CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21323, 16 November 1934, Page 7

CITY THEATRES

. PLAZA "THOSE WERE THE DAYS" Sir Arthur Pinero's sound comedy "The Magistrate" has been brought to the screen as "Those Were the Days," and the packed audiences which have seen it at the Plaza Theatre must agree that the change has done nothing to detract from its many merits. The film has every chance of being a great one. because there is a particularly strong cast, and the very most is made of the abundant material of the book. The setting is the naughty nineties, when London was a city of spontaneous gaiety, and when the last remaining shreds of that exaggerated Victorian chivalry made ilimsy points of honour the main preoccupation of the leisured classes.

The story telJs of the domestic complications set up in the house of the magistrate through a lie told him by his wife, a widow when he married her. about her age, and the age of her son. The son is the leading spirit.in the scrapes into which the family is thrust, but the comedy is sustained by each member of a large cast. The plot is involved, but it hangs together so well that interest never for a moment flags, and there is not a moment when something to laugh at is not presented to the audience. Many of the old songs of the time are revived with great success, "The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo." "Champagne Charlie," and "A Little Bit Off the Top" are but three of them. Will Hay has the part of the magistrate, and handles it with tremendous humour and understanding. Claude Allister is a crystallisation of the popinjay military officer of the time.

"BULLDOG DRUAIMOND STRIKES BACK"

A London fog by night, a wedding, an apparently deserted house with the body of a murdered man which disappears in two minutes, and a lovely girl who falls fainting into the arms of the hero, mark the opening incidents in "Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back." the 20th Century Picture starring Ronald Colman, which will be shown on Saturday at the Plaza Theatre. And in an atmosphere of mystery, intrigue, of killing, and being killed, the events of that night whirl on. This film is the detective thriller deluxe, crammed with tense, dramatic scenes; but never far round the corner lurks the infectious comedy that wins in the end. Rcnald Colman takes the starring role in his stride, and is the perfect counterpart of the famous detective of fiction whom he made famous on the screen in his first talkie several years ago. He is not an orthodox detective, but then such mystery thrillers as this are not made to be played by ordinary detectives. He is the man who even in the most desperate situations has always one more card—the trump card—up his sleeve. Warner Qland as the villain of the piece, again takes on the sinister mystery of the Orient. And as for Charles Butterworth, he is par excellence the not-so-nimble-witted Algy who has to sacrifice some of his honeymoon to take part in Drummond's adventures. Loretta Young makes a bewitching heroine; and C. Aubrey Smith and Una Merkel also have important roles.

CIVIC "SOKRELL AND SON" "Sorrell and Son," which for the last two weeks has been showing at the Civic All-British Theatre, will finish to-night. Excelling the very successful silent version, this splendid production is one that should be seen by all parents and their children. "THE QUEEN'S AFFAIR" Everything that makes for bright, brilliant and delightful entertainment is embodied in "The Queen's Affair," which will open at the Civic AllBritish Theatre to-morrow. Romance, music and humour set amid a lavish atmosphere enable the production to set a new high standard of entertainment. On being released in America "The Queen's Affair" proved to be yery successful, seasons of four weeks in Hollywood and eight weeks in Chicago being established after a record season In New York. Anna Neagle who charmed all picture-goers in "Good-night Vienna," "The Flag Lieutenant," "The Little Damozcl," and "Bitter Sweet," heads the cast, and she is credited with giving the most delightful performance of her long stage and screen career. The story opens in New York, where "Nadina" (Anna Neagle) is working in a department store, when unexpectedly news arrives that she is heiress to the throne of Ruritania. Shortly after the coronation she is driven out by a band of revolutionaries headed by the young and handsome Carl (Fernand Graavey). Escaping to a Swiss holiday resort—by coincidence the very spot chosen by Carl to recuperate—they meet, unaware of each other's identity. Thereafter follows a romantic story set to beautiful music. A remarkably clever comedy performance is registered by Muriel Aked, another member of the large cast. The story of "The Queen's Affair" is based on the celebrated operetta by Oscar Strauss and the melodies are a feature of the production. . Four splendid supports, including the latest Pathe Gazettes complete the programme. Box plans are at the theatre, where seats may be reserved at no extra cost.

