CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21623, 6 November 1935, Page 6

CITY THEATRES

MAYFAIR "BROWN ON RESOLUTION" A picture which has been shown to then- Majesties, "Forever England." and which was later re-titled "Brown j on Resolution," will come to the Mayfair 10-day. -Brown on Resolution" is b picture "which merits the high honour paid to its producers, GaumontHhxith. Essentially a heroic picture, it is a drama of a young British sailor who was responsible for the capture Cl a German warship in the Great War •it one of the lonely Galapagos Islands. But the picture is far more than this. The drama lies deeper than in the fiction. Brown is the son of a naval; cftker and a young woman caught up; in the maelstrom of leave excitement tusr.e years before, and it comes to pass in the end that the man who receives the belonging of the dead Brown of Resolution is the youth's father. The *cung of Brown, in this case Jon.i Wills of whom much more cannot but be heard, and of Betty Balfour as his mother, is one of the strongest features of a tremendously moving picture. Romance touches the earlier development of the story. The natural cmld if Elizabeth Brown and Lieutenant Somerviile. R.N.-who are fated never to meet again—Albert Brown is dedicated bv his proud mother to the servicem'the navy; and thenceforward the picture is the story of the young tailor's lite and the drama of his simple heroism—his unhesitating answer to whit he believed to be a call to duly. Almost the sole survivor from H.lvl.b. Ru-lar.d sunk by the enemy cruiser Zeithwi. Albert is-a prisoner on the latter when she puts into Resolution Island for repairs. Albert contrives to escape with a life-belt. rule, and ammunition, and. swimming ashore, snipes 'h e re-ja:- gangs as they go overside to •"O'arv* the cruiser's damaged plates. Dt-peri'fiv the cruiser lands a search party winch fails in its objective. Bomba'dnvnt is next resorted to—and the runfi-e brings a British warship to the sre-'«- Vainlv the enemy tries to escape- Albert Brown had delayed the •hip too long for that. His work was done He had given his life in its per-iu'-inuvce and when his belongings were brought to the British comjnander. the latter discovered that the lad was his own son. The successive sinkings of the Rutland and the Zeithcn with their relentless gunnery and torpedo work are vivid in the extreme. John Mills, in the role of Albert Brown, presents the young seaman as an unaffected, well-balanced fellow, full of the jov of life, unconscious of Lis own braverv. His performance is outstanding as one of the most notable characterisations of the screen. His friend "Ginger" <Jimmy Hanley) provides comedy touches in several of their scenes together, which add to the jiaiuraint-ss of the roles of both of them. and. at the same time, distinguish your.g Hanley as a most capable artist v.-ho can throw even a small part into tharp rc-liet. Miss Betty Balfour gives a carefully-graded study of character development, from girlhood to maturity. In a long supporting cast many divergent types, British and foreign, are presented with an all-round efficiency in characterisation that leaves little to be desired. STATE "01 It LITTLE GIRL" That wonderful child actress, Shirley Temple, has scored another success in "Our Little Girl," which will be shown finally at the State Tneatre on Thursday. Those who nought that this very young actress would make only one successful picture, and those who thought that the tliarming little girl would become .•polled and affected because of her sudden fame as a star, were much mistaken. Since Shirley sang •'Love's Young Dream" in "The Little Ci-lunei" n:»ny of her admirers have Lt.cn impatiently waiting to hear her very pleasant voice again. Now they have the opportunity, for Shirley sings '■ery sweetiv an evening song of stars in "Our Little Girl."

