CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21717, 26 February 1936, Page 8

CITY THEATRES

4r 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 definitely welcome it as a 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 the exception of a news reel and a brief intermision—yet it seems as short as the usual feature film. With but very few exceptions every sequence -of this magnificently-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. MAJESTIC “THE CALLING OF DAN MATHEWS” For once a 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. “PURSUIT” Drama moves fast in a lilting com-edy-romance “Pursuit,” which will begin at the Majestic Theatre on Friday. It abounds with thrilling action and speed and tells of an adventure-on the highways and byways on the Mexican border. Scenes are not drawn out and they change rapidly, one thrill leading to another almost immediately. “Pursuit” is not a gangster picture, but it is one in which humour runs hand in hand with comedy and romance. The theme deals with the complications that arise when a young couple attempt to smuggle a child across the border. Pursued by crooks and all kinds of enemies, they hide out. in every way possible, and in a clever denouement finally gain their objective. The story opens with an aeroplane out of control crashing into a barn. Donald McCoy, heir to millions, is the centre of a guardianship suit. His mother engages the services of the Shawn to spirit the child out of the estate, and Mitchell is hired to take the boy by aeroplane, but an accident occurs and other means have to be employed. Maxine, the secretary to tha agency, wants to go with the boy, but Mitchell objects. Various ways and means are made by Maxine to follow Mitchell, and when he tries to leave her behind she has him arrested as a car thief. They escape together, get to a motor camp and get rid of their handcuffs by using a saw. They arouse the suspicions of a paperhanger. who knows there is a reward of £4OOO for the boy. Private detectives and a pair of crooks are watching the border, but Maxine and Mitchell ultimately succeed in getting the boy out of the country, but are then pursues by Mexican soldiers. Reynolds, the paperhanger, gets the boy. and starts north with him, but in stopping on the way for attention to his dog, is captured by gangsters, who keep the boy. Mitchell chases them and they flee. An alarm is spread. With the child Maxine and Mitchell hide in a negro cami. The manner in which the boy is finally taken to his new house is capably handled and should make instant appeal to audiences. As Mitchell, Chester Morris introduces both ingenuity and excellent ability into his characterisation. Sally Filers is both whimsical and appealing in the role of Maxine, while valuable support is lent to the picture by Scotty Beckett, Henry Travers, and C, Henry Gordon. TIVOLI “I LIVE FOR LOVE” “I Live for Love,” now showing at the Tivoli 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 claim to that—it is sufficient. And in Dolores Del Rio is a divertingly drawn central character. “PERSONAL MAID’S SECRET” Said to be an unusual type of comedy drama, “Personal Maid’s Secret,” in which Margaret Lindsay and Warren Hull have the leading parts, will begin a season at the Tivoli 1 Theatre on Friday, This Warner Bros. production is based on a “Saturday Evening Post” story by Lillian Day. The plot involves a perfectly efficient maid who enters the employ of a struggling couple, and through her adroit manipulation and contacts removes them from a humble apartment to a Long Island estate and to fortune. The maid reveals herself as the mother of a beautiful girl who thinks the couple that raised her are her real parents, and saves her daughter from a dangerous flirtation with a man about town. There is an unusually talented cast, which Includes Margaret Lindsay, Warren Hull, radio and musical comedy star, Anita Louise, Ruth Donnelly, Arthur Treacher, Frank Albertson, Henry O’Neill, and Ronnie Cosby. -The picture was directed by Arthur Greville Collins from the screen play by F. Hugh Herbert and Lillie Hayward. LIBERTY “CHARLIE CHAN IN EGYPT” Charlie Chan’s 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 East. 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, “RUGGLES OF BED GAP” For an unusual quantity of fun in a diverting and original story, “Ruggles of Red Gap,” which will begin a season at the Liberty Theatre on Friday, would be hard to beat. Besides Ibis it has the advantage of Charles Laughton in the main part, and he is said to reveal himself as one of the most entertaining comedy actors on the screen. But the film is by no means a “one-man show.”

