CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21809, 15 June 1936, Page 8

CITY THEATRES

CIVIC “THIS IS THE LIFE” AND “NAVY WIFE” Shirley Temple has won such acclaim as a child actress that it might seem that anyone who set out to rival he;- could be no belter than a late imivVicn; but in "This is the Life,” which i/now at the Civic Theatre along with "Navy Wife." Jane Withers proves that i .ere is plenty of diversity in juvenile ; ctuig. She is the most important faci in the access of a film which is pleasantly unsophisticated with a iuii.-iv, outdoor atmosphere. Jane Withers is given many (■•■porlumtic* to display her tal- « ..Is. for she sings and dances exe iiently. but these are not allowed to eiern.naie. It they were, she would bee me a mere entertainer, which would i naly distinguish her from thousands ci other children. She has indeed the oart <1 an entertainer, but is made veary of stage life by her unscrupulous parents who regard her only as a ince u 1 revenue. When a young man r named with a crime he did not comi it seeks refuge frem the police by L.dmg in her rooms, she decides to i.m awav with him. and it is their adventures on the open road that form toe basis of the picture, and it is this lie that the title commends. The two fall in with seme itinerant hawkers and i.' their caravan, much the worse for a lire, rolls along the road, drawn by a team of donkeys, one is shown many gnmpses of the American which turns out to be not so different Lorn, our own. "Navy Wife." the second film on the programme, is of the kind that only the talking pictures could have made possible. There is practically no action m. tne story, which is based on the interplay of emotion, and therefore the standard of the acting is of great importance. The picture almost resolves nseil into a study of the affection of Claire Trevor, as the wife of a naval uxter. lor her husband, played by Ralph Bellamy.

STATE “FIRST A G(RL” A picture which moves brightly olong by the sheer force of personality cf the performers, is “First a Girl," which is now in its second week at the State Theatre. Jessie Matthews, who will long be remembered for her excellent performances in “The Good Companions" and “Evergreen,” takes the leading role, and she is very ab supported by her husband, Sonnie Hale. The story is slender enough, but pleasantly melodious songs and bright chorus numbers whisk the play along at .. merry pace, making the film very amusing and capital entertainment. “THE COUNTRY DOCTOR” Something unusual in the way of f.lm entertainment will be presented at the State Theatre next Friday, when “The Country Doctor”, will be shown. This film includes in its cast the famous Dionne quintuplets. MAYFAIR “it HAD TO HAPPEN” For its presentation of a new feminine star and the originality of a good many cf its situations, “It Had to Happen" is an interesting film. It presents the dominating, commanding George Raft in a strangely twisted story. With him is Rosalind Russell, who has been acting with conspicuous success as a deputy for Myma Loy. Her surprising likeness to Miss Loy, not only in appearance but in the crisp manner of her acting, makes the film on interesting study. George Raft's personality makes him the ideal racketeer, and as such he has achieved a good deal of success. Now in this film, at the Mayfair, he springs a strange surprise as a racketeer net in the cause of crime but of honesty. CRYSTAL PALACE “THE BIG BROADCAST OF 1936” An enjoyable and clever screen revue which effectively and cleverly avoids the familiar conventions of its type is "The Big Broadcast of 1936,” which has opened its Christchurch sea-, ton at the Crystal Palace Theatre. Although the plot is flimsy, the story is a much better one than the majority of musical films of its sort, and it has a pleasing continuity in spite of the numerous vaudeville turns, all of which are very good. PLAZA

“CHEER UP” Of the making of musical comedy there is no end. Since there are only relatively lew plots, however, the excellence of this type of film must rest upon ingenuity hi presentation and upon its music. It is this ingenuity which gives new appearance to an old story in “Cheer Up,” which is at the Plaza Theatre. Musical comedy has charms which belong to it alone; but apart from those, this film is one which should be seen by .those who like the absurdities and intricacies of mistaken identity. Included in the supporting programme is a Cinesound newsreel, showing the wrestling match between Clark and Lunch, and some thrilling motor stunts. TIVOLI *‘THE PRIVATE LIFE OF HENRY VIII.” When “The Private Life of Henry VIII." was first shown in Christchurch it was justifiably acclaimed as one of the finest pictures that had come from a British studio. More than a year has gone by since then, a year in which the British studios have produced some extremely fine pictures, but the splendid qualities of this tale of Henry VHI. have not been impaired.

\ MAJESTIC THEATRE “HERE COMES THE BAND” As bright and breezy as its title •will play its way into the hearts of the audience at fee Majestic Theatre, where it is at present being shown. It was a picture well calculated to please all tastes; it would be •W exacting theatregoer who could fall to be pleased wife the wealth of ynuaic. and* mirth which it introduced. -Hfere Comes fee Band” opened with fee disembarkation of American troops on tfaetr return to their native shores. R was throughout closely associated with the fortunes o i two harumscarum army bandsmen, who, failing to rehabilitate themselves very successfully, concentrate their energies on sponsoring the career of a young western singer.

LIBERTY “REGISTERED NURSE” A double attraction is being shown at the Liberty Theatre this week, one of the pictures being “Break of Hearts,” which was shown so successfully in Christchurch last year, and the other is “Registered Nurse,” starring Bebe Daniels, Lyle Talbot, and Jchn Halliday. GRAND “THE MAN FROM TORONTO” AND “LOVE ON WHEELS” The new attractions at the Grand Theatre are “The Man from Toronto,” a joyous comedy with Jessie Matthews in one of her best parts, and “Love on Wheels.” one q£ the most popular of all Jack Hulbert’s pictures. REGENT “RENDEZVOUS” A graphic impression of modern methods of espionage by the use of radio, invisible ink, telephones, and women is given in “Rendezvous,” which is having a season at the Regent Theatre. The film is principally a vehicle for polished acting, smart talk, comedy, and plausible thrills, but one imagines that the life of many a real spy must have been filled with the same dangers and hairbreadth escapes as are contained in this film. There is a highlydeveloped atmosphere of intrigue, plotting, and revenge, which is made all the more effective by the smoothness and speed of the acting. At critical moments the picture moves easily and quickly. The flicker of an eyelid, the sudden dropping of something, the deciphering of a mysterious message, and a score of other such tricks and ruses to keep up interest are skilfully used in the production of the film. William PoweH’s shrewdness and nonchalance are well suited to the spirit of the story, and he receives excellent support from Rosalind Russell.

AVON “QUEEN OF HEARTS” “Queen of Hearts,” which has begun its second week at the Avon, is one of Gracie Fields’s best, and possibly her greatest achievement. Measured as her films are by the dividend of fun and music they return, it is a. sound investment. “GIVE IS! THE NIGHT”

Jan Kiepura made his singing name on the screen in “Tell Me To-night,” and since then he has made some very good films; but an effort that surpasses his former productions is “Give Us The Night,” which will commence a season at the Avon on Friday night. Kiepura has an unusually excellent tenor voice, and in this production he is given full scope. The film has the additional advantage of having Gladys Swarthout in the leading feminine role. She will be remembered for her singing in “Rose cf the Rancho.” which was shown at the Avon earlier in the year.