"DANTE'S INFERNO" "Dante's Inferno," one of the most f lartiing dramas ever produced by the motion picture industry, will be;in a season at the State Theatre on Friday. The thrilling adventure of Dante in his journey through the Inferno, as re-t-crded in that greatest of all literary tlasiic, 'The Divine Comedy," is shown Jor the first time on the talking screen *»* an expression of a modern story theme, and becomes one of the greatest ijx-ctacles ever attempted. The screen play is the drama of a rrvjdern transgressor which utilises the embolism of hell, as expounded in the Dautc classic, to illustrate its theme. THEATRE ROYAL A NEW ZEALAND PRODUCTION New Zealand's first talking picture, "Down en the Farm," which will beKin a three-day season at the Theatre Koyal to-morrow, was accorded ViceRegal patronage at its premiere in liunedin recently. His Excellency Lord Galv.ay met the cast in the foyer of the theatre and wished the venture •■very success. Picture theatre audiences in many countries of the world are familiar ■with the beauties of New Zealand icenery as seen in the films released by the New Zealand Government from time to time, but never have they enjoyed a full length comedy dealing with the life and customs' of the I>eople of New Zealand such as has been produced by an enterprising Dunedin company, under the direction of Messrs Lee Hill and Stuart Pitt. This delightfully droll iilm tells of the rural rt«nance of two leading families in one of the country districts of New Zealand. Excellent use is made of simple, whoitsome comedy in the film and local scenes have been cleverly interpolated without interrupting the sequence of the story. An excellent cast has been assembled and includes Daphne Murdoch, a well-known Dunedin girl, who very charmingly acts the part of Mary Hicfcmot. "Those Were the Days," the second feature on the programme, is a comedy of ihe complications that * befall a magistrate, when, visiting a music-hall <t'.< which his wife has also gone) without his wife's knowledge, he is imxed up in a brawl from which he •racapci. to learn later that his wife lias been urested. The disturbance is caused by a man named V/ollaby who, being the worse for iirjuor. 1? very noisy in his accusations when he thinks that the magistrate lias stolen his watch. The part of Wallaby is taken by Jimmy Godden, who will be remembered for his performance in "My Wife's Family." The gay and glamorous atmosphere #4 ihe *'Gay Nineties" has been recaptured perfectly to this film, and the uproarious sequence in a typical music mil of that time is superb. Lily Morris and a number of other popular variety stars sing tome of the old favourite songs to a manner that can»ot fail to rouse any audience t,o enthusiasm. Otbcr players in the cast are Iris Soey. Angela Baddeley, Claude Allister, Jane Carr, EL F. Maltby, and Margnerite Allan. _— •