AVON “THE MELODY LINGERS ON” A poignant drama of war and postwar days in Italy, “The Melody Lingers On,” which will be shown to-day at the Avon Theatre, tells of the career of the world-renowned pianist. Arm Prescott, and her struggle to assure the future of her son. As Miss Prescott, Josephine Hutchinson gives a perfect interpretation of a role that calls for the highest ability. The herftine she portrays appears on the screen first as a girl of 19, and the picture deals with subsequent stages of her life up to middle age. “Recalling other notable successes with the theme of mother-love and sacrifice, ‘The Melody Lingers On’ possesses certain qualities which make it an entirely distinctive original piece of entertainment,” wrote an Australian critic about “The Melody Lingers On.” “In the first place, the motherlove element is not introduced until the story is well on its way; up till then the interest has been centred on a very appealing and very convincing romance of young love, which blossoms under the shadow of war. And 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 danger of descending into bathos. It is a sweet story, but never sickly. In the second 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 music is provided by George Houston, the American opera star, who plays hero to Josephine Hutchinson. Combined with a magnificent voice, which is heard to fine effect in several numbers (notably, the ‘Toreador Song’ from ‘Carmen’) he has good looks, charming personality, and genuine acting ability. CRYSTAL PALACE “SILK HAT KID” 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 than 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. The 1 other half of the programme is a thriller, in which three murders occur within as many hours. “WHILE THE PATIENT SLEPT” “While the Patient Slept,” a film based on the popular novel by Mignon G. Eberhart, will begin a season at the Crystal Palace Theatre on Friday, together with “Something Always Happens” Aline MacMahon and Guy Kibbee have the leading parts in “While the Patient Slept." Aline MacMahon has the part of a nurse in a rambling, ghostly, suburban mansion whose wealthy owner is supposed to be dying. Guy Kibbeo acts the part of a lovelorn provincial detective who is trying to solve the killing of the rich man’s eldest son, and at the same time is making blundering love to th# nurse. The two comedians, who appeared together in “Babbitt,” “Big Hearted Herbert” and other hits, provide much of the humour, while Allen Jenkins and Eddie Shubert, as Kibbee’s foolish assistant detectives, furnish many laughs. The romantic leads are Lyle Talbot and Patricia Ellis, both of whom are suspected of the crimes by the police. Others involved in the plot include Robert Barrat, Hobart Cavanaugh, Dorothy Tree, Henry O'Neill, Russell Hicks. Helen Flint, Brandon Hurst, and Walter Walker. An imposing cast of British stage and screen players was assembled for “Something Always Happens,” a romantic comedy, which was produced by Warner Brothers. Lan Hunter, who recently signed a contract to make pictures in Hollywood, has the leading role as a happy-go-lucky motor-car salesman who, by personality and hard work, rises to a high position in the motor-car world. PLAZA “HONEYMOON FOR THREE” Coming from a family which has been associated with the theatrical worltf 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 showing at the Plaza Theatre. There is not a big cast in this film, but this is fortunate, 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 PHANTOM LIGHT” The novel story of “The Phantom Light,” which will be the next change at the Plaza Theatre, is said to be well supported by the convincing atmosphere which the picture presents of a lonely lighthouse on the rugged coast of Wales—an unusual setting hi which most of the action takes place. The plot of the film Is cleverly unfolded. No hint is given of what is actually to come, but moment by moment the mind leaps to possible denouements. CIVIC “THE LAST JOURNEY” Capturing to the full all the factors which make up the best in entertainment, the current programme at the Civic Theatre will cater for every shade of opinion. The two features are “The Last Journey” and “Going Gay.” From a story by J. Jefferson Farjeon, tKe iamovis novelist, and competently played by an .excellent east, “The Last Journey” is, perhaps, the better ot the two films. However, there is no stable ground for comparison between the two features, “Going Gay” being a comedy of the musical type, and “The Last Journay” a drama. With Hugh Williams, of “Sorrell and Son” fame, in the lead, and with capable support from Judy Gunn, Sidney Fairbrother, Julian Mitchell, and Godfrey Tearle, there is no lack of acting talent in the film. “Going Gay,” the second feature, is having a well-merited return season. Magda Schneider, who shared the success of “Tell Me To-night,” is the star, and she gives a brilliant performance in a role affording wide scope. “WHERE'S MY MAN” Two of the world’s greatest comedians, Tom Walls and -Cicely Courtneidge, will be seen together for the first time at the Civic All-British Theatre from Saturday next, when British Dominions Films will present the Gaumont comedy. “Where’s My Man.” A good story, riotous fun, and daring adventures make a magnificent combination lor these two great stars. Cicely Courtneidge, in the most novel role of hdr career, plays the part of a daring young lady who joins the army as a man, gets into scrapes, and bounces out of them with a toss and a wink. The part of a great general, the Duke

