CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21197, 22 June 1934, Page 8

CITY THEATRES

PLAZA "FOOTLIGHT PAHADE" "Footlight Parade." which is being phown at the Plaza Theatre, is another of the fast-moving, highly undressed, lavishly produced shows that (American studios turn out with such consistent success. In broad outline it 3s not different from a dozen others 8 hat have been released in the last rvear—it is the usual story of show jpeople and the high emotional tension of their lives —but it bungs to the f«;reen a succession of novel scenes -which are startlingly new Directors have recently exploited with great success photography of ballets from a bov-, [from below, and from any other angle, ■that is 7iot normal. The director of "Footlight Parade" has discovered the artistic possibilities of making his chorus swim, and he has made the most of his possibilities. There is a series of scenes in a swimming bath -which i.s novei and brilliant. There gs a cat ballet, which is outstandingly good. . , . Jyrocs Ctirjnoy is the icdoani man. He seems to be the brains behind a company which produces short musical comedies to be played sit picture houses as a prelude to the main film, and the story of "Footlight Parade'' is the story of his struggle to produce an incredible number ot these revues against time. The pressure is enormous, both on James. Cagney and on the audience. In the last half of the film the fruits of James Cagney's labours are displayed, and they fully justify the hysterical rushing about that occupied the first half. JThere are a number of prominent characters, among whom Joan Blondell, Ruby Keclcr. Dick Powell. Frank McHugh, and Guy Kibbce stand nut. An Australian newsreel, a clever musical short, and another of those ex- , cetlent "Movie Memories" make up a tjEood programme. CIVIC •'THE WANDERING JEW" The enormous success on both sides (Of the Atlantic of the British film, 'The Wandering Jew," is now being repeated at the Civic Theatre, where the picture is daily attracting large and enthusiastic audiences. Heralded as being one of the greatest pictures «ver produced by a British studio, this film more than upholds that claim. It Ss undoubtedly one of the finest productions ever presented on the screen.

Mighty in its conception and thoughtprovoking in many of its aspects, the picture is fortunate in possessing in the title role one of the outstanding gtars of to-day, Conrad Veidt, and his portrayal of the Jew must rank as one of the greatest character-studies that the screen has known. Remarkable as his work is, it does not altogether overshadow the brilliant acting of ethers. Anne Grey, Joan Maude, Peggy Ashcroft, and Marie Ney are all responsible for excellent delineations of splendidly-drawn characters. The story is taken from Eugene Sue's immortal literary classic of the same title. Nothing so ambitious has been attempted for the talking screen, and one has to go back to the silent days of "Quo Vadis" and "Ben Hur" to lind p. film of such magnitude. A notable Seature of this production is the number of persons attending each screening who have never before been ingide a picture theatre. Box plans are at the theatre, where fceats may be reserved at no extra cost.

CRYSTAL PALACE *GOLD DIGGERS OF 1933" AND "JENNIE GERHARDT" "I Am Suzanne!" (Lilian Harvey) will be shown finally to-night at the Crystal Palace Theatre. "Jennie Gerhardt," a splendid drama featuring Sylvia Sidney, and the successful musical production, "Gold Diggers of 1933," will comprise the fine programme at the Crystal Palace Theatre to-morrow., "Jennie Gerhardt" is a film that has many outstanding features. It is brilliantly acted, the photography is excellent; and last, but by no means least, the story is one that grips the audience from the moment the show starts to the final fade-out. "Jennie Gerhardt" deals with the life of a girl, fthe child of poverty-stricken parents, •who possesses extreme beauty and charm. This beauty, however, finally leads to her downfall. The popular Sylvia Sidney, who was such a success in "American Tragedy," and who gave so convincing a performance in the screen version of "Madame Butterfly," is seen in the difficult role of the unfortunate Jennie. She handles the part with the greatest of skill, and manages, right from the start, to gain the complete sympathy of the audience.

"Gold Diggers of 1933" is one of the most magnificent spectacles yet offered by the screen. In addition, it has an intensely human story enacted by a particularly capable cast. The dance ensembles are on a gigantic scale—it is doubtful if their equal has ever before been presented in a talking picture—but while they are unquestionably the main feature of the film, they are purely incidental to the production, which, as a whole, satisfies every requirement of up-to-date entertainment. Box plans are at the D.I.C.

