CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21988, 12 January 1937, Page 4

CITY THEATRES

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 «'iven to all men. How George Fotheringay used this fantastic power is the arresting story of “The Man Who Could Work Miracles." the picture now showing 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. George Fotheringay begins by using his power to trivial ends. That is because he is essentially a human being, and cannot grasp the immensity of the change that comes into his life. The transition from this state of scepticism to that in which he has an implicit belief in his power to work miracles produces consistently rich humour.

MY AMERICAN WIPE

Francis Lederer has never had a better role than in the romance, “My American Wife,” which will start on Friday at the Avon Theatre. His costar is Ann Sothem, and the cast behind the principals is unusually good. The veteran Fred Stone takes the part of an Arizona pioneer with a western contempt for the airs of foreign nobility. These three favourites are supported by Billie Burke, Ernest Cossart, and Grant Mitchell. The film tells a romantic story of a titled nobleman who marries an American girl, and then sets out to prove himself as good an American as she is and a better cowboy than her brothers in Arizona. His wife, however, led by her mother, is bent on making capital out of her newly-found social standing, and tries to keep her husband in braid and spangles, while he wants to settle down on a ranch to learn cowboy ways under the guidance of her grandfather.

STATE

“UNDER YOUR SPELL”

Lawrence Tibbett is not only the 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 addition 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 majority 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 his 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.

CRYSTAL PALACE

“KING OF THE ROYAL MOUNTED”

Fine acting, intelligent direction, and scenic grandeur combined with a Zane Grey story, make “King of the Royal Mounted,” which is now at the Crystal Palace, an excellent film. There is a naturalness about the whole thing that is refreshing. Nothing is overdone. Robert Kent is convincing as sergeant of the Mounted Police, and Rosalind Keith is a very pretty little heroine who does not pose as a glamour-girl. Gertrude Michael and Walter Abel share the leading roles in the second picture, “Second Wife.” This is a drama of a different sort.

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 he has departed from the path which he has followed so closely, and in doing so he has made an even belter picture. This time he is not so outstandingly solo, and he gains from having others with him. There is now showing at the Civic 5 Theatre a George Arliss picture quite; different from anything he has done before. As the title, “East Meets West” suggests, the clash of nations is involved. Some of the most common Arliss mannerisms have gone and although he is still a very poor talker and a very good listener, he is less dominating in his manner.

MAYFAIR

“CHARLIE CHAN AT THE RACE TRACK”

Charlie Chan encounters the strangest and most baffling case of his career in uncovering the activities of a ruthless murderer in “Charlie Chan at the Race Track.” which began a second week at the Mayfair Theatre on Friday. Chan has to go halfway round the world to find the unknown murderer who accompanies him all the way using a phantom horseshoe, an infra-ray and poison foam to accomplish his , deadly work. Charlie Chan, as usual, is portrayed by Warner Oland, and it is indeed remarkable that an Occidental like Oland, 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 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. The coming attraction for the Mayfair is the startling film. “The Crime of Dr, Forbes.” It is an unusual and a thrflling story with Robert Kent and Gloria Stuart as the stars. 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.

“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. Leslie Howard and Merle Oberon are the stars of “The Scarlet Pimpernel,” which is now showing at the Metro Theatre, Sydenham.