CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21404, 21 February 1935, Page 11

CITY THEATRES

PLAZA ••THE (01 NT OF MONTE CRISTO*' 'Tf Cciin' c-f Monte Cristo, - ' an out•a"d!ii3 fi!nl '•"•'' th an clltslanc!in S cast, ha-Vow entered its third week at the plazr. Theatre. The directors have thovn an almost uncanny skill in translating a novel so long and so com_iex io the screen, and the picture brin n s back vividly to the observer £ jl tfie genius of Alexandre Dumas. Two of the actors are outstanding—as EdmoJ.d Dantes, Robert Donat, the London stage star, gives a perfect characterisation, v.-hile O. P. Heggie. as the Abbe Farir:. is exceptionally good. Ejirtci Landi makes a charming herou,e"a:'id every member of the supporting' cast does full justice to his Edmond Danles. an unwitting vic'tim c£ a plot against the King of fraJicc, is sentenced to solitary 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 Danglars. Dantes endures terrible privations in the dungeon, remaining there for 20 years. The prison scenes are full of great sadness, and the meeting between Dantes and another prisoner. Abbe Faria, touches the symfatby of the audience. The Abbe dies, ut leaves in Dantess haads 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.

'TRANS-ATLANTIC MERRY-GO-ROUND" Romancr, adventure, comedy, music, tong and dance are delightfully bten'ic'] m "Trans-Atlantic Merry-Go-JRomid." the film which will fellow "The Count of Monte Cristo" at the P!aza Theatre. An excellent cast of tcreen and radio stars is seen in this novel ijroduction. Jack Benny is the t'tr-ial master of ceremonies, broadcasting his radio programmes from a palatial ocean liner plying between Ner York and Europe, aboard which the entire action of the story takes place. Nancy Carroll is delightful as Sally, the star of the performers, and Gene Raymond . cor<-~ heavily as a youn?. Raffles The passengers aboard the lintr include Sydney Howard, a relebratr-d English comedian, Sid Silvers as Raymond's comic confederate, Sidney Blachmer ss Lee Lother, a :eoundrelly Broadway racketeer who .s pursuing Sally. Shirley Grey, as a parried woman who is infatuated with h'.in, Ralph Morgan as her suspicious husband, and William Boyd as an escaped sunmaii who is slowing away aboard the liner. The mystery develops when Lother ir found dead in Sally's cabin. Suspicion falls on each in turn, and it takes a .second murder to solve the first. Four tuneful son? hits—"lt Was Sv.ee! of Von." "RccJt and Roll," "Oh. I*o," and "If I Had a Million Dollars" --are muodu'.ed in the production.

CRYSTAL PALACE

"TP" r\-E OF THE HOWLING nor." "D .rr.c: " th« musical comedy which *: *.o\v i)j its .second week at the Crystal Paiacc Theatre, will be screened f.nr-'jy to-morrow night. "The Case cf the Howling Dog," one <£ 13j:• best mystery films of the year, '/ill begin the Crystal Palace Theatre on Saturday. An original rsote is struck in this picture, where instead of the familiar detective taking the central part of the plot, the outstanding character is a criminal lau-ytr. Perry Mason. Not only does he eontrivt; to be on the spot when a murd'-r is discovered, and to collect fome important evidence which the polite, >n I heir impetuosity, overlook, fc'-M he- al?o has the admirable faculty of playing hie cards at an opportune fiionent, to tl.o embarrassment of a eocksu re* prosecution. The mystery which surrounds the howling of an Alratian poiicc-dog, and the subsequent disappearance of a man and his *•'"£ are admirably sustained and when JJason c'iscloses in court that not one, •"Jut three, murders have been committed, the audience in the theatre is >!most as dumbfounded as that in the courtroom on the screen. There are more surprises to follow, and the final unravelling of the case is of intense interest. Warren William is admirably cast as the criminal lawyer who never loses a case, and the leading -munine roles are well taken by Mary Astor and Helen Trenholme. Allen Jenkins, as the "dumb" detective, and ./rant Mitchell, as the overbearing "id vindictive district attorney, are [c A excellent in their roles. Others n the cast who do unusually fine are Helen Lowell. Harry Tyler, rl! i r ~ Aylesworlh, Russell Hicks rank Reicher, and Addison Richards. tJIC* Plans are now open at the TIVOLI *THE MAN' WHO RECLAIMED HLS HEAD" Outcast Lady," » clever screen e -aptation of Michael Arlen's widelyread novel, "The Green Hat," is being wiown at the Tivoli Theatre this week. Constance Bennett, a star whose strikes personality and talent for playing «teeply-emotional roles have assured , : ? r . a large following, takes the part Imh March, and opposite her, in use roxe of Napier, is that faultless Herbert Marshall, whose flair romantic portrayals, particularly there is a touch of drama, ernindi? 6u ' ts him * or the part. «-*,• l e ** an Reclaimed His Head," aich will be presented at the Tivoli Jfleatre on Saturdav. is a magnetic '«ma moving so swiftly and fearlessly ,!k ' screen 'hat it holds the intl 1 £ P ei 'boun(J. Not only is it glenoid enter'.sinment—it is a supreme that amazes with its daring and * A 'ith the ruthlessness with "left jt lavs bare the perfidy of some i,/, 0 05e as leaders and who are. at .parasites who live and thrive n their betrayal of other men. This picture comes at the moment when its u.oject flatter has such a tremendous t»n n^ ona ' importance. The story v.-T*. of . the plight of a man who sells tki so that he can give his wife lh. j Rs £ he wants and his daughter if? advantages of education and pleasf?J'"groundings. His employer, who real fee !ings under a clgak of respectability, is actuSfly a who deals in wholesale ®*BjQer. . Claude Rains takes the role ma n who puts his own head on man's shoulders, and he gives &»!?.» ■ touching portrayal. Joan "wtitu, as his wife, gives the finest »*normance of her career. Lionel i« lH.1? P°rtrayal of the suave villain atw? £ ex cellent, and the performthe other members of the . nothing to be desired, r Plsns are now open at the D.I.C.

