CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21715, 24 February 1936, Page 4

CITY THEATRES

CIVIC

DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME A valuation of films by the nature of the interest which they stimulate might be too easy not to be specious. Possibly it would deny them any art of their own beyond technical efficiency. Yet there are those in which the element of entertainment, as it is generally understood, depends upon neither, spectacle nor action. They are a class 5 : apart; an experimental-class, since J • mostly they have their-genesis in ex-, perimental literature! Some,' arej merely superficial pleasantries. Others i derive from that literature which is I conveniently called psychological. A combination of the two brings a film with fewer limitations and with a greater breadth. Prpof of it is "The Last Journey," a picture which heads a new double programme at the Civic Theatre. I It is a film which entertains by provoking a progressive curiosity—the kind which comes from watching the making of a rag mat. The materials, ill-assorted odds and ends, seem at first a rnudle out of which ho order could ever be brought. To arrange the pieces, apparently all permanently separate and alien to one another, into a symmetrical creation seems impossible. But it is done, and the result is all very pleasing. It is done, too, with this picture: order is brought at last from chaos. It is engrossing to ■watch the process; and it is good to be assured, at the end, that it has not been just so much craziness. The implication of Jhe story is. that lew people have lives so aloof that they are not in some way concerned with even apparent strangers. Here, a host of characters are brought together on a railway journey. The train is controlled by a madman; all through ne is the dominating figure. His insanity has a common effect on the travellers. Their concern is a common one; and so, as the train rushes alarmingly, their connexions become revealed. Not all of them are important in the general scheme of things. Some of them seem irrelevant. But they keep the balance of the. story, give it a subtlety and make it credible. They are necessary, too, to lessen the tension. What will happen to the train, to this person, or to that? The second picture, "Going Gay, is a sequence of absurdities. It pretends to little more, save that there is arrangement for Magda Schneider, the star of "Tell Me To-night," to sing several songs and to dance a little/ Toward the end is a scene-from Donizetti's opera, "Daughter of the Regiment." It is engagingly staged; and it is a fitting end to a picture, which is justified by an infectious lilt.

CRYSTAL PALACE "SILK HAT KID" AND "THE RIVERSIDE MURDER" Screen actors, are seldom as skilled in the use of their fists as are professional, boxers, but many of the blows struck by Lew Ayres and Paul Kelly in "Silk Hat Kid," which is now having a season at the Crystal Palace Theatre, were more ith*n stage blows. The story ended with a terrific battle, partly over a girl, Mae Clarke, and partly over a cash-box which Kelly believed to have been stolen. That, however, was only part of the action which packed the entertainment and gave the story its life. The other half of the programme is a thriller, in which three murder* occur within as many hours. It is not just a murdering story., however*, for it is full of dramatic SWOMentS during the laying of the plan for the trapping of the murderer. Five men, all almost wrecked financially, divide their meagre resources and agree ta meet in five years to divide their fortunes if they have-made any. The most successful, was;* ; shot- two .days; before they and in rapid succession two more killed. ' •■■?■ . ;*-■■ <y: *'■*■

PLAZA "HONEYMOON FOR THREE" Coming from a family "who has been associated with the theatrical world for more than a century, it is to be expected that Stanley Lupino would be a capable actor,, but expectations are more than fulfilled by his acting in "Honeymoon for Three," which is now having a season at the Plaza Theatre. The story'of this film was specially written by the famous come- / dian himself, and it is therefore very well suited to hijn.. There is .not a big cast in this film, but this is for* tiinate, probably 'because each member of the cast is a capable actor, and, one is not struggling to discover what, relation the various actors have to the story. The film opens brightly with Jack Denver (Stanley Lupino) being given a spectacular party before his entry into business: •«* That the party was a success cannot be doubted, but unfortunately for Denver it was a little too successful * his attempt to reach his flat Is unsuccessful, and eventually he goes to sleep on the floor of a room in the flat of a young woman whom he" dQes no know. Before the film comes to its satisfactory ending much, delightful entertainment is provided. "Afrique." a well-known radio performer, gives some amusing Impressions of various celebrities in a supporting feature.

TIVOLI "I LIVE WW LOVE" "I Live for Love," now "showing a> the Tivoll Theatre, is a beguiling picture. The plot is neat, if it is neither new nor substantial; and; judged by the standards of musical comedy—the film can clahh to thatit is sufficient. And in Dolores Del Kio is a divertihgly* drawn central character/' ~ • > r rV*i'-' Once again, the temperamental fits of a stage-spoilt woman are the ex*; cuse for caricature. But this time -there; is a difference. Miss Del Rio is ' not unconscious of her temperamental peculiarities; it is as though she has: been practising them, experimenting with them, sincfc her early stage,days. She has acquired Sk new tantrum, a more subtle and exacting mannerism. At the height of her tempers she announces that she Is not giving way to temperament. Not at all; she is calm, and-.- reasonable, but so humiliated. Thetfe is no scope! therefor acting. It is all a matter of demeanour, hut it convinces. There is a. touch of the virago about her attitffde, something of wie ripier-thrust m she flourish of her cigairette. . - - : ;--.,,. .

