CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21333, 28 November 1934, Page 8

CITY THEATRES

THEATRE ROYAL "THE REGIMENTAL LADY" "The Regimental Lady" is even far more delightful than its name. It is a musical romance so finely balanced and so well acted that it earns recognition as one of the best films of its kind—a most refreshing kind—that it has been the pleasure of Christchurch to enjoy for some time. There is music, there is comedy, there is dancing, and there is romance in plenty in "The Regimental Lady," but of none of them is there too much. The balance preserved all through the film, the gloriously funny story with infectious music blended as an indispensable part, an achievement of which so many other musical romances have fallen short. And not only are 'the story and the music so good, bui the acting of the whole cast is pleasing; the players have caught the sprnt of the story and expressed it far better than did the players in so many other musical romances. In this "The Regimental Lady" is a tribute to the Sound City studios, from which a succession of equally good films has been produced lately. The appearance of new stars—at least new because of their so infrequent appearance in films that have come to Christchurch—contributes a great deal to the enjoyment of the picture. Tamara Desni, the Russian star, who leads the feminine cast, has not been seen here since she appeared a good many months ago with Jack Hulbert. It is a pity more is not seen, and heard, of her. With her plays Harold French, a young London musical comedy star, who as the philandering duke whom women iind it impossible to resist, is gloriously l'unn.v, and has a pleasant voice that is heard in several songs, particularly the infectious "We must have music every day," the theme song of the film. French, as the Duke of Nottingham, is appointed to the British embassy in a continental town, and from the moment of his arrival there his propensity for attracting and being attracted by women gets him and almost the embassy into trobule. The wives of two Ministers fall in love with him as soon as they set eyes upon him, and the successful negotiation oi a treaty is jeopardised for some time until a beautiful ballet dancer (Tamara Desni) saves the situation and wins the charming duke. The story is pleasantly light—that is one big reason why it is so attractive —but it. is not one of those for which, as so often in musical romances, excuse.; have to be made. The gorgeous situations into which it places the principal players are sufficient in themselves to be satisfying. The strong cast includes Morten Selton, who is Nottingham's tolerant chief at the embassy, ami Reginald Gardiner, who is the secretary to the embassy and Nottingham';; "warder."

APPEARANCE OK NEW ZEALAND AIRMEN McGregor and Walker, the New Zealand airmen who came fifth in the Melbourne Centenary Air Race, will appear in the Theatre Iloyal on Friday night and wiil tell some of their experiences. REGENT ''•MY SONG FOR YOU" The name of Jan Kiepura and the reputation of "Tell Me To-Night" filled the Regent Theatre on Saturday night for the screening of his second picture, "My Song for You," produced by the Gaumont-British Company. "My Song for You" is built on the saina lines as its predecessor, and the producers have again managed to capture the Continental flavour and spontaneity which made "Tell Me To-Night" cnc of the most popular films of 1933. The settings are Vienna (where we are privileged to see some very impressive rehearsals in the State Opera House) and one of those lovely watering-places in the south of France where the sun alwavs shines, and the sky is alwavs blue The film moves at an exhilarating pace, derived as much from the comedy scenes as from the romance about which it has been written. There is some magnificent singing by Kiepura, JK c , ast , at Gatti, a tenor who holds much the same place in EuroP °, a f n fa ™ ur as he does in fact liirnKiepura has a voice of magnificent quality, and its brim's out in great volume. Tn the church Kiepura sings very beautifully the most favoured setting of "Ave Maria " vvjth organ and violin companiment. A very prominent part is taken again by Sonnie Hale as the great singer's secretary. The girl whom Gatti finds so attractive rehearsal is Aileen Marson, a very Ticut and pretty actress. There is definitely a European flavour about the setting, photography, and movement of the picture; and this quality is one of its strongest recommendations. "BRIGHT SIDE II'" "Bright Side Up," which will commence at the Regent Theatre on Saturday, has been hailed as a worthy successor to "Sur.nyside Up," only instead of Janet Gaynor, a charming new English star, Pat Paterson, heads the cast. Supporting her arc John Boles. ' whose singing of "Waiting At The Gate For Katie," is one of his best performances, Herbert Mundin, Spencer Tracy, Sid Silvers, and Thelma Todd. The film combines rollicking comedy with beautiful romance. It relates how three merry rogues and a disappointed beauty contest winner crash the gates of Hollywood. Interwoven with the story are four song numbers that give promise of being "hits" of the year. They are "Waiting at the Gate ~S! 1 . Katie," "Turn On The Moon," ' Little Did I Dream," and "I'm Throwing My Love Away." An additional attraction is an appearance on the stage of the "Gypsy Vagabond" and his eight Romanies, singing "Gypsy Love Song." "Oh, Play To Me, Gypsy," and "I Travel' The Road." Box plans are now open at the D.I.C. GRAND "HIE CAT AND THE I'TDDLE" Both Ramon Novarro and Jcanette Macdonald perform splendidly in the spectacular musical romance, "The Cat and the Fiddle," which has begun a return season at the Grand Theatre. Some of the later scenes are in colour, and help to display the handsome pair and their settings. Frank Morgan is the rich bad man who tries to steal Jcanette from Novarro, and Charles Butterworth supplies excellent comedy. Box plans are now open at the D.I.C. ;