MAJESTIC "CARAVAN" "The Cat's-Paw," starring the inimitable Harold Lloyd, will conclude its season at the Majestic Theatre tomorrow. "Caravan," which is reported to be one of the most brilliant screen productions to come from Hollywood, will open at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday. A big cast is featured in this romantic love story of the Tokay wine harvest. Charles Boyer, a Continental star, appears as a dashing gipsy musician, and Loretta Young plays the role of a gay countess. Other principals are Jean Parker, Phillips Holmes, and Louise Fazenda, while such distinguished players as Eugene Pallette, C. Aubrey Smith, Charley Grapewin, and Noah Beery are given strong supporting parts. The film introduces gay song hits and the score was especially written by Werner Richard Heymann, who was taken t,o Hollywood from Vienna for this assignment. The musical numbers are the romantic "Wine Song," performed both vocally and on the violin by Charles Boyer. a bright and sparkling dance tune. "Ha-Cha-Cha." and a highspirited number, "Happy.l Am Happy." "Caravan" was produced for Fox by the celebrated Continental director, Erik Charell. His initial American production combines splendour of setting and a lavishness unusual in sound films with subtle comedy and sparkling dialogue. The sweeping exteriors of "Caravan" are matched in effectiveness only by the delightful interludes of intimate comedy. Box plans are now open at the D.I.C. REGENT ."EVENSONG" "Now and Forever," starring Carole Lombard, Gary Cooper, and Shirley Temple, will be shown finally to-mor-row night at the Regent Theatre. "Evensong," a picture with a wealth of charming singing, will head the new programme at the Regent Theatre on Saturday. Evelyn Laye is starred in this screen adaptation of Beverley Nichols's famous book, and she is supported by Fritz Koriner, Conchita Supervia, Alice Dclysia. Carl Esmond, and Emlyn Williams. The story shows how a gifted singer must sacrifice, for the safe of her art, most of the things contributing to the fullness and enjoyment of life. Evelyn Laye contributes her best work to date in a brilliant characterisation which affords the fullest opportunities for her vocal and histrionic talent. She gives a convincing portrait of Irela, the world-famous singer who does, in fact, sacrifice everything, even human love, for the career which in her declining years has become an obsession. But she is merely bumble Maggie McNeil—an Irish girl who has a voice with great possibilities. Moving rapidly, the colourful story tells of her rise to fame until the great Irela has become the idol of two continents and has the world at her feel. In support of Eve- , lyn Laye. who holds the screen throughout with her appealing portrait of the unhappy singer, are Fritz Kortner, in a finely sympathetic study of' her faithful, but sardonic manager; Carl Esmond as the luckless Archduke, and Emlyn Williams as George Murray, the youthful composer who induced the little Irish girl to go with him to Paris to begin her career. Box plans are now open at the D.I.C. CIVIC "ARE YOU A MASON?" After a most successful two weeks" season, "Nell Gwyn," starring Anna Neagle and Sir Cedric Hardwicke, will be shown finally at the Civic Theatre to-morrow night. On Saturday, at the Civic All-Bri-tish Theatre, British Dominions Films will present Twickenham Studios' talking picture version of "Are You a Mason?" one of the most popular and successful comedies ever presented on the stage. When released in Australia recently "Are You a Mason?" was greeted with tremendous enthusiasm, the present generation of theatregoers revelling in the opportunity of seeing a comedy that has been famous for the last 30 years. The story deals with the various attempts of Frank Perry, a young married man, to obtain money from his mother-in-law, and the hilarious situations arising from the fact that both he and his father-in-law have pretended to become masons in order to please their wives keep an audience in continuous laughter. Two favourite stars, Sonnie Hale and Robertson Hare, head the comedy team, other wellknown members being Lewis Shaw and Dave Burnaby. The beauty and romantic angle is supplied by two newcomers to the screen, Gwyneth Lloyd and Joyce Kirby. Booking has already commenced, giving an indication of the interest the forthcoming season has aroused. Patrons are advised to make early application for reserves at the Theatre, where no extra charge is made. LIBERTY "SING AND LIKE IT" AND "KEEP 'EM ROLLING" Well-varied entertainment is offered in the double feature programme —"Sing and Like It" and "Keep 'Em Rolling"—which is being shown at the Liberty Theatre this week. Zasu Pitts, with her indecisions, her mournful eyes, and her hands which seem always to be in the way, is one of the screen's most popular tragic comedians, and as Annie Snodgrass in "Sing and Like It" she gives a performance equal to her bes?. She is supported by Nat Pendleton,- Edward Everett Horton. Bert Kelton, John M. Qualen, ■and Ned Sparks. "Keep 'Em Rollin." is the story of a man's undying love for a horse. In this picture Walter Huston scores another success m the part of Benny Walsh, a capable but incorrigible artilleryman in the United States army, who gravitates alternately between the ranks of private and sergeant. Others in the cast who give good performances are Frances Dee, Minna Gombell. Frank Conroy, G. Pat Collins, and Robert Shayne. GRAND "SUNSET PASS" "Sunset Pass," which is now being shown at the Grand Theatre, is the twenty-eighth Zane Grey story to be 'Umed. Among its numerous thrilling scenes are a raging prairie fire, a mad stampede of an enormous herd ot cattle, and plenty of hard riding and bitter gunplay. The cast mcludes Tom Keene, Randolph Scott, and Kathleen Burke. . Also on the programme, is another chapter of "Gordon of Ghost City.

