CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21320, 13 November 1934, Page 7

CITY THEATRES

CRYSTAL PALACE "DAMAGED LIVES" An earnest attempt to make the public look squarely at the facts of venereal disease in the modern. community is made in "Damaged Lives," which opened at the Crystal Palace on Saturday. The programme is divided into two parts, a film showing the introduction into the lives of two persons of the disease, its worst effects being hinted at rather than shown, and a lecture by Dr. Gordon Bates, a Canadian authority, in which activities of the disease are plainly shown. The story is of twd young persons, Joan and Donald Bradley, whose marriage has been delayed until Donald "settles down" in fixed employment. He is guilty of one indiscretion, the effect of which he does not realise, and his marriage subsequently takes place. When he and his wife are expecting a child the family physician makes the discovery that they are both infected, and in despair Joan attempts to destroy both their lives. The picture could with profit have been decreased in length, but these considerations are secondary to the purpose. The lecture is illustrated by diagrams, and has the merit of clarity and frankness. The programme provides a complete document on the nature of the diseases, their consequences, and the fact that early treatment produces a cure. It is to be commended, not as entertainment, but as a laudable attempt to disseminate knowledge on a subject that is largely ignored. "Damaged Lives" is shown under the auspices of the New South Wales Racial Hygiene Society.

TIVOLI "ONE MOKE RIVER" "One More River" heads the outstanding programme at the Tivoli Theatre this week. The story is a satisfying elaboration of an episode from John Galsworthy's last novel, "Over the River," which completed his widely read series "Forsyte Saga." The adaptation takes up the threads of the story from the point where Clare Corven, vilely ill-treated by her husband, Sir Gerald Corven, leaves him and returns to England. Sir Gerald refuses to facilitate her release because he fears the effect a divorce would have on his career in the government service if it were thought that he had been partly responsible for the rift. When he discovers that neither pleading nor brutality will make his wife return to him he determines to sue for a divorce himself.

Diana Wynyard is exceptionally good starred in the role of Clare Corven. She proves beyond doubt that she is an outstanding emotional actress. Her control is admirable both in the tense scenes when her husband makes his attempts to take her back and in the court scenes. One feature of the film is the remarkably fine team comprising the supporting cast. It includes Colin Clive, Lionel Atwill, Frank Lawton, Mrs Patrick Campbell, Jane Wyatt, Reginald Denny, Alan Mowbray, Gilbert Emery, C. Aubrey Smith, and Henry Stephenson. It is a cast worthy of the story. The settings are splendid, suiting the playing, which is in strict keeping with the quiet restraint and English charm of Galsworthy's novel. Great credit is due to R. C. Sherriff, author of "Journey's End," and James Whale, who directed this film. The story has been handled brillisntly and it is obvious—especially in the court scene and in some of the scenes in London and Oxford, that the directors have taken great care to make the settings of sufficiently good quality to ensure success.

MAJESTIC "STINGAREE" Few have not been stirred and delighted by tales of "good bad men," of outlaws and highwaymen of Robin Hood style—gay, dashing, debonair, reckless, and gallant—who defied unjust laws and assisted the weak at the expense of their strong oppressors; and few will not be delighted and stirred by "Stingaree," the main picture on the Majestic's new programme which opened on Saturday, which has the full flavour of old-time romantic melodrama—stimulating and refreshing—in a story of a bold, benevolent bandit who defies death and hazards his liberty time after time to assist a "Cinderella soprano" with whom he had fallen in love. The title role is played by Richard Dix, who was a great favourite in the days of silent films, and, judging by this performance, bids fair to creating a record for long service as a star. He makes a fascinating, colourful bandit, and the twinkle of his eyes, his splendid carnage and physique, and a pleasant voice, are peculiarly suited to this part. Following his character part in "Cimarron" some months ago, this role stamps him as an actor from whom much more may be expected. Many should be pleased. It is a concession nowadays to be permitted to see on the screen a man with a strong chin, a hawk-like nose, and a carriage that indicates physical fitness and manliness—a being resembling men as they are in real life. A performance of exceptional merit is given by the feminine star, Irene Dunne, who sings a number of songs including excerpts from operas. The theme songs are "Stingaree Ballad" and "To-night Is Mine," the latter a delightful melody. Irene Dunne also sings "The Jewel Song," from "Faust," "The Last Rose of Summer," from "Martha;" and "When Other Lips and Other Hearts," from "The Bohemian Girl." The music in the film alone is worth hearing. The supporting cast is very strong including Mary Boland, Conway Tearle, Henry Stephenson, Uma O'Connor, George Barraud, Andy Devine, and Stub Pollard.

LIBERTY "STRICTLY DYNAMITE*" AND "THE RIGHT TO LIVE" The programme at the Liberty Theatre this week consists of a melodrama, "The Right to Live," and a bright musical comedy, "Strictly Dynamite." "The Right to Live" is a film with a punch—action is its keynote. The cast includes Pat Paterson, Richard Bird, and Francis Sullivan. The chief merit of "oirictly Dynamite" is that it gives Jimmy Durante an opportunity for some of his wholehearted fooling. Durante, a radio comedian, has a pretty but flighty partner and an entirely senseless young "ghost writer." The film sets these three off in a series of situations which work well enough until the producer sends the partner off with the writer on an elopement. Marian Nixon is the faithful wife, and Lupe Velez, Norman Foster, and Eugene Pallette have prominent roles.

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