CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22121, 17 June 1937, Page 9

CITY THEATRES

AN OUTSTANDING FILM "FIRE OVER ENGLAND" NEW ATTRACTION FOR AVON Some films come before the public with the names of one or two famous stars in the cast as guarantee of good entertainment: others base their claim for recognition on the name of a wellknown author, producer, or director. But few can offer such a combination of all the talents as does the United Artists release, "Fire Over England," which will start to-morrow at the Avon Theatre. In the first place, "Fire Over England" is based on the widelyread novel of the same name by A. E. W. Mason; it stars the great English actress, Flora Robson, in. the role of Queen Elizabeth; it has such wellknown names as Leslie Banks, Raymend Massey, Laurence Olivier, and Morton Selton in support, and it marks the debut of the lovely ew heroine, Vivien Leigh, who, it is stated, will soon be a star of the first rank; the film was made by Alexander Korda in conjunction with Erich Pommer, and Clemence Dane wrote the dialogue; but perhaps even more important as an indication to the public of what to expect is the fact th<_t "Fire Over England" won the League of Nations' award for merit by the unanimous vote of 52 member nations. A stirring romance of the most spacious and important times of Queen Elizabeth, this picture presents a brilliant composite portrait of England's greatest queen against vivid and spectacular scenes of pageantry, plotting, espionage, swashbuckling adventure, and hairbreadth escapes, all leading up to the magnificent climax of the defeat of the Spanish Armada. A leading overseas critic has described the film as follows: "England has never made a better historical romance than this, and America has produced few to equal it. Vast and spectacular in scope, sweeping in action, and more true to fact than is customary, it is still human and intimate entertainment in its presentation of an apoealing Investory, and of the character of England's greatest Oueen—Elizabeth. In adapting the story from A. E. W. Mason's novel, the spotlight has been focused mainly on Elizabeth, who becomes the pivot "or all the pageantry, plotting, swashbuckling, and romance. Flora Robson's portrayal of the Queen is magnificent. She is Elizab th as most people must have imagined her . . . regal, splendid, and courageous in the councils of her people, keeping the hot-heads in check, turning away the wrath of Soain with wily answers. She is every inch a ruler, but still a woman-, jealous of youth and beauty, vain, and dictatorial, though generous and sympathetic enough when the mood takes her." Current Film With a cast including Errol Flynn, Anita Louise, Margaret Lindsay, and Sir Cedric Hardwicke, "Green Light," which ends to-day at the Avon Theatre, offers excellent acting, vitality, and dramatic entertainment. Films of the Coronation ceremony are also shown. STATE "LOVE IS NEWS" AND FILM OF CORONATION The Coronation of King George VI is excellently recorded in the film which is among the attractions at the State Theatre this week. This film is divided into two sections, the first of which shows all the pageantry associated with the occasion. It includes scenes of the several processions, preceded by a survey of some of the magnificent Royal palaces and residences. "Love Is News." a gay romance and ! fast-moving comedy of American prescmethods, is the second feature. Loretta Young and Tyrone Power, who gained himself a reputation in "Lloyd's or London," provide the threads of the story, which is one of the manner in which an American reporter uses his initiative and imagination in getting news "scoops," and of how he was ioi'ed by a pretty heiress, who objected to being always in the news. Her revenge was the announcement of her engagement to the most persistent reporter of the flock which followed her, and from then on she gave him all the "delights" of publicity. Most entertaining were the scenes in the county gaol, where Slim Summerville administers a justice of his own, and in the newspaper office, essentially American, where the reporter was discharged every half-hour, and reappointed a few minutes later each time. CRYSTAL PALACE TWO NEW FILMS IN NEXT PROGRAMME Two excellent films, "Arizona Mahoney," from the western comedy by the celebrated Zane Grey, and "Midnight Taxi," a crime story with thrills in plenty, will form the programme at the Crystal Palace Theatre next. The western film stars Jo~ Cook and Larry ("Burter") Crabbe. It is a story packed full of riding, gunplay, romance, and" land entanglements, and it abounds in action "Midnight Taxi," with Brian Donlevy, Frances Drake, and Alan Dinehart, is a modern American crime thriller. Intrigue is added when D;mlevy, a squad mail, sets out to bring a counterfeit ring to justice. These are two films which together make up an outstanding programme. Alike in entertainment value they are of totally different types. Both provide thrills and excitement, but the settings are totally different, so that the programme offers complete variety Double-feature programmes are always popular with theatregoers, and this is one that should prove outstandingly successful. Current Programme "Trail Dust." from the story by Clarence E. Mulford, is the first of the two features in the programme which ends to-day at the Crystal Palace Theatre. "Easy to Take," the second film is a mus'cal comedy introdu-ing John Howard as a radio "uncle" who broadcasts adventure stories. OTHER THEATRES "Libelled Lady," with Myrna Loy. Jean Harlow, and William Powell in the leading roles, is the attraction at thf Recent Theatre. • Charles Laughton and Tallulan | Bankhead are the stars of "Devil ana the Deep." this week's film at the, Tivoli Theatre. This week's films at the Majestic Theatre are "Gaolbreak," with Ralph | Ince. and "Lady From Nowhere." witn Mary Astor "Street Singer's Serenade," starring Anna Neag.e, and "Desert Gold," with Larry Crabbe and Marsha Hunt, are at the Liberty Theatre. The Grand Theatre is showing "Dance Band." with Buddy Rogers ana June Clyde, and "Grand Old Girl," with May Robson and Fred MacMurray*

