CITY THEATRES “THE WOMEN”

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22707, 11 May 1939, Page 9

CITY THEATRES

“THE WOMEN”

MAYFAIR “KEEP SMILING” “Keep Smiling." which will begin at the Mayfair to-morrow, is one of those screen tonics that come only once in a long while—an infectiously happy, lilting film with a perfect cast. It will send everybody away happier than he has felt in years. Happiness is the keynote of the story. Grade Fields’s role is one of the finest she has had —leader of a variety troupe, their guide, philosopher, and friend, a tower of strength

Jn times of trouble. She has many tongs, both comic and "straight,” singing them as only she can. The film is one to do justice to the amazing genius of its star, who has an excellent cast in support, including Mary Maguire. Roger Livesey, Peter Coke, and “Skippy." Gracie Fields sings seven songs m “Keep Smiling,” ranging from the broad comedy number, "Mrs Birins' Twins,” calculated to be as popular as “Walter,” to Fred Wcntherley’s two popular classics. “The Holy City" and “May Morning." Monty Banks directed “Keep Smiling.” The popular Shirley Temple film. Must Around the Corner,” will end Its season m-day.

PLAZA

“STEPPING TOES” AND

“BLONDES AT WORK”

It is prophesied that nine-ycar-old Hazel Ascot, brilliant little star who has the leading role in “Stepping Toes.” beginning at the Piaza to-mor-row, will dance her way into the hearts of film enthusiasts. Her tap-dancing is phenomenal: in feet, she won the All-England Dancing Championship for Children in 1935 and 1936 without losing a single

lurk. She sings prettily and her Idling is natural and free from preterit v. while her personality is winling.

\Vith that sterling comedy team of Glenda Farrell and Barton Mac Lane Is co-stars, a Warner Bros, comedy, 'Blondes at Work,” will be the assot;ato feature at the Plaza. "Springtime in the Rockies." starring Gene Autry, and "Sins of Children," Hth Eric Linden and Cecilia Parker, fill end their season to-day.

STATE “GINGA DIN”

The classic Rudyard Kipling poem, Gunge Din." has come to life on the creep. Photographed on a gigantic talc with a gripping, dramatic story lought to life by a splendid cast, bring Cary Grant, Victor McLaglen, nd Douglas Fairbanks, jun.. the picare, which will begin its season at tii Slate Theatre on Friday, ranks hung the great offerings of recent tars. Its story is a vivid recital of the destrate struggle waged by the British i establish dominance over one ol le most ruthless of the lawless native luments of north-west India. The vast native village and temple dings, placed against the impressive sokgreund of snow-clad mountain sales are memorably photographed, idle' the two battle sequences are Song the most vivid and realistic ter presented on the screen. An outbreak of Thuggee, sinister tangling cult of India, forms the jckground of the film. The rnouninous region of that country’s north's! frontier is the setting. Its prinjal characters are three British servants played by Grant, McLaglen, id Fairbanks, jun„ who have formed sort of "three musketeers'' friendip, in spite of the imminent marriage one of them (Fairbanks) ns soon his enlistment expires, and the penant of another (Grant) for seeking dec! treasure.

lean Fomaine, the only woman m t cast brings a note of romance, as 8 lovely and appealing fiancee of Wbanks. Sam Jaffe is cast in the '9 role of the loyal native bhisti, or (ter carrier, Eduardo Cianclli. as - the tolarly but implacable leader of the

“ties, Robert Coote as a rival serInt, and Abner Biberman as a Thug

Main. Kentucky” will end its long season ■iav,

CRYSTAL PALACE

“PACIFIC LINER” AND “ARIZONA LEGION”

Two determined men pitted against each other in a deadly struggle of brawn against brains, within a steclwalled world surrounded by treacherous high seas—that is RKO Radio's drama, “Pacific Liner," which will begin at the Crystal Palace to-morrow. Victor McLagien as a two-fisted chief engineer, swaggering dictator of an ocean liner’s murky stokehold, and Chester Morris, as a rugged ship’s doctor, are co-starred. Crammed with adventure, romance, and conflict, the story unfolds during an ill-fated voyage from Shanghai to San Francisco. Morris ships aboard the

s.s. Arcturus as physician in order to be near nurse Wendy Barrie, although his skill with * tropical diseases has brought him more lucrative offers.

