STATE THEATRE

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

STATE THEATRE

“Thanks a Million” A gloriously entertaining picture is at the State Theatre. “Thanks a Million” is both melodious and romantic, though it has a political theme. Its broad satire lampoons American State politics, but some of the jibes fit New Zealand surprisingly. The central figure is Dick Powell, crooner of a troupe of entertainers whose performances are so good that it is difficult to believe that they have had a period without engagement. Their manager stumbles on a hopelessly alcoholic candidate for governor of the State, and sells his bosses the idea of putting his speeches over as the meat in a sandwich of free jazz, dancing, girls and crooning. The play works amazingly. Shortly before the election Powell is called on to rend a speech the candidate is too drunk to give. TTe makes such a hit that the bosses, disgusted with their bibulous nominee, replace him with Powell. The result is amazing and thrilling. Anno Dvorak is the other central figure. One or two of the musical hits are composed in the Gilbert and Sullivan manner, and the audience last night began to applaud before the show swept on. There is a first half to suit a variety of tastes. OPERA HOUSE “The Arizonian” “Wild Westerns” will always have an appeal of their own and will be always welcome no matter what the developments of the screen may be, the secret of their success is exemplified in “The Arizonian,” the picture now at the New Opera House. The square-jawed Richard Dix heads the quick-shooting cast of “The Arizonian,” and hg plays his role of peace-maker, albeit not always by peaceable means, with a calm deliberation which makes it acting. Margot Grahame is there to supply the romance —quite superfluous really, but lending charm to an otherwise harsh plot. The story tells of the efforts of a peaceablyminded marshal to prevent the inhabitants of a hard-living Western town from killing each other or being killed by a gang of thugs headed by the county sheriff. Included in the supports are two newsreels, one of which shows lurid scenes from the wrestling match between Danno Mahoney and Jim Londos and a musical featurette. PALACE, PETONE “No More Ladies,” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's new Joan Crawford picture, costarring Robert Montgomery, is one of the finest pictures these two popular stars have ever made. Included in the cast are Franchot Tone. Charlie.Ruggles, Edna May Oliver and Reginald Denny. “No More Ladies" will screen at the Palace Theatre. Petone, this afternoon, to-night and Monday and Tuesday nights. Fast, spirited and witty, the story builds rapidly to a climax of pure humour. Commencing a three-day season next Wednesday (New Year’s Day), with a matinee in the afternoon, is the latest Janet Gaynor —-Lew Ayres success “Servants’ Entrance.” a delightful picture in which comedy is blended with romance. STATE, PETONE Petone’s newest theatre presents another outstanding screen success in “Ginger,” starring Jane Withers and Jackie Searl. There’s a clash with a world of comedy when these youngsters get together, and it ought to be a pleasant surprise to State Theatre audiences, When Jane; the little, independent, self-reliant product of Ninth Avenue, is taken into the Park Avenue home of the pampered Jackie Searl, trouble and lots of fun follows. An excellent supporting programme is being screened, including Fox Australian and New Zealand Movietone News, which is an exclusive weekly feature at this theatre, a musical feature containing some great song-hits, and “Tamtns Hoofer,” a comedy. This afternoon there.will be a special children’s matinee at 2.15 o’clock.