GRAND DOUBLE-FEATURE EttOQHAMMB "Salomy Jane," a romance featuring Charles Farrell, Joan Bennett, and Klftph Bellamy, is now showing at the Grand Theatre, It is a stirring tale based on the Bret Harte story, "Salpmy Jima's First Kiss."' Raaul; Walsh -aita- filmed*; almost" otiftNraftfi, .the "Bret Hatte - e6bi«lfr:at^*xMßK' - production -fias> mariy flflftUft/Mature*. >. u me »'|a th'fe'BjkwVtf Em tn^^.story by Za'ne Grey, is tbr _ W(fc&»ti*xi>< -' +*;: i yy *.

MAJESTIC 'f

"THE CALLING OP BAN MATHEWS" f j: ,- ' , " One has heard time after time the despairing cry of a theatregoer who has gone to see the film version of a favourite bisok, that the moving" picture director has reorganised the s?$l« loved, story tfllittis recognisable only by its title?' and by the'iiames' of the characters in it For once, however, #. motion picture scenario writer has taken an old book, done some extensive reorganising, and has produced a film which one might almost say is an improvement on the book. This is what has happened with- Harold Bell Wright's old favourite, "The Calling of Dan Mathews," which is. now showing at the Majestic." The moving picture people have taken the book, brought the setting up to date, and kept the story intact in a way that says much for their ingenuity and more for their fidelity to the original script.

REGENT "A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM" The successful translation to the talking screen of Shakespeare's fanciful comedy. "A -Midsummer Night's Dream, marks yet another step forward in the art of the cinema. New problems have been met'by Warner Brothers' technical staff and the producer, Max Reinhardt, and triumphantly have all been surmounted. Literary purists may quarrel with certain aspects of this great experiment, but the picture-going public will de£nitely welcome it as ia new and entirely delightful form Of screen entertainment. "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is now showing at the Regent Theatre. It is a very long picture—it takes | up the whole of the programme with i the exception of a news reel and a i brief it seems as ! short as the usual feature film. With but very few exceptions every sequence of this magniflcently-con- [ ceived and remarkably-engineered film : grips the attention. No expense was spared in the production, and Reinhardt was given a free hand to call on any of Warner Brothers' stars for the casting of the film. He was given the finest technicians available, and the film is as much a tribute to their ingenuity as to the genius of the director. The atmosphere of unreality which clothes those fantastic proceedings nx the Athenian woods ,is a remarkable achievement. Bronislawa Nljinska, sister of the famous ballerina, Niiinsky, worked out the fairy ballets—dancing, mistily-garbed figures swirl in and out of the moonlit forest, a band of dwarfs plays merry music, Oberon and hia black-winged attendants sweep all the fairy spirits before them at the coming of the dawn. In these beautiful "other-worldly" surroundings, Lysander, Hermia, Demetrius, and Helena work out their tangled romances with the doubtful assistance of the .mischievous Puck. -Just as interesting and amusing are the adventures of the artisan mummers who go to the woods to rehearse for a play to be produced at the wedding of the Duke of Athens, and the diverting infatuation of the 'Fairy Queen with the actor, Bottom, upon whom Oberon and Puck have conferred an ass's head. "Recalling other notable successes with the theme of mother-love- and. sacrificte, 'The Melody Lingers On' possesses certain qualities which make it an entirely distinctive original piece-, of entertainment," wrote, an Austracritic about f The Melody Lingers Oh.";r''in the first place,,the motheris not introduced until Ihe "Stbryyis well- on-its, way; up till -'then* beeiffi»ntred on *a very appealing and very convincing romance of young love, which blossoms under the shadow of war. And j when it does enter the plot this theme of—enduring maternal devotion is treated with such restraint and sincerity that the pathos inherent in many ,Of the (Situations is never in any gm- : Pffi'ffiffieecGlti&itig into bathos. It i» a, '*weeFstGts& but never sickly. In the? fecorid place; it has the advantage of "several musical interludes; and mention of these brings us to the third reason for .-classifying The Melody Lingers On' as, a distinctive and satisfying entertainment, for the musicHs provided by George Houston, American opera star, who plays/hereto Josephine Hutchinson. Combined with a magnificent .voice, which is heard to-fine effect in several numbers (notably* the/'Toreador Song' ffrom 'Carmen*) he has good'looks, charm-,! ing; personality, and genuine acting; ability. Josephine Hutchinson, 'likewise, gains musical honours in the film. • but her chief claim to fame is her unfaltering performance in a long and exacting dramatic role."

