CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22388, 29 April 1938, Page 6

CITY THEATRES

CIVIC

“VICTORIA THE GREAT”

The romance of a great era in English history is revived in “Victoria the Great.” which will begin a season of four days at the Civic Theatre today. Interest is provided by many sidelights on the industrial development which characterised this period. The political movements provide a fitting background for an epic of the majesty and pageantry of a great nation during its most glorious age, and the whole makes sn outstanding fll Deep human interest is provided by Victoria’s romance with Prince Albert. The Queen is, of course, the central figure of the drama, and she makes a strong appeal as the shy girl who is suddenly awakened to a realisation of her high position. She passes through the first intoxication of power imperious but intensely loving and human. Her sly humour has not been forgotten. “He addresses me as if I were a public meeting,” she once complained to her diary. Highest praise is deserved by Anna Neagle for her characterisation of the Queen. Anton Walbrook is shown as the much-misunderstood Prince Consort. He is seen first as a stranger who feels lost in English society. Gradually, however, his talents give him confidence, and his influence on the destiny of his adopted country is well shown in the film.

AVON

“THE BARRIER” ?

A famous Rex Beach novel of the North Woods has been brought to the screen by Paramount in “The Barrier,” which will open to-day at the Avon Theatre. Featuring a cast, including Leo Carrillo, Jean Parker, James Ellison, Robert Barrat, Otto Kruger, Andy Clyde, and Sara Haden, the film has as its central theme the love story of Miss Parker and Ellison, as an Alaskan girl and an army lieutenant, which is played _ against a background of Alaskan life in 1898, during the gold rush. Glorious outdoor photography combines with action scenes to make “The Barrier” an absorbing picture. It is one of the most ambitious productions ever made by Harry Sherman, famous producer of outdoor films, and was directed by Les Selander. , . Sherman’s original negotiations for the screen rights began seven years ago, when he saw in the story the vehicle he wanted lor his most ambitious undertaking. It was not until early last year, however, that he was able to clear all rights and proceed with casting and “shooting” the film. Jean Parker is becoming known as an unparalleled “woods girl” and takes a characteristic part in “The Barrier.” She is cast as a young halfbreed of Alaska, in much the same type of role that won her such wide acclaim in “Sequoia.” She is one of the youngest leading women on the screen.

STATE

“SECOND HONEYMOON”

A novel and exciting love story, “Second Honeymoon,” which will begin a season to-day at the State Theatre, features Tyrone -Power and Loretta Young in parts which they fill admirably. „ The appeal of “Second Honeymoon is based on,the smart, modem, gay, and witty manner that has made them the most exciting sweethearts of the screen. _ . . Stuart Erwin, Claire Trevor, Marjorie Weaver, Lyle Talbot, and J. Edward Bromberg are included in the cast of the film, for which Kathryn Scola and Darrell Ware wrote the screen play from a story by Philip Wylie. Loretta Young Is considered one of the best camera subjects in pictures because she photographs well from any angle and requires only the simplest of lighting to achieve the best screen effects. A favourite of production crews, she Is one of the outstanding stars of the screen as well. In a role greatly different from any she has portrayed before in a varied screen career, Claire Trevor provides many comedy highlights in "Second Honeymoon.” At the outset of his film career Tyrone Power was cast in a romantic role opposite Loretta Young in “Ladies in Love.” the film co-starring Janet Gaynor and Constance Bennett. Next came "Cafe Metropole,” a brilliant comedy written by Gregory Ratoff, and featuring Adolphe Menjou. Cast as a penniless adventurer just out of an Eastern university, Power made love to Miss Young, as a charming heiress. After this the pair were reunited in "Love is News,” a new kind of “eternal triangle” story with Don Ameche co-starred.

PLAZA

DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME

Some of the catchiest melodies and funniest gag situations ever to reach the screen in a musical comedy are included in Paramount’s “Blossoms on Broadway." which will open to-day at the Plaza Theatre, along with “Hold ’Em, Navy." This new. gay musical film is an hilarious tale of cheaters outcheating each other in the whirl of Broadway. Edward Arnold, Shirley Ross, John Trent. Weber and Fields, William Frawley, Frank Craven, John Arthur, Rufe Davis, and Frederick .Clarke are in the cast, and receive fine support from the Radio Rogues and Kitty Kelly. Edward Arnold plays a lovable and laughable swindler, with Shirley Ross and John Trent handling the romantic leads. Those two beloved comedians, Weber and Fields, also take part in the hilarity. Benny Baker and Elizabeth Patterson head a splendid supporting cast which includes such popular names as Tully Marshall, Billy Daniels. George. Lollier. Pat Flaherty, Dick French, and Harold Adams in the comedy romance, “Hold ’Em, Navy,” which will also begin on Friday, Lew Ayres, Mary. Carlisle, and 'John Howard -re featured in the film, which has as its setting one of the geratest naval academies in the world, at Annapolis.

CRYSTAL PALACE

DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME

The RKO Radio comedy, “Living on Love,” which will head to-day’s new programme at the Crystal Palace, is a rollicking story of life in New York’s Greenwich Village which builds continued laughs from a series of novel situations. James Dunn and Whitney Bourne make a pleasing romahtic combination in the leading roles, and they are ably supported by a competent cast of comedians who get the utmost from the many amusing intricacies of the plot. The story concerns the predicament of the leading players, who cannot pay their room rent The new screen comedy team of Kenneth Terrell and James Fawcett are cast as a pair of vaudeville acrobats, and others in support include Tom Kennedy. Etta McDaniels, Evelyn Carrington, and Chester Clute. Revealing modern police methods of yl»Hng xom S>t suspected spot* $0 goli

evidence of criminal activities, the story of “Night Spot,” also on the coming programme featuring Parkyakarkus, Allan Lane, Gordon Jones, and Joan Woodbury, deals with a music-ally-minded policeman assigned to play in the orchestra of a night club opei> ated by a suave gangster and his henchmen.

MAYFAIR

“ HAPPY LANDING ” AND “ NAZI GERMANY >»

Sonja Henie in spectacular dancing on skates, admirable skating ballets, a double love story with Don Ameche as the successful suitor, Cesar Romero and Ethel Merman in frequent rough and tumbles, and striking musical numbers, make “Happy Landing,” which will start its third week at tjie Mayfair Theatre to-day, outstanding entertainment Topical interest is added to the programme by “Nazi Germany,” of the “March of Time” series, which presents modern Germany from an unusual viewpoint.

CHRISTCHURCH CINEMAS,

LIMITED

“Maytime,” a musical comedy, starring Jeannette Mac Donald and Nelson Eddy, who are heard in new songs by Romberg, is the current attraction at the Regent Theatre. The two stars were also associated in “Naughty Marietta."

“The Rat,” the screen version of a play by Ivor Novell©, with .Anton Walbrook and Ruth Chatterton in the leading parts, will begin at the Majestic Theatre to-day. The programme beginning to-day at the Tivoli Theatre comprises “Girl with Ideas,", featuring Wendy Barrie and Kent Taylor, and “Start Cheering,” a musical film, introducing noted American radio artists. Warner Gland appears as the famous Chinese detective of fiction in "Charlie Chan at the Race Track,” which, with "Carnival Queen,” a circus film starring Robert Wilcox and Dorothea Kent, will begin to-day at the Liberty Theatre. A drama, “Human Cargo,” with Brian Dunlevy, and “Navy Wife,” which features Ralph Bellamy and Claire Trevor, will begin to-day at the grand {theatre*.