CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22317, 3 February 1938, Page 5

CITY THEATRES

* BRIGHT COMEDY COMING “EVER SINCE EVE” FOR AVON ROBERT MONTGOMERY AND MARION DAVIES The film, "Ever Since Eve,” which is described by critics as the sprightliest nonsense in which either Marion Davies or Robert Montgomery has yet played in, will begin a season at the Avon Theatre to-morrow. Prominent among the comedy players who are in constant demand at the studios are Frank McHugh, Patsy Kelly, Louise Fazenda, and Allen Jenkins. Montgomery plays the part of a rather foolish author who cannot settle down to finish his novels because he always has his mind on blondes. The sort of roles portrayed by Marion Davies and Montgomery in the picture are especially suited to their talents, and triumphs of former films are repeated here manyfold. Marge Winton (Marion Davies) becomes annoyed by the constant unwelcome attentions showered upon her by her various employers, so she decides to adopt a disguise during business hours. In her disguise she is being interviewed by Abbie Bc-lldon (Louise Fazenda), a hard-boiled businesslike woman publisher, when the telephone rings. It is Freddy Matthews (Robert Montgomery), whose hooks Abbie published. He needs a secretary, and Marion Davies gets the job over the objections of Montgomery, whose weakness is blondbs. Montgomery lias a book due for publication by a certain date, and on the strength of a synopsis the picture rights also have been sold for 30,000 dollars, an advance of 13,000 dollars having been paid the author. Part of Marion Davies’ job is to see that Montgomery gets the book out by the contract time. Camille Lansing (Marcia Ralston), an attractive society girl, who is in love with Montgomery, discovers that Marion Davies has been double-cross-ing her by telling her Montgomery is out whenever she calls. There is a scene when Camille discovers Marion Davies’s ruse, and Marion leaves. That night, Montgomery in desperation when he discovers that he cannot read most of his own book, his efforts being so far confined to shorthand in Marion's notebook, goes ti the apartment she shares with Sadie Day (Patsy Kelly). Marion, her lovely true self, admits him and tells him she is Sadie Day, Montgomery falls in love with her on sight, and docs not learn of the deception until much later in the film. “Vogues of 1938” Walter Wanger’s “Vogues of 1938,” which is now at the Avon Theatre, will be shown for the last time tonight. CIVIC “SPARKLES’* Jessie Matthews, in her latest film, “Sparkles,” has a role which gives her full opportunity for versatility. This is largely because her husband, Sonnie Hale, handled the direction. The film will be shown at the Civic Theatre to-morrow. When Hale commenced directing, he announced that he was aware of possibilities in Jessie Matthews that had not yet been exploited, and that he was out to do this very thing, in addition to finding her stories that were stronger and more "different.” His accomplishment in this, his second production, places him on the highest level as a thoroughly capable director of screen musicals. The story introduces Jessie Matthews as Pat Wayne, assistant film critic on the “Daily Journal,” who is assigned the difficult job of getting the diary of Nedda Beaumont, notorious but fading film star; if she doesn't get it. she loses her job. Inspector Bob Deering. graduate of Hendon Police College, is instructed by his superiors to trace and arrest “Sparkle, a notorious woman jewel thief. His inquiries take him to Nedda Beaumont’s hotel, where Pat- has obtained a job as her maid, to get nearer to the diary. Complications cause Pat to be dismissed by Nedda Beaumont, to steal a necklace as a publicity ‘stunt,” and to stow away in a trunk, presently shipped on an Americabound liner. Deering follows on to the ship, suspecting Nedda Beaumont of being “Sparkle,” discovers Pat in the trunk, and has his suspicions altered. But they have already fallen for each other. On board ship “Smiles” Hogan, New York gangster, also believes Pat to be “Sparkle,” and he informs her that she is expected by his chief on the other side. Pat, realising that Deering may be endangered if she does not agree, says nothing to shake his belief in her identity. The brilliant revue, Okay for Sound,” will be shown to-night for the last time. PLAZA “THE WESTLAND CASE” There is always something intriguing about a murder mystery and the more baffling it is the more thrills it can give to the watchers. Stories of good mysteries invariably make good films, because action and suspense can be better produced on the films than in any novel. Outstanding among good mystery films is ihe Westland Case,” which will be shown at the Plaza Theatre to-morrow, as the main attraction in a double-feature programme. .... , The story has all the qualities of a first-rate thriller, and with such stars as Preston Foster, Carol Hughes, ana Frank Jenks in the leading,, roles, its success as a film is assured. The manner in which Detective Crane solves the mystery—not an easy task by any means —is cleverly arranged to hold the suspense of the audience. Though mystery and suspense predominate, there.runs through every scene in the exciting picture a delicate thread of bright comedy, with Foster taking the lead. The other main film on the programme will be “The Girl in the Taxi,” a delightful screen version of the world-famous musical comedy success. The stars of the-film are Frances Day and Henri Garat, and with them are Helen Haye and. Lawrence Grosmilh. “White Bondage” and “Hot Money” Two good pictures, widely different in type and story, and each well acted and finely produced, “White Bondage” and “Hot Money,” are now showing at the Plaza Theatre. The films are splendid entertainment, and form a satisfying contrast.