LIBERTY "THE DARK HORSE" AND "THE CROSBY CASE" "You Can't Buy Everything" and •"Shadows of Sing Sing" will be ucreened finally to-night jt the Liberty Theatre. "The Dark Horse." an hilarious comedy, and "The Crosby Case," a mystery thriller, will comprise the new double-feature programme at the Liberty Theatre to-morrow. In "The Dark Horse," the makers have obtained something new in cinema backgrounds, for the picture deals with the excitements of a political campaign. An attempt to stampede a party convention results in the choice of a "dark horse" for Governor, and the problem of getting him elected seems almost insuperable. But the supporters of the "dark horse" find a new campaign manager, and the comedy is fairly launched. Warren William and Bette Davis appear in tnis amusing film, and both acquit themselves well. "The Crosby Case" is said to be one of the most ingenious mystery dramas of the season. Wynne Gibson and Onslow Stevens are the principals. This picture lay bare the inner workings of the New York Police Department, and follows the investigation of a crime in a manner which maintains the interest at fever heat. Bo* plans am gfc tb« DJiQi .

THEATRE ROYAL "GASH" AND "SUPERNATURAL" | "Disraeli" (George Arliss) will conj elude its season at the Theatre Royal j to-night. ; "Supernatural," an eerie thriller, and i "Cash," a comedy dealing with the : doings of modern big business men, j will comprise the entertaining programme at the Theatre Royal tomorrow. Weird and thrilling indeed is "Supernatural," which tells of the sufferings of a beautiful girl whose body is possessed by the avenging spirit of a murderess. As the title suggests, the film centres on spiritualism, both real and false; and, while it exposes trickery, the story deals sympathetically with genuine beliefs. "Supernatural" possesses thrills and novelty to an unusual degree. It was made by Victor and Edward Halperin, who are already noted for several successful productions of a weird type. In this film they are said to have excelled themselves in combining an uncanny atmosphere with realism and tense drama. The leading roles arc taken by Carole Lombard, Vivienne Osborne, Randolph Scott, H. B. Warner, Allan Dinehart, and William Farnum. "Cash," introduces Robert Donat, the British star who appeared as Thomas Culpcuper in "The Private Life of Henry VIII.," as Paul Martin, a young electricity inspector, whose svmpathetic nature does not fit him for the job of cutting of! the light of hard-pressed householders. He is sent to the house of Wendy Barrie to take possession, but falls in love with her instead. Edmund Gwenn is the girl's father—the possessor of a splendid idea ! for making money, but nothing in.the way of tangible resources. He has some excellent opportunities for humorous acting. The plot provides an amusing satire on financial and bankin" methods, and exploits the curious pyschological effects of ready money upon financiers. Box plans arc at the D.I.C. RIOGKNT "SONS OF THE DESERT" The popular Jack Hulbert is starred in "Jack Ahoy!" which will conclude its season at the Regent Theatre tonight. "Sons of the Desert, Laurel anc Hardv's latest full-length comedy, will be the major attraction at the Remit. Theatre to-morrow. Idiosyncrasy and inanity take on delightful attributes in the hands of these two players, and in "The Sons of the Desert there is admirable scope for their particular genius. The title is misleading lhe desert does not enter into the scheme of things at all, Laurel and Hardy appearing as two ordinary, law-abid-ing American citizens. The fraternity to which they belong goes under the name of "The Sons of the Desert, and the picture is concerned with their efforts to avoid the vigilance of two over-bearing wives and attend the annual convention of the society in Chicago. Their scheming is successful. the convention is reached and they enjoy their freedom from marital restraint as perhaps only Laurel and Hardy could enjoy it. The difficulties begin when a liner on which they are allegedly travelling to Honolulu is reported to have foundered. As in all the pictures in which these two appeal-, there is no opportunity for contrasting performances. The parts sire interdependent, the success of the one being governed almost entirely by the success of the other, and they thus perpetuate what is perhaps the most outstanding collaboration the screen has yet seen. The fatuous digmtv of the one and the undisguised stupidity of the other make for some of the most enjoyable sequences they have yet provided. Another exponent of shortfilm subjects, Charlie Chase, supports them to great advantage in the scenes at the convention, and its incidental festivities, while Mae Busch and Lueien Littlefield contribute splendid humour in important roles. Box plans are at the D.I.C.

