CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21727, 9 March 1936, Page 6

CITY THEATRES

CIVIC “WHERE’S MY MAN” An excellent story, a multitude of , amusing situations, a series of daring adventures—“Where’s My Man” is the unusual film which is now showing for a second week at the Civic Theatre. Cicely Courtneidge as the pert Corporal Welsh is given many opportunities—with numerous promotions and display her inimitable humour, and of these opportunities she takes the dullest advantage. Tom Walls, as John Churchill, Duke of . Marlborough, is, in everyway, a great soldier and an excellent leader. The film deals with the period at the beginning of the eighteenth century, when the armies of the Duke of Marlborough were ploughing through the mud of Flanders, gradually driving back the French under Louis XIV. Hampered by the schemes , and proof politicians of ’England, Marlborough has to resort to the “pressgang” and the recruiting sergeant to obtain troops for his campaigns. It is here that Cicely Courtneidge and the recruiting sergeant first clash; and, after many scrapes, a week in the stocks, and the forced enlistment of her husband on the day of their wedding, she dashes off to France disguised as a soldier, “all for a shilling a day.” In Flanders, adventure follows adventure with lightning rapidity. Her quick wit and ready tongue lead her through a maze of amusing situations: she is threatened now and then with the punishment of a deserter: she rescues the Duke of Marlborough from the clutches of the enemy; and she caps all these adventures by gaily swaggering into the court of the bewildered French king, with the Duke’s “terms” of unconditional surrender. It is a new role for both the leaders. Miss Courtneidge bounces out of all her troubles with a quip and a wink, until the time of her presentation to Queen Anne as “the bravest little corporal in the regiment" Tom; Walls, without much chance for his usual humour, is an amusingly dignified and worthy Duke of Marlborough. The costuming, the French and English Court scenes, the realistic battles and manoeuvres of Flanders, are admirable backgrounds for the talents of an excellent cast. A splendid supporting, selection of English shorts completes an enjoyable programme. CRYSTAL PALACE A DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME; “Beggars in Ermine,’’ and “Music Hath Charms,” are shown in a doublefeature programme which.is having a season at the Crystal Palace. The two pictures combine to make aprogramme full of variety—with thrills and the drama of revenge in “Beggars in Ermine,” and dancing, music, and song in the bright and extravagantly-staged “Music Hath Charms.” The first picture on the programme, “Beggars in Ermine,” is essentially a one-man picture; Lionel Atwill! takes the part of the steel mill owner who loses his legs in an accident—an accident that was manoeuvred by his enemy—and then loses his-fortune and his wife and daughter - through the. foul play of a dishonest assistant, This is a Monogram picture, and is lull of the good outdoor - photography that characterises these pictures. There are some splendid-shots of the various . working parts of the huge and. successful steel-mill. Then when Flint Daw/ son has lost his mill and his fortune and Is going round the world, ds a gar, , there is much ( good photography in* the many queer plages he and his friends visit. ' •. plXza FINE DOUBLE-FEATURE ‘ PROGRAMME, . , ' i _•; * ' ■Two widely-contrasted types of entertainment are, offered this week at the Plaza Theatre in "Wanderer of the Wasteland” and “Here Comes Cookie.!’ The first picture is typical Western drama, brimful of excitement, and depending for its success on the rapid and unchecked development of a simple plot, in .which the characters are clearly defined from the start of the story. The second feature gives . the audience that clever, polished comedy that is always acceptable. The contrast makes each picture the more enjoyable, the entire programme being richly entertaining. ■ * , . : Comes Cookie” has a strongly American flavour, with a. witty comedy team gaining many a laugh. George • Burns and Oracle Allen are newcomers to the screen, but they have a valuable, faculty for offering diverting nonsense. TIVOLI “THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH”, The gangsters have come to London, They make their first appearance in “The Man Who Knew Too Much,” which is having a season at the Tivoli Theatre, carrying a little less ammunition than they did in Chicago,, but skilled enough xn the aft of kidnapping, menacing, , shooting, and being generally unpleasant to give their public a wonderful evening’s entertainment. Their guns are always loaded, and they hit the mark. The film tingles with high tension from the moment the first murder Is committed, about 10Q feet after the start, until the story ends in a suicide. The situations are cleancut and crisp, the cast has, been chosen with wonderful care, and the whole production makes one of the finest British thrillers in many months. « The story is full of realism and petase, and is as convincing as such a story could be expected to be. LIBERTY “BLOSSOM TIME” The' tributes that have been universally paid to “Blossom Time,” which Is having a season at the Liberty Theatre, have not been overstated. There has. rarely, .if ever, been before such a film in which wonderful singing, lilting melody, romance. laughter, and a hint of sadness have been combined in one glorious whole. To say that much of the success is due to Richard Tquber, who is a very good actor as well as a wonderful singer, is true, but insufficient His contribution is ah outstanding one, an exceptionally fine piece of work. But if someone else: is to be singled out for praise, it must surely be the producer, Paul Stein, who. has imparted to this film a gengfjn* romantic air and has made the action to flow.