of Marlborough, is something new, too, for Tom Walls. How seriously be takes the pal-t of Marlborough will be appreciated when it is realised that for this picture he parted with his worldfamous moustache. For this film has emerged a new Tom Walls, with a handsome mouth, a magnificent dignity, a good seat on a horse, and bluff forthright manners, looking very much like the pictures of John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough. With Cicely Courtneidge to supply the fun and the “situations,” and Tom Walls offering a new angle of his personality, which will not only surprise, but delight everybody, “Where’s My Man” is a comedy that can be looked forward to with more than usual interest. Box plans will open at the theatre to-day. GRAND DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME “Salome Jane,” a romance featuring Charles Farrell, Joan Bennett, and Ralph Bellamy, is now showing at the Grand Theatre. It is a stirring tale based on the Bert Harte story, “Salome Jane's First Kiss.” Directed by Raoul Walsh and filmed almost entirely in the Bret Harte country of the High Sierras, the production has many unique features. .“Life in the Raw,” from the story by Zane Grey, is the other feature. .

MAYFAIR “I DREAM TOO MUCH” A new gift In the voice and personality of Lily POns is brought to screen audiences In ‘T Dream Too Much.” which is now showing at the Mayfair Theatre. Lily Pons, as petite and lovely as she is renowned, scores a triumph in her first motion picture. Not only does she sing well but she demonstrates many Jalents as an actress, and the vital charm of her personality registers perfectly from the screen. In “I Dream Too Much,” RKO-Radxo chose an ideal vehicle for the introduction of this new star. The story of a little French girl who is swept to unwanted' fame by her splendid voice to face the loss of the marital happiness she prizes above everything else, not only affords a logical 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, “Caro Nome” from Verdi’s “Rigoletto,” and the “Bell Song,” from Delibes’ “Lakme.” She also sings four popular melodies composed by Jerome Kem, well known as a composer for the screen. “IN OLD KENTUCKY” Will Rogers’s last—and said to be his greatest—picture, “In Old Kentucky,” will begin a season soon at the Mayfair Theatre, Adapted from the play of the same name whose sunny romance, humour, and exciting horse-racing drama have made it a favourite in America for 30 years. “In Old Kentucky” is said to be very suited to Will Rogers. The supporting cast includes Dorothy Wilson, Russell Hardie, and Charles Sellon. STATE “CHARLIE CHAN IN SHANGHAI” As cryptic and as bland as ever, Charlie Chan once again tracks down the malefactors in his latest film. "Charlie Chan in Shanghai,” which is now having a season at the State Theatre. Though this is the ninth film featuring Warner Oland as the famous Oriental detective, there can be no suggestiort that the picture-going public is wearying of his exploits. Wherever the venue of his sleuthing is, there is always something so new and attractive about the film showing him at work that makes each crime and each successful conclusion out of the ordinary. “THE THREE MUSKETEERS” For 90 years, “The Three Musketeers,” the romantic story written by Alexandre Dumas has been a favourite story of many readers. The film version of this book will begin a season at the State Theatre on Friday, and from advance reports of the film it seems that it will be equally as popular as the book. Against an authentic background of 17th century France with the intrigueridden court of Louis XIII., the dark streets of Paris, the duelling grounds behind the Luxembourg, the ambushed road to Calais, the story, familiar to millions, rushes to its climax in a series of thrilling escapades. The adaptation of the tale by Dudley Nichols and Rowland V. Lee and Lee’s direction have followed faithfully the story of Dumas. The swashbuckle, the serious and comic duels, the court intrigues, the furtive and tempestuous love making, the robust comedy, and the immortal loyalty of the musketeers —all these ingredients, which have kept the romance popular for so long, are preserved in perfect balance. Walter Abel, coming as a new actor to the screen with a distinguished stage record on Broadway, portrays d’Artagnan with fiery conviction. His brilliant interpretation of the role fulfils completely its requirements of chivalry, reserved tenderness, and fighting spirit.