CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22110, 4 June 1937, Page 5

CITY THEATRES

AVON "GREEN LIGHT" "Green Light," a stirring story of heroism, sacrifice, and love, which had many hundreds of thousands of readers in its book form a year or two ago, makes an equally impressive film. The leading parts are played by -Errol Flynn and Anita Louise. "Green Light" is now showing at the Avon. Errol Flynn, the handsome Irish romantic who won such a triumph in "Captain Blood," his very first picture, is the star of the film. Instead of a swashbuckling pirate, this time, in "Green Light," he is a heroic young doctor, who sacrifices his promising career in a great city by taking on his own shoulder the blame for an operation bungled by another. In search of some way to make himself useful to society and to prove to the girl he loves by deeds what he cannot in honour prove by words, he goes to an obscure mountain laboratory and searches for a serum that will prevent deadly epidemics. Almost at the sacrifice of his life, he finds it, and returns to fame and love, with his professional name cleared of any and all blame. Flynn, whoso performances in "Captain Blood" and "The Charge of the Light Brigade" won him such honours, rises to even greater dramatic heights in "Green Light." proving himself one of the greatest romantic "finds" of the last few years in the role of a young surgeon. Lovely Anita Louise, who shares the honours, is the girl for whose sake Flynn suffers and nearly dies. With her natural charm and genuine dramatic ability, she is perfectly cast. So, too, is dark-eyed Margaret Lindsay, in the role of a nurse who has always loved the younp doctor, but is not destined to have him. In the end, however, her work and the companionship of another young doctor prove compensation to her. Sir Cedric Hardwicke, who received his knighthood for magnificent work on the stage, lives entirely up to his great reputation. Brought from the London stage for this picture, he plays a religious dean, whose advice and philosophy shape the lives of the other characters. As the surgeon who bungles the operation and causes Flynn's martyrdom, but subsequently redeems himself, Henry O'Neill gives one of his always thoughtful and appealing performances. And the same phrase might be fitted to the work of Watter Abe\ as a fellow scientist of Flynn's, who works with him at the mountain laboratory. Spring Byington gives one of her most convincing performances as Mrs Dexter, who is one of the dean's most trusting followers. CRYSTAL PALACE "WITHOUT ORDERS" Romance and drama in the lives of the men who fly modern transport aeroplanes are unfolded in the film "Without Orders." which is the attraction at the Crystal Palace Theatre. The story of the film is an adaptation of a book by Peter B. Kyne, an author renowned for stories of adventure. Robert Armstrong, as the transport flyer, and Vinton Haworth. as the rival seeking the love of Sally Eilers (Arm strong's air hostess), both give excellent characterisations. They are well supported by Charles Grapewin and Frances Sage. The rivalry between the two pilots provides the picture with its drama, and the setting, an air route over rugged and dangerous country, offers many notable scenic effects. The theme of the story is the responsbiility of the pilots to their passengers, with the contrasting natures of the two pilots vividly illustrating this point as the human cargo on the big air liner is twice endangered. One of the pilots, th.? son of the owner of the lines, comes to work for the company after a sensational career as a stunt flyer, but his unfitness to handle the big transport aeroplane is evident to everyone but his doting father. He twice jeopardises his passengers' safety by foolhardiness and cowardice. M'AYFAIR "PEPPER" AND CORONATION FILM Jane Withers's latest picture, "Pepper," has scored a distinct hit at the Mayfair Theatre, where it heads a programme made up of very popular subjects. A film which appeals to young and old alike, "Pepper" is a delightful production, faultlessly produced and cleverly interpreted by this talented child actress, who shares the honours with Slim Summerville and Irvin S. Cobb. And in "Pepper," along with little Miss Withers, these two master comedians fairly revel in. a host of mirth-provoking situations. "Pepper" is backed by a diverting plot. The story, mainly humorous, has a few deft touches of sentiment which act as a subtle foil for the delicious comedy provided. The settings in "Pepper" alternate between a New York tenement, hilarious Coney Island, and the wealthy residential area on Fifth avenue. Jane Withers is happily cast as "Pepper," who enjoys the doubtful distinction of possessing in the person of Slim Summerville an uncle occupying a very lowly position on the social scale, being a barrowman in the street-cleaning department. In the eyes of his admiring niece the shiftless uncle is a hero, in that (on his own confession) he was once a "two-gun" man in the west, a reputation which, fortunately for himself, he is not called upon to prove. A chain of fortuitous incidents entangles uncle and niece with a dyspeptic western millionaire and his prospective son--in-law, a bogus baron. STATE "GIRL IN A MILLION" AND CORONATION FILM The current attraction at the State is "Girl in a Million," starring the world-famous Sonja Henie, the former world ice-skating champion. Now showing for its fifth week, "Girl in. a Million" makes outstanding entertainment. Sonja Henie does not sacrifice her skating for her acting, she combines them in a manner which makes her outstanding even amongst Hollywood's greatest stars. This is her first appearance in a film, but besides showing the beautiful grace which won her fame in skating championships, she also proves herself to be a very fine little actress. The story is slight, but holds together adequately the spaces when Sonja Henie is not skating. Films of the Coronation of King George VI carried by air in record time from London are a feature of the programme this week. The film includes scenes inside Westminster Abbey. CIVIC «THE GREAT BARRIER" TO START SOON "The Great Barrier" —a GaumontBritish film—has been chosen for the reopening of the Civic Theatre's sea--

son on Wednesday next. It is the story of the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway, and is more than a romance for a serious attempt has been made by the producers to reconstruct the adventure and peril faced by the pioneers whose energy, resourcefulness, and courage made the building of the line possible. In that respect it is a page from history. In addition, it is one of the greatest outdoor dramas yet screened. Sweeping through the gorgeous scenery of the Canadian Rockies, it captures the unquenched spirit of those daring pioneers, who worked, lived, and died to make a great nation greater. OTHER THEATRES "Libelled Lady," with Myrna Loy, Jean Harlow, and William Powell in the leading roles is the attraction at the Regent Theatre. Joan Crawford, Robert Taylor, and Franchot Tone are the stars in "The Gorgeous Hussy," which is now showing at the Tiv'oli Theatre. "Aren't Men Beasts," with Robertson Hare. June Clyde, and Judy Kelly, is the main feature at the Majestic Theatre. "Crown and Glory" is the supporting film. "Jack of All Trades," starring Jack Hulbert. and "The Final Hour," with Ralph Bellamy and Marguerite Churchill in leading roles, are showing this week at the Liberty Theatre. "Music in the Air." with John Boles and Gloria Swanson, and "18 Minutes," starring John Loder and Gregory Ratoff, form the double feature programme at the Grand Theatre. "Go West Young Man." with Mae West, Randolph Scott. Warren William, and Alice Brady, is the main feature at the Plaza Theatre. The supporting film is ".The Return of Sophie Lang."