CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21966, 15 December 1936, Page 18

CITY THEATRES

* “THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS” FINE DRAMA AT AVON “CAPTAIN’S KID” ON FRIDAY War-whoops, scalpings, forest and river skirmishings, with France ana Britain at war in America in the eighteenth century, form a background to “The Last of the Mohicans,” the screen adaptation of which is showing at the Avon Theatre. Technically, the film is a revelation of what the newer producers can do in reviving the appeal of such familiar material. The appeal of the film is not to be doubted. There is no relaxation of the tense atmosphere of conflict, tribal and national, from end to end; British and French regulars fight for possession of Fort William Henry, the French assisted by the Huron Indians—former deadly enemies of the Mohicans, whom they all but exterminated. “The Captain’s Kid,” the new First National comedy romance, opens at the Avon Theatre on Friday, with a talented cast, headed by May Robson, famous for half a century on stage and screen, Sybil Jason, the brilliant little child star, and Guy Kibbee, the jolly, rotund comedian. The picture is said to be replete not only with rollicking humour, but to contain many melodramatic thrills and a glamorous romance. STATE “RAMONA” There are few occasions when a film which confines itself exclusively to the development of a love story is able to be sincere without showing some disfiguring trace of sentimentality, but in “Ramona,” which is in its second week at the State Theatre, the producers have succeeded in presenting a charming romance. The story of Ramona is not new to the screen, but since the silent film was produced many years ago, improved technique has brought many new developments to the aid of the producer, and with dialogue, and outdoor colour photography, it has been possible to present a beautifu 1 story in the most beautiful settings imaginable. An unusually good comedy will begin at the State Theatre on Friday. “Sing, Baby, Sing,” is one of the most amusing films ever to be shown m Christchurch. The stars are Ted Healy and Patsy Kelly, with Gregory Ratoff and Alice Faye, and the film introduces the Ritz Brothers, famous American vaudeville stars. There are four new song hits. MAYFAIR “GIRLS’ DORMITORY” There is something very attractive about the film “Girls’ Domitory,” which is now showing at the Mayfair Theatre, although its title is one that suggests a bedroom comedy rather than the pretty little story which it is. The film is an interesting study of love in a girls’ school, but when it is seen that the school is a finishing school for young women and that the object of affection is no less dignified a person than Herbert Marshall, it can be realised that this is not merely a sentimental exposition of calf love. “Girls’ Domitory" introduces a new and engaging little person in Simone Simon, a talented French actress who makes her first appearance in Hollywood productions. As Marie Claudel, she is in love with the director of the school, Stepan Dominik, played by Herbert Marshall. CRYSTAL PALACE DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME “Sins of Man,” which is now showing at the Crystal Palace Theatre, is a fine dramatic film, which gives scope for the acting ability of Jean Hersholt. The other feature is “HalfAngel,” a mixture of thrill, romance, intrigue, and humour. Next Friday, "Special Investigator.” with Richard Dix, will begin. CIVIC “PRIVATE NUMBER” “Private Number,” which was transferred from the Mayfair to the Civic this week, has had good seasons in other New Zealand centres, and is quite good enough to deserve the compliment from Christchurch audiences. It has a simple theme, treated simply, with enough laughs and enough genuine heart-throbs to make the watching easy, and with at least half a dozen good people in the cast. A strong undercurrent of drama in the original story is managed with a restraining hand by the director in this film version. OTHER THEATRES “The Suicide Club,” starring Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell, Frank Morgan and Reginald Owen, is now showing at the Regent Theatre. The feature now showing at the Tivoli Theatre is “The Tnree Godfathers,” starring Chester Morris, Lewis Stone, and Irene Hervey. “Menace,” starring John Lodge, and “Whoopee,” starring Eddie Cantor, make up the double-feature programme at the Theatre Royal this week. “A Woman Alone” is the current film at the Plaza Theatre. The stars are Anna Sten, the Russian actress, and Henry Wilcoxon, an English star. “White Death.” a film of fishing adventure, is this week’s feature at the Majestic. The stars are Zane Grey. Nola Warren, and Alfred Frith. “G, Men,” starring James Cagney and Margaret Lindsay, is now showing at the Liberty Theatre, along with William Boyd in “The Eagle’s Brood.” “Four Frightened People,” with Claudette Colbert and Herbert Marshall, and “Tillie and Gus,” with W. C. Fields, are at the Grand Theatre.