PLAZA

"BULLDOG DRUMMOND STRIKES BACK" There are few people who have not the capacity to enjoy a real honest-to-goodness melodrama like "Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back." Those who go to see "Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back" at the Plaza will go as much lor Ronald Colman, who returns as the redoubtable Captain Hugh Drummond, as they will for Sapper's full-blooded story. Colman acts so well and has such a keen sense of humour that he succeeds in making the extravagant adventures of the master sleuth seem to be almost possible. Throughout Drummond faces his antagonists with remarkable coolness and escapes when his life seems lo be hanging in the balance. The whole action takes place on a single, foggy night in London. After attending the wedding celebrations of his friend, Algy, Drummond is making his way home through -the fog when he encounters first a girl in distress, and then a dead body in a weird and empty house. Though he has just promised Inspector Nielson, of Scotland Yard, that he will retire to Surrey and grow hollyhocks, the combination of these two circumstances is too tempting and he embarks lightheartedly on the new adventure. Although frustrated again and again. Drummond goes iridefatigably on. outwitting Prince Achmed and his villains as well as the police, and ultimately he saves his country from a major disaster. This is all highly melodramatic and thrilling, but the film has a good deal of comedy as well as some very bright dialogue. Prominent in the supporting programme is Mickey Mouse's latest adventure, among the Lilliputians, a delightful and charming fantasy of Walt Disney. "TWENTY MILLION SWEETHEARTS" A distinct innovation in film entertainment is offered in Warner Bros.' "Twenty Million Sweethearts," which will be shown at the Plaza Theatre on Saturday. The picture, which is based on the story by Paul Finder Mo.ss and Jerry Wald, is a combination of comedy, romance, drama, and rare musical numbers. Dick Powell takes the lead as a singing waiter who leaps to fame a, a radio crooner. Opposite him plays Ginger Rogers, who has frequently sung over the radio and also in musical comedy on the New York stage. They are ably supported by a •strong cast, including Pat O'Brien, Grant Mitchell, the four Mills brothers, and Ted Fio Rito and his band. Several novelty numbers are given by the four Mills brothers, including "It Wasn't, Told to Me—l Only Heard," and "How'ni I Doin'?," while "Fair and Warmer," another excellent "hit," is given by Ted Fio Rito's orchestra. As the radio .star, Powell sings some excellent numbers, and in "I'll String Along With You," which has rhythm, swing, engaging words, and is sung with all his engaging personality, the star excels himself. The production, which combines drama, comedy, and romance in a well-defined plot, gives an inside picture of radio entertainers and their task of pleasing the public. The story deals with their romances, their joys and tribulations, and their struggles and successes.

MAJESTIC

"STAMHOI'L QLEST"

A thoroughly good -st>y story is "Slamboul Quest," which opened at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday. There have been many spy .stories put on the screen recently, when the movies have appeared to become conscious of 11 10 spy story as something rather better than the usual type of thriller with the stage detective, the suave criminal, and all the rest of the trappings. "Stamboul Quest" is different, because, beside any amount of thrilling situations, there is genuine humour in large quantities. Above □ 11, "Slamboul Quest" has Myrna Loy in the lead, and that is sufficient to guarantee the bona tides of any lilm. She is far more than merely beautiful. She is an actress of very great ability, and moreover, is one of the few American actresses who can make her point without unduly emphasising it. Her performance in (his latest lilm is very good ; indeed. In "Stamboul Quest," "Myrna Loy is represented as the woman who sent Mali Hari to her death, because Mala Hari made the fatal error of failing in love with the man she was sent to extract information from, and the story opens on this somewhat ruthless note. Myrna Loy, Ihe myslcrious Fraulein Doklor of the German intelligence service, goes to Constantinople to carry out the work left undone by Mata Hari but unfortunately for her, falls in on the way with a most charming Ameriean doctor, a young man who will not take no for an answer. He follows her to Constantinople, and only by consummate cleverness is Fraulein Doktor able to extract herself and the young man from tlm gravest difficulties. Unquestionably, "Stamboul Quest" is among the best, of the films °I 'I s type to be put on the screen in ChristehuiTh for a long time. Laurel and Hardy appear among the short features in one of their best comedies to dale, unfortunately only a short one, "Towed in the Hole." CRYSTAL PALACE "DOUJSLE DOOR" An unusual mystery story is presented at the Crystal Palace Theatre this week in "Double Door." fn it Ann Morris appears as a sort of female Frankenstein, except that she is her own monster. She is certainly thoroughly convincing in her portrayal of a bitter and evil old woman, whose desire for power nearly wrecks a whole family. Beside her, the other characters are unimportant; they do little more than provide her with material to work with. Evelyn Venable makes a charming heroine as. the young wife whom the old woman particularly dislikes. The story, the action of which takes place in 1006, tells how Rip Van Brett, ihe heir of a wealthy New York family, who is under the guardianship of his aunt Victoria, marries, in spite of a great deal of opposition from his aunt, Anne Darrow, who, as a mere nurse, is an outsider. Hip retains confidence ui In.-. wife, and elects to leave New York with her and finally to break with his aunt, even though she controls his fortune. Then Victoria lures Anne into a secret sound-proof room built by Rip's father and forgotten since, and leaves her to suffocate. The end is unexpected. The story belongs to a type that was popular some years ago, but it is admir-' ably adapted to the screen, and even if its events are not always credible, it is certainly entertaining and well acted.

