CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21239, 10 August 1934, Page 22

CITY THEATRES

REGENT "THE MYSTERY OF Mil X" TO-DAY Thrillers about Scotland- Ya«-d. if well done, can always be relied upon to afford good entertainment. Such is the case with "The Mystery of Mr X," one o£ the very best mystery crime stories presented for many a long day, which will be featured at the Regent Tliealre to-day. "The Mystery of Mr X" was written by Philip Mac Donald, author of a long string of best-sellers iu detective fiction. The logical successor to Edgar Wallace, he has indeed turned out a great; drama in an English setting, and it is a credit to Mclro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The principal part, is played by Robert Montgomery, who is east as Revel, a gViitlcma. burglar. A series of gruesome murders of policemen by a shadowy fiend who signs himself "Mr X," raises an outcry in the London press. Sir Herbert Trensham, head of Scotland Yard (Henry Stephenson), comes in for strong criticism for his failure to solve the problem of "Mr X's" identity, hi order to put a stop to the murders, v/hich rec.ir nightly, he assigns hi.:; smartest detective, Inspector Connor (Lewis Stone), to the case, but llv* ••rimes go on. One of the screen's most beautiful actresses. .Elizabeth .Allen, as Jane, the daughter of Sir Herbert, meets Revel when he is planning to steel a famous diamond. The two fall deeply in love, and Revel forsakes crime and Has Sir Hubert to lay "Ml- X" by the heels with a taring scheme. From the moment Revel enters the hunt the tale moves from one breath-taking situation to another, and all through a charming romance affords relief against the highly' dramatic background of sinister figures in the conflict between the police and the killer. Altogether this picture is exceptional. Box plans are at the D.T.C.. C-RANI) "TIILNDERINL HERO" "A Cuckoo m the Nest" will be j presented finally to-night at the Grand j Theatre. I Packed with thrills, romance, death, j and danger, Zane Grey's "The Thun- j dering Herd" will begin a return season at the Grand Theatre to-morrow. Randolph Scott. Judith Allen, Monte Blue, Harry Carey, Noah Beery, Busier C/abhe, Raymond Hatton, and ■Blanche Fridtrici head the big cast in this stirring Western thriller." They faring-back the era when men and womgnr-isHecl their live* in pursuit of buffalo hcrdH that roamed the sf'4 Against this background of dangfr and strife , s enacted the love -™-,-.** 1 ?, Doan f Kandolpli Scott) and (Judith Allen). Th'v are faced with the murderous opposition ?of Milly's hated sten-narenf.-fNoah Beery and Blanche Friaeric ) and fyen by the well-intentioned discouragement of Tom's hunting partnereJSblarke Sprague 'Harry Carey) •nd»*ii(le Pllchuck (Raymond Hni-< ton). i ■ Bo*, plans are at the D.7.C.

| TIVO.U j "BOLERO" ! "Little Women" will conclude its > successful season at the Tivoli Theatre j to-night. j "Bolero," v/hich will open at the I Tivoli Theatre to-morrow is said to ] expose the private and public life of i the world's greatest, dancer. George i Raft is starred and hi.; supporting cast includes Carole Lombard, Sally Rand, the famous lan dancer, from the Chicago World Fair, Frances Dr;,ke and Gertrude Michael. "Bolero" presents George Raft in a role that tits him perfectly, that of a romantic and adventurous fellow who climbs to success on a ladder of women's hearts. The thrilling and entertaining dance numbers contained in the film are woven round Maurice Ravel's internationally famous musical composition, "Bolero." Another interesting feature of the picture is the first screen presentation of the sensational fan dance created by Sally Rand—the dance that brought her fame, fortune and thousands of newspaper headlines. It brought her to Hollywood and a contract with Paramount. William Frawley, a leading Broadway actor, recently taken to Holl\ wood, is also featured. Box plans are at the 73.1.C. ! CRYSTAL PALACE j I "THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN" \ AND "ERA DIAVOLO" "The Countess of Monte Cristo" and "When Ladies Meet" will be screened finally to-night at the Crystal Palace Theatre. "This Side of Heaven," a drama, and the comedy, "Fra Diavolo," will comprise the double-feature programme at iho Crystal Palace Theatre to-mor-row. Lionel Barrymore has appeared in so many excellent pictures that it is by no means unusual to see him giving another line performance. But his portrayal of an elderly and homci Joving accountant beset by care, in | "This Side of Heaven," is deserving of 1 particular note. Hero is a remarkably i well-produced film, which is certain ; to afford pleasing entertainment, deal- | ing as it does with the simplicities of i life. The principal player is supported | by a very competent cast, who make : the picture a por'.ive delight. Fay ■Ba inter. Mae Clark, and Mary Carlisle jail appear with distinction, and it is, : rare to find such a balanced performi ance. There are repeated flashes of! humour, and Una Markel plays a valuable part in introducing comedy! touches. J

