie Lang" two or three years ago, and the decision of her studio to make a sequel, again casting her in the principal part, was welcomed by filingoers, who do not easily forget the meat in their screen pies. "The Return of Sophie Lang," therefore, was made and is now screening currently at the State Theatre, Upper Symonds Street, in conjunction with a thrilling air romance-drama, "Thirteen Hours by Air." With Joan Bennett as his leading lady, Fred MaeMurray has another of his now historic screen battles in this film, the fisticuffs taking place in the cabin of a large passenger 'plane marooned in a snowstorm. GAIETY, TAKAPUNA. A splendid family film is "Timothy's Quest," which will present two of the cinema's most capable and popular child stars in Virginia Weidler and Dickie Moore at the Gaiety Theatre, Takapuna, to-night. "Persona! Maid's Secret," featuring Margaret Lindsay, is also on the bill. AMBASSADOR, POINT CHEVALIER. Warner Baxter " pursues a fierce vengeance, to tho accompaniment of unexnectecl tunes, in "Robin Hood of Eldorado," which is to-night's principal item on the bill of the Ambassador Theatre, Point Chevalier, where "Gentlemen of the Navy," featuring Sir Guy Standing and Richard Cromwell, will also be shown. LONDON, QUEEN STREET. The dancing of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers was first shown to the cinematic world as a team in "The Gay Divorcee," which is the film chosen for current screening at the London Cinema, Queen Street. Adapted from the stage success "Gay Divorce," it proved an outstanding ■ musical film. OTAHUHU THEATRES. Three major stars are teamed in the film version of a famous play in "These Three," showing to-night and Monday evening at the Gaiety Theatre, Otahuhu. They are Merle Oberon, Miriam Hopkins and Joel McCrea, while the play is Lenore Helhnan's daring Broadway success, "The Children's Hour." Walt Disney's Technicolour "Silly Symphony," "Three Orphan Kittens," is principal support. At the Orpheus Theatre, "Mooniglit Murder" and "Speed" will be shown on a dual bill. Chester Morris and' Madge Evans are co-featured in the former and James Stewart and Wendy Barrie in the latter. CAPITOL, DOMINION ROAD. Shirley Temple, inimitable and yet most imitated of all stars, is on the book to entertain to-night's patrons of the Capitol Theatre, Dominion Road, in the talkie version of Mary/ Pickford's famous silent film, "The Poor Little Rich Girl." Joan Bennett and C'ary Grant are featured together romantically in "Big Brown Eyes," which is on the Mipif programme. RIALTO, SUNDAY. Hilarious.and innocuous Ralph Lynn is in trouble again in the aptly-Mid film, Up to the Nock," which will be screened +o-morrc.( evenin.at the Rialto .Theatre. C

"REMBRANDT." EMBASSY.

Rembrandt van Kiju . Charles Lnughton Ucertkc Dirx Gertrude Lawrence Hendrickje Stoffels .. Elsa Lunchcster Titus van liijn John Bryning Titus (as a child) Itiehard Cioi'e The Marquis Austin Trevor I'cnsnnt Jack Llvcsey Director: Alexander Korda. London Films.

A great and rich and glowing motion picture, a picture signed all over with distinction, like one of the master's own canvases. This describes Alexander Korda's new production, "Rembrandt," starring Charles Laughton, which is now being given its Xew Zealand premiere at the Embassy Theatre. "Rembrandt" is

as much Mr. Korda's greatest production to date as it is, at once, the noblest subject and the best likeness in Mr. Laughton's inspired gallery of historical portraits. With the exception of "Buggies of Red Gap," this new film gives Laughton his first really sympathetic role. And in giving it to him, Korda has proved that he has his linger on the pulse of public opinion. There are many picture-goers who, while admiring Laughton as a great actor, have been somewhat repelled by the harsh and cruel parts he has so often played. But in "Rembrandt" the stress is laid on the debt which the artist's genius owed to women, and beauty, and romantic love. This debt is acknowledged in the film in a marvellous monologue on the subject of woman, which Laughton delivers with all the artistry at his command. It is one of the most moving sequences in a great picture as Rembrandt tells how he has sought and found the perfection that is in all women in his one great love, his wife and favourite model, Saskia. The story of Rembrandt's artistic career is the tragedy of a man whose true worth was not appreciated by his contemporaries; yet here again the very fact that ho would not sacrifice his self-esteem to conventional tastes in art makes the character a wholly sympathetic one.

