CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21423, 15 March 1935, Page 7

CITY THEATRES

MAYKAIR woNB NUiHT OK LOVE" -ew a» d thrill in * entertainment awaits motion audiences who sec Columbia's ViCht of Love," starring the '& i u * go idcn-voiccd Grace Moore, "commence a season at the [♦ • Theatre to-day. This picture ' r n screened with almost unprc*LlSd success iii America and Aus- . and is described by the critic *s. "Dominion" as iollcws: "What a thow.' il wonder- • 'l'm S°' nc ,0 " ei ' lhat J;,ictui " c •'- , 4 f hat a vo.ee,' 'The best show *<»" vears'-thosc and many '"hr remarks were heard as the Audience emerged from Ihc State *%t la=t nifiht after Ihe Presen- ' „ rf Columbia's woncicrlul musi~Vancc. 'One Night of Love.' *rthas for its star none other than Crace Moore, an intcrnationally*ln <oprano. 'One Night of Love,' »H is now in its tenth week in „n and which has been .screenr7'7 Auckland .-inec January 25, is *.,« departure in musical lilms. II 'been described as -ju.-t the type film that <>ne lias always: : s 7nodonc would like to ;rn. That "J* describes it better than anything * Combining, as it does, a good % perfect act.nm. a brilliant east. . j number of the most tuneful V 7 from well-known grand operas. tsg film thnt should, and undoubt-'.-B'ill- live leng m the inemories % who see it. The story concerns "Viing American girl who goes to '- ■ to learn to be an opera singer. fi] singing in a cafe she meets a singing teacher, who says he her famous. !• rem then on, .tjudience sees and hears the trials 7-he would-be star dining her period She is virtually a prisoner -iehome of her teacher, who cmiJj'her every movement, and who 7a chooses her food. Gradually she Wcses famous, but m doing so she C: to break awaj' from her wealthy African lover. When the time fin"ycones for her ctcbuf in the Mclro£jjninNew Vork. she realises that rthas reached a crisis in her life. f-i*. happens forms a delightful set--77 for her supreme triumph, ivjughout the tilrn Mis.- Moore gives Trenarkablc performance, for not -Vis she a singer of note (she is ttil known at the Metropolitan;, but i-fisalsoa finished actress—and unlit the majority of divas she is slim ddresses beautifully. As her teacher bilked, i have always wanted n fenen who weighed less Ihau the 7IM Interposed into Ihe story arc i'sumber of operatic sequences in nich Miss Moore, is permitted to sing svoal of the greatest arias written 7ausic masters of the operatic stage. 'is opening operatic number, most ;iverly worked, is an aria from 'La Janata.' Later she is heard in the itisf 'Chiri Biri Bin.' the 'Haberaa' from. 'Carmen.' 'The Last Rose if Summer.' and finally in two scenes fas 'Madam Butterfly.' Her render3of 'One Fine Day.' which closes •:t show, is unforgettable. She also !njs 'One Night of Love." Miss Sere's voice is unique, for she is as ah at home in a coloratura number •in a deep contralto one. Her range amazing. Assisting the star are Uio Carminati, who. as the singing I.fcther. gives a flawless performance, el Mona Barric, the personification »smartness and sophistication. Lyle Talbot is also prominently cast. The srttinss are beautiful, and the sound L'doubtedly eclipses anything previnsly recorded on the screen. All the aincr characters play their parts to perfection." Tne supports are excellent and well "tried. MAJESTIC "CHARLIE CHAN IX LONDON" "Charlie Chan in London." the sixth '■z of the popular detective scries; r ii head the new programme at the fcjtstic Theatre to-day. This smil- -'; Oriental criminologist, again jsyd by Warner Oiand. is always a aarful figure, and his humorous XlKophical sayings are delightful. *d has achieved Ins greatest triin the same part in such pic--ssas "Charlie Chan's Courage," and ?ar!ie Chan's Chance." Oiand plays s!role to perfection, and his bland Sof witty old-time proverbs is oniy galled by his accurate, swift, and fjial summing-up of a situation. His film is claimed to be the best of The action- is swift nad the r* is ingeniously conceived. In his ?st adventure, Charlie Chan invades serfock Holmes's realm, London, to the most amazing mystery of his career. A man is doomed ; : Jaog for murder, but his sister bef'tshim innocent. She pleads with to take the case and try to find £fral murderer and exonerate her 5-B.er. With only (ia hours rcbefore the innocent man must death. Chan gels to work. He lie is working against time and Hgoerer who has the cunning of a i Urue Leyton. who will be recalled rjf feminine lead in "Charlie Chan's jSJ&'playsthe romantic lead op*»«ay Milland. Others in the cast •«onaßarrie, Alan Mowbray. Mur.'lUnnell, Douglas Walton, Walter fifiifi R C £ vt ' Gcol ' Re Barraud. David Torrence, John England, Elsa Buchanan, Fred Aryylc will prctetf^V 1 ! 80 " B,ossom Timc " (tho t «01 Schubert), featuring Rae Fos--55 Plans are now open at the D.I.C. LIBERTY PHERLGCK HOL.MFS" AND 1 'THE LEMON-DKOr KID" C?? !t a film based on K" Cunan Doyle's most thrilling iv, tile Damon Runyon story, ■ lemon-drop Kid," will comprise double-feature proejt the Liberty Theatre to-day. iifc! Tracy in the title role ' Mack, William Frawlcv and *casW eli head 'ng the support- !