TIVOLI "ALIAS MARY DOW" AND "AS THE DEVIL COMMANDS" The two pictures at the Tivoli this week appeal for two very different reasons; but they are both excellent entertainment. The main attraction is perhaps the second on the programme, "Alias Mary Dow"; it scores by its originality of plot, its fine acting, and its mixture of dramatic and thoroughly amusing situations. "As the Devil Commands" is a mystery drama dealing with an unusual type of murder. Alan Dinehart, in the role of a lawyer who kills his wealthy cousin in order to gain his fortune and marry his son's fiancee, gives an exceedingly able performance. The ingenuity of the plot is really fascinating, and the story is exciting right through. There are several pleasant touches of humour, too. The climax ! is inevitable but exceedingly dramatic. j The other main parts are played by I Neil Hamilton and Mae Clarke. REGENT "SHANGHAI" Splendid characterisations are given by the principals, Charles Boyer and Loretta Young, in "Shanghai," at. unusual drama dealing with the East, which is being featured at the Regent Theatre. Carefully interwoven with the pulsating dramatic story is a leavening of romance which adds to the attractiveness of an undoubtedly fine film. Supporting the principals are two tried performers in Warner Oland and Alison Skipworth. Another great problem of to-day has found its way to the screen in the form of enthralling entertainment. This is "Age of Discretion," a dramatic story of a millionaire mother-in-law's fight for the custody of a child of divorce, which will open at the Regent Theatre next Friday. May Robson, Paul Lukas. Madge Evans, and Helen Vinson are the stars. May Robson has a deservedly fine reputation in fighting roles, and once again she is called on to give of her best in a 'sterling charpeter study. Drama does not rule alone, however, for many comedy sequences at unexpected moments effectively brighten a good film. MAJESTIC "THE GLASS KEY" "The Glass Key," which heads the programme at the Majestic Theatre this week, is another excellent presentation of a murder mystery of the type that American studios invariably do well. Based on the story of Dashiell Hammett, the plot is well-knit without being very ingenious, it is well acted by a cast of competent character actors, and it reproduces with an air of authenticity that no-man's-land between politics and gangsterism which appears to be a distinctive American feature. „ , George Raft takes first honours among the cast for a splendid characterisation of the right-hand man of one of New York's behind-the-scenes political bosses. The latter is a benevolent despot who has the confidence of most of the voters of the city Portly and cheerful Edward Arnold plays this part with distinction. . The romantic interest is supplied by Rosalind Keith, as the daughter of Arnold. There is a good and well-varied supporting programme. CIVIC DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME Two very fine British pictures—"Escape Me Never" and "Sunshine Susie" —are now showing at the Civic AllBritish Theatre. This programme is, claimed to be one of the finest double- j feature programmes yet seen in Christchurch. As it would be unusual to have two actors such as Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich in the same film so it is unusual to find on the same programme two pictures which have won such praise as "Escape Me Never" and "Sunshine Susie." As would be expected with Jack Hulbert supported by Renate Muller, the light comedy in the latter film is of a very high standard. Music, too, has been neatly incorporated and, mainly of the catchy variety, it often succeeds in setting the toes tapping. . O' a much efferent calibre is Escape Me Never." Elisabeth Bergner, whose personality and elan have been considerably applauded wherever her film has been shown, makes sport of all acting difficulties. It is her naturalness that carries her through, while she is never afraid to wear plain and even unbecoming dress for the sake of realism. Bergner is able to ring the changes, to "be fiery, pleading, or sentimental, all in the twinkling of an eye. It is a powerful production which no one should miss. FILM VERSION OF DICKENS'S NOVEL That a film version of Dickens's story of Scrooge has been made will be very 'pleasing to Christchurch theatregoers. On Saturday this film will be shown at the Civic Theatre. Clever scenario, artistic direction, and a fine cast combine to secure the true Dickens atmosphere. The film shows convincingly Scrooge's change of heart through the visions of past, present, and future Christmases. Familiar incidents, such as the visit of Marley's ghost, Tiny Tim's Christmas dinner, and Scrooge's eventual benevolence, are presented with a wealth of entertaining detail. Altogether the film should prove very popular with iiimgoers. AVON "CARDINAL RICHELIEU" Set against a background of feudal strife and the gorgeous pageantry of court life, the story of Cardinal Richelieu makes excellent screen material. The film, which is showing at the Avon, stars George Arliss. who achieves an outstanding success as Richelieu. "Cardinal Richelieu" can be described as one of the most important pictures of recent years. Mr Arliss makes a perfect Cardinal Richelieu, just as he did a perfect Dis-. raeli, Rothschild, and Voltaire. It will be granted he is always given a part that is a great one from the outset, but he finds more in it than there was to the mind of an ordinary man, and this time gathering about him a strong cast, every member of which seems drawn up to meet the great occasion, he makes perhaps more of a masterpiece of Richelieu than the great cardinal himself could have done.

A romance is brought into the story, with Richelieu's ward as the very good excuse. Maureen O'Sullivan plays this part.

"CALL OF THE WILD"

For almost two months Clark Gable, Loretta Young, and Jack Oakie braved snowslides, starvation, and death securing the authentic background for Darryl Zanuck's 20th Century production of "Call of the Wild," the famous story by Jack London of love and treachery during the Yukon gold rush. AH the drama and excitement of those feverish times has been transferred to

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PLAZA "LOOK UP AND LAUGH" The irresistible Gracie Fields excels herself in "Look Up and Laugh," her latest success, which will conclude its season at the Plaza Theatre on Thursday. She is cast in the role of a musical comedy actress who returns home on a holiday to find her father and brother in great trouble. "CHASING YESTERDAY" The leading players of that charming and successful film "Anne of Green Gables" are together again in "Chasing Yesterday," which will begin a season at the Plaza Theatre on Friday. Anne Shirley, in particular, has a role which is reminiscent of the characterisation that brought her fame in "Anne of Green Gables." O. P. Heggie, who was "Matthew" in the previous film, this time brings to life the character of Sylvestre Bonnard, that well-be-loved creation from the pen of Anatole France; while Helen Westley, another central figure of the "Green Gable" cast, also has an important role in the. new production. The story of "Chasing Yesterday" is based on the theme that success and material comforts are no substitute for love, even in the waning days of life. The protagonists of the delightfully human drama are a noted savant and member of the French Academy who collects books, and the orphan daughter of his first and only sweetheart, who comes into his life and transforms it with her vital personality. It is the old man's search for "The Golden Legend," the first book ever printed in England, which brings them together; and thereafter their lives are closely interwoven to battle all obstacles and win happiness. The collector finds his reward in furthering the romance that has sprung up between the girl and a young student. Anne Shirley makes the heroine a charmingly realistic figure, thrilling in all her dramatic moods, and equally deft in fashioning smiles in the comedy scenes. O. P. Heggie, Helen Westley, and every member of the cast also give faultless performances.

