CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22305, 20 January 1938, Page 18

CITY THEATRES

STATE

“THIN ICE” All 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, will be shown for the last time this evening. “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 to-morrow.

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

“OKAY FOR SOUND”

One of the most successful London vaudeville shows of recent years is brought to the screen in “Okay for Sound,” which is coming to the Civic Theatre to-morrow. This brilliant comedy has the largest cast of stage and screen revue personalities ever turned out from the British studios. It includes inimitable comic scenes, spectacular revue numbers, as well as songs by the famous Peter Dawson. The show was adapted to films from the stage production of the same title, which ran for no less than two years at the London Palladium Theatre with conspicuous success. The story, which is original and full of scope for the comedians, is a gentle satire of motion picture producing. Notable in its cast are the Crazy Gang, Nervo and Knox, Flanagan and Allen, Naughton and Gold —who are introduced as six street musicians, somewhat down and out, who manage to get an engagement with a bankrupt studio as "extras” to impersonate “city types.” However, these brilliant comedians are not the only entertainment of the show. “Okay for Sound” has a long cast of well-known stars of musical, comic, and dancing fame, all of whom contribute largely to its entertainment value. Peter Dawson, the famous singer, sings two rousing numbers; Lucienne and Ashour put over their burlesque dancing act with great effect; Patricia Bowman dances delightfully; the Radio Three sing in their “peppy” way, and the J. Sherman Fisher Girls add beauty and glamour to some of the well-produced scenes. The “Three Little Words” give an exhibition of their clever and unusual dancing, and Louis Levy’s orchestra supplies musical support to the stars and also gives some good numbers of its own. Also adding to the comic element are Enid Stamp Taylor, Fred. Duprez, H. F. Maltby, and Graham Moffat. “Smash and Grab” “Smash and Grab,” featuring Jack Buchanan and Elsie Randolph, will be shown to-night for the last time. 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. “Ah Baba Goes to Town,” which will be shown for a second week 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. It maintains his reputation as one of America’s foremost comedians. That is the least to be said, but there will be some who will find that Cantor has improved his standing. ~~ Bagdad, of Arabian Nights fame, is the town to which the modern All Baba goes, and to it he takes modern Ideas. The picture must naturally have a greater appeal in the United States than in other countries, for many of the jokes have a distinct American application. Blit there are few of these allusions to current political events in the United States that will not be appreciated even by those who do not take a close interest in America’s government. The allusions are appropriate to the plot of the picture,, for this modern Ali Baba is transported from America to the Bagdad of the tenth century, where he is hailed as a prophet and becomes its “Prime Minister.”

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, “Footloose 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 iriiproved 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 bill at the Grand Theatre.