CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21903, 2 October 1936, Page 6

CITY THEATRES

N STARK DRAMA NEW FJLM AT STATE THEATRE “THE -PRISONER OF SHARK ISLAND” Because he unwittingly helped to heal the broken leg of one of the men implicated in the successful plot on the life of Abraham Lincoln, president of the United States, Dr. Samuel Alexander Mudd was condemned .to live in America's Devil Island, where he suffered agonies and torments worthy of the convict colony of France. The story of Dr. Mudd’s suffering is brought to the screen in “The Prisoner of Shark Island,” which will begin a season at the State . Theatre story of the imprisonment of Dr. Mudd and his life among the chain gangs on the island is one of the biggest blots on the history of the justice of the United States. In the hysteria which follows the arrest of Dr. Mudd he is sentenced to imprisonment, in the dreaded Federal prison on the dry Tortugas, for life. Around the walls of the prison runs a moat. which is filled with live sharks, and this makes an effective barrier to any convicts trying to escape. Without any flinching this picture shows the physical and mental agonies of the unjustly sentenced man, his desperate attempt to escape, and his courage under the degrading brutality of prison life. Finally a devastating epidemic of yellow fever brings a turn in his fortunes. The prison doctor himself falls ill of the fever, and Warner Baxter, who plays the title role, is temporarily restored to his former position as ht fights to stem the onslaughts of thv epidemic. A happy climax ends the story. MAYFAIR “UNDER TWO FLAGS” ENTERS FOURTH WEEK Although it was thought that “Under Two Flags” would have to be transferred to another centre after the end of its third week at the Mayfair Theatre yesterday, arrangements have been made for it to run a fourth week which will start to-day.

The four leading players are Ronald Colman, who repeats his striking success of “Beau Geste”; Claudette Col-

Bert, brilliant star of “It Happened One Night”; Victor McLaglen. award winner in 1935 with "The Informer”; and Rosalind Russell, of “Rendezvous.” As Corporal Victor, a blue-blqoded Englishman with a “past,” Colman was in nis element. Promoted because of unusual valour, he falls foul of his company commander (McLaglen), who mistakenly believes him to be a rival In his affections for the French §lrl (Claudette Colbert), who runs le little estaminet patronised by the rank and file of the legion. Actually, Colman is in love with a proud, aristocratic girl (Rosalind Russell), whom chance brings to the little desert outpost. Sent to posts of danger three times by his commander in a deliberate effort to have him killed, Colman returns to the fort each time, after stirring brushes with the Arabs, and then, m a fit of remorse, the officer takes the entire force to his rescue. The relieving force is ambushed, and in a dramatic situation the two rivals reconcile their differences. They get ready to face their death; but as the clouds of battle settle a great wrong is righted. CRYSTAL PALACE ATTRACTIVE NEW STAB i As the title indicates, “High Tension,” which will start to-day at the Crystal Palace, is a fast-moving film of thrills and suspense, with Brian Donlevy and Norman Foster appearing as dare-devil undersea cable workers who, as they express it themselves, "have nothing to lose but their lives,” Glenda Farrell plays opposite Donlevy. Helen Wood, exceptionally pretty beauty contest winner, has a leading part. “High Tension” is the fifth picture in which Helen has appeared and each succeeding film has found her cast in a more important role. The associate feature on the new programme will be “Another Face,” featuring Wallace Ford. This is a bright comedy with plenty of thrills and tells of the experiences of a man whose face was changed by a plastic surgeon, but whose character remained the same. CIVIC “PROFESSIONAL SOLDIER” Some of the happiest comedies on the films have been placed in mythical kingdoms, and. the plot has been woven round the lives of the states-, men and plotters for the power. Such broadly is the plot of the film “Professional Soldier,” which has been transferred to the Civic from the State. As in all these films, the story in th|s, picture matters Tittle, but the acting is so good that it carries the film Well above mediocrity, and makes it one of the cleanest, happiest pictures that have been shown in Christchurch for a long time. The two rival factions in the kingdom are happily engaged in plotting for the power, and their king is equally happy being abducted. The hardened campaigner regales his captive with stories of the revolutions, he has organised, with his single-handed attacks against overpowering odds.-and all the brave talk that comes as second nature to The braggart soldier of fortune,. McLaglen has a partner in his escapades, Michael Whalen the son of a rich American. Whalen is perfectly happy leaving the brunt of the scrapes to hia tutor, so long as he is allowed a free hand to provide the romance in the picture with Gloria Stuart, a titled personage of the court.

OTHER THEATRES \ REGENT—The new attraction at the Regent there is “The Unguarded Hour,” with Frarichot Tone and Loretta Young in the main roles. Though it is mainly a comedy, there are plenty cf thrills. TlVOLl—“Petticoat Fever,” which has been transferred from the Regent, will start a season to-day. Robert Montgomery and Myrna Loy are in the chief roles. There is a good variety of comedy' and romance. AVON—Beniamino Gigli, considered by many as the greatest tenor the wend has heard since Caruso, i$ the star of “Forget Me Not.” Gigli proves himself a capable actor, and is well supported by Joan Gardner, , GRAND—The main attraction at the Grand this‘week will be William Powell in “Lawyer Man," Powell is associated with Joan Blondell in this film of the crooked dealings of some Americans with political power. MAJESTlC—“Sutter's Gold” star? Edward Arnold and Binnie Barnes, who appeared together in "Diamond Jim." The film tells of the adventures of a man who built up a fortune and was despoiled of it. ' . . •ÜBEETY— George O’Brien gives one Of his best performances in “Hard Rock Haririgan,” which starts at the Liberty to-morrow. The other film la "Bright Lights,” in which Joe E- Brown has the leading part. PLAZA—"The Marriage of Corbal,” a spectacular adaptation of a book by •Rafael Sabatini, stars Hazel Terryv a grand niece of Dame Ellen Terry. The love story has a background of the French Revolution.