"Fra Diavolo" is a picture which the whole family will enjoy. It has an excellent musical background, and the world-famous Laurel and Hardy give of their best. Laid in a picturesque era of nobility, courtly ladies and highway bandits, the plot gives Laurel and Hardy every opportunity to make delectable fools of themselves and to become involved in a series of side-split-ting adventures which almost lead them to the gallows. The film is based on the comic opera written by Aubex in 1830. Box plans are at the D.I.C.

MAJESTIC "CALL IT LUCK" AND "ANIAKCHAK" "The Lost Patrol," the gripping drama in which Victor McLaglcn is featured, will be screened finally tonight at the Majestic Theatre. Comedy, action, and excitement arc to be found in generous- measure in "Call It Luck," which will open at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow. The action is fast; there are plenty of laughs, supplied chiefly by Herbert Mundin and the ludicrous situations in which he finds himself; there is an abundance of love interest, with Pat Paterson atid Charted Starrett as the principals; and, in addition, this hilarious comedy has one of those surprise endings which "bring the house down." The story is about a London cabby who wins £25.000. What does he do with the money? Thereby hangs a tale that is filled with suspense. It is a timely subject and Herbert Mundin can be counted on to make the most of it. As Mundin's beautiful niece, Pat Pat.er.son goes to work singing and dancing in a night club to help him recoup his lost fortune. Then Starrett comes in, and—well, it promises to be a thoroughly amusing picture.

] "Amakchak" (the story of hell on' /earth), a truly -mazing picture, will i head a magnificent supporting programme. This beautiful film records jpictorially the adventures of the j "Glacier Priest," Father Bernard It. ! Hubbard, in Alaska's inferno of ice i and fire. In addition to presenting scenes of Alpine beauty, "Aniakchak" shows the birth of mighty icebergs; that awe-inspiring spectacle, the "break-up" of the Yukon; the largest volcano in the world in eruption, and a thrilling dash across the . three-mile crater; life among the Esquimaux: and the phenomenon of snow and tropical vegetation side by side. This astonishing production was made by Father Hubbard, who acts as narrator throughout, its screening. Box plans are at the D T.C. J REMARKABLE EXPLORA- ! TION FILM One of the best exploration lilms so far produced—surpassing "Kamat Conquered"—is "Aniakchak," describing the first investigation of a remote Alaskan volcano, which will be shown at the Majestic Theatre next week. Subject, photography, and comment fby Father Bernard Hubbard, the "glacier priest") are all unusually interesting. In its showing of means of travel in the snows of the Yukon, of the smallness of man in the waste, and the loneliness and terror of the Arctic winter, it is remarkable, while the revelation of dangers faced in entering the crater of a vast volcano is admirably handled. Many travel and exploration films are spoiled because points of interest or buried under masses of tedious detail. "Aniakchak," however, never fails to be interesting, and it has the unity of a good narrative. There are no dull patches—most of what it shows is new to film audiences, who will find it as exciting as any fictional adventure. Some of its photography is startlingly effective; for the first tune the film shows, as no written story can show, why the men of the north fear the break-up of the ice on such rivers as the Yukon, which become rearing and grinding heaps of driven ice.