NEW ATTRACTION FOR CIVIC "HEAD OVER HEELS" JESSIE MATTHEWS IN LEADING ROLE Jessie Matthews returns to the screen, after an absence of some months, in an excellent musical and love story from the play by Francois de Crisset in to-morrow's film at the Civic Theatre. "Head Over Heels" is a zestlul comedy-romance, set in the Pc-risian cabaret world, of three young pecpZe and an actress, who has homewrecking tendencies. Jeanne, a cabaret singer (Jessie Matth ws), meets a young sound engineer, Pierre (Robert Flemyng). at a broadcasting station, and accepts an invitation to lunch at his rooms, where he lives with an insincere young actor-philanderer, Marcel (Louis Borrell). Rivalry springs up between the two room mates, and the rest of the film is devoted to the struggle for the affections of the girl. The story ehds in a refreshingly unusual climax. Once again the English star gives a 'nprformance in both singing and dancing. It is a long time since she first captivated fllmgoers with her work in "The Man From Toronto," "The Good Companions," and "Evergreen," but sine, those pictures she has never lost the devoted support of many thousands of people throughout the Empire and the United States. This is an extraordinarily well-pro-duced picture, and one which is certain to find favour with Christchurch audiences. It contains comedy, drama, and romance, which are combined in the musical setting to mak- a niece of entertainment that has seldom been excelled. The acting of the players supporting Miss Matthews is very capable and finished, and there are several good character sketches to be found in th~ minor roles. The general production is well handled, and the film moves ranidly in a series of bright episodes wh'eh never alio - the interest of the audience to flag for a moment. The unusual situations which are constantly arising offer never-ending amusement, and there are laughs at every turn of the story. The romantic side of the picture is no less important, and the plot offers an excellent ODDortunity for the players to show their skill. Added to all this there is exceptionally good photography. Current Programme The construction of the last stage of *he Canadian Pacific Railway forms f he th"m° rf th" fPm "The Harrier," which ends to-day at the Civic Theatre. Richard Arlen heads the oast. '• hich inc'udes J. Farrell MacDonald, Lilli Pflmpr. Barry Mackay. ~nri Antoinette Cellier. The showing of a special Coronation film is a splendid addition to an already good programme. MAYFAIR "BANJO ON MY KNEE" Singing and dancing are prominent in the new film "Banjo On My Knee," which is coming to-morrow to the M:'yfair Theatre. With the river as a setting, the film provides some varied musical numbers, and the dancing is of the best. The cast includes, besides the principal (Joel McCrea), the tap dancing expert, Anthony Martin, and actors and actresses whose names have been made. Walter Catlett, Barbara Stanwyck, Katherine de MiUe, Walter Brennan. and Buddy Ebsen. The film is based on the story of Harry Hamilton's novel. Brennan's performance as "Nswt." the Hall Johnson choir's collaboration with an anonymous soloist on "The St. Louis Blues," Anthony Martin's singing ot "There's Somethin' in the Air," and a sound comedy performance by Walter Catlett as an abused photographer emerge as definite entertainment factors. The theme is built about Newt's desire to see his son, Ernie 'Joel McCrea), happily married to Pear] (Barbara Stanwyck). Coincidences, quarrels, and misunderstandings separate Prarl and E nie on their wedding night and keep th~m apart until a bar-room brawl, a rising river, and a boarded door force them to bow to Newt's ambition. The acting of the principals and of the supporting players is sound and convincing, and touches of drama are discreetly blended with romance and humour. There are, in addition, many pleasing traces of the spirit of tha original novel. Current Film The musical comedy, "Walking On Air," ends to-day at the Mayfair Theatre. The stars are Gene Raymond and Ann Sothern, the supporting cast including Henry Stephenson and Jessie Ralph. PLAZA 1 Two new films will be shown I to-morrow at the Plaza Theatre. They are "College Holiday," a romantic musical film presenting the stars Jack Benny, George Burns. Gracie Allen Mary Boland. Eleanor Whitney, and Johnny Downs: and Zpne Grev's <torv "Drift Fence." with "Buster" C-fbbe. Tom Keene. and KntheHne de M'lle. Tw« fVm«. "P»nrod and Sam" and "MidnigM Oi'rt," end at the Plaza 'Theatre. A complete film of the Coronation is also being shown.