% L le Ler! 'ion-drop Kid" is a and oftt ' n dramatic Slfciii fast - ta lking, self-assured «uow who, following an tinN'to £?« ade at a race track, is iiraaliT ' down to Ihc quietness ***&y anUi" - i An cx,JCrl blending ( flonzat ,^' ama c »"-'cs the picsr*aielim fast P acc - T| i<-'rc is an ' »B.V/aH? ',, Vv,!]l «m Frawlcy, 1 "^JISft 1 ?'" 1 fiab -' L cPoy. < 2 S e - great dctcclh-c. finds i sPitied JUllCtion wilh Scotland 1 S« C, I nd nl saj l£t stcrs re- < &lff\i bO, - h sidcs ol ' ,hc At " J Sft 1 ? Eprun S by Holmes, i S* f rJl n s s Moriarty to the J Wtom?" the basis of °»e of I h«S »r ß f nd exci t j "g screen »l»»Th^ 0^ ced - Miriam JorISt th» ; eadlng feminine role I C0lto? i 5 om " ntic "Merest with , Sh2 ? » biR casf ai ' c Ernest {Robert Mundin and Alan { *s are now open at the f

TIVOLI "CLEOPATRA" "Cleopatra," which has been screened with conspicuous success at the Regent Theatre during the last week, will be transferred to the Tivoli for a short season, beginning to-dav. The picture telis the story of Egypt's* glamorous queen and her intrigues with the Roman leaders, and some great ugurcs of history pass across tne screen. Critics are unanimously of opinion that "Cleopatra" is more than equal in splendour to such pictures as "The Ten Commandments," "The Kmg of Kings" and "The Sign of the Cross." No fewer than 8000 players were engaged in its production. Nothing is too big for Cecil B. de Mille to attempt, and in "Cleopatra" he has gone the limit in his endeavour to produce something of towering magI nificence. All the lavish spectacle of I Egypt, the magnificence and power of Rome, with COO chariots. 500 black slaves, 1000 steeds and 300 dancing Sir Is, Cleopatra's abduction to rieso- , late wastes of the burning desert, the ballet of the leopards, Calpcrnia's banquet, the siege of Alexandria and its spectacular battle. the astounding battle of Actium, the Egyptian serenade to the str.:-;—these and more are presented on the screen, while the love romance of Cleopatra and Csosar and Mare Antony is unfolded. Claudcttc Colbert plays the rolo of Cleopatra: Henry Wilcoxon. Marc 'Antony, and Warren William, Julius Box plans are now open at th" D.I.C. PLAZA "MADAME DU BARRY" "Madame du Barry," a masterly screen production, depicting the intimate life and loves of the famous beauly who ruled the court of King Louis XV., with Dolores del Rio giving a superb performance in Ihc title role', will be shown finally at the Plaza Theatre to-night. No pains have been spared in producing the picture, which is lavishly costumed, capably acted, and directed with real feeling and historical accuracy. Reginald Owen plavs opposite Dolores del Rio as King Louis XV., and the others in the cast include Victor .lory. Osgood Perkins, and Verrcc Tcasdale. "MISTER CINDERS" English humour of the brightest variety is offered in "Mister Cinders," thj sparkling British musical comedy which will head the new programme at the Plaza Theatre to-morrow. Taken from the popular stage play of the same name, the film is to some extent a parody of the Cinderella theme, but it follows no strict rules. It is an excellent farce, and the performances of the irrepressible Clifford Mollison and the vivacious Zelma O'Neal are refreshing for their sheer youthful spirit and clever comedy. Clifford Moilison is seen at his best in the role of Jim, a modern masculine Cinderella, who is required to do all the dirty work in the household of his titled stepmother and his two brothers. The brothers, the counterpart of the ugly sisters in "Cinderella," are played by those incomparable comedians, Kenneth and George Western. These highly original performers have become well known as gramophone stars, and their songs can scarcely fail j to appeal. One of their best numbers i is "Delightful People, Aren't We All?" ■ which, it is said, is alone worth twice the admission money to hear. To Jim's aid comes Jill Kemp, daughter of an American millionaire, posmg as a new maid in the Lancaster house- i hold to avoid unpleasantness following j an upsetting encounter with a local ; policeman. Sharing their labours, the two find a mutual attraction, and when Jim's family prevent him from going to the ball (held to celebrate Jill's coming-of-age), she persuades him to go. clad in a full suit of armour, as j the Earl of Ditcham. In this role, . many and amazing are the things that happen to him. The Earl of Ditcham, • as everybody knows, is a famous ex- ! plorer, and Jim has many an awkward | question fired at him about South i America and other remote countries, j The climax is finally reached after a ,' series of hilarious incidents, in which I the aspirations of his aunt are com- ! pletely exposed, and his romance with i the young American heiress is ful- j filled.

