CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21510, 27 June 1935, Page 3

CITY THEATRES

♦ TIVOLI , "THE PAINTED VEIL" "The Lives of a Bengal Lancer" will be shown finally at the Tivoli Theatre to-night. No actress on the screen to-day can challenge comparison with Greta Garbo in the wide range of her artistry. "The Painted Veil," which willi be transferred from the Regent tomorrow. provides her with a story fitted to her peculiar gifts, in that Somerset Maugham, the author, has therein depicted a character curiously blending ccmrage and lack of sophistication. The character is destined within a short space of time to run the gamut of many human emotions, from j a complete careless surrender to happiness, down to a consequent bitter selfloathing. The supreme artistry with which Greta Garbo, by subtle changes of expression, reveals these feelings, marks her out. For that reason alone "The Painted Veil" is one of the finest pictures that have been seen here in recent months. But there is more than- the wonderful acting of the central figure. The scene for the most part lies in China. A brave and successful attempt been made to reproduce the colourful but inevitable pageant of the East. Facets of its life are faithfully shown, from the ordinary turmoil of its daily life to the strange happenings on its festivals. One scene of the latter stands out particularly, a powerful and authentically presented reproduction of one of China's ancient myths. Pageant, music, and dance combine in a striking spectacle. The others in the cast make equal contributions to the picture's success. Herbert Marshall, on this occasion the doctor who runs all personal risk in the attempt to stem a cholera epidemic, has rarely revealed greater powers of acting. George Brent plays the part of the lover with an engaging insouciance. Briefer appearances are made by Warner Oland and by Jean Hersholt, each a master in presenting his own particular type of character. The cast is a powerful one and there are no weaknesses. A special word of praise is due to the photography, which throughout is of a high standard. Mention must also be made of the exquisite costuming of Greta Garbo, which seems to achieve the maximum effect by very 6imple means. The box plans are now open at the Di.C. THEATRE ROYAL "THE COUNT OP MONTE CRISTO" "A Very Honourable Guy" and "Romance in Manhattan," the current attractions at the Theatre Royal, will conclude a successful season to-night. A remarkable picture, with even a more remarkable cast. "The Count of Monte Cristo" is having a return season at the Theatre Royal, commencing to-morrow, and in it Ducsas' immortal story is faithfully and convincingly told. 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 exceptionally good. Elissa Landi makes a charming heroine and every member of the supporting cast does full justice to his part. Edmond Dantes, the unwitting victim of a plot against the King of France, is sentenced to solitary confinement 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, j The prison scenes are full of great sadness, and the meeting of Dantes and another prisoner, Abbe Faria, touches the sympathy o£ the audience. Together they plan to escape, and spend years laboriously chipping away stone till they reach the sea. The Abbe Faria dies, but leaves in Dantes' hands the plans to an immense treasure. Escaping by daring methods, Dantes discovers the fortune and plans to wreck the lives of those who had secured his I banishment.

MICKEY MOUSE'S PARTY On Saturday morning, July C, at 11 o'clock, a Mickey Mouse's party will be held at the Theatre Royal. The programme will include children s cartoons, and every child present will receive a piece of Mickey's gorgeous cake. Plans are now open at the D.I.C. GRAND "THE GAY DIVORCEE" Besides being a remarkably funny, gay, and brisk comedy, "The Gay Divorcee," which is having a return season at the Grand Theatie, presents striking and lavish settings and many talented beauties. This spectacular musical production features Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, and was adapted for the screen from Astaire's international stage hit of the same title, which scored 288 performances in New York and ran for six months in London. A second and even more laughable romance is provided by Alice Brady and Edwatd Everett Horton, in which the inimitable Alice Brady pursues Horton with marital designs. The supports will include chapter 3 of the serial, Pirate Treasure."

MAYFAIR "BROADWAY BILL?' Exactly why horse racing Is known a3 "the sport of kings" the world over, even in those countries which have no kings, is revealed in "Broadway Bill," an excellent film version of the popular stage play, "Strictly Confidential," which will be shown finally at the Mayfair Theatre to-night. Drama, comedy, and deep pathos are features of this production. A perfect partnership is that of Warner Baxter and Myrna Loy, and it is largely on their appearance together that the success of the picture depends. Baxter takes the role of a carefree, independent young man, and Myrna Loy that of a charming young girl deeply in love, but without any display of sentimentality.

