CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22519, 29 September 1938, Page 4

CITY THEATRES

MAYFAIR “BLOCKADE” The- background of the love story which is told in “Blockade,” Walter *Wanger’s romantic drama, starring Madeleine Carroll and Henry Fonda : which is coming to the Mayfair tomorrow, is the Spanish civil war. This is the romance of a man and a girl drawn into the conflict almost against their will—lovers who were at the same time bitter enemies. “Blockade,” though it employs the war only as a background and favours neither side in the conflict, furnishes a highly interesting and remarkably accurate picture of Spain’s civil strife. Produced on a lavish scale, its many elaborate settings are outstanding examples of Hollywood’s skill in achieveing realism in locale and atmosphere. One setting, the scene of much exciting action, shows the entire waterfront of a Spanish town, with its sea wall fronting on the Mediterranean, and a mass of buildings crowding almost to the water’s edge. Aeroplane raids, fierce battles in rural areas, the flight of refugees—all are shown in a manner that clearly tarings to the audience an understanding of conditions that have disrupted the life of an entire nation. Without being propaganda in any sense, the picture .nevertheless demonstrates the complete futility of war as a means of solving the problems of the world. This unusual picture was directed by William Dieterle, whose recent “Life of Emile Zola.” was adjudged by vote of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences the greatest motion picture of 1937 In addition to Leo Carrillo, the cast supporting Madeleine Carroll and Fonda in “Blockade” includes John Halliday, Reginald Denny, Vladimir Sokoloff, and Robert Warwick. At present showing at the Mayfair is “Kentucky Moonshine,” starring the Ritz Brothers. CIVIC “STAND IN” Every now and again Hollywood makes a film that laughs at some aspect of American life, usually taken so seriously on the films, and in “Stand-In,” which begins to-morrow at the Civic, it laughs at itself. Its stars are Leslie Howard and Joan Blondell. “Stand-In” tells the story of Mr Atterbury Dodd, a shy young banker who went to Hollywood —took over a 10,000,000 dollar studio—and tried to run it according to the science of mathematics. Joan Blondell has her finest role as the “Stand-In” of the title. Humphrey Bogart, who plays Quintan, the genius producer who is struggling against the handicap of Koslofski, a fabulous foreign director, and Thelma Cheri, the' glamour star, who are conspiring with Nassau, a rival producer, to wreck the company. Alan Mowbray ha" his maddest and funniest role as Koslofski, Marla Shelton, the new Wanger discovery, plays Cheri, ,C. Henry Gordon is his usual villainous self as Nassau, and Jack Carson, an unknown “bit” player, won overnight fame in the role of Potts, the press agent. Gene Towne and Graham Baker wrote the screen play for “Stand-In,” which was produced by Tay Garnett. Alexander Toluboff designed the nightmarishly extravagant backgrounds. The production is released through United Artists. At present showing at the Civic is “Four Men and a Prayer,” starring Loretta Young, George Sanders, Richard Greene, David Niven, and C. Aubrey Smith. AVON “THE PERFECT SPECIMEN” , Few films ' seen recently have been , so entertaining as “The Perfect 'Specimen,” wnich is now it its second week at the Avon Theatre. It presents a story sparkling with wit, a talented cast and able direction making it a notable picture. The story has enough novelty to take it out of the rut, and it has been handled throughout with a light and agreeable touch. With Errol Flynn and Joan Blondell at the head of the cast, supported by May Robson, Edward Everett Horton, Hugh Herbert, and Allen Jenkins, there is a brilliance in the acting to satisfy discriminating theatregoers. It is to the credit of those who made this picture that the casting of the characters is thoroughly sound. Joan Blondell is the girl who tempts Gerald from his seclusion and leads him into a series of amusing adventures; Hugh Herbert is the eccentric poet at whose house the “perfect specimen” acd his new-found friend stay: May Robson is the grandmother, and Edward Everett Horton is her secretary. All of them make great play with the material that is given them in this picture. Mixed up with this are the exploits of the “perfect specimen” during the moments he is not concerned about eluding the police. He becomes embroiled in a roadside fight, then deputises for his opponent in his fight in a boxing contest, and in the end comes to a complete realisation that the dominance of his grandmother must be broken. In all these stages yf his education there is very bright comedy indeed. f PLAZA “MOONLIGHT SONATA” Paderewski, the famous pianist, comes to the screen in “Moonlight Sonata,” which will begin to-morrow at the Plaza. Another interesting figure in this picture is the veteran stage actress, Marie Tempest, who, at the age of 72 years, makes her debut in a talking film. In the role of a hospitable Swedish baroness, her personality, with its provocative combination of dignity and mischief, makes a most vivid impression. Marie Tempest’s performance In “Moonlight Sonata” is a clear proof that really first-rate acting can be transferred from theatre to screen without any major operations. It is to be hoped that her success will reconcile her to the cinema, for, since she can put it over so well, her personality is the kind that is an asset to any film. The supporting feature will be “The Street Singer’s Return,” a sparkling musical comedy romance, which brings together two famous stars of the entertainment world. They are Arthur Tracy and Arthur Riscoe. In “The Street Singer’s Return," Arthur Riscoe is seen as a street corner conjurer, with crooked tendencies, and round him revolve most of the film’s laughs. He wears a badly battered bowler, a high celluloid collar, with a ridiculous little bow-:tie, and an ill-fitting check suit. This is a change from Riscoe's usual make-up. for he is generally regarded' as one of thp best-dressed comedians on the stage or screen. At present showing at the Plaza are ‘The Return of Jimmy and •“1000 Dollars a Minute."

