CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22194, 10 September 1937, Page 22

CITY THEATRES

“THAT I MAY LIVE” NEW ATTRACTION FOR CRYSTAL PALACE ROBERT KENT AND ROCHELLE HUDSON STARRED A fine dramatic film, “That I May Live,” starring Robert Kent, Rochelle Hudson, and J. Edward Bromberg, will head the new programme at the Crystal Palace Theatre to-day. 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 w-i ress (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 Conselman. . . _ , The second attraction is “The Lady with Michael Whalen and Gloria Stuart This is also an outstanding film, offering comedy, romance, and drama, and well acted by capable players. Michael Whalen gives a very strong interpretation of his role, and Gloria Stuart makes an attractive heroine. Together, these two films make a thoroughly entertaining programme. CIVIC “WINGS OP THE MORNING” After many successes in the last few years the producers of England have produced a film which will live not for a year but for a century in the history of moving pictures. 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 in its third week at the Civic Theatre, places a simple love story against a perfect backscreen of pastel shades and delightful panoramas. The natural technicolour is nearer to perfection than that of any other film seen in Christchurch, and even in America, where the press hails it as surpassing all others. England boasts that this was absolutely her own production, and with the exception of the French actress, Annabella, this is quite true Of Annabella it can be said that her beauty rivals that of the scenery ot which the film is so full. Having found such pastel shades possible on the moving screen, the producers might have been excused if they had turned the picture into a travelogue of Ireland. But they have retained perfect balance between the story and the scenery, and when Steve Donoehue has won another Derby it only remains for the entire picture to be shown again. PREMIER 7 “The Return of Sophie Lang,” an exciting film of jewel thieves starring Gertrude Michael, Sir Guy Standing, and Colin Tapley, will be shown at the Premier Theatre. New Brighton, to-night. Saturday, and Monday. The second feature is “The California Mail, with Pick Foran,

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 ser i es —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 scries should easily hold the interest of those who admire the urbane Chinese detective, with his strangely contrasting methods of logical deduction. The solving of his latest case takes Charlie Chan across the Atlantic to Berlin and the ramifications of the story allow some of the scenes of the last Olmpic Games to be brought in !o gi?e added interest. Yet story would not have suffered if it had not been possible for these scenes to be incorporated. One of the scenes is of particular interest to people m Ncw Zealand for it shows J. E. Lovelock winning the 1500 metres final and bemg decorated with the laurel wreath of victory. Coming Attraction “Sea Devils” is a coming attraction for the Mayfair Theatre. 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. PLAZA “WHEN THIEF MEETS THIEF” 1 ’■ • Douglas Fairbanks, jun., takes the role of a daring cat-burglar in “When Thief Meets Thief,” which is coming to the Plaza to-day. He is supported by Valerie Hobson and Alan H Rfcky Morgan, an adventure-loving young man. is working for a bootlegger in America. He accidentally kills a man, but escapes the police with Jim Dial, the chief bootlegger, who thereafter blackmails 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 to be met with a beautiful but determined young woman, Glory, who shoots him in an arm. But she does not band 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.

DAILY MEMORANDA— Friday. Sept. 10. AUCTIONS McKenzie and Willis, at their Rooms, at 1 p.m.—Furniture auction sale. The City Market, at 10.30 a.m.—Weekly H Matson and Company, at Tattersall s, at 11 a.m.—Annual Clydesdale sale. Railway Auction Rooms, Ltd„ at l p.m.— Weekly sale. ,

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 do 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 has 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 arc included in the programme. CHRISTCHURCH CINEMAS. LIMITED Robert Taylor, a newcomer to starring roles, has the lead with Jean Harlow in “The Man in Possession,” which is at the Regent Theatre. The film is a brilliant comedy produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It has a sophisticated story with clever dialogue. “Seven Sinners,” starring Edmund Lowe and Constance Cummings; heads the programme at the Liberty Theatre this week. It is an exciting story of crime detection. The second feature is “We Live Again,” starring Anna Sten, the Russian actress. “Espionage,” a romance with a background of international spying, is showing at the Majestic Theatre this week. The stars are Madge Evans, Paul Lukas, and Ketti Gallian. The second film on the programme is “Armoured Car,” with Cesar Romero and Judith Barrett. Franchot Tone, Loretta Young, and Lewis Stone are starred in “The Unguarded Hour.” which is showing at the Tivoli Theatre this week. There is good acting by the principal players, all of whom are firm favourites with the public. “Murder in the Clouds,” an exciting film combining romance and adventure, heads the programme at the Grand Theatre this week. The stars are Lyle Talbot and Anne Dvorak. Charles Butterworth and Una Merkel, are starred in the second film, “Baby Face Harrington.”