CRYSTAL PALACE "THE IRISH IN US" James Cagney is an actor who could be described as someone fresh—not entirely new, for actors of his type have been seen before in films, but it is a long time before anyone of his particular character has been pr - sented to the public. This, perhans. explains his great popularity with theatre-goers. Cagney is at present to be seen in "The Irish in Us." now showing in its second week at the Crystal Palace Theatre, in a role for which he is particularly suited.

"BRIGHT LIGHTS" His enormous mouth is not the only funny or remarkable thing about Joe E. Brown. In the past, perhaps, there has been rather too rr.uch tendency to concentrate on his big-mouthed comedy and to star him in too many outright farces, but in his latest picture, "Bright Lights," which is coming to the Crystal Palace Theatre on Friday, he has been put into a genuine comedy-drama of theatrical life, and he has been given the chance to prove himself not only an excellent farcical comedian, but also a clever comic singer, dancer, acrobat, and, most unexpected of all —a dramatic actor of real merit. It was this ability to blend pathos with laughter that made Charlie Chaplin famous in the old days, and now Joe E. Brown appears to be stenping into his shoes. The central theme of the story depicting the rise of a comedian in a small vaudeville troupe to sensational success in big shows op Broadway, is said to be parallel in some respects to Joe E. Brown's own life, for he himself started his theatrical career as a comedian in a burlesque show. The Aim provides excellent comedy, and even those who do not admire

Brown cannot fail to be entertained by "Bright Lights."

VAUDEVILLE TRIALS

Vaudeville trials leading up to the showing of the new Joe E. Brown film "Bright Light," at the Crystal Palace next Friday, will be held at the theatre to-day and to-morrow. Cash prizes will be awarded to-day, and to-morrow the winners will compete for a week's engagement at the theatre. The trial will be personally conducted by Mr Carlton Max, a former stage artist.

the screen. This picture will start at the Avon on Friday. The film introduces a new dog star in the role of Buck, perhaps the bestknown and best-loved canine hero in all fiction. Buck is an 18-months-old St. Bernard. The company which made "Call of the Wild" was , the biggest film expedition ever sent out of Hollywood. Special sound stages were built in the mountains, and much of the transport had to be done on skis. BED-WETTING CHILDREN. Tavener's! Special Bladder Mixture for Bed-Wetting Children is a certain Remedy. WRONG DIET IS THE CAUSE. SECURE TAVENER'S DIET CHART and correct your child's condition; 2s 6d (posted 3s). Tavener's Worm Powders will remove worms if they are the cause. 2s 6d box. Tavener, Chemist, next Beath's, opposite Ballantynes, —2

GRAND "WE'RE NOT DRESSING" Bing Crosby, whose name and songs are known the world over, scores another success in "We're Not Dressing," which is having a return season at the Grand Theatre. This film has much to recommend it. As well as containing several popular songs, there is an irresistible vein of comedy throughout, contributed mostly by the famous radio stars, Burns and Allen. The second feature is Zane Grey's thrilling Western story, "The Thundering Herd." LIBERTY "ANNE OF GREEN GABLES" A good double-feature programme —"Anne of Green Gables," with Anne Shirley, and "Obey the Law"—is now showing at the Liberty Theatre. Anne Shirley, the 16-year-old player, who adopted the name of the character she portrays in the film, gives a superb performance as the orphan heroine. In "Obey the Law," a story of murder in New York's east side, is told. Leo Carrillo gives what is without doubt his finest performance, while the other principals are also splendid, i