CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21987, 11 January 1937, Page 6

CITY THEATRES

-STATE "UNDER YOUR SPELL'f, Lawrence Tjbbett is not only th& great singer in his new talkie, "Under Your Spell," which is being screened at the State Theatre. He sings often and probably at his best, but in tion to giving us this enjoyment, he also acts extremely well. This is an unusual thing from an opera star turned film star, for while the mar jority of them can certainly make a fine picture out of their voices, few can act well enough. • In this picture Tibbett's all-round performance enables that excellent director, Otto Ludwig Preminger, to mould bis singing into an entertaining serio-comic story, with continuity almost faultless and a fast pace not once broken into by the singer's frequent excursions into song. Tibbett —surely the greatest film singer yet—should please, in "Under Your Spell," the great variety of tastes to be found among his tremendous following of music lovers. In this picture he probably thrills as many with his lovely singing of the theme song as he does when singing in excerpts from "Faust," a few of which are cleverly woven into the production. CRYSTAL PALACE "KING OP THE ROYAL MOUNTED" Fine acting, intelligent direction, and scenic grandeur combined with a Zane Grey story, make "King of the Royal Mounted," whiqh is showing at the Crystal Palace, an excellent film. Gertrude Michael and Walter Abel share the leading roles in the second picture, "Second Wife," . "Wild Brian Kent" One of Harold Bell Wright's famous novels forms the hasis for the story of "Wild Brian Kent," starring Ralph Bellamy, which will begin at the Crystal Palace : on Friday. MAYFAIR THEATRE "CHARLIE CHAN AT THE RACE TRACK" Charlie Chan encounters the strangest and most baffling case of his career in uncovering ths activities of a ruth- I less murderer in "Charlie Chari at the Race Track," which... is., now in'its second week at the Mayfair Theatre: Chan has v to go .halfway round the world'to find the unknown murderer who accompanies him all the way using a phantom horseshoe, ah infra-ray and poison foam to accomplish his deadly work. "The Crime of Dr. Forbes" An unusual type of drama is "The Crime Of Dr. Forbes," which will start at the Mayfair on Friday. Robert Kent, Gloria Stuart, and "J. Edward Bromberg have, the leading roles. CIVIC "EAST MEETS WEST" When George Arliss played Disraeli he made a reputation which ensured success for any similar films which he made, and he has made several since then. Now, in "East Meets West," showing at the Civic Theatre, he has departed from the path which he has followed so closely, and in doing 50 ha has made an even better picture, George Arliss is himself only to a point. He does not flicks the picture lit himself, but Jends hjjnself to the i role which he is Blayiog. In this re-

spect he is even more successful than in "The Green Goddess," for he has established a new reputation, one, quite different from that which -followed "Disraeli," and one much'.better..,lt-is definitely the best picture,he* has iriatie since his first appearance. ■". - ' -fi v- -■ "#* AVON "THE MAN WHO COULD WORK MIRACLES'* Chosen at random, George McWhirter Fotheringay has bestowed on him by some being among .the-stars an infinite power to do - : what he pleases. If this .insignificant little draper's .assistant uses the power Wisely, bringing about progress and enlightenment, a similar influence will, be given to all men. How George Fotheringay used this fantastic power is the arresting story of "The Man Who Could Work Miracles," the picture which is now having a season at the Avon Theatre. Based on the story of H. G. Wells, with the direction by Lother Mendes, and the main role splendidly interpreted by Roland Young, the picture offers uncommonly good entertainment. There is-a moral to be drawn that naaltes more than an immediate entertainment of the picture, but those who prefer to forget a picture as soon as they have seen it will get abundant pleasure irom ■ it, for as'comedy alone' it is outstandingly clever. Headed;by" Roland Young, the cast is admirable in every respect. 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 Car-; roll is showing at the Plaza Theatre. A. Hopalong Cassidy western, "Three On! The Trail" and "Toll Of The Road" are at the Theatre Hoyal.