CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22318, 4 February 1938, Page 3

CITY THEATRES

LIFE OF QUEEN VICTORIA FIRST PRESENTATION IN NEW ZEALAND NEW FILM AT STATE THEATRE The new film at the State Theatre will show, for the first time in New Zetland or Australia, a remarkably accurate presentation of the history of Queen Victoria combined with an appealing love-story. The cast alone, however, would be sufficient to carry the film to success, for it includes such celebrities as Anna Neagle and H. B. Warner. "Victoria the Great" is not merely dull historical study of royalty; few films have recreated the past with such authenticity. Its accuracy has been greatly helped by the co-operation of the 'British Government. Much of the story centres on the younger days of the Queen, showing her as a fun-loving girl, her courtship, her love for Prince Albert, with Victoria doing the proposing s lay virtue of Royal right, their marriage, and the 27 years of their happy married life Many important and leading events of Victoria's reign form dramatic highlights in the film. All of the castles and palaces in which Victoria resided were duly filmed both as to interiors and exteriors, including Buckingham, Windsor, Balmoral, St. James, Kensington, and others. From the Liverpool Museum was taken the ancient locomotive and cars which constituted the first train that ever ran in England, which steamed under its own power from Liverpool to London, a distance of 200 miles, and then from London to Windsor. The state coach in which Her Majesty rode in her Diamond Jubilee was also lent by the Government for the reproduction of that historic event. PLAZA "THE WESTLAND CASE" AND "THE GIRL IN THE TAXI" Variety is the keynote of the progiamme at the Plaza Theatre this week, the two films blending the suspense of a murder mystery with the relaxation of musical comedy. There is always something intriguing about a murder mystery, and the more baffling it is the more thrills it can give to the watchers. Stones 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 "The Westland Case," which is the main attraction in the double-feature programme at the theatre this week. The story has all the qualities of a first-rate thriller, and with such stars as Preston Foster, Carol Hughes, and 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 Grosmith. MAYFAIR "CHARLIE CHAN ON BROADWAY" The days are long past when Charlie Chan played cinema roles as a convincing villain. Since then his unique ability as an enigmatical sleuth has earned him greater success and popularity, and though it is probable that not all of Charlie Chan's pictures have been shown in Christchurch theatres, there have been more than enough to install him as the favourite detective of the screen with Christchurch audiences. His quaint humour and out-of-fashion polite suavity are essentially a characteristic all his own. All his famous powers of skill and strength are needed in his latest film, "Charlie Chan on Broadway," which is showing at the Mayfair Theatre. Customarily a shrewd and intense observer, who finds facts where less keen minds perceive nothing, Chan is baffled by the double murder which horrifies Broadway, until the first glimmerings of a clue are furnished by the accidental "shots" snapped on the "candid-camera night" run by the night club which is the scene of the Crime ' ~ X • Another factor that is responsible for the interest in the Chan' mysteries is the increasing importance of Chan's son, Keye Luke, to the stories. His blundering, fumbling attempts to imitate his famous father provide many amusing interludes for those interested in mystery films.

CIVIC

JESSIE MATTHEWS IN "SPARKLES"

Jessie Matthews, England's vivacious and popular actress, is as brilliant as ever in her latest film, "Sparkles." which is now showing at the Civic Theatre. In this film she does not forsake her dancing .and singing; but there is the peculiar difference from her usual roles in that she is forced to dance and entertain at the point of a revolver.

The story is lively. Jessie Matthews tells her employers that she is tired of an easy life, and they give her an assignment which brings her excitement with a vengeance. 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.

AVON "EVER SINCE EVE" The sprightliest nonsense which either Marion Davies or Robert Montgomery has so far furnished in filing is presented in "Ever Since Eve," the film at the Avon Theatre. Prominent among the comedy Players who are in constant demand at tne studios are Frank McHugh, Patsy Kelly, Louise Fazenda, and Allen Jenkins. Montgomery plays the part oi a rather foolish author who cannot settle down to finish his novels because he always has his rnind od 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 Belldon (Louise Fazenda), a hard-boiled businesslike woman publisher, when the telephone rings. It is Freddy Matthews (Robert Montgomery), whose books Abbie published. He needs a secretary, and Marion Davies gets the job over the objections of Montgomery, whose weakness is blondes. Montgomery has 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 15,000 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.

CRYSTAL PALACE

"FORTY NAUGHTY GIRLS"

James Gleason and Zasu Pitts have appeared as a cinema team in numerous murder mysteries, and their talents as comedians have introduced a new note to films which are often rather gruesome and morbid, for the comedy as they introduce it does not detract from the excitement of the plot. The murder of a press agent in a theatre dressing-room and the even more mysterious killing of the leading man of a show in full view of the entire audience form the setting of "Forty Naughty Girls," the new RKO Radio picture at the Crystal Palace. While the cigar-chewing Oscar and his schoolmistress help tryto solve the first killing, the second one takes place right on the stage, before thousand spectators, and the story plunges into dizzy complications of motives and suspects before it reaches its surprise James Gleason and Zasu Pitts have the roles of the two Stuart Palmer characters, Gleason enacting the inspector for the sixth time, and Miss Pitts portraying Hildegarde for the second time, following her success in the role in "The Plot Thickens." Marjorie Lord and George Shelley have the romantic leads in the new offering as a pair of juvenile players in the revue, and Tom Kennedy, Joan Woodbury. Frank M. Thomas, Edward Marr, Alan Edwards, and other well-known screen figures head the supporting With its swift action and engrossing mystery taking place within a few short hours in its backstage setting, the story is said to be the most puzzling of all the Piper-Withers films. James Gleason and Miss Pitts again are hard pressed to solve the affair.

CHRISTCHURCH CINEMAS, LIMITED

Irene Dunne, star of "Theodora Goes Wild," with Cary Grant, has the lead in "The Awful Truth," which is now showing at the Regent Theatre. A dramatic story of the Great War, "They Gave Him a Gun," starring Spencer Tracy and Franchot Tone, is showing at the Majestic Theatre. Three stars, Miriam Hopkins, Merle Oberon, and Joel McCrea, appeaj in "These Three," a tale of an intriguing scandal in a girls' school, which is at the Tivoli Theatre. A further Hopalong Cassidy story, "Trail Dust," with William Boyd, is being shown at the Liberty Theatre. The programme is well varied, including a supporting film, "Freedom for Sale." "The Tunnel," a dramatic story of tunnelling beneath the Atlantic Ocean, is showing at the Grand. The stars are Richard Dix, Leslie Banks, and Madge Evans. "Music is Magic," with Alice Faye and' Bebe Daniels, is the supporting film.