CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22310, 26 January 1938, Page 5

CITY THEATRES

MAYFAIR

NEW FILM COMING

Gene Raymond and Ann Sothern achieve a triumph in the newspaper story, "There Goes My Girl," which is coming to the Mayfair Theatre. It has plenty of action, thrills, and judi-ciously-planned comedy. The stars play the roles of rival newspaper reporters who are in love. Their plans to get married are interrupted in the middle of the wedding ceremony by a shooting. Ann Sothern's news instincts predominate and she leaves Raymond standing at the altar, at which Raymond swears to have nothing more to do with her. When Ann learns that her hard-boiled city editor, played by Richard Lane, has staged the murder hoax because he is unwilling to lose his best reporter, she becomes angry. She arranges to be detailed on a genuine murder mystery story that Raymond is working on, in hopes of winning him back. They "scoop" even the police in solving the crime, and once again become enamoured of each other, but the city editor again intervenes.

Although their parts are a departure from their usual screen roles, both Raymond and Miss Sothern find themselves perfectly at home in this lively comedy, and each turns in a splendid performance.

Current Film

"Ali Baba Goes to Town." Eddie Cantor's latest film, is showing at the Mayfair Theatre.

STATE

SHIRLEY TEMPLE IN "HEIDI"

Shirley Temple, undoubtedly the most, popular of juvenile film stars has in "Heidi," at the State, the best opportunity she has yet had to distinguish herself as an actress. It places her in a part that completely suits her engaging personality. With a very fine background and a story that brings a vivid series of adventures and misadventures to an idyllic ending it makes a picture Ihat will undoubtedly prove a great attraction. The players for the supporting roles have been chosen, and some very fine performances add very greatly to the merit of the picture. Jean Hersholt, a veteran actor, has been given a chance to show how well he can act.

CRYSTAL PALACE

JOE BROWN FILM COMING

"Riding on Air" is the latest Joe E. Brown film to come to Christchurch, where it will start a season at the Crystal Palace Theatre for the next programme. Brown is a comedian whose humour and ability in broad comsdy has won him a deserved popuIn the new film Brown finds scope for buffoonery as the one-man staff of a small country newspaper. The film is based on Richard Macaulay's stories of "Elmer Lane." and in a role which suits him well Brown gives one of his most comic characterisations. He is everything from the managing editor to the copyholder, and the situations in which he finds himself from time to time make entertaining material for the film. Excitement is introduced when Brown embarks on an air combat with a band of flying smugglers armed with machine-guns. To maintain the comedy, however, Brown is at the disadvantage of being in a radio-con-trolled aeroplane. Those who remember Brown and Guy Kibbee as a film team in "Earthworm Tractors" will be pleased to see the two comedians together again in "Riding on Air." Kibbee, as well as offering his own type of humour in the film, is a perfect buffer for Brown's quips and jokes. A romantic theme is also introduced, the heroine being Florence Rice. Current Film

"The Last .Train from Madrid" is at present being shown at the Crystal Palace Theatre.

CIVIC

"OKAY FOR SOUND"

Burlesque, farce, comedy, music, and endless uproarious dialogue ensure theatregoers continuing amusement in the latest British production, "Okay for Sound," showing at the Civic Theatre. As a revue type, the film must win acclaim from old and young alike, for the entertainment does not wane from start to finish, and the verbal jokes and quips are as suited to all tastes as they could be in any one film.

The management will show "Okay for Sound" for a second week, because of the film's popularity. The showing of the Jessie Matthews' film, "Sparkles, will accordingly be postponed.

PLAZA

TWO NEW FILMS

The Warner Bros.* melodrama, "White Bondage," which is coming to the Plaza with "Hot Money," is appropriately named. The white bondage referred to is the bondage which holds some of the so-called "share-croppers" in certain parts of the extreme Southern States of the United States of America—the whites and blacks who grow and pick cotton for the large landholders. Jean Muir is the star.

"Hot Money," Warner Bros.' newest comedy romance, has Ross Alexander and Beverly Roberts in the leading roles.

Current Film

"Stella Dallas," an emotional and dramatic film, has been subtly portrayed by a capable cast. It is now being shown at the Plaza Theatre, in its third week -in Christchurch. The best picture of its type seen for some time, this picture has a serious theme, dealing with a mother's love and sacrifice for her daughter.

AVON

WALTER WANGER'S "VOGUES

OF 1938"

Fashions are nothing without colours, by Walter Wanger's "Vogues of 1938" is remarkable for its use of colour, and the film, which is showing at the Avon Theatre, is an outstanding performance. Frocking and settings that, however well designed, could never have made so vivid an impression in black and white, are made brilliant and memorable by the use of the three-colour process in this film. Warner Baxter is the star, filling a difficult role with considerable success. Opposite him appears Joan Bennett, more attractive than ever, in a love story that is straight-forward enough, but pleasant for its lack of excessive complication. Baxter appear* as the proprietor of Curson's dress-designing establishment. He has a wife whose only ambition is to be on the stage, in the star roles that were denied when she was a chorus girl. Joan Baxter is the'daughter of a fashionable set, who rejects a wealthy husband on the wedding day, and goes to work for Baxter.

CHRISTCHURCH CINEMAS,

LIMITED

Deanna Durbln's comedy-romance, "One Hundred Men and a Girl," is now in its third week at the Regent Theatre. Leopold Stokowski and his orchestra, Alice Brady, Eugene Pallette. and Mischa Auer are the stars of the cast. , "Way Out West," Laurel and Hardy s latest film, which is being screened at the Majestic Theatre, shows the inimitable pair at their best. Their comedy is as typically riotous as ever. Charles Laughtcn, Clark Gable, and Franchot Tone are the stars of "Mutiny On the Bounty," which is having a further return season at the Tivoli Theatre. The film is noted for the splendid character acting of Laughton as Captain Bligh. _ A hilarious comedy, "No Limit with a brilliant comedy team in George Formby and Florence Desmond, heads the new programme at the Liberty Theatre. The other picture is "Borderland," starring William Boyd as Hopalong Cassidy. The plottings of international spies are exposed in "The Great Impersonation," with Edmund Lowe in the leading role, the new programme at the Grand Theatre. The other picture, "Princess O'Hara," stars Chester Morris and Jean Parker.

REX

"LOST HORIZON"

Ronald Colman scores another success in the outstanding Frank Capra production, "Lost Horizon," which will be shown at the Rex Theatre, Riccarton, to-night and on Thursday and Friday nights. The film tells an intriguing tale of romance, set against a background in Tibet. Mr Thomas E. West, tenor, will appear at the theatre for an extended season.