CRYSTAL PALACE "DAMAGED LIVES" \n earnest attempt to make the public look squarely at the facts of venereal disease in the modern community is made in "Damaged Lives," which is now showing at the Crystal Palace. 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 two young persons, Joan and Donald Bradley, whose has been delayed until Donald "settles down" in fixed employment. He is guilty of one indiscretion, the effect ot 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 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 i early treatment produces a cure. I

MAJESTIC "WE'RE RICH AGAIN" The first-class musical comedy, "Stingaree," will conclude its season at the Majestic Theatre to-night. The supports are excellent. Love travels a rocky road in the fast-moving comedy, "We're Rich Again," which will come to the Majestic Theatre to-morrow. However, it eventually wins the day and the man; and it travels at such a pace that it makes for continuous hilarity throughout -is progress. The big cast in "We're Rich Again" includes such clever comedy players as Edna May Oliver, Billie Burke, Marion Nixon, Reginald Denny, Joan March, Buster Crabbe, Grant Mitchell, Gloria Shea, and Edgar Kennedy. This rollicking film recounts the adventures of the aristocratic Page family, once wealthy, but now poor, and their cousin, Arabella Sykes, an apparently unsophisticated girl from West Texas. Unheralded, Arabella visits the Pages at a time when they are in a frenzy ot excitement from trying to hide from persistent bill collectors while making preparations for the coming marriage of the daughter. Marion Nixon is the heroine of the story, and, in the role of Arabella, she does about everything that most women would like to do, but have not the courage to attempt. Affairs are further complicated, and the uproarious fun further heightened, by a hard-riding, polo-playing grandmother, enacted by Edna May Oliver, and a dense but amiable swimming champion, played by Larry (Busten Crabbe. Box plans are now open at the D.i.u

SPECIAL CHILDREN'S PROGRAMME A special children's talking picture programme will be screened at the Majestic Theatre at noon to-morrow and also at the 2.30 p.m. session. This attractive programme, which has been especially selected for the little folk, includes all the favourites. In addition to the hilarious feature-length comedy, "We're Rich Again," starring Marion Nixon and Edna May Oliver, there will be "Behind the Screen," a perfect riot, featuring the one and only Charlie Chaplin; "Wax Works," the further adventures of Oswald the Rabbit; "Fair Play," an amusing Scrappy cartoon; "The Terrible Troubadour," with Pooch the Pup; "Another Wild Idea," Charlie Chase's latest mirthquake; "School for Romance," a fine musical romance; "House Cleaning," one of the popular Aesop Fables; and, last, but not least, Fox World News. Reserves at (id are available at the D.I.C. REGENT "viva, villa;" "Of Human Bondage" will be screened finally to-night at the Regent Theatre. In the colourful drama "Viva, Villa!" which will head the new programme at the Regent Theatre to-morrow, Wallace Beery gives u performance which must rank with the best yet seen on the screen. Previously, this fine character actor has appeared mainly in humorous roles, and his portrayals in "Min and Bill," "Tugboat Annie," "The Bowery," and "The Champ" are well remembered. However, in this film he has been given a good opportunity to display his dramatic powers in the role of Pancho Villa, the revolutionary Mexican leader. This dominant figure heads a band of peons, who, like himself, are goaded into action by the cruel injustice and oppression of the wealthy classes. At first, he serves under Francisco Mac". _ra, who later becomes President of Mexico, after a revolution. When Madera is assassinated. Villa is filled with a desire for revenge. This th-.e there is no guiding hand to temper brutality, and Villa treats his enemies mercilessly. At last he achieves his ideal, and Mexico takes her place among nations. There are many touches of comedy in the film, and a tender romance also is introduced. It is a well-balanced piclure, which makes excellent entertainment. The supporting cast includes Fay Wray, Leo Carillo, Stuart Erwin, and Donald Cook, all of whom perform very creditably in important roles. Box plans are now open at the D.I.C.