CIVIC "THE NIGHT CLLiIJ QUEEN" As the theatre will be otherwise engaged, there will be 110 pictures screened at the Civic All-British Theatre to-day or to-morrow. On Friday British Dominions Films will present the final screening of "The Night Club Queen." Lovers of good acting and a logical story should riot miss seeing the famous actor, Lewis Casson, and Mary Clare, in this absorbing drama. "THE BROKEN MELODY" John Garrick, who appeared recently in "Lily of Killarney," will be seen again 011 Saturday next at the Civic Theatre in the latest British success, "The Broken Melody." Like its successful predecessors, "In a Monastery Garde?)" and "The Lost Chord," tli} lilm oilers entertainment, seen only too seldom. Based 011 the immortal melody of the same name, the production has every claim to the title it has earned—"The picture beautiful." John Garrick is given every opportunity to exploit his talent in this film, and his singing of the beautiful melodies is a feature that will linger long in the memory of all who hear him. "The Broken Melody" is an enthralling romantic drama which holds one's interest from the time the story unfolds to its dramatic close. Romance and dramatic suspense blend into a fine and interesting story. Garrick is supported by a cast including the screen's new sensation, Merle

Oberon and Margot Grahame. Box plans for this attraction will open to-day at the theatre at 10 a.m., where seats may be reserved at no extra cost. TIVOLI ' JESSIE MATTHEWS IN "EVERGREEN" Is it because of any m.. lerial or < spiritual instability of our own time that the world seems to lake such increasing delight in excursions into the past? When C. B. Cochran produced "Evergreen" on the stage, he dipped : deeply into tli. social life of Edwardian days, and it does seem from the glimpses given in the film -hich followed, that the days of the Edwards were rollicking and jolly in a way that the newer generation can keenly appreciate. Give us more glimpses as entertaining as these and we might actually be envying the young days of our fathers and mothers. In any case it is said that London took this stage play to its heart and it seen.s that the film based on the play is having a similar good fortune universally. Even the clever impersonation of , that vivacious and ingenuous young star, Jessie Matthews, cannot make less ; marked the distinct Jne of cleavage which separates the social life of our generation from that of the last. The . very effective and spectacular staging of the film play emphasises this cleav- 1 age all the more as the world- swings ' from the polka to he Great War and ] from champagne bottles to bullets. The same thing makes all the more 1 improbable the very pretty and ingen- j ious story of a gn' who masquerades ac her mother, a former stage favourite of Edwardian days. As her mother, 1

Jessie Matthews trips and trills delightfully through tht gay inconsequential scenes which make most of the entertaining film. She has a voice of elfin quality: she dances with sprightly grace at times, at others with sinuous meaning; she sings the songs which many of us heard at a time when we had no memory to speak of, and they delight us the more for that. Sonnie Hale bears very well the task of providing most of the laughs. His style is fresh, sincere, and crisp. Betty Balfour makes a welcome return and shows us that there were even Edwai-dian golddiggers. There is also considerable success for Barry Mac' y, enterprising' publicity man whose best "stunt" implicates him in a crime which the country and the courts find it easy to forgive. The film is well put together, spectacularly taged and provid:d with splendid music. LIBERTY I "WHOM THE GODS DESTHOY" AND "PRIVATE SCANDALS" The double feature programme at the Liberty Theatre thir week is made up of "Whom the Gods Destroy" and "Private Scandals." The first is a tale about human emotion:, and the second ir a murder mystery. "Private ScandyV presents Zasu Pitts and Ned Sparks, two popular comedians, Phillips Holmes and Mary Brian and Lew Cody. Cody plays the part of an embezzling financier who is found dead. He had threatened to commit suicide, but when suicide is advanced as a theorv for his death Sparks does not accept it. "Whom the Gods Deaiscj"' is remarkable lor Uue t&sabnees vifipur

of its plot, and for the actijig d. Wjj®* Connolly. Doris Kenyon and Young, who have prominent paro. } very well, but the whole picture dominated by Connolly.