CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22429, 16 June 1938, Page 4

CITY THEATRES

MAYFAIR “STAGE DOOR” How a society girl possessing everything money can buy tries to win fame on the Broadway stage forms the central situation of “Stage Door,” costarring Katharine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers, and Adolphe Menjou, which will begin to-morrow at the Mayfair. The two women stars are cast in contrasting roles —Katharine Hepburn as the wealthy society girl burning with ambition, and Ginger Rogers as her room-mate, a night club enterSupremely confident of her artistic talents, Katharine Hepburn tackles a big Broadway producer and ridicules him for not recognising her ability, and. to the amazement of all, finally wins the leading role in his forthcoming play. , , When another girl who has been previously considered for the same role commits suicide because of her extreme disappointment, the society belle is deeply shocked. Realising the futility of her success, and in the throes- of her turbulent emotions, she gives a sensational performance as a tribute to the memory of her departed friend, thus winning back the respect of Ginger Rogers and of all the other girls who were prone indirectly to attribute the tragedy to the ambitious heiress. - Adolphe Menjou plays the Broadway stage producer, and other important roles are filled by Gail Patrick, Constance Collier, Andrea Leeds, Samuel B. Hinds, and Lucille Ball. To-day is the last day of “In Old Chicago” at the Mayfair. AVON “WELLS FARGO” Interception of an east-bound treasure train of California gold by Confederate cavalry, one of the leastHhown yet most dramatic incidents of the American Civil War, was reenacted for the screen in “Wells Fargo,” which is now at the Avon. Initial scenes of the clash between the Confederates and armed plainsmen who escorted the bullion were made near Kernville, California, by the producer-director, Frank Lloyd, while he was filming “Wells Fargo,” which deals with early transportation. It has Joel McCrea, Frances Dee, and Bob Burns heading the cast of more than 2000. This part of the film shows the treasure train, comprising six stage coaches and four express waggons, headed by Joel McCrea in the role of a Wells Fargo messenger and Bob Burns as a pioneer plainsman and guide, sweeping down out of the mountains on to a Colorado plain for their charge into the Confederate ranks.

With more than 100 picked horses hauling the coaches and waggons and serving as mounts for the outriders, the scene is regarded as one of the most exciting and most difficult of the type ever filmed. It was covered by six cameras and completed without injury to a single player. CIVIC I “INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENT” Intrigue and adventure in a Chinese setting provide the theme of “Inters national Settlement,” the picture of the hour, which begins at the Civic Theatre to-morrow. It deals with the adventures oi a free-lance American pilot who finds himself in China’s great metropolis as the city is engulfed in conflict. The chief roles in “International Settlement” are taken by Dolores Del Rio, George Sanders, a new star ♦‘discovery,” June Lang, and Dick Baldwin.

Others in the notable cast, appearing in supporting parts, are Reye Luke, the youthful Chinese actor who has won a wide following among film fans by his work in' the Charlie Chan series, John Carradine, Leon Ames, and Ruth Terry, a ycurig singer who recently made her screen debut in “Love and Hisses.”

Lou Breslow and John Patrick produced the screen play fop “International Settlement,” Eugene Forde is the director, selected by executive producer Sol M. Wurtzel. Special musical scores for the picture are under the direction of Samuel Kayiin and the erotic costumes which appea? in the production are the creation of Hepschel, “Paradise Fop Two,” starring the inimitable Jack Hulbert, will be shown at the Civic for the last time to-day. PLAZA “SHE MARRIED AN ARTIST” AND “WHEN G-MEN STEP IN” Artists are notoriously interesting people to marry. Consequently the new Columbia picture, “she Married an Artist,” which will begin at the Plaza to-morrow, ought to be an interesting picture.' It is a romantic comedy and concerns artists and the art of loving them. Its stars are John Boles and the Viennese actress, Luli Deste. Supporting John Boles and Lull Deste is a cast that includes Frances Drake, Helen West ley and Alexander D’Arcy in important pples., Frances Drake’s latest film was “Love Under Fire”; Helen Westley’s was the Grace Moore picture, “I’ll Take Romance,” and D’Arcy’s “The Awful Truth.” Other roles are taken by Albert van Dekker, Marek Windheim, Franklin Pangborm and Jacqueline Wells, Marion Coring directed.

The thrilling exploits of America’s G-Men in their campaign against rapketeers, and the rivalry of two brothers on opposite sides of the law fqr the love of a beautiful society debutante, are. the highlights of the Columbia drama “When G-Men Step In,” which will be the seCqnd feature. Heading the large cast are Don Terry, Jacqueline Wells, and Robert Paige. Terry was noted on the New York stage before signing a long term contract with Columbia. Jacqueline Wells was most recently seen in a featured role in the Edith FeUows starring picture, “Little Miss Roughneck.” , CRYSTAL PALACE “LAW OF THE UNDERWORLD” AND “HARMONY LANE” Among the many films based on the American campaign against organised crime, the “Law of the Underworld.” starring Chester M9 rr is, which is now showing at the Crystal Palace, is out-! standing. Anne Shirley and Richard Bond'provide the romantic interest. The life of Stephen Collins Foster, composer of many popular songs, provides the theme fpf “Harmony Lane,” the seqpnd film of an excellently con--Wasted programme.

CHRISTCHURCH CINEMAS, LIMITED “London by Night,” an exciting mystear, starring Gfenrgn Mtotoy apd Rita Johnson, begins to-morrow at the Tivoli. -