LIBERTY "CHARLIE CHAN IN E&YPT" As Charlie Chan, the Chinese detective, Waixer Oland has become' a familiar figure to thousands of filmgoers, and although he has appeared at regular intervals in a series of pictures he has always retained a grip on his admirers. That grip has* never been greater than in "Charlie Chan in Egypt,?' which is now showing at the Liberty Theatre. In the past Charlie Chan's enigmatical Oriental personality has been seen against a Western background, but he loses none of his quaint charm by being transplanted to the Bast. Comedy, drama, and tragedy are crowded into the confines of an East Side New York boarding house in "East of Fifth Avenue," which is the supporting feature.

AVON SECOND WEEK OF /'BARBARY COAST" "Barbery Coast," a tale of the gold rush about San Francisco in 1849, is now showing lor a second week at" the Avon Theatre. This film is so con 7 vincingly done that one could almost believe oneself transported to that primitive town that wdis early San Francisco. It is a long time since Christchurch audiences have seen a Aim so unusual in its subject and treatment as this film. But the merit of "Barbary Coast" lies not only in its subject and treatment. There is some outstanding photography of harbour scenes in a thick fog and the acting is uniformly good.

"THE MELODY LINGERS ON" . A. poignant drama of waft and.post--war in Italy, *T* Melody Lingers On," which will.be shown soon at the Avon Theatre, tells of the career of the world-renowned pianist, /Ann Prescott, and her struggle to aste the future of her son. As Miss »rescott, Josephine Hutchinson gives a IterfSct interpretation of a role that Icall* fc*>/the, highest ability, , The heroine-she portrays appears "on the screen £rst as a girl of 19, and the I picture deals 'with subsequent stagefc i Qt her life UP .to middle age. i q " " l - * - *■ ■■ - - -■'-- ■

MAYFAIR

«I DBEAM TOO MUCH" A new filft In the voice'arid personality of lily Pons Is brought tp screen audiences in "I P'eam Too Much," which is now showing at the Mayfair Theatre. Lily Pons, as petite and Jovely as she is renowned, scorn a triumph in her first motion picture. gltTnly does she sing well but she demons&ate* many talent*i asi an actress, and the vivacious, vital charm of he? personality registers perfectiy from the screen. w„js« In "I Dream Too Much," RKO-Radio chose an ideal vehicle for the introduction of this new,.star. The story of a little French girl who is swept td, unwanted fame by her .splendid voice-to face the loss of the marital happiness she prizes above everything else? not only affords .a ogical basis for introducing the singing gifts of Miss Pons, but it also provides ample opportunities for the exercise of her talents as an actress. Miss Pons sings two grand opera arias, "CSro Nome" from Verdi's "SSoletto," and the "Bell Song," from Deles' "Lakme." • She also sings four popular melodies composed by Jerome&em, well to™***™«»£ poser for the screen. These are Jockey on the Carrousel" to a sort of bahrel-organ tune, "I Got Love, " "lm the Echo," and a song by the same name as the film, "I Dream Too Much.", into this variety of vocal offerings she poS all those gifts which'have Sought her wide recognition as a coloratura soprano.

STATE "CHARLIE CHAN IN SHANGHAI" featuring Warner Oland as the famous G?£S detective, therecan.be no sugStionthat the picture-going public te wearying of his exploits. . WhweVeF the venue of his sleuthing is there is always something so new and attractive about the film showing Mm at work that makes each crime and each successful conclusion ou* of, the ordinary. ... , There is, however, one most interesting introduction. In many of the previous films photographs have been shown of the multitudinous family of Sletective, but in "Charlie.Chan. in Shanghai" one of his sons gives him considerable help, and on at least one occasion saves his life. • The photography is excellent, and the scenes in the native quarters, and along the seafront, are very well presGnt&d With Charlie Chan in the principal role there is not much time to devote to the other actors; that they are not particularly noticeable is because of the high standard of acting throughout. Charlie's son, Keye Luke, makes a good butt for the charming humour of the great man, and the romance is provided by Irene Hervey and Charles Lpcher. ■ ■ Those Vvho are devotees, of the Oriental detective will not miss the picture, and there could not be a better film for those who have not yet seen him to make his acquaintance. It is sufficient to say that Warner Oland will lose none of his great reputation In his latest escapades in the Chinese seaport of Shanghai.