CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22666, 22 March 1939, Page 5

CITY THEATRES

STATE “THE COWBOY AND THE LADY” Contrasting the glitter and glamour of smart society in Washington and Florida with the romance and adventure of cowboy land in the golden west, Samuel Goldwyn has lavished his unusual showmanship talents on his first major production of the new film season—“ The Cowboy and the Lady, a comedy romance of modern day life, which is coming to the State on Friday. Gary Cooper and Merle Oberon are starred together for the first time in this film. Cooper is cast as a cowboy who rides the range alone —until he comes East for a rodeo show, and meets Merle Oberon, a spoiled and petted society darling. They immediately join forces in a fast-paced romance which is full of riotous laughs and down-to-earth drama. Seen

at a preview recently, "The Cowboy and the Lady” reveals the pictorial brilliance of the great outdoors in the East and the West in a story that has romance, glamour, humour, and drama.

To-day and to-morrow provide the last opportunity of seeing the spectacular film, “Suez,” now at the-State. Heading the supporting programme will be a new “March of Time,” presenting “Uncle Sam—The Good Neighbour.” It shows in vivid form the meaning ,of the American policy of reciprocal trade agreements in a world of increasing national rivalries, and explains how this policy is being put into force by a revitalised American Foreign Service. Also showing will be the first of a new series of short travel subjects in colour, called “World Windows.” This film, “The Eternal Fire,” shows closeups of Vesuvius in eruption, and extensive views of the ruins of Pompeii. CRYSTAL PALACE “GATEWAY” AND “THE LIVE WIRE” Ellis Island, the “gateway” to America, is the dramatic location that Twentieth Century-Fox selected for the filming of the picture, “Gateway,” now at the Crystal Palace Theatre. A feature of this excellent film is the casting, both in the selection of principals, and the provision of armies of extras which are needed to make up the cosmopolitan population of Ellis Island, an island where almost every language in the world is spoken. Headed by Don Ameche and Arlecn Whelan, the cast is ‘a strong one, and includes Gregory Ratoff, Binnie Barnes, Gilbert Roland, and Raymond Walburn. The story is an original one, because it is the first screen presentation of life on the New York immigration station, Ellis Island, and is told in a most realistic manner. Men, women, and children of all nations arrive at the island to be “sifted” before being permitted to enter the land of opportunity— America. Comedy, drama, and romance are combined in the G.B.D. production. “The Live Wire,” which is the second attraction on the programme. As in all G.B.D. productions, the spontaneity and life in the dialogue is a feature. Bernard Ncdell and Jean Gillie are in the starring roles. A large business establishment is threatened with sudden failure because of an embezzlement by the head of the firm, and the arrival of Nedell from America with his “live wire” ideas is the signal for, a rapid succession of adventures. First of all, he fallrf in love with a girl in the street (Jean Gillie), who turns out to be none other than the secretary of the firm which he has set out to save from disaster. By a subtle device, he manages to extract advances of cash from one of the creditors, even before he has the slightest idea of how he is going to save the situation. “Up the River” and “Not Wanted on Voyage” will open on Friday.

PLAZA “SH ! THE OCTOPUS ” AND “SERGEANT MURPHY” “Sh! The Octopus,” and “Sergeant Murphy” will comprise the new programme at the Plaza on Friday. Few more exciting mystery farces than “Sh! The Octopus,” have ever been shown. But it is all in fun, and there are many laughs as well as thrills. Hugh Herbert and Allen Jenkins play the parts of the world’s “dumbest” detectives, who set out to find the “Octopus of Crime” which has the city in its grip. The trail leads them to a deserted lighthouse three miles off-shore. And here a real octopus gets into action. Imagine a long tentacle snaking its way through a crevice in the lighthouse wall and encircling the rotund body of the fluttery-fingered Hughie Herbert! Fancy the ultra-dumb Allen Jenkins going to Hugh’s rescue. The double-feature programme. at the Plaza this week is an entertaining and extremely interesting one. The main picture, “Boy Of The Streets,” stars Jackie Cooper in his first adult role, giving him an opportunity to show an acting ability far beyond what was promised by the parts he played as a boy. The second attraction on the programme, “Expensive Husbands,” starring Patric Knowles, Beverley Roberts, Gordon Oliver, and Allyn Joslyn is a brilliant and sophisticated comedy.

