CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21400, 16 February 1935, Page 8

CITY THEATRES

MAJESTIC

4 "THE CAT'S-PAW"

Harold Lloyd, the solemn, bespectackled comedian, whose adventures rocked theatres all over the world in the days of the silent films, will be seen at the Majesic Theatre to-day in "The Cat's-Pa.w." No wisecracks pass his lips—he is still the honest, simple young man blundering along in a wicked world, but always blundering in the right direction. It is an uproarious comedy. Taking the role of the sly and inoffensive Ezekiel Cobb, he appears as the son of a missionary in China who has received a liberal. education in the classics—both Chinese and European—and has become thoroughly steeped in the philosophy of a Chinese savant, Ling Po. He returns to his home town, Stockport, where the local politics are marked by corruption and vice, and where his Chinese philosophy and habits make him grotesquely out of place. He is still that sly, timid young man, always doing and saying the wrong thing, and quoting Chinese proverbs to meet the most impossible situations,- but he is also the centre of an interesting and highly amusing story. He is persuaded to offer his services as mayor, simply because the rival faction is convinced that he will not be elected, but, somehow, his child-like simplicity arouses the public sympathy. Inspired by a charming cigarette-seller, Petunia Pratt, a part convincingly taken by Una Merkel, he .determines to clean the city and exterminate the "organisation" at the head of affairs. Cobb's utter simplicity and ignorance of American politics lead him to revert to Chinese methods for the suppression of crime •in the city. A strong supporting cast includes George Barbier, Nat Pendleton, and Grace Bradley. George Barbier as Jake Mayo, Cobb's sponsor in the election, gives an exceedingly clever portrayal, while Nat Pendleton as the frightened "gangster" also is very good. Box plans are now open at the D.I.C. APPLE-EATING COMPETITION A special attraction on the stage at the Majestic Theatre this afternoon will be an apple-eating competition for boys and girls. The prizes include watches, fountain pens, annuals, and chocolates. LIBERTY "SING AND LIKE IT" AND "KEEP 'EM ROLLING" "Sing and Like It," an uproarious comedy, starring Zasu Pitts and Edward Everett Horton, will head the outstanding new double-feature programme at the Liberty Theatre to-day. Walter Huston and Frances Dee are the leading players in "Keep 'Em Rolling," the drama which will be screened in support. In "Sing and Like It," which is reported to be one of the funniest comedies of the season, the woeful Zasu Pitts is seen as a wouldbe prima donna. The plot concerns the efforts of a gangster to boost Zasu Pitts to stardom after she has touched his heart with her singing of a plaintive "mother" song. Others assisting in the fun are the laconic Ned Sparks, Nat Pendleton, Horton, and Pert Kelton. "Keep 'Em Rolling" reveals intimate glimpses of a soldier's life, and authenticity is given to the picture by reason that most of it was made at Fort Myer, Virginia, the home of the Third Cavalry and Sixteenth Field Artillery, Whose officers and men took part in its production. It is an adaptation of "Rodney," the story by Leonard Nason, which appeared in the "Saturday Evening Post," and tells how a faithful horse conquers a soldier's rebellious spirit. Walter Huston and Frances Dee are supported by Minna Gombell, Frank Conroy, and Robert Shayne, and the picture contains more drama, comedy, romance, and pathos than the original magazine story. Box plans are now open at the D.I.C.

GRAND "SUNSET PASS" Action is the keynote of Zane Grey's colourful romantic drama, "Sunset Pass," which will begin a return season at the Grand Theatre to-day. The large all-star cast is headed by Randolph Scott, Tom Keene, Kathleen Burke, Noah Beery, Harry Carey, and Kent Taylor. "Sunset Pass" tells of the stirring adventures of a Cattlemen's Association deputy who is assigned to run down a gang of cattle rustlers. Among the numerous thrills are a raging prairie fire, the stampede of an enormous herd of cattle, and plenty of hard riding and bitter gunplay. The supports will include Chapter 9 of the serial, "Gordon of Ghost City," a Charlie Chaplin comedy entitled "The Immigrant," and a special film of the Royal wedding. Box plans are now open at! the