Zelma O'Neal plays opposite Mollison as Jill, and this is the third time that they have been seen together. Zelma O'Neal is fcst becoming one of the screen's most popular comedians, and her performance in "Mister Cinders" further adds to her reputation. Rence Houston had a special part written to suit her own personality, and the famous comedian is seen as a postmistress who takes a prominent part in village theatricals. W. H. Berry, one of the best of stage comedians, has (he role of the village policeman, and in "Mister Cinders," which, incidentally, is his film debut, he excels himself. Edmond Breon, Finlay Currie, Esme Church, Lorna Storm, Edward Chapman. Sybil Grove, and Henry Mollison also have important roles. Among the song hits introduced are "Spread a Little Happiness," "Where's Jim?" "I Could Gel Used To You," and "Just a Blue Sky." CRYSTAL PALACE "LONDON SPEAKS" The London in "London Speaks," the film which has entered a second week ai the Crystal Palace, is the real London, the great metropolis throbbing with life and bright with a million lights. Greater Australasian Films hav offered it on the screen, not as Ihe setting for an entertainment, but as an entertainment itself. For London is always before us—in history, jii literature, in the news of the day—and New Zealanders attach a certain sentiment to it. In fact, everything that one has imagined one would do and see if a trip to London became a possibility is in the film. "GRANDAD RUDD" THEATRE ROYAL AND CRYSTAL PALACE Rarely arc picturegocrs given the opportunity of enjoying such a fine entertainment as the Australian comedy, "Grandad Rudd," which will be shown at both Theatre Royal and Crystal Palace to-morrow. Based on the famous series of Steele Rudd stories and centred around the bighearted Rudd family, it is full of laughs, romance, and drama. Entirely different in settings from "On Our Selection," in which the Rudds were shown in humble circumstances, a family of struggling farmers, "Grandad Rudd" presents them, with troubles and hardships now things of the past, as prosperous citizens with one of the biggest farms in the country, a palatial homestead, and cottages for each individual family. "Grandad Rudd," played by Bert Bailey, is still the same cantankerous, humorous old man, "and still barks at the "boys," Dave, Dan, Joe. and the rest, as he orders them about the farm. But "Grandad Rudd" has a big worry on his mind. Betty (played by

I the charming New Zealand girl, Elaine • Hamill), his lovely granddaughter, is I in love with Henry Cook, a young ; agent of a rather shady character. While not hesitating to take advantage of Henry's love for Betty by getting a good price for his hay, "Grandad" puts his head together with ,Tom ! Dally, a young selector (played by ani other New Zealander), who is also in i love with Betty. Fate takes a hand in their game and sends to the village a person who can give them the needed information about Henry. This is Shirley Sanderson, a theatrical player, whose show is playing in the j town. In the meantime Dan has been i making love to the simple Amelia. la l this Dave sees an opportunity to get , rid of Dan, and so stages a party to "celebrate" the engagement while I "Grandad" is away. Into the scene of ] the secret, of boisterous < merriment ! walks "Grandad," breaking up the l party. This and many other hilarious ; scenes contribute to the enjoyment of ! the picture. Excellent photography | which does justice to the beauty of Australian landscape is a further praiseworthy feature of the film. A feature of the picture will be the appearance on the stage at both Iheatres each evening of Colin and Jock, the Campbell Boys, who will gave a selection of concertina items. All children attending the matinees to-morrow will be given a bag of sweets. Box plans are now open at the D.I.C. REGENT "CHAINED" "Chained," which has been described by North Island critics as "a film of outstanding merit," will commence a season at the Regent Theatre to-day. Both the principals, Clark Gable and Joan Crawford, have already established a splendid reputation for themselves in the screen world, and the quality of their performance in this production undoubtedly brings them fresh laurels. But although due praise must be given them. Otto Kruger as Richard Field portrays the New York business man and husband to whom Joan Crawford as Diane Laverley finds herself so unfortunately "chained," with such rare skill that his performance also calls for special notice. Stuart Erwin as the irrepressible Johnnie is to be commended for the admirable manner in which he delivers his very subtle witticisms, and for the sincerity of his hero-worship for Mike Bradley, which part is so