A FAST MOVING STORY

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21863, 17 August 1936, Page 5

A FAST MOVING STORY

"RIFFRAFF” AT MAJESTIC FINE ACTING BY TRACY “Riffraff,” which is showing this week at the Majestic Theatre, tells a fast-moving story about a people who live vital, elemental lives on the waterfront of America—the people who earn their daily bread running the great tuna fleets off the coast. It is an entertaining story.* well-acted, throughout, and assisted considerably by some very fine photography. Jean Harlow has the part of Hattie, a factory girl, and Spencer Tracy, as Dutch Muller, a fisherman, gives an outstanding performance. PLAZA “THE AMATEUR GENTLEMAN” The wit and brilliance of England in the Regency period are admirably portrayed in “The Amateur Gentleman,” the film adaptation of Jeffery Fennel’s famous novel, which has been transferred to the Plaza Theatre. Douglas Fairbanks, jun., is admirably supported by Elissa Landi and Gordon Harker, whose acting is superb. The other parts are all carefully selected and excellently portrayed. LIBERTY “FIRST A GIRL” AND “MERRY-GO-ROUND” “First a Girl,” which is showing this week at the Liberty, is musical ci medy at its best and brightest. A scintillating performance by Jessie Matthews embraces piquant romance, saucy innuendo, afid merry masquerade, in addition to a rich feast of song, dance, and spectacle, in which she, the central figure, is finely. supported by Sonnie Hale. STATE “RHODES OF AFRICA” Every now and again there comes to the screen a film great in the true sense of the word. Of such calibre is “Rhodes of Africa,” which has begun its Christchurch season at the State Theatre. It was hailed by the Gaumont-British Company as the greatest picture ever made by a British studio, and it is no exaggeration to say that it has yet to be excelled. No matter from what angle it is reviewed, this dramatic story of South Africa’s great Empire-builder measures up to a high standard. Fine acting by Walter Huston in the title role achieves both dignity and sincerity in conveying the ide«..l of the British statesman. Oscar Homolka, Basil Sydney, and Peggy Ashcroft give notable performances in support of Huston.