GAIETIES REVUE COMPANY

REGENT "NOW AND FOREVER" . Five-year-old Shirley Temple again reveals her -amazing talents in "Now and Forever," which will commence at the Regent Theatre to-day. This Child actress, who delighted audiences with her brilliant portrayals in "Stand Up and Cheer," "Baby, Take a Bow," and "Little Miss Marker," maintains the high standard of her previous films. In "Now and Forever" she is given a part opposite the star, Gary Cooper, and the taanner in which she portrays the role of the daughter is truly remarkable. She has been on the screen only a comparatively short time, but bids fair to establish a precedent in a quick rise to stardom. The story deals with the exploits of a pair of light-fingered rogues, who, after flitting from town to town evading the police in a happy-go-lucky existence, are loaded with the responsibility of taking care of a little girl. Both then attempt to reform, and everything goes \tfell until the man is hard pressed to find the money for the child's education. Temptation is placed before him in the shape of a valuable diamond necklace worn by the hostess at a party held on the eve of the girl's departure for school.. The complications and problems which beset the principals in their efforts to become law-abiding citizens form the theme of a very fine story. Carole Lombard is as captivating as ever, and her personality and charm are much in evidence. Gary Cooper is seen at his best as the irresponsible father and jewel thief, and his splendid performance assures his maintaining his popularity on the screen. The supports will include "Springboard Champs," a special film for swimmers, featuring Pete Desjai'dins, world-champion high and low board diver. Box plans are now open at the D.I.C. CRYSTAL PALACE «I)AMES» What attracts people most to a talking picture—a t good story, good music, or pretty women? It is a problem that Warner Brothers, heroes of the musical extravaganza, have apparently been asking themselves, and they have put forward their solution in calling their latest film "Dames," which is thoroughly good entertainment, and contains not a dull moment. The cast includes most of the players who have already won themselves popularity in Warner Brothers' earlier "extravaganzas." Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler, and Joan Blondell are all starred, and together with them is a truly wonderful comedy team in Zasu Pitts, Guy Kibbee, and Hugh Herbert. Dick Powell as radiant as ever, is the scapegoat out-of-work nephew and "blighted" branch of the family tree of Ezra Ounce, played by Hugh Herbert, an American multimillionaire and founder of the Ounce Foundation for the Elevation of American Morals. Uncle Ezra's morals and millions cannot prevent his nephew from running a musical comedy show in one of New York's leading theatres. The "show" brings in the catchy songhits, chief of which arc the theme song "Dames," "I Only Have Eyes for You," and "The Girl at the Ironing Board," the last an outstanding success, sung by Joan Blondell, the everpresent chorus girl who extracts a large sum from an innocent old man. Ruby Keelcr's dancing has already received high praise. Here she is as good as ever. Guy Kibbee is outstanding among the comedians. He is the poor victim of circumstances, who is hoping to get 10 of Uncle Ezra's millions. Zasu Pitts, always in trouble, is as pathetic as ever as his wife. TIVOLI "OUTCAST LADY" Michael Arlen's story of a very gallant lady, as told in his well-known novel "The Green Hat," forms the basis of the sincere and moving drama, "Outcast Lady," which will head the new programme at the Tivoli Theatre to-day. Produced with the customary Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer deft-

ness, and most ably acted by principals and supporting cast alike, the film captures admirably the post-war atmosphere which was so prominent in the novel. Constance Bennett gives undoubtedly the finest performance of her screen career as the notorious Iris March, descendant of a luckless and decadent stock, who is prepared to sacrifice her reputation and her happiness to shield her worthless brother. The story has many curious and fantastic twists, as most of Arlen's plots have, but the power of the acting, particularly Constance Bennett's, makes it a very noteworthy picture. Iris March becomes a figure which is tragic in its faults. Her pride and her inflexible courage form the very means by which her character is most bitterly attacked by the world, but they make her a personality which retains the deep interest of the audience throughout. Playing opposite Constance Bennett, as Napier, Herbert Marshall gives a typically restrained character study, while Ralph Forbes is also excellent as Captain "Boy" Fenwick. Henry Stephenson, Elizabeth Allen, and Mrs Patrick Campbell are also prominent in the supporting cast. ]3ox plans are now open at the

PLAZA "THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO" A remarkable picture with an even more remarkable cast—"The Count of Monte Cristo"—has now entered its second week at the Plaza Theatre, and in it Dumas's immortal story is faithfully and convincingly brought to the talking screen. The directors have shown an almost uncanny , skill in translating a novel of such length and complexity as "The Count of Monte Cristo" to the screen, and the picture brings back vividly to the observer all the genius of the famous writer. Written in the time "that Napoleon was in banishment at Elba and Louis XVIII. held sway in France, the work brings to life again some of the important historical occurrences that deeply affected Europe at that time. The film represents the period in costume and scenery with accuracy and taste, and one obtains a true perspective of the life of the time. The story itself is gripping in the extreme, and is enhanced in this fine production. Two of the actors are outstanding—as Edmond Dantes, Robert Donat, the London stage star, gives a perfect characterisation, while O. P. Heggie, as the Abbe Faria, is excaptionally good. Elissa Landi makes a charming heroine, and every member of the supporting cast does full justice to his part. Edmond Dantes, an unwitting victim of a plot against the King of France, is sentenced to sßlitary confinement in the prison at Chateau d'lf by a rival for the affection of his sweetheart, Mercedes. There are three concerned in his unfair condemnation—Mondego, De Villefort, and Danglers. Dantes endures terrible privations in the. dungeon, remaining there for 20 years. The prison scenes ar .• full of great sadness, and the meeting between Dantes and another prisoner. Abbe Faria, touches the sympathy of the audience. Together they plan to escape, and spend years laboriously chipping away stone to make a tunnel down to the sea. The Abbe dies, but leaves in Dantes's hands a plan to immense wealth on the island of Monte Cristo. Escaping by daring methods, Dantes discovers the wealth and sets about wrecking the lives of those who secured his banishment

CIVIC ."NELL GWYN" So successful has the opening week of the British Dominions' production, "Nell Gwyn," proved to be at the Civic All-British Theatre that an extension of season has been found necessary, and this very popular film will commence its second week today The continued popularity of this outstanding film in Christchurch is only an endorsement of opinions in both Great Britain and America, where the film earned the title of being the finest production yef released from British studios. There nave been several period plays reiS B ! 6^^ but no one could say that Nell Gwyn" is a mere exploitation of a craze. It may be regarded in a class by itself and is refreshingly different from all previous productions. The charming actress, Anna Neagle bursts into her full glory as Sweet Nell with as ravishing a performance as the screen has ever seen Miss Neagle plays Nell as history depicts her, unrestrained and daring a woman of unabashed personality ready wit, and bodily charm, and her dancing to Edward Germain's dainty

incidental music is something to be remembered. Sir Cedric Hardwicke eclipses all previous performances in a magnetic portrayal of the Merry Monarch, King Charles 11. Whether he is playing the gallant lover to Nell or conferring with his ministers on matters of state, Sir Cedric makes the King arresting and entertaining. In settings, dressing, and photography the production reaches a very high standard, and certainly enhances the 1 already high reputation of British pictures. Four excellent supports precede the main feature. Box plans are now open at the theatre, where no extra charge is made for reserves.