CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21978, 30 December 1936, Page 13

CITY THEATRES

MAYFAIR "IN THE SOLT" Ralph Lynn has made himself one of the most popular English comedians in the "silly ass" parts which have long been a feature of English comedy. He exploits one to the full m "In the Soup," which is having a season at the May fair Theatre. "Charlie Chan at the Race Track" Hailed as the most thrilling Charlie Chan picture yet brought to the screen "Charlie Chan at the Race Track" will begin at the Mayfair on Friday. Warner Oland again plays Earl Derr Biggers' wily detective, with Keye Luke, Helen Wood, Thomas Beck. Alan Dinehart, and Gavin Muir also featured in the cast. The film opens with a roar oi excitement at the Melbourne race track in Australia, where Avalanche, the odds-on favourite, loses the sweepstakes through the operations of a huae gambling syndicate. Chan uncovers evidence that establishes the fact that it is not an accidental death but murder. When the boat leaves Honolulu for Los Angeles, Chan is on board, trailing the murderer. CRYSTAL PALACE "THE BORDER PATROLMAN" The swaggering and popular George O'Brien and the charming Polly Ann Young a sister of the better-known Loretta head the cast of "The Border Patrolman," which is now showing at the Crystal Palace. "Rhythm on the Range" and "The Last Outlaw" Six song hits are heard in the rollicking tale of romance and melody in Paramount's "Rhythm on the Range," which will begin at the Crystal Palace on Friday next. The picture features two radio artists Bing Crosby and Bob Burns, and has Frances Farmer in the leading feminine role. Martha Raye, a new comedienne screen "find," plays the comedy romantic role opposite Burns. "Rhythm on the Range" casts Crosby and Burns as cowboys. Crosby wins money to ouy a prize bull, during the course of a New York rodeo, and starts for Arizona in a box car with the animal. He has company in the person of Miss Farmer, a society girl ileeing from an unwanted marriage. The colourful bandit of the old West is seen in striking contrast to the modern gangster in RKO Radio's thrilling film drama, "The Last Outlaw," which will be the double feature with "Rhythm on the Range" an Friday. . , . Harry Carey, the perennial cowboy hero of the screen, portrays a frontier drsperado who is released from prison after a 25 year term for bank robbery. 3TATE "LADIES IN LOVE" An unusual theme extremely well produced is "Ladies in Love," which Fs showing at the State Theatre this week. There is no story in the usual sense of the term, but there is an interesting study of the contrasting experiences of three girls who set out together to achieve their individual ideas of happiness. One wants a business of her own, another wants a rich husband, and the third wants only a home with husband and children to look after. They all obtain their wishes, but only at the cost of happiness except for the last. Four actresses share the leading roles, Constance Bennett. Janet Gaynor, and Loretta Young, and the new star. Simone Simon, also has an important part The first three have pooled their resources when the mm opens and taken a modern apartment, where thev plan for the working out of their wishes. The male role.s are taken by Don Ameche as a doctor, Paul Lukas as a mining engineer, and Tyrone Power as an aristocrat. "Roberta" On New Year's Eve, "R° be .rta,'' starring Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire will be shown at a miamgnt matinee. Irene Dunne, the famous singing star, also has a part in the film, which on its last appearance in Christchurch attracted record crowds. AVON "THE GENERAL DIED AT DAWN" Having taken the lead in some of the year's best light films, Gary Cooper is now appearing at the Avon Theatre in "The General Died , at Dawn," a tensely dramatic story in* which he plays the strongman part in most convincing style. The film is a good tonic at this season of the year, providing as it does a .series of breath-taking situations, full of action from the first moment. The name of the picture is a fair enough indication of the good story it is. It remains only to mention that the general Who died at dawn was a Chinese war lord, and the rest can be readily imagined. Gary Cooper dominates the film as the American, O'Hara, who has pitted himself against the Chinese war lord. General Yang, and works to win freedom from tyranny for the peasants of Yang's province. He is closely challenged for acting honours by Akim Tamiroff, who, as General Yang, not only looks and speaks, but is Chinese for all the purposes of the screen. The feminine lead is taken by Madeleine Carroll. CIVIC "IT'S LOVE AGAIN" Jessie Matthews, queen of the screen's musical comedy stars, is back again in a brilliant and lavishly-pro-duced musical comedy, "It's Love Again." This her latest and most eagerly awaited production, is having

a season at the Civic Theatre, and should be one of the most popular she has made. It is the ideal holiday entertainment For its dancing, its singing, its comedy, and its pure effervescence of fun, music, and gaiety. it is a notable film Jessie Matthews again has the assistance of the famous English comedian, Sonnie Hale, who scores no less a triumph in this film than in any of his many other outstandina shows. Midnight Matinee On New Year's Eve a special showing of "It's Love Again" will be given at a midnight matinee. OTHER THEATRES "San Francisco," starring Clark Gable and Jeannette Mac Donald, is now showing at the Regent. Also on the programme is "Audioscopics." "Counterfeit," starring Chester Moi - ris, a story of the T men. is the current feature at the Majestic Theatre. "Showboat" with Paul Robeson Irene Dunne, and Alan Jones, is the film now showing at the TivoL Theatre. This week's double programme at the Liberty consists of "The 39 Step?" and "Justice of the Range." "The Great Hotel Murder" and Edgar Wallace's "The Green Pack" are showing at the Grand Theatre this week. "Accused," starring Dolores del Rio and Douglas Fairbanks, jun.. is the film showing this week at the Plaza Theatre. This week's programme at the Theatre Royal includes W. C. Fields in "Poppy." and Myrna Loy in "Wings in the Dark."