splendidly taken by Clark Gable. The film is fast moving, covering a diversity of scenes, and intersoersed with a refreshing humour. There are, however, some dramatic moments, when the beautiful Diane breaks one man's heart to save a man to whom she is indebted from suffering. The tenseness of these scenes, however, is dispelled by Clark Gable's engaging personality. Other characters who appear briefly but impressionably are Una O'Connor, Marjorie Gateson, Akim Tamiroff, and Paul Porcasi. A fine supporting programme includes "The Spectacle-Maker." This musical revue is the first of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's Colourtone novelties. Box plans are now open at the D.I.C. "THE BARRETTS OF WIMI'OLE STREET" "Summon all the adjectives at your command; coin a few new ones if necessary, 'The Barretts of Wimpole Street' is, in every sense of the word, a magnificent triumph for all concerned." Thus the critic of the "New York Tribune" wrote concerning the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production which will come shortly to the Regent Theatre. "Norma Shearer as Elizabeth Barrett now stands unchallenged as the first lady of the screen. Here is a performance so sensitive, so sincere, that it brooks no comparison with her previous successes. Fredric March gives Robert Browning the dash, and fire that is in his best manner. Charles Laughton does the tyrannical father with restrained power. Nor does the perfect casting end with its stars. Every supporting role has been filled with just the right performer."

CIVIC "ARE YOU A MASON?" After an exceptionally successful season of more than two and a half weeks at the Civic Theatre, the last performances of "Are You a Mason?" and "Passing Shadows" are now announced. This very popular programme will be shown definitely for the last timc to-night. "THE BROKEN ROSARY" Encouraged by the world-wide success of the recent musical .romances, "Lily of Killarney" and "Danny Boy," the British studios have now produced a further film of this type in "The Broken Rosary," and to-morrow at the Civic All-British Theatre, it will be screened for the first time in the southern hemisphere. Inspired by Gounod's "Ave Maria," "The Broken Rosary" has been classed as a film that charms, in which humour, romance, and drama have been skilfully blended. Apart from its very appealing story, it possesses several of the most beautiful old-time songs ever heard on the screen, namely "Ave Maria," "Sally in our Alley," "Summer Night," "Somewhere a Voice is Calling," "Speak to Me of Love," "The Minstrel Boy," "Bless You," and "Waiting at the Church," the last-mentioned being sung •by the. popular stage comedienne, Vesta Victoria. Derek Oldham, the celebrated English tenor who thrilled vast audiences at Drury Lane for more than two years in "Rose Marie," is the star in this musical romance, and he is supported by another stage favourite, Jean Adrienne, who, besides an attractive stage personality, also possesses exceptional vocal talents. "The Broken Rosary" has all the factors that combine to make entertainment, offering unusual appeal to all classes of picture-goers. Three splendid supports precede the main feature. Box plans are now open at the theatre, where seats may be reserved at no extra cost. GRAND "THIS WEEK OF GRACE" Few artists have so distinctive a personality as that of Gracie Fields, the Lancashire comedienne, who heads the strong cast in "This Week of Grace," which will begin a return season at the Grand Theatre to-day. Gracie Fields brings to the screen that robust type of humour which made her the most popular variety artist in Britain. In "This Week of Grace" she appears as Gracie Milroy, the daughter of a Lancashire gar-age owner, and the part gives her frequent opportunities to display her talents. Her father reads in a newspaper , that a typist has been left a fortune by an old gentleman for whom she did small services, such as carrying his bag and helping him across the road. In the hope of obtaining a similar reward, Gracie offers to carry the bag of a gentleman travelling on the bus next morning. Then the fun starts. Henry Kendall is admirably cast as Lord "Swinford, while Frank Pettingell gives a good portrayal as Grade's father. The supporting programme will include Chapter 1 ("Guns of Doom") of the exciting serial, "The Perils of Pauline." Evalyn Knapp plays the title role in this gripping chapter play and she is supported by a big cast, including Pat O'Malley, William Desmond, Robert Allan, James Durkin, and John Davidson. "The Perils of Pauline" is an up-to-date talking version of the famous serial which thrilled millions of film enthusiasts some years ago. Box plans are now open at the D.I.C I