A real and highly exciting chaplet in Western history is recreated in George O’Brien's new RKO Radio picture, “Arizona Legion,” which will be on the same bill at the Crystal Palace. “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” greatest of Walt Disney's creations, and “Annabel Takes a Tour” will end today.

AVON

“LOVE FINDS ANDY HARDY”

It is a real pleasure to see another of the films of the famous Hardy family. "Love Finds Andy Hardy.” which is showing at the Avon Theatre, is easily the most entertaining and delightful of them all. It is full of genuine human interest, comedy, and romance. Excellent singing by the young and pretty Hidy Garland is another attraction. Th. acting by all the members of the cast, Lewis Slone. Mickey Rooncv, Cecilia Parker, Fay' Holden, and Judy Garland, is excellent. It is an interesting picture, because it shows the problems and emotions that concern rdinary, everyday people, in a very vivid manner. The Hardys are a typical family, faced by' the usual difficulties. Judge Hardy himself (Lewis Stone) is one of the most pleasing characters that have over been seen on the screen. The story, most entertaining of the series so far. describes Andy s purchase of a small second-hand ear. without his father’s knowledge. He is only able to pay 12 dollars on a 20 dollar account, in order to obtain the additional eight dollars he agrees to take care of his best friend's girl, while that young man is on vacation. Complications ensue when Andy finds himself with three girls on his hands, all invited to the big dance of the year. With the aid of Judy Garland he manages to extricate himself from the difficulties, but not until a bright page has been added to motion picture comedy history'.

CHRISTCHURCH CINEMAS, LTD.

The Academy Award film. "You

Can’t Take It With You," starring Jean Arthur and James Stewart, to-morrow will begin an extended season at the Regent. “Blockheads," the last Laurel ancl Hardy picture, and "Mr Wong, Detective,” starring Boris Karloff, are the attractions at the Majestic. "Man in Possession," starring Rooert Taylor and Jean Harlow, is showing at the Tivoli Theatre. "The Perfect Specimen.” starring Errol Flynn. Joan Blundell, and May Robson, will begin at the Tivoli to-mor-row.

The programme at the Lfberty consists of Bobby Breen in “Hawaii Calls" and William' Boyd in Mullord’s "Heart of the West.” "That Certain Woman," starring Bette Davis and Claudette Colbert, and Mclvyn Douglas in “I Met Him in Paris," will open to-morrow.

Features at the Grand this week are "The Legion of Terror.” starring Bruce Cabot, and "The Devil's Playground,” in which Richard Dix has the chief role. "Kathleen Mavourneen." starring Sally O'Neill, and “Rainbow's End," with Hoot Gibson, will begin to-morrow.

POPULAR PLAY OPENS TO-NIGHT

SEASON TO BEGIN AT THEATRE ROYAL

Clare Boothe’s satirical play "The Women” will be presented by J. C. Williamson Theatres, Ltd., at the Theatre Royal to-night for a brief season of six nights and two matinees. Unprecedentedly stimulating is the caustic, witty, catty comedy, with its all-women cast of 40, in which the girls “Jet their hair down” and tell all.

The management affirms that not a line of dialogue has been altered nor a single scene changed. Star of the production is Irene Purcell, distinguished actress from New York, who has the one sympathetic role in the play, that of Mary Haines, Much interest centres on Mary Dees, who was lor many years the “double” in Hollywood to the late Jean Harlow, and who, because of her striking resemblance to that actress, was able to finish the film "Saratoga,” which was partially completed when Jean Harlow died. Other American principals, all of whom give outstanding performartes, arc Marjorie Crossland. Jessica Rogers, Doris Packer, Suzanne Jackson, Debby Dare, Christine Maple, and Arden Young, Several noted Australian actresses ftlso appear in the all-women cast. Dorothea Dunstan Is a verclever child and there W two New inlanders, Katie Towers and Eileen Collins, In the play. ' Clare Boothe has exploited the distaff side of life, sometimes with a dash of bitterness, sometimes with sarcasm of irony. The story deals with a group of Park avenue women with plenty of money to spend on themselves and a lot of time to do it. They see all evil, speak all evil, and hear all evil. The gossip results in driving Mrs Stephen

Haines (Irene Purcell) to divorcing her husband, but she saves herself in the end' by a woman’s wit and wisdom. “The Women” ran for more than 800 performances on Broadway, New York, and for 104 at Melbourne. It has just completed a run of more than two months in Sydney, and created quite a sensation in Auckland, where the booking created an all-time record for a talking play. Box plans are at the D.I.C.