CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21985, 8 January 1937, Page 4

CITY THEATRES

STATE “UNDER YOUR SPELL” An outstanding film will commence a season at • the State Theatre to-day, when Lawrence Tibbett will appear in the 20th Century Fox production, “Under Your Spell.” Tibbett is recognised as one of the leading singers of the screen to-day, and in this picture he gives an even better performance than those which have made him famous in the past. A musical comedyromance of the first order, “Under Your Spell” has every quality that makes a successful picture. Its merit does not rest only on the singing of Tibbett; humour is provided by the inimitable Arthur Treacher and romance by Wendy Barrie. The hilarity starts when Tibbett becomes bored with the continual round of engagements, endorsements, and publicity schemes arranged by his indefatigable manager, Gregory Ratoff, and returns to the lone prairie to resume his former occupation as a cowboy. Tibbett wants peace at any price, even if he has to fight for it. He no sooner lands at his ranch than Wendy Barrie, a society siren, who has made a bet with Count Gregory Gaye that if she can’t persuade Tibbett to sing at one of her private parties she will marry him (the Count), arrives on the scene and causes pandemonium. CRYSTAL PALACE ‘KING OF THE ROYAL MOUNTED* AND “SECOND WIFE’* Zane Grey, America’s outstanding writer of outdoor stories, has chosen a new and thrilling locale for his latest work, “King of the Royal Mounted,” a Twentieth Century-Fox film, which will begin as part oi the double-feature programme to-day. Robert Kent is starred,- and Rosalind Keith and Alan Dinehart head a cast of screen favourites. Kent, as Sergeant King, is called upon to solve a murder, save a beautiful girl from peril and death, and unmask a group of scheming crooks who are seeking to gain control of a fabulously rich gold mine. Walter Abel and Gertrude Michael are teamed together for the first time in the drama, “Second Wife,” based on the popular stage play “All the King’s Men,” which is the second feature. Both Abel and Miss Michael are products of the New York stage. They are supported in this picture by Erik Rhodes, Emma Dunn, Lee Van Atta, Brenda Fowler, Frank Reicher, and George Breakston. AVON “THE MAN WHO COULD WORK MIRACLES” Roland Young, in the character of George MacWhirter Fotheringay, an obscure and ridiculed draper’s assistant, has one of the finest parts of his career in “The Man Who Could Work Miracles,” which begins at the Avon to-day. The action is largely centred on Fotheringay, and there are moments of lively comedy followed by exceedingly dramatic situations, which he handles to great effect. Almost incredible things occur to this ordinary and everyday individual, and it takes an actor of .more than ordinary ability to handle such situations as the genius of H. G. Wells has devised for this, production. The settings of the film are again by Vincent Korda, who produced such beautiful settings for previous London Films. One of the most' effective sets, and a departure from his previous period effects, is the old village street of Dewhinton; a row of lovely old timbered cottages, including the Long Dragon Inn, with walls covered in creepers and flowers, and trees down the side tof the road which wanders into the distance where the rest of the village is seen in the valley.

MAYFAIR “CHARLIE CHAN AT THE RACE TRACK” Warner Gland says he has portrayed Charlie Chan on the screen so often that he is beginning to think and act like the actual character. It is indeed remarkable that an Occidental like Gland, who was born a Scandinavian, should be able so to submerge his native personality that he appears on the screen an Oriental of the Orientals. “Charlie Chan at the Race Track” is a good picture of its kind, absorbingly interesting and full of action. Suspense is maintained throughout and till the final scene reveals the truth, the identity of the villain of the piece remains in doubt. Keye Luke, the young Chinese who plays the part of Chan’s son, provides with his excitability an excellent foil for'Chan’s imperturbable calm. In addition to Oland and Luke, the cast features Helen Wood, Thomas Beck, Alan Dinehart, and Eavin Muir.

OTHER THEATRES "San Francisco,’’ starring Clark Gable and Jeannette Mac Donald is showing for a third week at the Regent Theatre. “Women Are Trouble,” starring Stuart Erwin and Florence Rice, and “Two Fisted Gentlemen,” starring Jimmy Dunn are showing at the Majestic Theatre. “Mutiny On The Bounty,” with Charles Laughton in.the leading role and Clark Gable and Franchot Tone is at the Tivoli Theatre. “Mr Deeds Goes To Town,” with Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur, and “Elinor Norton" make the double feature at the Liberty Theatre. Will Rogers in “Steamboat Round The Bend,” Randolph Scott in “Rocky Mountain Mystery,” and Buck Jones in “The Roaring West” are at the Grand Theatre. Shirley Temple in “Bright Eyes” is showing at the Metro Theatre, Sydenham. . “The General Died At Dawn,” starring Gary Cooper and Madeleine Carroll is showing at the Plaza Theatre. A Hopalong Cassidy western, “Three On The Trail” and “Toll Of The Road” are at the Theatre Royal.

CIVIC “EAST MEETS WEST” The astonishing versatility of the veteran English actor, George Arliss, is once more demonstrated m East Meets West,” his new film, which will begin at the Civic to-day. This great actor seems to go from strength to strength, and his latest performance is without a blemish. He interprets the role of a powerful eastern sultan with the same conviction as when he played the parts of the Iron Duke, Voltaire, and Disraeli, and he is supported by an excellent cast. , , . “East Meets West” is melodrama of a robust nature, with -George Arliss giving a characteristic performance as a crafty Sultan who replenishes his exchequer by. deft diplomacy involving Great Britain, and an Eastern power. Developed with great effect, ornate settings, large crowd scenes, gripping suspense, and the star’s personality have combined to make a rich offering for all lovers jf spectacle and drama. George Arliss appears as the Rajah of a tiny kingdom known as Renang. which, by virtue of its geographical position. Is coveted by Great Britain for harbourage purposes. A powerful Eastern country also makes a bid for the Sultan’s friendship, and the wily potentate "plays" them both until be has extracted a million pounds from each. George Arliss plays the Sultan with relish. Deftly exploiting his famous mannerisms, he succeeds in presenting a study in the ripe Arliss vein, peppering the dialogue with characteristic quips of his own. Godfrey Tearle as the English diplomat renders yeoman support, with Romney Brent making an effective foil as the representative of the Eastern power. Lucie Mannheim is the lovely wife, Ronald Ward her drunken husband, and Ballard Berkely is a convincing princely lover.