CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22304, 19 January 1938, Page 5

CITY THEATRES

STATE “THIN ICE’* AH that most people expected of Sonja Henie when she appeared in her first film, “Girl in a Million,” was skill in ice-skating, for she was well known as the Olympic champion. But that film proved her to be a first rate cinema star; and her second picture, “Thin Ice,” shows still further that she is a splendid actress. The film, which is now in its fourth week at the State Theatre, reveals a remarkable development in her as an actress, and presents her in even far more spectacular ice-skating scenes than in her first picture. “Heidi of the Alps” Shirley Temple is always charming and engaging, but she has an ability to act as well, and she shows herself to be a thoroughly capable actress in her latest picture, “Heidi of the Alps,” which is coming to the State Theatre on Friday. Everywhere readers in all languages have been charmed by the warmth, tenderness, and beauty of the Swiss Alps and all the colourful folk dwelling up just under the stars, into whose lives "Heidi” (Shirley Temple) brings tenderness and mirth and courage. Heading the cast is Jean Hersholt, famous veteran actor who gives his greatest characterisation as the grandfather of “Heidi.” A taciturn recluse dwelling high in the Alps, the character is the most difficult he has ever had to portray. Arthur Treacher, as the comic butler in a rich Frankfort home, is "Heidi’s” sole defender in many dramatic scenes, and a sympathetic portrayal of “Blind Anna” is provided by Helen Westley. CIVIC “SMASH AND GRAB” Jack Buchanan's latest tand in one sense first) venture, “Smash and Grab,” is true to its name, for It is a story of jewel thieves and an elusive “racket” organised by an elusive gang. It is effortless to be enthusiastic about Buchanan as a comedian and as a versatile entertainer; but the reception which the film is receiving at the -Civic Theatre makes any rhapsody about the popular Englishman unnecessary. “Smash and Grab,” Jack Buchanan’s first effort at producing, is unique in offering the star without his usual dancing and singing, and in this it is an effective answer to American self-styled critics who have suggested that Buchanan is nothing more than a successful musical-comedy artist. In “Smash and Grab,” Jack Buchanan appears for the first time in a film which emphasises drama more than comedy. It is produced without regard for expense, and compares more than favourably with the best films that have been produced in England and America. The comedy element is not missing, and is thoroughly British in its subtlety. The fact that this comedian has made a first-rate success of every part he has contributed to “Smash and Grab” is amazing, and although nothing has been said about it by the conservative English critics, it places Buchanan on a plane similar to the one occupied by a fellow Englishman —Charlie Chaplin. “Okay for Sound” There is fun and song and both excellently combined in “Okay for Sound,” which will come to the Civic Theatre on Friday. In this quickchanging revue voices which have become very familiar through the graznophoije and wireless are heard once again,’ but with the added attraction of having the personality of the performer as well. Chief among the artists are such well-known names as Flanagan and Allen. MAYFAIR “ALI BABA GOES TO TOWN” The complaint some people have about Eddie Cantor is that he does not make enough pictures. His latest film. “Ali Baba Goes to Town,” which is having a season at the Mayfair Theatre, will not dispel that complaint, for seeing it makes even stronger the wish to see him more frequently. Cantor is fortunate to be able to make people so eager to see his pictures, but the film at the Mayfair is a clear enough explanation of his remarkable popularity. Jt maintains his reputation as one of America’s foremost comedians. PLAZA “BLAZING SIXES” AND “FOOTLOOSE HEIRESS” A tale of the Wild West, the West that Bret Harte knew, where men were strong and silent, and the guns did all the talking, is Dick Foran’s new film. “Blazing Sixes,” now showing at the Plaza Theatre. The other film of this programme, “Fo.vtloose Heiress,” is a light, refreshing comedy. All the humour is spontaneous and wholesome. CHRISTCHURCH CINEMAS, LIMITED Deanna Durbin's latest picture. "100 Men and a Girl” is being shown at the Regent Theatre. This young actress is claimed to have improved on her splendid singing and acting of her last picture. “Three Smart Girls.” The Marx brothers are at their hilarious best in “A Day at the Races.” now at the Majestic Theatre. Laurel and Hardy are seen in a typical comedy, “Way Out West,” which will be shown on Friday. Robert Donat, Jean Parker, and Eugene Pallette are featured in “The Ghost Goes West.” outstanding among English comedies, which is now showing at the Tivoli Theatre. Thrills on railways give plenty of action in “Westbound Limited,” starring Lyle Talbot and Polly Rowles, the main attraction at the Liberty Theatre'. “It Happened in Hollywood” is the associate feature. “Lone Wolf Returns,” with Melvin Douglas and Gail Patrick, and “Panic On the Air,” with Lew Ayres and Florence Rice, make up the double-feature i bill at the Grand Theatre. REX THEATRE Herbert Marshall, Ruth Chatterton, and the brilliant new personality, Simone Simon, appear in “Girls’ Dormitory” at the Rex Theatre, Riccarton, to-night, to-morrow, and Friday.

CRYSTAL PALACE “ANNAPOLIS SALUTE” AND “WILD MONEY” Comedy and romance are happily blended on the double-feature programme at the Crystal Palace Theatre. The principal attraction is “Annapolis Salute,” a comedy-romance telling the story of a midshipman s devotion to both a woman and his duty. Supporting this is Edward Everett Horton in a fast-moving com-edy-drama, “Wild Money.” “The Last Train From Madrid” The first picture to come from the revolt in Spain is “The Lost Tram from Madrid,” which will be shown at the Crystal Palace on Friday. Headed by Dorolhy Lamour, of “The Jungle Princess,” Lew Ay; - es, Gilbert Roland, Karen Morley, and Lionel Atwill, the cast also includes Helen Mack, Robert Cummings. Olympe Bradna, and Anthony Quill. The story deals with 10 persons, most of them strangers to each other, whose destinies arc dramatically brought together in a frenzied effort to obtain passes to board the last train permitted to leave the capital before the heavy guns bombard beleaguered Madrid. It is not just-another picture of the horrors of war, although there are some amazing scenes of the devastation wrought by modern warfare. AVON “STELLA DALLAS” “Stella Dallas,” now in its second week at the Avon Theatre, tells a poignant story of how a mother’s love for her daughter brings out the best in. her character—an emotional film subtly and carefully portrayed by a capable cast. It is a most satisfying picture—the best with a serious theme that has appeared in Christchurch for several months. The leading players are Barbara Stanwyck and John Boles. Both of fqcm have difficult parts to portray, but their success is all the greater for the ability they show in giving real life and character to such parts. In the supporting cast are Anne Shirley, one of the most attractive and popular of the younger actresses on the screen to-day, Alan Hale, Barbara O’Neil, and Tim Holt. Miss Shirley gives a very fine performance indeed. “Vogues of 1938” There will be a brilliant musical film in tcchnicolour for the change in programme at the Avon Theatre on Friday. This is Walter Wanger’s “Vogues of 1938,” with an outstanding cast, headed by Warner Baxter and Joan Bennett. There are gay songs, and the' best of the new season s fashions are lavishly displayed.