CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22112, 7 June 1937, Page 5

CITY THEATRES

AVON "GREEN LIGHT" Dramatic erjsjrtainment of the type which is possible only when the cast includes actors and actresses of the calibre of Errol Flyn.i, Anita Louise, and Margaret Lindsay, is achieved in "Green Light," the attraction at the Avon Theatre this week. It is high recommendation for the picture that the story is by the author of "Magnificent Obsession." The underlying philosophical and ethical theme of the earlier picture is again to be found, but treated in a very different manner and through a story that has perhaps even more appeal to human sensibilities. The acting is extraordinarily good; the players seem to be conscious that they have each been given the opportunity of taking exceptional roles, and their interpretations are marked by outstanding realism and sincerity. There is a confidence about the whole production that makes it impossible for any audience not to respond to its appeal, and not only enjoy it as a piece of drama but be convinced by the soundness of the ideals that it upholds. The story is mainly concerned with a problem of medical ethics, a theme which always offers interesting material for drama. CIVIC "THE GREAT BARRIER" The powerful drama of the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the 'eighties of last century, forms the central theme of "The Great Barrier," which will be shown at the Civic Theatre commencing next Wednesday. The theatre will be closed to-day and to-morrow for alterations. This film was a great success in Great Britain, where* Queen Mary is reported to have seen it twice. In all centres it met with an excellent reception. The cast is headed by Richard Arlen. who is stated to give the best performance of his screen career and he is ably supported by J. Farrell Mac Donald. Lilli Palmer. Barry Mackay. and Antoinette Cellier. The production of the film was undertaken by Gaumont-British Films. The story tells how two young men in search of adventure arrive in a small town in Canada on the track of the Canadian Pacific Railway, which is at this time incomplete, but in the late stages of construction. They meet Mary Moody, the daughter of a railway magnate, in whom one of the men quickly becomes interested. Both men are involved in a brawl during the evening at a local tavern, and are arrested and fined 100 dollars each. As they have no money with which to pay. they are forced to work on the railway line in order to raise the money to pay their fine. Hickey. one of the young men. soon shows his ability as a leader of men. and becomes a foreman. Mary does all she can to influence her father in his favour, and when a small party is dispatched to prospect for the pass through which the railway is to cross the Rocky Mountains, the two men go with it and encounter great danger and hardships. On the finding of the pass depends the completion of the railway. One of the men is injured and sacrifices his life to save his companion. In the construction camp, meanwhile, things are looking ugly, work has stopped on the line and the Government threatens to withdraw its support. Frantic with rage at the nonarrival of their pay, the men revolt.

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 Tivoli 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."

STATE "GIRL IN A MILLION'* AND CORONATION FILM There can have been but one purpose in the minds of Darryl F. Zanuck and his director, Sidney Lanfield, when they set about filming "Girl in a Million," now in its fifth week at the State Theatre. The star in this film—all the other actors and actresses cannot help themselves but take subservient parts—is Sonja Henie, on several occasions world champion iceskater. This is her first appearance on the films since she turned professional, although her grace on the ice has frequently been shown in shorts. Yet her performance off the ice is as polished as her pirouetting on the rinks, CRYSTAL PALACE "WITHOUT ORDERS" It is to the credit of American producers that they can handle a theme which is scarcely an innovation in films and yet produce a story with the dramatic and romantic appeal of "Without Orders"—the attraction showing at the Crystal Palace Theatre this week. The reality of the mountain flying in the teeth of gales and blizzards has been splendidly illustrated in this adaptation of the book by the renowned American fiction writer, Peter B Kyne. MAYFAIR "PEPPER" AND CORONATION FILM A film which appeals to young and old alike, "Pepper," Jane Withers's latest picture, has scored a distinct hit at the Mayfair Theatre. It,is faultlessly produced and the cast, apart from the child actress, includes Irvin S. Cobb and the comedian. Slim Summerville. Among the supporting subjects is a film of the Coronation —an interesting picture of the procession, the crowds, and the historic ceremony.