"LADDIE" "Laddie," the talking screen version of Gene Stratton-Porter's world-famous novel, will head the new programme at the Mayfair Theatre to-morrow. This charming production was made by the RKO-Radio Studios, which gave filmgoers "Little Women." Filled with the same charm that made the book the favourite of an estimated 40,000,000 readers, and possessed of the same dramatic qualities, "Laddie" is played by an outstanding cast headed by John Beal, who rose to fame through his work opposite Katharine Hepburn in "The Little Minister," and by Gloria Stuart, who is not only beautiful, but also a brilliant actress. This glamorous romance of the Indiana youth who loves the English nobleman's daughter, but finds he has to battle the barriers of caste and wealth to win her for his own, is said to make a delightful picture. In addition to having one of the most celebrated of all the great loves of fiction, it has fine comedy sequences, and its emotional elements are sincere and realistic. Surrounding John Beal and Gloria Stuart are such sterling performers as Charlotte Henry (of "Alice in Wonderland" fame), Virginia Weidler, Gloria Shea. Dorothy Peterson, Donald Crisp, Willard Robertson, Greta Meyer, Jimmy Butler, and Grady Sutton. Box plans are now open at the D.I.C.

MAJESTIC "WINGS IN THE DARK" "Lottery Lover" will conclude its season at the Majestic Theatre tonight. The supports include a Fred Argyle stage presentation. "Wings in the Dark." a film which must undoubtedly rank as out of the ordinary, and one which should find a universal appeal through its IjhriljinS drama, charming romance, and bright comedy, will head the new programme at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow. Although the popularity of aviation in .modern fiction and on the screen might well have tempted the producer to include too many stunt scenes at the expense of a logical plot, thi:> criticism cannot be levelled against this gripping drama of the_ struggle to conquer the greatest barrier to the progress of aviation —fog. Not only is the picture an excellent one from the point of view of entertainment, but it also shows the possibilities of controlling aeroplanes by radio beams. The story is that of a young airman who has invented a device w'nicn makes "blind" flying feasible. It is his intention to fly the Atlantic in a iiooded aeroplane to prove his invention, but some ill-timed publicity re-J suits in permission from the_ Government being withheld. A daring trix incites him to attempt the flight without permission, but in preparing to take-off he suffers an injury wiilch results in blindness for on indefinite Deriod. The gripping climax is a fitting conclusion to a pretty and heroic romance. Acting honours must go to Myrna Loy. whose naturalness and restraint make her portrayal all the more impressive. In a role which could easily be marred by over-acting, Gary Grant is superb. Some delightful humour is supplied by Hobart Cavanaugh, as a laconic Scots meplans are now open at the D.I.C. LIBERTY "THE COUNTY CHAIRMAN" AND "GAMBLING" That love should not interfere with politics is the theme of the main attraction at the Liberty Theatre week. The picture is entitled "The County Chairman" and the story tells of an exciting election in an American county for the district attorney. Will Rogers, as uncouth and lovable !as ever, makes an ideal and living county chairman. Kent Taylor, as the adopted son of the county chairman, and his choice as a candidate for the attorneyship is convincing, while the part of the sitting attorney's beautiful daughter is played by Evelyn Venable. Stepin Fetchit, Will Rogers' coloured manservant, adds much of the comedy by his drawling voice and funny actions. The story of a loving father who on the day of his daughter's expected return from her college in Europe finds first that she has eloped and then that she has been murdered, is told in the other attraction at the Liberty this week, "Gambling." Having made his money by running a gambling club, hp sacrifices all this and even gives himself up to the police that he might attain his object: discover the murderer of his daughter and show the person up in the eyes of the world. George Cohan and Dorothy Burgess are excellent in the leading roles.

CIVIC "KENTUCKY MINSTRELS'* Only one more day remains for theatregoers to see "Kentucky Minstrels," at present showing at the Civic Theatre. Possessing a charming "true-to-life" story, with a delightful strain of humour running through it, and containing several of the popular old minstrel songs, this production is an excellent entertainment for both adults and children. I - "TEN MINUTE ALIBI" No play since the war has caused more excitement or met with more universal enthusiasm than Anthony Armstrong's famous "Ten Minute Alibi." Nov/ in its third year in London, more than 1,000,000 people in Great Britain alone have seen the stage version. This sensational play has now been brought to the screen, and to-morrow at the Civic All-British Theatre it will be presented for the first time in the Southern Hemisphere. A most distinguished cast has been gathered together, including several members of the original stage production. The cast is headed by Phillips Holmes, who is making his first appearance in British pictures, Aileen Marson. who is already well known to picturegoers, and Theo Shall, the celebrated Continental star, who appeared with Greta Garbo in the German version of "Anna Christie." The story of "Ten Minute Alibi" unanimously acclaimed as the most ingenious plot presented on stage or screen, tells of a broken romance between Colin Derwent (Phillips Holmes) and Betty Fendon (Aileen Marson). when the latter falls prey to the suave charms of Phillip Sevilla (Theo Shali). Betty and Sevilla plan to leave for Paris, but Colin is determined to stop them. He dreams of an amazing plan to kill Sevilla, in which he has an absolutely complete alibi. Just as they are about to leave he carries out his dream. The contrast with the dream is a strong one, for unforseen flaws crop up, but finally—well, that is something patrons must see for themselves. An excellent supporting programme, together with the appearance of Miss Iris Mason at the grand organ, who is now nearing the end of a successful four-week season, complete an entertainment of outstanding merit. Box plans are now open at the theatre, where seats may be reserved at no extra cost.

