CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22193, 9 September 1937, Page 7

CITY THEATRES

"THAT I MAY LIVE"

NEW ATTRACTION FOR CRYSTAL PALACE

ROBERT KENT AND ROCHELLE HUDSON STARRED

.A fine dramatic film, "That I May lave,' starring Robert Kent, Rochelle Hudson, and J. Edward Bromberg, will head the new programme at the Crystal Palace Theatre to-morrow. The plot deals with the adventures of a young man who ■ has served a prison sentence and is making an attempt to regain his position in the community. He is suspected of murder, and in his effort to escape he meets a young waitress (Rochelle Hudson), and a romantic attachment springs up. When they are forced to get out on a tramping trip, J. Edward Bromberg, a travelling trailer peddler, befriends them and helps them to get married. How these three contrive and carry out a plan that will restore Kent to society and convict the real culprits makes for an intensely exciting climax to an emotionally affecting film. "That I may Live," for which Sol M. Wurtzel was executive producer, was directed by Allan Dwan from a screen play by Ben Markson and William Ccnselman., The second attraction is "The Lady Escapes." with Michael Whalen and I Gloria Stuart. I Current Programme I "We're on the Jury," with Helen Bfoderick and Victor Moore, and "The Man who Found Himself," with John Beal and Joan Fontaine, will conclude at the Crystal Palace to-day.

AVON

"MOONLIGHT SONATA"

"Moonlight Sonata" brings to the screen two world celebrities, Ignace Jan Paderewski and Marie Tempest. Hence the present season is quite an unique occasion for the Avon Theatre. Paderewski is famous as a pianist; but there was just a doubt in the mind of some music-lovers as to whether the filmed production could d»> justice to his genius. It is safe to say that, right from the outset, their fears were set at rest, and they were treated to an evening of exquisite entertainment. Never lias Paderewski been heard to greater advantage. Never before has Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" made such an appeal. The same, too, can be said of Paderewski's own composition, "Minuet," and the two selections from Liszt and Chopin which complete his repertoire. But Paderewski's playing was not the only treat in store for the audience. Marie Tempest's acting was a feature of "Moonlight Sonata." Then there was the story itself. Based on an episode—all too fleeting—in the life of the great pianist, it unfolded itself as a charming romance. The foremost figures in the story are a young couple who become temporarily estranged through the intervention of a scheming adventurer, whom chance brings to the hospitable doors of the country house of Baroness Lindenborg (Marie Tempest). Photographically, "Moonlight Sonata" is perfect, and in all the other essentials, too, of successful production there is nothing lacking. But its presentation of Paderewski's playing will make the picture live longest in the memory of the audience. Excellent and diversified supports are included in the programme.

PLAZA

"WHEN THIEF MEETS THIEF"

Douglas Fairbanks, jun., takes the role of a daring cat-burglar in "When Thief Meets Thief." which is coming to the Plaza to-morrow. He is supported by Valerie Hobson and Alan Hale. < , . Ricky Morgan, an adventure-loving young man, is working for a bootlegger in America. He accidental'y kills a man, but escapes the police with Jim Dial, the chief bootlegger, who thereafter blackm.-iils the boy. Completely at the older man's mercy, Ricky carries out a series of daring robberies. Some years later Ricky breaks free and works his passage to England. One night he breaks into a house only lo be met with a beautiful but determined young woman. Glory, who shoots him in an arm. But she does not hand him over to the police. The girl is engaged to Colonel Fane, a wealthy businessman. On the morning of the wedding Ricky discovers that Fane is in reality his former associate, Jim Dial. That night Ricky breaks into Dial's home and at the point of a gun extracts a confession from him. In the struggle Dial accidentally kills himself. Glory is accused of murder. To clear her Ricky tries to prove that he did it, but only succeeds in injuring himself. Fortunately a financial crash occurs in which Dial is involved and provides a suicide motive, thus clearing the young lovers. Current Attraction "The Go-Getter," with Charles Winninger and George Brent, will conclude at the Plaza to-day.

MAYFAIR

"CHARLIE CHAN AT THE OLYMPICS"

Charlie Chan is as imperturbable and as cunning as ever in "Charlie Chan at the Olympics," the film which is now showing at the Mayfair Theatre. The appeal of this series—the present offering is the thirteenth about Chan's adventures in sleuthing—shows no sign of waning, and as long as the standard of the film now showing is maintained, the series should easily hold the interest of those who admire the urbane Chinese detective, with his strangely contrasting methods of logical deduction. Coming Attraction "Sea Devils" is a coming attraction for the Mayfair Theatre.

CIVIC

"WINGS OF THE MORNING"

The greatest film that has ever come from England, and in many respects greater than anything produced in America, "Wings of the Morning, which is having its first release in the southern hemisphere at the Civic Theatre, places a simple love story against a perfect backscreen of pastel shades and delightful panoramas. England boasts that this, her first film in colour, was absolutely her own nroduction. and with the exception of the charming French actress. Annabella, this is quite true. The colour work is something entirely different from the usual production and remarkable for its fidelity.

STATE

"HIS AFFAIR"

"His Affair" at the State Theatre is in many respects an outstanding film. For its dramatic moments and its extraordinary story it stands out from the ordinary American crime drama and approaches front rank in this type of dramatic entertainment. Competently acted by a cast of well-known stars, it is a film that is likely to draw, and certain to satisfy, large audiences. Robert Taylor, now one of the foremost of Hollywood's male stars, shares the lead with Victor McLaglen, one of the greatest dramatic actors on the screen at the moment. With them is Barbara Stanwyck, popular and competent leading lady of many big American successes. Barbara Stanwyck gives her usual efficient performance, introducing with Robert Taylor a pleasant touch of romance. The part of President McKinley is played by Frank Conroy. Sidney Blackmer. stands out as Theodore Roosevelt. The film is interesting for its reproduction of events and scenes of history about the end of last century. There is a well-chosen list of supporting films.

CHRISTCHURCH CINEMAS, LIMITED

Robert Taylor, a new comer to starring roles, has the lead with Jean Harlow in "The Man in Possession," which is at the Regent Theatre. The film -.s a brilliant comedy produced by Metr-o-Goldwyn-Mayer. It has a sophisticated story with clever dialogue. Two films. "Keep Your Seats, Please!" with George Formby and Florence Desmond, and "Trouble in Morocco," with Jack Holt, are at the Majestic Theatre for a second week The first film is comedy and the second a story of the French Foreign Legion. Gracie Fields, the star of innumerable witty and successful comedies, heads a strong cast in her latest comedy, "The Show Goes On," which has been transferred to the Tivoli Theatre after a successful run at the Regent Theatre. Cyril Ritchards, who is well known on the Australian and New Zealand stage, plays the male lead to Gracie Fields. Another comedy with Gracie Fields in the lead, "Queen of Hearts," heads the double-feature programme at the Liberty Theatre. The second film is taken from a story from the pen of James Oliver Curwood, "The Country Beyond." Paul Kelly and Rochelle Hudson have the leading roles. An exciting mystery thriller. "Shadow of Doubt," and an actionromance, "The Woman in Red," make the double-feature programme at the Grand Theatre. Virginia Bruce and Ricardo Cortez are the leading players in the first film. The action of the second is centred round the polo field, and it has Barbara Stanwyck ' and Gene Raymond in the leading roles.