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.; “DANGEROUS”

“Dangerous” is the title of the film Which is now showing >at the Regent Theatre, and it deserves that title. There is power seldom seen in film acting, and the production, has been masterfully handled, film stars Bette Davis and Franchot Tone. The screen play of the film was written by Laird Doyle and it required actors and actresses of the first order, to .carry ,it through. The response of those who have seen the film is proof that the splendid work of the stars is appreciated.

This film gives Bette Davis her first opportunity of showing that she is capable of presenting a vivid character study. It is not a pretty character that she portrays, but she makes it a living one. “Dangerous” is the story of a fascinating actress who is overwhelmed by her ’ own ambition and whose egotism and selfishness bring ruin to herself and the many who love her. MiSs Davis has realised the opportunity the part gives her, and her performance lifts her several rungs ort the ladder of stardom. Franchot Tone has also excelled himself as the business man who cannot resist the fascination of the actress. His performance is" equal lo that of Miss Davis. A sound characterisation is given by Margaret Lindsay as the “other woman,” and Alison Skipworth justifies her already high reputation. John Eldredge does well as the actress's discarded husband. There is the usual high standard of shorts and newsreels. ’ MAJESTIC “WOMAN WANTED” The Majestic Theatre has specialised, as much as a* theatre can specialise, in films packed full of action, and “Woman Wanted,” which is now showing there, Is well up to the standard set by the last moving thrillers which have been shown there recently. It goes further than most, however, because there is an excellent story to provide the director with his opportunities for action. • The actors in the film accomplish all that is asked of them. As Ann Gray, Maureen O’Sullivan i has the hardest part, to play arid* is the most convincing. She has many moods which iffie has ,to portray, and in not one of them is she found wanting.

“CHINA SEAS”

Crosbie -Garstin’s .famous .story “China Seas” has been transferred to the screen in,a most thrilling manner. The film Will be shown , shortly at the Majestic Theatre, and judging by the way in which it was received by large audiences in other centres it should have a most successful season in this city. It is said that the picture occupied ; two years in production, and certainly the lavishness with whiqh the many spectacular scenes are presented indicates the intensive preparation which muat have been necessary. On its spectacle alone the picture would command a high place in the year’s productions; but the directors have taken every care, arid its cast is a list of famofis screen hames. The major roles are played by Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, Wallace Beery, but, In addition; lesser parts,are taken by such well-known actors as Lewis Stone, -Rosalind Russell, Dudley ? Digges, , C. Aubrey S(nlth, Robert BencHey and Lilian Bond. The story is laid in the last nest of piracy, the stretch of sea off the south coast of China. It is no work of Action in this regard. From time .to time cable reports tell of the depredations of river and sea pirates along this 1 coast, of sinister repute. In the close-guarded bays and coves of the rugged coastline the sampans -of old China.'lie, ready for their .work *of blood Their method is simple. Coastal, and overseas steamers passing in the . night are. boarded by these vH-.. lainous ruffians, their crews murdered, ■and their passengers robbed.; The story* of "China Seas” deals with the adventures of a group of three white people aboard a liner off this wild coast. Beaten by typhoons and imperilled by the activities of pirates, their story Is one of thrills, yef possibly the, draiqa Qf the surrounqings is not; so interesting as the drama played out on the ship among . Gable, Beefy, and Jean Har•low*' ■" • • *■■■ ’ Gable as ’thev’hard-boiled” skipper of the, vessel,, B#6fy r as the ••trader” whose major task Is the planning of the’ pirate raids, and JeaSS'JfarioW, as the sophisticated, wise-cfacking lady-of-the-world, are brought together in a. triangle romance which holds as many surprises as the scenes of greater action. Each gives a. Ane presentation. but it is a picture; of Ape characterisations, the smaller roles being' ■excellently. portrayed: AVON / . ' , «tiie melody lingers ON” “The Melody Lingers On” which is now. having a second week at the Avon Theatre, is a film in praise of music, and is the best that has been shown in Christchurch for a long time, Apart from the musical side, the film is drama with a very high standard of actiag, and it brings to the screen, in grand opera excerpts, a new and a beautiful voicethat of George Houston. His rich baritone voice reproduces very well, and his co-star, also a. comparative newcomer to the screen, Josephine Hutchinson, has a lons and exacting part to perform, which she handles with ease and grace. Acting the double role of the famous operatic baritone Carlo Salvihi and of his son born to Miss Prescott, George Houston even surpasses the successes he has had on the New York grand opera stage. The favourite selection from grand opera for reproduction on the films is the Toreador song from “Camen," and though it has , been heard many times now in Christchurch, it has never before been presented so well as in this film, lor George Houston’s art does not end with his singling: he is an accomplished actor as well. The film would find favour with picturegoers for its singing alone, if there were not the excellent Story and the good supporting cast to carry it on. And there is also excellent photography and the players have been ably controlled. Released through United Artists, it will add to the fame of that company. The supporting programme is excellent. Though winter sports are usually hot associated with ducks and dogs, Mickey and his two pals find plenty of amusement “On Ice.” The early programme also Includes some good .shots of the Taj Mahal, and great moments in the life of a newsreel camera man. GRAND THREE BIG FEATURES Three big features are on the new programme which is now having a season at the Grand Theatre, “Murder in the Private Car,” featuring Charles Ruggles and Una Merkel, is an adaptation of a thrilling stage play which met with marked success wherever it was shown. The film is an enjoyable mixture of mystery and comedy, and is excellent entertainment. . The second feature, “You Can’t Buy Everything,’’ Is the story of the schemes and ramifications of, a whimsical old lady in the world of finance. The first chapter of a new serial, “Tallapin Tommy,” is a film depicting all the thrills and adventures of aviation.