THE PLAZA "LORNA DOONE" "Lorna Doono," which is showing at the Plaza Theatre this week, is one of the best English films yet produced. The; story itself is well enough known to need no recommendation, and it lends itself admirably to tilm treatment. It moves in a series of vivid events, full of action, well linked together and skilfully handled by producer and cast. The atmosphere of seventeenth century England seems to be completely genuine, and the beauty of some of the rural settings is an excellent feature of the picture. The characters, all of them, are portrayed with the skill which the best English actors can show. .John Loder, who plays the part of Jan Rkld, has made a well-deserved reputation in roles very different from this, and in this picture he shows how versatile he can be. He is supported by Victoria Hopper, who makes a charming Lorna Doone, acting well throughout. No less pleasing is June Holdcn, who takes the part of Lorna as a child. A splendid character study is given by lio/jer Livesey, who plays Tom Fag.!,'us, the highwayman who settles down to bo a squire when he marries Jan Ttidd's sister Annie (Margaret Lock wood). Ma Clare as Mistress Ridd, Amy Veness as Betty Muxworthy, and Roy Emerton as Carver Doone are other outstanding characters, but it would be impossible to name all who contribute to the entertainment of the picture.

AVON "SWEET MUSIC" TO-MORROW "A Girl of the Limberlost" will be presented finally to-night at the Avon Theatre. Rudy Vallee and Ann Dvorak are starred in "Sweet Music," the spectacular film which will open at the Avon Theatre to-morrow. Scores of beautiful girls take part in the lavishlystaged dance ensembles, and Vallee is heard in half a dozen catchy songs written especially for the production. Ann Dvorak also sings and dances in the spectacular numbers. Vallee's i Connecticut Yankees appear in the picture with the Frank and Milt BritI tori Band. The music and lyrics were written by three of the most famous [American song-writing teams, Warren land Dubin, Dixon and Wrubel and Fain and Kahal. The picture, which [carries a definite plot, features romance, drama and hilarious comedy. It is the story of a young college boy who organises a band and makes good as a crooner and orchestra leader in the big night clubs and over the radio. He falls in love with a beautiful dancing girl and helps her up the ladder to success although she thinks he is jealous of her and is trying to ruin her career. Others in the cast are Ned Sparks, Robert Armstrong, Allen Jenkins, Alice White, Joseph Cawthorn, Ai Shean, Phillip Reed, William B. Davidson, Russell Hicks and Addison Richards. The novel dances and specialty numbers, in which scores of beautiful girls take part, were staged by Bobby Connolly. The impressive settings for these dances include a streamlined train in which Ann Dvorak leads a group of talented dancers., two cabarets and a big stage performance. Box plans are now open at the D.I.C.