j PLAZA AND THEATRE { I ROYAL j ; "NANA'' I j Having seen "Nana," one can sympathise with the enthusiasm that practically the whole world has shown for! the new star, Anna. Sten. The lilmj is being shown at the Plaza and ' Theatre Royal. Beside being a , very beautiful woman, she acts ! with a tine.sse that makes her ' beauty an embellishment to her acting . rather than an excuse to secure the : attention of her audience. She is an : outstanding screen find. "Nana" is aj Goldwyn picture, and has all the j colour and meticulous attention to detail that make the name of Goldwyn! a guarantee of quality in a film. As' a picture for Anna Sten, "Nana" is; almost ideal. She is herself a bril- i liaut person, and the setting of the Zola play is Paris in the glamorous period about the time of the FrancoPrussian war. The theme is the rather familiar one of the old family threatened with marriage with an undesirable woman, but as the story was made before the birth of the American need for an ending happy, and at the same lime in accord with i the most treasured sentimentalities of democracy, it is satisfying and logical. Two men are mainly concerned in the life of Nana. They are brothers, and both soldiers, and with Nana are the pivot round which the story revolves The two men are played by Phillips Holmes and Lionel Atwill, and both give sound performances. Nana's two friends from the old and unprosperous days are acted by Mae Clark and Muriel Kirkland, both very successfully. j The light hand and droll imagination of Walt Disney have produced the I other important picture on the proI gramme, a "Silly Symphony", "The Grasshopper and the An*s." It is a typical Disney production pointing a moral very neatly. Actually, the "Silly Symphony" must be the sort of thing that the average child dreams of in the way of entertainment. It is done in the manner of the best fairy tale, completely fantastic, but beautiful enough to hold the interest of any but the most misanthropic i adult. ! The rest ot the programme is com- ' posed of an interesting selection of i news films. "RED WAGON*' : t "Red. Wagon." which will open at i the Plaza Theatre to-morrow, is not only great entertainment, but is in addition n strangely intriguing revival of a phase of life almost gone from the Old Country. Round camp fires of the gipsies and in tents and waggons of the circus are bred strange loyalties and fierce jealousies. In lives that are a constant tight for survival, with the necessity to fight enduring after success by the need for continual training, with danger of various kind as a daily companion, the folk who make the fascinating tale ot "Red Wagon" find the petty refinements of modern life unimportant, but they display a sturdy loyalty to the clan. Their honest code and wholesome, if rather forthright, romances and comedies, unexpected lapses to family tenderness, and instant response to the call for action, make an enthralling study, and a story enshrining characters as brave and picturesque as ever came out of the "wild and woolly West." To the genius of Lady Eleanor Smith in crystallising the fixed characters of these nomadic gipsy and circus folk of Britain in her book, "Red Wagon," is due the appeal of the characterisation, but the picture takes a wider canvas for its setting, and adapts the action with special scenes and added figures to give happier touches to the romance than in the original. Charles Bickford is highly convincing ass a

"he-man" who fights his way through rivalries and diiliculties which he cannot understand, and holds the loyalty of his companions in trouble. Greta Nissen heads the feminine side of the ca,->t as the "cat-woman" in a tigertraining act, who can lake a scratch and give it with the best, of them. There are plenty of thrills when she and her tigers get into action, especially in a big fight scene. Box plans are at the D.I.C. CIVIC »||' TO THE NECK" To-day is the last day on which the dramatic story, "The House of Trent," will be screened at the Civic Theatre. Splendidly acted by John Stuart and Anne Grey, the picture is one that finds favour with all classes of pic-ture-goers. Outstanding entertainment is promised to-morrow, when. British Dominions Films will present the inimitable Ralph Lynn in the latest Ben Travers comedy, "Up to the Neck." Ben Travers' dialogue in the hands of one of Britain's most entertaining comedians is in itself complete enough evidence of the merit of the film. There is no other author who understands Ralph Lynn's tvpe of comedy so fully In "Up to the Neck" the plot concerns the exploits of a younk bank clerk named N. B. Good, whose fervent ambition it is to become a favourite actor. No finer comedy has ever been written by Travers, and Ralph Lynn is seen in the cleverest and funniest role he has ever appeared in. Other members of the cast include the charming Winifred Shotter and that grand old veteran, Mary Brough. Besides four excellent supports a novelty to Christchurch audiences will be the first appearance of the brilliant woman organist, Miss Ina Mason, who has just completed extended seasons in the leading theatres throughout Australia and New Zealand. Miss P ason presents her numbers in a most original manner, and all patrons are catered for from a repertoire of both popular and classical music. i Box plans are now open at. the Civic I Theatre, where seats may be reserved at no extra cost. LIBERTY "MIDSHIPMAN JACK" AND "SHE MADE HER BED" "Above the Cloudy," and "High Finance" will be shown finally tonight at the Liberty Theatre. Two good pictures, "She Made Her Bed" and "Midshipman Jack," will bo screened at the Liberty Theatre tomorrow. Romance and action arc deftly blended in "She Made Her Bed." The story has a decidedly modern touch and concerns a girl who hat. very definite ideas about love. The film is notable for the strong characterisations given by the entire cast. lii the leading role is Sally Eilers and she is ably supported by Robert Armstrong and Richard Arlen. A charming love story is unfolded in "Midshipman Jack," featuring Brace Cabot and Betty Furness. Cabot is seen as a young cadet who shuns rules and regulations to court his commandant's daughter. The climax of the production is an elaborate and thrilling spectacle, presenting a war manoeuvre with seaplanes and speedy submarine chasers making an attack upon enemy submersibles. The spectacle is topped with a daring "stunt," a head-on crash between an aeroplane in full flight and an oncoming submarine chaser commanded by the film's hero. Box plans are at the D.I.C.