ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 131, 27 February 1936, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS

“Magnificent Obsession” at Regent Theatre

After a necessarily short but highly successful run at the Regent. Theatre, “Magnificent Obsession” is to conclude this evening. This film la an artistic creation a good deal removed from the ordinary run of) ocreen stories, and ever so far distant from the banal and meretricious in life. There is deftly interwoven in the story a thread of spirituality, very bcautit'ullv and delicately suggested, yet permeating the whole. Dr. Hudson’s magnificent obsession is altruism, practised not only through his profession and hospital but through his pocket. Irene Dunne makes a deep impression by extremely natural, sympathetic and sensitive acting, and in Robert Taylor is disclosed a handsome, debonair star. “Peter Ibbetson.” It is a good many years since George du Maurier wrote Ins famous novel, “Peter Ibbetson,” but while they may have forgotten some of the detail, it is doubtful it any readers of the story eau have forgotten its exquisite sentiment or ita rare beauty of design. Paramounts new screen versithi, starring Gary Cooper and Aim Harding, which will start tomorrow ut the Regent Theatre, has recreated .that beauty in- subtly moving fashion in a gracious pattern of undying love which, according to advance reports, will meet with the wholehearted praise of all discriminating picturegoers. In the introductory part of the story, which is set in the middle of the hist century, Gogo and Mimsey are small playmates resident in Paris. They are separated when Gogo’s mother dies, and he is taken to London by his uncie, assuming his own Christian name of Peter and his mother’s surname, Ibbetson. In the course of time Peter Ibbetson becomes an architect, and he is sent to the estates of ’tlie Duke of Towers to design new racing stables. He finds himself drawn to Mary, the Duchess of Towers, and she to him, and soon it is revealed that they were childhood sweethearts. Their alliuity is irresistible, but the jealousy of the Duke eventually leads to Peter accidentally killing him in a quarrel. Peter is given a life sentence, but prison walls cannot break the magnetism that binds the lovers, and they meet in their dreams- until death gives infinity to their romance. . The latter half of the story, -which deals with the dream life'Of the separated lovers, possesses a delicacy of thought and expression that raises it far above the general level of romantic essays—as indeed the theme demands^—and the contrast with what may be termed the introductory half becomes increasingly poignant. The transition from the real to the ethereal has been beautifully and convincingly effected, the settings are perfectly attuned to the development, and the atmosphere of spiritual ecstasy is subtly con'Tlary Cooper portrays the role of Peter Ibbetson as if he fully appreciated every feeling of du Maurier’s character, playing his scenes with a simplicity of appeal and an economy of gesture that proves him to be the perfect choice' for the .part. Ann Harding is equally good as Mary. Every gesture and every intonation of her voice has meaning, and it is in these two. perfectly matched' players that the spirituality of the story finds such brilliant and compelling emotional interpretation. John Halliday is excellent a* the Duke of Towers, and Ida Lupino, Donald Meek. Colin Tapley and IDoris Lloyd are others who stand out among the players. Dickie Moore and Virginia Weidler play the parts of Gogo and Mimsey as children.

“Remember Last Night,” Plaza Attraction

The terrifying complications that follow when a Long Island husband and wife awake to find that during a party given the night before a guest has been shot in the heart, forms the theme of Universal’s “Remember Last Night,” which is screening at the Plaza Theatre. \ ’ “I Dream Too Much.”

It may be confidently asserted that opera litis found its place in the films. RKO-Radio’ s “I Dream Too Much,” coming shortly to the Plaza Theatre, is convincing argument that it is possible to transform it for the new medium. In “I Dream Too Much” the lovely Frenph coloratura, Lily Pons, promises ft source of breathless surprise. It is anticipated that she will reveal herself not only as a singer, but also as a superb actress and natural comedienne. Miss Pons . sings the second act of arias from “Lakme,” by Delibes, and the “Caro Nome” from “Rigoletto,” by Verdi, together with some specially composed light songs by Jerome Kern. Vocally and physically she is a perfect subject for the sound film. Her captivating personality, her petite figure, and/tlie charming way she carries herself, completely destroys the legend that opera singers are stilted and ungainly. Those who have heard her sing “Caro Nome on the operatic stage know it as the spontaneous outpouring of n heart filled with the ecstasy, of love. The beautiful melody, with its configuration of flute passages and swirling sound, is sung so exquisitely that it provokes instant acclaim. One cannot restrain applauding the richness of her tone and the ease with which she encompasses its difficult fioritutc. There is little doubt that “I Dream Too Much” will draw the attention. of music critics. The story of the picture, though not sombre and tragic as the' librettos of most operas, gives full sway to the passion which envelopes the. central characters of a talented young singer nnd an impoverished composer. The love theme in many respects is ns moving as that of “Trayiata,” “Tosca” and "Tristan and Isolde.”

St. James Theatre Screens “It’s in the Air”