MAJESTIC "MADAME SPY" Fast and thrilling action, splendid character casting and an unusual plot combine to make "Fugitive Lovers" (Madge Evans and Robert Montgomery), the featured film at the Majestic Theatre this week, first-class entertainment. . The supporting items include a Thelma Todd comedy, "Babes in the Goods." In addition, the management is conducting an interesting guessing competition, for which the first prize is a wireless set. Romance and glamour, gaiety, sadness and tragedy are all contained in "Madame Spy," Universal's story of a beautiful woman who held the fate of nations in her hands, which will begin on Monday at the Majestic Theatre "Madame Spy" is something out of the ordinary in spy stories and has a plot that holds the audience right from the start. To divulge the story would entirely spoil the show for all who wish to see it. It will suffice to say that the story of "Madame Spy" tells of the beautiful "8 : 24," one of the most dangerous spies in the Russian Secret Service, and of how she finally finds herself torn between love and duty. What happens then leads to a powerful and unexpected climax. Fay "Wray as the glamorous "B-24" has never before been seen to such advantage. Handsome Nils Asther, of the fascinating voice, is cast as the German officer with whom the spy falls in love. The show is well mounted and haa been produced with strict attention to detail. All the minor parts are excellently handled. Box plans arc at the D.I.C.

| TIVOLI | "MISS FANE'S BABY IS STOLEN" i ! I "This Man is Mine" will be shown j finally to-night at the Tivoli Theatre, i With a theme taken l'rom the front j pages of the American press —the wave of kidnapping which has stirred the I entire world—"Miss Fane's Baby is Stolen," which will be the featured film at the Tivoli Theatre to-morrow, is reported to be one of the most compelling dramas to have reached the screen. It has many other factors that ensure its success. In a part that gives her even greater emotional range than her first Hollywood picture, "Cradle Song," the Continental actress Dorothea Wieck gives a flawless performance as a film actress whose baby is snatched from its cot in a palatial Hollywood mansion. Chief interest, however, centres in Baby Leßoy, the 18-months-old toddler who achieved film fame overnight with his first appearance in Maurice Chevalier's "A Bedtime Story." This infant prodigy is even more remarkable as the victim of the kidnappers than in his first picture. Alice Brady, who has. taken a succession of roles since her comparatively recent return to the screen, acts with her usual accomplishment in the part of an outback farmer's wife, who stumbles across the lair of the kidnappers on an adjoining property. "Miss Fane's Baby is Stolen" is a splendid example of the efficiency of Hollywood in dealing with an everyday theme. Other popular actors who have important parts are George Barbier, as a sympathetic film producer. Jack Laßue, as a kidnapper who loses his nerva, and Dorothy Burgess, as one of his companions iu crime. ,

GRAND "THE WHITE SISTER" ■ I "This Week of Grace" will be shown ! finally to-night at the Grand Theatre. Helen Hayes and Clark Gable are i co-starred for the first time in "The White Sister," which will begin a return season at the Grand Theatre tomorrow. Helen Hayes plays the part of Angela Chiaroinonte, daughter of an Italian prince, and Clark Gable has the role of Giovanni Severi, a lieutenant in the Italian Army. The strong part of Angela's father is enacted by Lewis Stone, and important roles are taken by Louise Closser Hale, May Robson, Edward Arnold, and Alan Edwards. Box plans are at the D.I.C. "THE PIGEON" AT RADIANT HALL REPERTORY SOCIETY'S PRODUCTION "The Pigeon" will be opened by the Canterbury Repertory Theatre Society for' a season of three evenings on Saturday. This play is by John Galsworthy, one of the most talented of modern English playwrights. "The Pigeon" is the second of his plays which has been produced by the society, and all patrons will remember the very successful production of "The Silver Box" some 18 months ago. "The Pigeon" is a comedy but at the same time is filled with much of Galsworthy's masterly dealing with problems of the individual in different spheres of modern life. The scene of the play is in London, and the story centres in an artist who befriends the various waifs and odd characters of the embankment of London. Several of these, of course, take full advantage of his generous spirit and hospitality, much to the disgust of his more practical daughter and against the wishes of several of his friends. These friends include a magistrate, a parson, and professor of jwiology. and through these three, Galsworthy gives the different attitudes of ' society to the waifs and sponger? of the streets of London. A very strong cast has been selected. and the production is in the hands of Professor J. Shelley, assisted by Mr Bernard Beeby. The season of three evenings opens on Saturday next, and the box plan is available to the general public at

the society's rooms, 15 Bedford row.