MAYFAIR “MJSS FIX-IT” Admirers of Jane Withers will find that in “Miss Fix-it” she has excellent opportunities to display her many talents. The picture is at present at the Mayfair Theatre. In it there is a pleasant mixture of comedy and drama, with comedy predominating, and this young star makes easy work of both. Prominently associated with her are Henry Wilcoxon, Gloria Stuart, and Pedro de Cordoba.

Cmc “PRISON WITHOUT BARS” A young and beautiful French star is introduced to British audiences in the new London film, “Prison Without Bars,” which comes to the Civic on Friday. The newcomer is Corinhe Luchaire, 17-year-old discovery of Alexander Korda, who produced the film. Poised and assured, but with a Bergner-like impishness, Miss Luchaire is one of the most striking personalities presented on the screen in recent years. She is clearly destined for international fame. As Suzanne, innocent inmate of a girls’ reformatory. Miss Luchaire has many dramatic opportunities. Embittered by the harsh regulations, Suzanne makes many attempts to escape, but each time she is captured and brought back. Her last escapade coincides with the arrival of Yvonne, the new superintendent, played charmingly by Edna Best. In spite of opposition from her staff, Yvonne introduces sweeping reforms, She wins the love and gratitude of Suzanne, for whom she is trying to get a pardon. Happy for the first time, the girl is given more congenial work assisting the institution’s doctor, George Marechal (Barry K. Barnes). She speedily falls in love with him, unaware, as is everybody else, that he is engaged to marry Yvonne. “Prison Without Bars” is one of the most moving dramas of the year, with special honours going to the star, Corinne Luchaire, and Edna Best, Barry K. Barnes, Martiti Hunt, Mary Morris,, Lorraine Clewes, and Sally Wisher. ‘ Now in its fifth and final week at the Civic Theatre, "Pygmalion” is one of the finest productions of the British film industry. This adaptation of George Bernard Shaw’s play of the same name has not suffered from the translation from t stage to screen, and the success that the film is having in its Christchurch season .shows that the cast has done extraordinarily well in portraying the wit, pathos, drama, and comedy (3 Shaw’s work. There need be no hesitation in saying that this picture fully deserves its success.

AVON “ST. MARTIN’S LANE” Charles Laughton, who takes the role of a London busker or theatre queue entertainer in his latest PommerLaughton “Mayflower” production, “St. Martin’s Lane,” which begins on Friday at the Avon, paused outside a Shaftesbury avenue theatre to watch one of the buskers at work, in the hope of picking up some local colour. The busker was nearing the end of his repertoire; he had recited, had given the queue a bit of “Hamlet,” and was just about to commence on his piece de resistance —“Ladies and gentlemen,” he announced, "I will now give you an impersonation of that world-famous stage and screen actor, Charles Laughton, in ‘The Barretts of Wimpole Street,’ and ‘Mutiny on the Bounty.’ ” Then he glanced round, saw Laughton watching with interest, gave a horrified gasp,, cried “Blimey!’ and dashed down a side street. Those who like a really good comedy will find it in “Service De Luxe,” which is the current attraction at the Avon Theatre. It has a resemblance to another successful comedy, “Mr Deeds Comes to Town,” in that the male lead in "Service De Luxe” also comes to town with the reputation of being a hayseed, and promptly belies that reputation; and there is an even closer resemblance in that it also is a sparkling piece of work. CHRISTCHURCH CINEMAS, LIMITED “Gold is Where You Find It,” starring Olivia de Havilland and Claude Rains, is now at the Regent. “Manhattan Melodrama” will open on Friday. Pat O’Brien, Joan Blondell, and Margaret Lindsay are starred in “Back in Circulation,” which has begun a season at the Majestic. “I Am the Law,” with Edward G. Robinson, begins on Friday, “The Crowd Roars,” with Robert Taylor, Maureen O’Sullivan, and Frank Morgan in the chief roles, is now showing at the Tivoli. 'TOO Men and a Girl” will open on Friday. “Keep Fit,” starring George Formby, and “Portia on Trial,” starring Frieda Inescourt, is the attraction at the Liberty. At the Grand, “Espionage,” featuring Edmund Lowe, Madge Evans, and Paul Lukas, is showing with “Nobody’s Baby.” REX, RICCARTON * A fine programme will be screened at the Rex Theatre, Riccarton, tonight, Thursday, and Friday. Thiscomprises “Alf’s Button Afloat,” one of the funniest comedies screened in years, and “Danger on the Air,” a great mystery thriller.