A comedy right off the beaten track, Metro-Goldwyn-Mnyer’s “It's, in the Air,” is at the St. James Theatre. The story centres round the lively doings of two men, Galvin Churchill (Jack Benny) and “Clip” McGurk (Ted Healy), who live by their wits. “If You Could Only Cook.” A promising new romantic comedy team heads the cast of Columbia’s “If You Could Only Cook,” coming to the St. James Theatre to-morrow. Herbert Marshall is a firmly established favourite, and Jean Arthur has been seen just sufficiently to make it about time she appeared as a star. Ip “If you Could Only Cook” Marshall is seen as a disgusted millionaire. Not disgusted because ho doesn't know what to do with his money, but because he is about to marry a girl he doesn’t love and who doesn’t love him. And, further, because his board of directors has been annoying him. Instead of getting drunk, he goes and sits in the park. Here he meets Miss Arthur, who ia scanning the want ads’ for a job. She mistakes him for another unemployed member of society and invites him to go with her to answer an ad. for a married couple, a butler and a maid. Marshall, on the spur of the moment, accepts, and off R> the millionaire and the young lady atid get th« job. They find themselves working for a big-shot racketeer, played by Leo Carrillo. And when both Marshall and Carrillo fall in love With Marshall’s “wife.’’ things happen, especially when Marshall has a previous commitment to marry a society girl on a fast-approaching date. From this point on the tale is filled with complications that promise much in-the way of merriment.. William A. Seiter, a master at directing light comedy, guides “If You Could Only Cook” to a conclusion that proves satisfactory to all concerned. In the supporting cast are Lionel Stander, brassy-voiced poet of “The Scoundrel,” Alan Edwards Frieda Inescourt, Gene Morgan, Ralf Harolde, Matt McHugh and Richard Powell. \

“In Person,” Starring Ginger Rogers, at State One star who can -boast of having appeared in nothing but successes is Ginger Rogers, and she fully maintains her reputation in “In Person,” her latest release, concluding <to-day at the State. Three new song hits and a number of unusual dance routines are introduced. “The Littlest Rebel." As the tiny confederate who surrounds the Yanks with smiles, astounds them with, songs, and defeats them with dances, Shirley Temple returns to the screen, in “The Littlest Rebel,” which comes to the State Theatre to-morrow. Ably supported by a cast which includes John Boles; Jack Holt, Karen Morley and her old tap-dane-ing friend, Bill Robinson, Shirley plays her first great dramatic role in this screen offering, produced under Darryl F. Zanuck. The story of “The Littlest Rebel,” adapted from that ever-.popular play, deals with happenings in Virginia during the Civil War. After .Shirley’s father, John Boles, is called to’fight for the Stars and Bare, things go from bad to worse with his family. Loyal servants help to keep the family together, but when their home conies into the line of fire, Shirley and her mother, Karen Morley, are forced to flee. The delicate Miss Morley succumbs to the rigors of war, and in a'tender and affecting scene, Shirley and her father are reunited. He faces trial and possible execution when he is captured by Jack Holt, a Northern officer. But Holt’s gallantry proves equal to that ot the South, and he tries to help them escape. When they are recaptured, both Boles and Holt must face the consequences of their act. The pictures reaches its emotional climax when Shirley journeys to Washington with faithful old Bill Robinson to plead with the Great Emancipator for the lives of her father and Jack Holt, who were guilty .only of helping a little girl. ' J _ . , Shirlev’s songs in the picture include “Pollv Wolly Doodle,” by Sidney Clare and B. G. DeSylva, and "If All Thy Enclearing Young Charms.’* Directed by David Butler and produced under tue supervision of B. G. DeSylvs, “The Littlest Rebel” features Guinn Williams; Willie Best and Frank McGlynn, sen., in the supporting cast.

“I Live My Life,” Majestic Feature

Always a powerful draw card, Joan Crawford is proving as popular as ever at the Majestic Theatre, where her latest film, “I Live My Life.” is now screening. She has an attractive leading man in Brian Aberne, the English actor. He plays a virile role as an archaeologist. and a very hard-boiled one at that, who falls in love with Kay Bentley, a beautiful society girl, with a will of her own, eo the fun is fast and furious. As Terry O’Neill, Aherne is discovered digging in pursuit of his archaeological studies on a Greek island in the Mediterranean. The arrival of. Kay Bentley in a luxurious yacht leaves him, a simple soul with no time for the idle rich of th£ cities, quite undisturbed. Kay wins one over him when slie deludes him. A special item on the programme is “A. Great King Passes?’

Two Gay Musicals at Paramount

Theatre

Carl Brisson, star- of “All the King s Horses,” is equally successful in “§Jiip Cafe,” which is now screening at .the Paramount Theatre. Bright Songs and brilliant dialogue carry the picture through with a swing from start to finish. “Flying Down to Rio.” -which if paying ft return Visit to Wellliigton. '■•(' the second feature on this programme It stars the famous Fred Astaire. Ginger Rogers combination and Dolores Del Rio.

“Gentlemen of the Navy” at De Luxe‘Theatre

One. of the most inspiring films ever presented for the entertainment of the public is “Gentlemen of the Navy,” now at the De Luxe Theatre, in which Sir GuyStanding and Richard Cromwell repeat their success of “Lives of a Bengal Lancet.” Staged at Annapolis, tlie United States naval academy, _it breathes the spirit of patriot■ism from statt to finish, and tells, of the ’liras Of two young cadets, one -who is enti'tely unselfish, and the other who thinks only of himself, and of a retired naval commander who, after the manner of many of the older generation, thinks that all the younger set are “going to the dogs.” . - \

“The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo” at King’s

Probably everyone in fhe world, at one time or another, has toyed with the idea of what he would do with a million dollars. It’s a fascinating subject with as many answers as there are people. This intriguing idea is developed in 20th Century’s sophisticated comedy, "The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo,” starring Ronald Colman, which comes to the King’s Theatre to-morrow. With Joan Bennett in the feminine lead, the picture moves at a fast and furious pace, from Paris to Monte Carlo, to Switzerland, back to Paris and then to Monte Carlo again/ Colman enacts the role of a deposed Russian prince who runs a few hundred francs into ten million. He promptly divides half of the sum among fellow exiles who have contributed small bits to the amount lie staked at the tables and used the remainder in the pursuit of romance, represented by Miss Bennett. An exciting railroad drama, “Whispering Smith Speaks.” will be in support.