CRYSTAL PALACE “SHE’S GOT EVERYTHING” AND “BORDER BRIGANDS” What to do when a host ot creditors threaten to take the very clothes from an orphaned girl’s back, and stripping her palatial home of all its furniture, forms the opening situation of “She’s Got Everything,” a romantic comedy with Ann Southern and Gene Raymond, which is coming to the Crystal Palace to-morrow. The plot deals with the creditors’ plan to finance the society girl in a campaign to marry a rich South American, which they feel will enable them to get their money back. However, the girl rejects the scheme, deciding to get a job instead, and she becomes secretary to a young millionaire coffee importer. However, the creditors continue their campaign, and the results involve the girl and the millionaire in a series of hilarious complications. With both, stars given plenty of opportunities for the swift comedy that has won them high popularity in their previous films, and with the aid of a distinguished supporting cast, “She’s Got Everything” promises excellent entertainment.

In “Border Brigands,” the second feature, excitement, romance, and brilliant horsemanship combine to provide a universal appeal. The popular Buck Jones is starred. The absorbing story deals with the activities of the Royal North-west Mounted Police in that part of Canada lying against the Arctic Circle, and pictures a bitter feud between the “Mounties” and a band of outlaws which maintains its headquarters in a lawless town on the American side of the international border. “Battle of Broadway” and “Panamint’s Bad Man” are at present showing at the Crystal Palace. CHRISTCHURCH CINEMAS, LIMITED A really bright comedy, “Romance for Three,” starring Robert Young, Frank Morgan, and Florence Rice, is now showing at the Regent. “That Certain Woman,” with Bette Davis and Henry Fonda in the lead, will open a season to-morrow. George Formby, the popular comedian, is at his best in “I See Ice,” which will be shown at the Majestic for another week. Cyril Ritchard is also featured. “Test Pilot,” transferred to the Tivoli, ■is in its third week in Christchurch. Its stars are Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, and Spencer Tracy. “Shall We Dance.” starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, and “For Valour,” with Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn, are the features at the Liberty. The new programme at the Grand comprises “The Perfect Gentleman,” starring Frank Morgan and Cicely Courtneidge, and “Absolute Quiet,” with Lionel Atwill, Irene Hervey, and Stuart Erwin.