REGENT "THE CAMELS ARE COMING" TO-MORROW "The Painted Veil" (Greta Garbo) will conclude its season at the Regent Theatre to-night. Jack Hulbert, the popular English comedian, is starred in "The Camels are Coming," the rollicking comedy which will start at the Regent Theatre to-morrow. Previously cast as a policeman In "Jack's the Boy" and a sailor in "Jack, Ahoy!" Hulbert is this time seen as an English squadronleader in the Egyptian Air Force whose particular mission is to track down Egyptian drug traffickers. Hulbert's faculty for getting in and out of trouble is as great as ever and his performance must further enhance his claim to be regarded as the leading English film comedian. Hilarity is the keynote of the picture. Exciting situations are brilliantly burlesqued, and there are many episodes of glorious comedy. A scene between Hulbert and a camel that seems capable of doing anything except talk is one of the highlights of the piece. The dialogue of the picture is extremely well written. allowing the fluent Hulbert greater opportunity than usual in a branch of comedy in which he excels. His interviews with a formidable superior officer form some of the most amusing scenes in the film. Episodes at the beginning of the story are made in the newsreel style, with a humorous commentary, and th-~ result is both novel and amusing. Apt use is also made of the air "The Campbells Are Coming," from which the film gets its most appropriate title. The supporting players, Sluiough to a large extent overshadowed by Hulbert, all give sound performances. Peter Gawthorne, as a fire-eating colonel, and Allan Jeyes, as a sinister Sheik, are especially good. Box plans are now open at, the D.I.C. CRYSTAL PALACE "MERRY WIVES OF RENO" "Merry Wives of Reno" will be shown finally to-night at the Crystal Palace. An exceptionally strong comedy team has been assembled, and the audience is carried along on a wave of mirth as it follows the marital mix-ups which lead three families into the divorce "mill at Reno, and sees husbands and wives become entangled in a series of extremely compromising situations. Heading the cast are Margaret Lindsay, Glenda Farrell, Ruth Donnelly Donald Woods, Guy Kibbee. and Hugh Herbert The supporting items are well selected, and complete a pleasing entertainment.

"JOURNAL OF A CHIME" rtutli Chatterton is given the greatest opportunity of her career to display her unusual dramatic talents in her latest picture, "Journal of a ij.'rimc," which will begin a season at the Qryslal Palace Theatre to-morrow. The picture is based on a powerful drama by the noted French _ playwright. Jacques Deval, and depicts the effect of a murder on a woman whose fine instincts and delicate sensibilities who kills an unscrupulous rival because she is wrecking her home. Nj;it that the picture is a psychological study by any means, for there is plenty oi action, beginning with the slaying of a popular musical star in a theatre during rehearsal, the chase and capture of a criminal, and winding up with a climax that is said to have one of the most novel twists ever conceived for the screen. The more dramatic scenes take place in the theatre during rehearsals of a musical show, which also affords an intimate insight into the backstage life of Parisian theatrical folk. Other sequences take nlace in a fashionable Parisian home, in the prosecutor's office, behind the grim walls of the famous Sante prison, in the gay cafes and night clubs, and on the French Riviera. Miss Chatterton has the role of tne murderess, and Adolphe Menjou takes the part of the husband. Claire Todd as the home-wrecker, Noel Madison as a murderer. Douglas Dumbrill as the prosecutor, and George Barbier as the producer in whose theatre the tragedy occurs, all give excellent performances. Others in the cast include Henry O'Neill, Phillip Reed, Hc-nry Kolker Frank Reicher, Edward McWade. Walter Pidgeon, Frank Darien, Clay Clement, and Else Janssen.

STATE "ISRIGHTEYES" Specially written for the juvenile star, Shirley Temple, "Brighteyes," which will begin its third week at the State Theatre to-morrow, provides good entertainment of a sentimental type. The talc is simple enough—there has been no unnecessary cudgelling of brains to think out a complicated plot. There is an orphan child, jealously guarded by a number of indulgent selfconstituted foster-fathers. These "fathers" happen to be the staff of a large American airport, which is a pleasant thought, of the producers since not oniy small orphan giris are interested in aeroplanes. Shirley—she is called Shirley in the play—spends most of her time at the airport, watching the aeroplanes take off and land, her one ambition being to lly. Her godfather is a pilot employed at the port. Her father had been a pilot. Some little way off, her mother is employed as a maid by an exceedingly wealthy and exceedingly unpleasant family named Smith —they call it Smythe. The Smiths are genuine Dickensian bad characters. They never leave off being bad characters and are not permitted to show a single redeeming feature throughout the play; a crotchety uncle, however, who refuses bluntly the honour of the name Smythe, is kindly at heart. There is incident enough in the film. The audience is never left too long in the company of the unpleasant Smiths, but takes refuge with Shirley among the cheerful people at the airport. Oddly enough, the climax of the story is a bitter quarrel between Shirley's godfather and good hearted Uncle Ned because each wishes to claim the child. At this point the godfather, remarkably well played by James Dunn, sets oil on a risky flight to New York in a storm which has delayed air traffic from coast to coast of the continent. His motive is to earn a sum which will enable him to take charge of his dead friend's child. Shirley, who has come to the pr-t unknown to the Smiths or to her friends the pilots, manages to stow away on the aeroplane. The scenes as the machine fights its way through the storm arc fine examples of photography. The flight comes to a surprising and exciting end which it would not be fair to disclose. There is a good supporting programme. A most amusing cartoon has only one fault —it is too short.