■Superb camera work is almost as big a feature in "Rembrandt" as Laughton's performance. Xot only does the film catch perfectly the atmosphere of its historical period—tli? Holland of the middle 17th century—but, more than this, , it apparently seems to catch the very mood of Rembrandt's paintings. As one critic puts it: "Georges Perinal's camera has taken to itself some of the magic of the master's brush, and has made this film a thing of sheer pictorial beauty in black and white." Supporting Laugh ton in "Rembrandt" is a notable cast, which includes his wife, Elsa Lanchester and another famous actress Gertrude Lawrence. . TUDOR, REMUERA. A surprisingly gripping spy story forms the theme of '"J'ill We Meet. Again," which, if they ignore its incongruous title, will entertain to-night's patrons of the Tudor Cinema, Remuera, abundantly. Herbert Marshall-and Gertrude Michael are starred. Ro'd la Rocque, silent star, has a prominent supporting role. AMALGAMATED THEATRES. Programmes showing at houses under control of Amalgamated Theatres, Limited, are as follows:—Civic, "The Charge of the Light Brigade"; Plaza, second week of Jane Withers' "Pepper"; National, ''The General Died at Dawn"; Strand, Shirley Temple in "Dimples"; Roxy and Tivoli, "Without Orders" and I "Revenge Rider"; Crystal Palace, Mount! Eden, and Rialto, Newmarket, Paul Robeson in "Song of Freedom" and Margaret Lindsay in "Public Enemy's Wife": Empress, Xewton, "My Man Godfrey" illld "Walking on Air": King's, Northcote, "Swing Time"; State, Devonport, "Girls' Dormitory" and "Where There's a Will"; State, Onehunga. "California Mail" and "White Fang"; Regent, Epsom, and Alexandra, Green Lane, "To Mary— With Love" and "The Sea Spoilers"; Do Luxe. Mount Albert, "Ladies in Love" and "Bengal Tiger"; Princess, Dominion Road. "The Road to Glory" and "Dangerous Waters": Regal, Ponsonby, "Show Boat" and "Walking nn Air";' Adelphi, Grey Lynn. "My Man Godfrey" and "The Plying Doctor." MAYFAIR, SANDRINGHAM.

A splendidly mounted historical romance, "Mary of Scotland," will feature Katharine Hepburn, Frederic March and a lengthy cast on the screen of the Mayfair Cinema, Snndringham, this evening. Principal supporting picture will , be "It Had to Happen," starring George Raft and Rosalind Russell. PRINCE EDWARD, NEWTON.

One of the best all-round entertainments on the 1030 screen record was "San Francisco," in which Jeanette Mac Donald and Clark Gable were teamed as co-star.;. This picture is the principal current attraction at the Prince Edward Theatre, Newton. In it Jeanette sang n number of excellent numbers, including the theme song which gave its name to t.ie Sim. "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," "Nearer, My God. to Thee," and others. Her selections ranged from hymns to music hall ditties of the ultra-popular variety. Spencer Tracy had a magnificent role as the priest. Father Mullen. Hut the honours of "San Francisco" went i.ot to the stars, bright as they were, but to the technicians who made the earthquake quite the most realistic disaster the screen has yet seen. Even De Millc's Red Sea crossing in "The Ten Commandments" of 14 years ago paled into insignificance beside it.

VICTORIA, DEVONPORT. A 'thrilling descriptive film, centred round the rise of the oil industry and entitled "Where the Power God Dwells," will be presented this evening at the Victoria Theatre, Devonport, in support of "San Francisco," a dramatic romance with music, starring Jennetto Mac Donald, Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy. GREY LYNN CINEMA. Janet Gaynor, star of a dozen or more simple-girl romances which have brought millions of people into the theatres and millions of dollars into Hollywood's coffers, is teamed with the newest male romantic sensation, Robert Taylor in "Small-Town Girl," which is featur.&l listed wjth»"The Sky Parade" for screening to-night at the Grey Lynn Cinema. , ASTOR, DOMINION ROAD. The world-famous tenor Beniamino Gigli lias Jiis first' and only screen appearance tr> date in Alexander Korda's "Forget Me Not," which has been selected as the main attraction for this evening at the Astor Cinema. Dominion Road. "The Murder of Dr. Harrigan" will provide support, aided by a Walt Disney coloured cartoon. * BRITANNIA, PONSONBY. Adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson's famous ."Suicide Club" stories, .Robert Montgomery's new film of that title will 1)0 principal feature on to-night's bill of fare at the Britannia Theatre, Ponsonby.' Rosalind Russell is cast as his leading, lady. "The Sky Parade" is also screen-! ing. I STRAND, SUNDAY. A cheery English film, "By-pass to Happiness," with Molly Lamont starred, will be screened to-morrow evening at the Strand Theatre in conjunction with a meeting of the Rationalist and Sunday Freedom League. Mr. J. Edwards will speak, his subject being "Spain and the Church," with reference in particular to the Moorish civilisation of Granada. HAYDN'S "CREATION." Massed Methodist choirs, comprising 300 voices, will be heard in a rendition of Haydn's immortal "Creation" in the Town Hall on Thursday evening. February 2a. Mr. Edgar Randal will be organist and Mr. Alfred Bryant conluctoi Soloists will "be Miss Winifred TTill and Messrs. Leslie Russell and Robert Simmers. STRAND, ONEHUNGA. A bright comedy in "Soak the Rich,", eatnring ' that grand character actor, Walter Connolly, and one of the past year's outstanding dramas in "Fury," in which Spencer Tracy and Sylvia Sidney shared top honours, are combined for current showing at the Strand Theatre, | Onekunga.