THEATRE ROYAL "CATHERINE THE GREAT" AND "MOULIN ROUGE" Two very fine pictures—"Moulin Rouge" and "Catherine the Great"— which scored such outstanding successes when they were screened previously in Christchurch, will comprise the new double-feature programme at the Theatre Royal on Saturday. Elizabeth Bcrgncr is really outstanding as "Catherine the Great," and it is in no small measure due to her unusual ability that the picture is such a success. It is easy enough to make an interesting spectacle out of a film based on history, but it takes a great deal more skill on the part of both producer and actors to make such a film interesting as a human story. And this is chiefly where the success of "Catherine the Great" lies—thanks in the main to Elizabeth Bergner, and the assistance given her by Flora Robson as the Empress Elizabeth and Douglas Fairbanks, jun., as the mad Grand Duke Peter. Expression and grace of movement are the qualities which mark Bergner out as an actress, and which show that real acting is needed for the films. Most film faces are mere empty masks, but hers Is alive, and she conveys meaning not merely by her voice and the obvious devices of tears or laughter, but subtlety by her whole features. But it must not be thought that she is all actress and nothing woman; in "Catherine the Great" she achieves a moving and wistful beauty. Douglas £airbanks, jun., makes a thorough success of the part of the Grand Duke Peter, and swings with ease from one mood to another. Flora Robson is even better as the Empress Elizabeth, and Sir Gerald du Maurier gives a polished performance as the Frenchman Le Cocq. "Moulin Rouge" is a musical comedy, and in certain respects it is outstanding. Unlike many films of its type, part of its strength lies in its plot, which, while unusual and at times a little fantastic, is convincing. The comedy is sparkling, piquant situations being turned heavily to account, wnile the lavishness of the production, although subordinated to the plot, makes the musical scenes extremely colourful. It would seem that producers are never done in inventing novel staging, chorus, and ballet effects. Constance Bennett takes the leading role, and her performance takes her into the first rank of stars in this particular type of entertainment. She plays a dual role. She is, at one time, the temperamental French musical comedy star, and at another the ambitious, "go-getting," and frank American music hall singer trying to make her name starred in an American musical comedy. Dual roles are often dangerously unconvincing; but in this picture she avoids every pitfall by her skilful handling of every situation. Further, the dual role supplies the producer with any amount of opportunity to exploit piquant and exciting complications in an amusingly tangled plot. Constance Bennett has a pleasing voice of sufficient quality to enable her to score heavily from the catchy song material "Moulin Rouge" offers. Franchot Tcno plays opposite her. He is one of tho younger stars whose popularity will be increased by this portrayal. Altogether "Moulin Emige" may be summed up as being first-class, refreshing entertainment with a savour all its own.