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“THE. LAST DAYS OP POMPEII” Magnificent as a spectacle and powerful in its drama, RKO-Radio’s film “The Last Days of Pompeii,” which is having a season at the Mayfair Theatre, is an ambitious production. It is a story of a historic Roman city at the height of its power and splendour, and as arena combats, luxurious banquets, pagan rites, soldiers, nobles, demagogues, and slaves pass in review it takes its audience back to the gilded days of the first century. The scenic highlight of the film is the eruption of Vesuvius, which brings about the destruction of Pompeii. Pear-mad-dened mobs caught between toppling walls and rivers of molten rock make a spectacle which, for magnitude, can have few equals on the screen. ; The tale is about one, Marcus, an embittered young blacksmith, who.becomes a professional- gladiator alter the deaths of his wife and child. He engages recklessly in any deal, from ■ slave trading to horse thieving, provided it pays. At the end of 20 years, rich, powerful, popular with the mob, he is master of the arena, director of the spectacles which cost the lives of thousands to amuse the multitudes. His only interest Is his adopted son, whom he hopes to make a leader in the Empire. Then, because of the boy’s defiance of the Roman law, the father finds himself in a position where his power and wealth, instead of raising his son to leadership, condemn him to death. The terrible eruption of Vesuvius brings the story to an impressive climax. ~ ~,, Preston Foster, in the role of Marcus, undoubtedly gives the finest performance of his career, Basil Rathbone is outstanding as Pontius Pilate, and Alan Hale is well cast in the humorous, colourful role of a former-convict friend of Marcus. A newcomer from English films, John Wood, is the adopted son,’ and he plays his part with ability and charm. Playing the son as a child, David Holt shows an understanding of a difficult dramatic role, The love interest is supplied by Dorothy Wilson, as the slave girl whom Wood loves. An able cast is completed by Louis Calhern, as a ruthless Roman official, Wyrley Birch, as a slave, and Gloria Shea, as the wife of Marcus. The supporting programme includes two newsreels' and an amusing coloured cartoon called "Hunting Season.” . STATE THEATRE “THIS IS THE LIFE” After seeing “This is the Life,” the current attraction at the State Theatre, in which a young actress, Jane Withers, has the leading part, it is natural to compare the star’s performance with that of another juvenile actress who has established a reputation as one of the best juvenile actresses appearing on the screen today—Shirley Temple. That by the comparison Jane Withers loses nothing is the highest praise one can give her. She is a different type of actor to Shirley Temple, her performance being much more forcible. In previous . films Jane Withers has been cast as a “bad girl,” but in this picture she is given an opportunity to demonstrate her ability as a singer, dancer, and comedian. The faith which the directors had in her has been justified, and theatre-goers will be pleased with the new Jane Withers. Although Jane Withers is the outstanding actress, others in the cast also act very creditably. John McGuire, who is the male lead, is very suited to his role. A comedian whom one never tires of seeing is Francis .Ford, who as an old man, very much attached to a musical instrument, provides delightful entertainment. Jane Withers has the, part of a child vaudeville celebrity, who is outwardly one of the happiest little girls in the world, but is actually very unhappy because her guardians look on purely as-an easy way of making , money. •'Music-lovers will enjoy the playing of Mr R. Lilly’s orchestra, which glv/es several items before the programme begins and also in the interval. Among the!j pieces played are “Raymond, “Barcarollo,” ;and “Easter Parade.*’ Another special feature is a parade of mannequins showing the latest fashions.