j REGENT THEATRE. One of the finest cinema entertainments yet shown in Auckland, over any period, I is the, so-called "short" in which Popeye ! meets Sinbad, now screening at the I Regent Theatre in support of the musical I production, "The Big Broadcast of 1937." I Twice as long as the usual "short" of ! this type, it has the added attraction of being in technicolour. "The Big Broadcast of 1937," third of this popular series of musical films, more than lives up to the reputation established by its predei cessors. To describe the turns of the programme would be impossible. It is j sufficient to say that there is not a single [dull spot—the whole picture is excellent ! because it caters for every taste. The , contrast between two orchestras in the ■ film is really amusing. It would be difficult to conceive a band rendering "hotter" ' music than that of Benny Goodman— I lovers of modern music are in for a treat I —and to find a more "high-brow ,, orches- ! tra than that of Leopold Stokowski. 1 Bach's Fugue in 0 Minor played bv the 1 Philharmonic Orchestra is magnificent. Bob Burns and Martha Raye. the two . people who made "Rhythm on the Range" a success, deserve congratulations for I their comedy roles, particularly Miss ! Raye, a real artist. Then there are Jack j Benny, Larry Adler, wonder mouth-organ-ist, and scores of others. AVONDALE MUNICIPAL THEATRE. A tempestuous love affair, with more than its share of laughs, is carried on by Robert Montgomery and Myrna Loy in "Petticoat Fever," which is to be shown to-night at the Avondale Municipal Theatre in company with the Hopalong Cassidy feature, "Call of the Prairie." of which, needless to say.- William Boyd and ! Jimmy Ellison are stars. DANCING. Poter Pan, popular night; Theo Walters' band. Pirate Shippe, Milford, old-time carnival; "lolantlie" effects and music. Brown Owl Roadhouse, Brown Owl "Serenadcrs"; free buses provided. Orange Hall, Xewton, Embassy Dance Club - , Ted Cvoad's CUcvalicv ovelicetva.

Labour Hall, Newton, old-time and modern dancing; Casino Royal orchestra. Artg Hall, Kitchener Street, old-time dancing; Jack Renton's "Good Evening" band. Municipal Hall, Newton, old-time carnival; Bob Adams' orchestra. Crystal Palace Ballroom, Epi Shalfoon's orchestra. Druids' Hall, Newton, old-time dancing; Premier Band, Fountain of Friendship Hall, Newton, Zcalandia Dance Club and band. Zealandia Hall, Balmoral, old-time dancing; Ralph's "Astorians." Ambassador Hall, Dominion Road, Columbia Club; George Poore's orchestra. Gaiety Hall, Surrey Crescent, Tui Club's first birthday; "Ttii Serenaders." St. Mary's Hall, Ellerslie, Connon's orchestra. Queen Street. 313, Croatian Cultural Benevolent Society's dance. Parnell K.S.A. Hall, old-time and modern dancing; dough's band. I t AMUSEMENTS GUIDE. MISSION BAY — Miller and Davey's Carnival. PICTURE THEATRES. REGENT —Jack Benny and Burns ind Allen in "The Hlg Broadcast or 1937." EMBASSY— Charles l.nugliton and Elsj Manchester lri "Rembrandt." ST. JAMES 1 — Robert Montgomery and Madge Evans In "Piccadilly Jim." majestic—Charles Laughton and Gary Cooper In "The Devil and the Deep." LONDON —I'ped Astalro and Ginger Rogers In "The Gay Divorcee." AMBASSADOR— "UobIn Hood or Kldorarto." ASTOR —"Forget-me-not." AVONDALE— "Petticoat Fever." BIRKENHEAD— "TiIe Ilohcmlan Girl." BRITANNIA— "The Suicide Club." CAPITOL— "Poor I.lttlc Rich Girl." DELTA — "In Person." GAlETY —"Personal Maid's Secret." GREY LYNN— "Smiill Town Girl." KINQSLAND— "The Hrldc Walks Out," LIBERTY —"The Moon's Our Home." MAYFAIR— "Mary or Scotland." ORPHEUS (Otahuhu)— "Moonlight Murder Case." PICTUREDROME— "Roberta." PRINCE EDWARD— "San Francisco.' SOUTHERN CROSS— "Wlllpsaw." STAR (Newton)— "Brcwster'3 Millions" und "Charlie Chan In Egypt." STATE (Symonds Street) —"The Return or Sophie Lang." STRAND (Onohunga)—"Fury." TUDOR— "TiII We .Meet Again." , VICTORIA —"San Francisco." •