LIBERTY "THE HELL CAT" AND "FACES" "Strictly Dynamite" and "The, Right to Live" will be screened finally tonight at the Liberty Theatre. "The Hell Cat'" and "Faces" will comprise the attractive double-feature programme at the Liberty Theatre tomorrow. Three of Hollywood's bestknown players, Robert Armstrong, Ann Sothern, and Minna Gombell are featured in. "The Hell Cat," an original screen concoction of comedy, melodrama, and thrills. It presents a colourful treatment of the "taming of the shrew" theme in the story of a young spitfire society debutante who falls in love with a presumptuous youn newspaper man audacious enough to hit her back when she slapped his face for attempting to take her photograph. Briefly, the story concerns the efforts of the incensed debutante to tame the hard-boiled, cynical newspaper man. The comedy-drama, "Faces," tells the story of a young London suburban girl who works in a West End beauty parlour. Her work makes her envious of the clothes and riches of her clients, and she soon is attracted to a rich business man with disastrous results. The cast includes Anna Lee, Harold French. Walter Sondes, Kate Saxon, Moore Marriott, and Mary Gaskell. Box plans are now open at the D.I.C.

TIVOLI "LITTLE MAN, WHAT NOW?" "One More River" will be shown finally to-night at the Tivoli Theatre. "Little Man, What Now?" the entertaining drama which will open a season at the Tivoli Theatre to-morrow, is a cross-section from life. The players are natural and unaffected, and both Douglass Montgomery and Margaret Sullavan, the principals, give probably their best performances yet, due, no doubt, to the fact that under the skilled direction of Frank Borzage, there is no call for overacting or saccharine sentimentality. In fact Borzage is to be congratulated on the restrained' manner in which the film has been produced. To the casual observer, the life of theman-in-the-street is bereft of drama and strong emotional experience, but "Little Man, V/hat Now?" depicts with true and uncxaggerated realism the drama of every man. In this story of the struggles and mistakes of a young and romantic married couple, the husband, a poorly-paid clerk, there is infinite entertainment, if, perhaps, for no other reason than that the lives of most of the audience are dramatised upon the screen. There is pathos, but is is always handled with natural restraint and delicacy, and, as in the lives of most men, there are silver linings to the clouds. Perhaps this film, more than any other, illustrated the potentialities of the cinematic medium to present a translation of the life which is real in the true sense of the word. "Little Man, What Now?" will enter - tr.in both the naive and the sophisti* cated, so universal is its appeal. While Loiiglass Montgomery and Margaret Sullavan hold the stage for most of the time, the supporting cast are unusually distinguished and make definite contributions to the success of tiie entertainment. Box plans are now open at the "EVERGREEN" Jessie Matthews, one of the leading English screen stars, rises to great heights in "Evergreen," C. B. Cochran's famous London stage play, which will be presented at the Tivoli on Saturday week. "Evergreen" is among the screen successes of 1934. The star is assisted by a strong cast, including Sonnie Hale, Betty Balfour and Barry Mackay. Jessie Matthews appears in the part she played in the stage production, investing it with her compelling charm and revealing her distinct flair for the dramatic. She is given her big opportunities in the piquant situations provided by the story, sings delightful numbers and dances with lissom grace. "Evergreen" is more than a musical comedy. Tender romance and strong drama are both to be found in it. lis story conveys a more novel idea than any that has reached the screen for many a day.

GRAND + "01 T ALL NIGHT" "Tugboat Annie'' will be presented finally to-night at the Grand Theatre. "Out All Night," starring Slim Summcrville and Zasu Plus, will begin a return season at the Grand Theatre to-morrow. It contains one laughcompelling situation after another, plenty of brilliant, sparkling comedy, and hilarious situations heightened by the awkward droll figure of Slim and the doleful, bewildered expressions of Zasu. Summcrville is seen as an unsophisticated "mother's boy," whose mother has purchased Pullman tickets for the bridal couple for the wrong night, and has thus subjected her precious offspring to a rather depressing experience. Box plans arc now open at the D.I.C.