ST. JAMES THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 80, 28 December 1935, Page 4

ST. JAMES THEATRE

“The Bishop Misbehaves” “The Bishop Misbehaves,” the unusual English comedy screened at St. James Theatre last evening to the accompaniment of gurgling laughter, is a pleasing and thrilling admixture of Edgar Wallace, Conan Doyle and Somerset Maugham well stirred and dished up hot. It all comes of the Bishop of Broadminster's insatiable thirst for thrilling detective stories and hi;« search for parallel deeds in contemporary life. When returning from a parish meeting the Bishop and his sister seek shelter in a village inn, and there to his amazement and delight he finds three people trussed and gagged, and no one left in charge of the house. Turning Sherlock Holmes he soon discovers that a man has been robbed of a valuable patent by a crook, and that his daughter. Hester, has sought aid to recover some of the spoils. It is through the clever deductions of the Bishop that the crime is sheeted homo and happiness is restored to Hester and her loyal accomplice. Donald Meadows. This picture features that sterling and vital character actor Edmund Gwenn (who was in New Zealand as a young man) as the Bishop, a very beautiful and genially humorous performance, while clever work is also done by Dudley Digges, Maureen O'Sullivan, Lucile Watson, Reginald Owen, Charles McNaughton, Norman Foster and Robert Greig. The programme also includes s St. James News Service, a Hearst Gazette. Universal News, “Football Team Work,” and the farce, “Slightly Static.” “A Feather in Her Hat.” Every once in a while, the screen arouses itfftlf and goes in for something exceptionally fine. It employs a story that is human and true, and it peoples the story with a cast worthy of it. Such a production, it is claimed, is “A Feather in Her Hat,” Columbia’s screen version of I. A. R. Wylie’s novel. Pauline Lord, the celebrated stage actress, makes her second appearance in films in “A Feather in Her Hat,” and one that is certain to win her the applause of every intelligent movie-goer. As Clarissa Phipps, Miss Lord gives an earthy, full-flavoured characterisation, human and understanding. Basil Rathbone, one of the most able actors on the English-speaking stage, plays opposite Miss Lord in an entirely sympathetic role that is his best to date. Louis Hayward, the sensational young Britisher, sets a new standard for juveniles. 'Without being over-generous to Piccadilly, it must be said that it has sent us an outstanding actor. Billie Burke defends the American cause by acquitting herself in altogether admirable fashion and succeeding in standing out in another of her flattery parts. "Wendy Barrie, another London importation, is a vibrant, charming girl with a good deal of talent. To make a very long story as short as possible, every member of the cast, including Victor Varconi, seems to have been inspired by the quality of the production. PARAMOUNT THEATRE “Where’s My Man” Some ridiculous adventures of Cicely Courtneidge in the army are the cause of the fun in “Where’s Aly Man,” which opened a season at the Paramount Theatre last night. She is supported by Tom Walls, who this time appears as the first Duke of Marlborough campaigning in Flanders, for “Where’s Aly Alan” tells of the days of Queen Anne. Cicely Courtneidge is the proprietor of an English country tavern whose bridegroom is taken off to the war by a press gang. She enlists as a boy and pursues him, and rapidly rises from the ranks and falls back into the ranks as she wins favour or loses it. One of her coupes is the rescuing of the Duke from the clutches of the French. Promotion to a dizzy height follows, and she is entrusted with the defeating of a most important spy who caused the capture of the duke. This she gloriously accomplishes, at the same time saving her husband who has been wrongly accused of the treachery. The first half is of just as high an entertainment standard. Each morning there is shown a special programme for children which contains three Alickey Alouse cartoons, two Silly Symphonies and “Handle IVith Care.” DE LUXE, LOWER HUTT Boris Karloff revives the grisly role of “The Alonster” for “The Bride of Frankenstein,” which is to screen tonight and on Alonday at the De Luxe Theatre, Lower Hutt. Colin Clive is again Dr. Frankenstein and Valerie Hobson the bride in this spine-tingling story, exceeding in horror even the original “Frankenstein.” On Tuesday and Wednesday “Special Agent,” starring George Brent and Bette Davis, will be screened, followed on Thursday and Friday by Claudette Colbert in “Private Worlds.” KILBIRNIE KINEMA A real holiday programme will he presented at the Kilbirnie Kinema tonight. The first big attraction is United Artists' new thrilling adventure comedy, “Red Salute,” starring Robert Young, Barbara Stanwyck and Cliff Edwards. The picture has just concluded a most successful run in the city. The big supporting feature is the hilarious and fastmoving comedy, “It’s a Bet,” starring Britain’s prince of comedians. Gene Gerrard, with Helen Chandler and Judy Kelly. “Red Salute” will be screened at the matinee to-day at 2 p.m. PRINCE EDWARD, LOWER HUTT Boris Karloff, master of thrills, has another gruesome role in “The Black Room,” the thriller now showing at the Prince Edward Theatre. A picture dabbling in the occult is “The Werewolf of London.” an incredibly horrible story featuring Warner Oland and Henry Hull, which will be shown on New Year’s Day.