ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 24, 23 October 1936, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

“China Clipper” Opens at Regent Theatre To-day

One of the most remarkable and praiseworthy features of modern film production is its timeliness, and the Warner Bros, studio has excelled itself with “China Clipper,” which will start to-day at the Regent Theatre. For “China Clipper” is an adventure-romance, woven round the recent inauguration by PanAmerican Airways of 5 regular air service between San Francisco and China. In view of the fact that a branch service is likely to be started soon to extend .to Auckland, this story dealing with the first great flight of the China Clipper plane is of particular topical interest to New Zealanders. Just as the old clipper sailing ships once had to race across the Pacific to capture the rich cargoes of the China tea trade, so the China Clipper plane had to break records to reach China in time to obtain a concession in that country —but, whefeas the sailing ships took weeks on the journey, the giant flying-boat spanned the 8000 miles of ocean in under 60 hours of flyins time! The story, which has been built around that achievement, contains a wealth of excitement, drama, laughter and pathos. Pat O’Brien is seen as a former war-time flyer, who conceives the idea of linking the world with definite air routes. He has no trouble in interesting flyers in his work, men who are eager to risk their lives on dangerous ocean flights. But the men with the necessary money are not so easy to impress.

Jeannette MacDonald and Gable in “San Francisco” at Majestic

Scenes of the earthquake - and lire which swept the city in 1906 are vividly recreated in “San Francisco,” which is to start a season at the Majestic Theatre today. Falling bricks and mortar, the panic-stricken people in the streets, deeds of heroism and the ravages of fire are given, prominence, and a most realistic atmosphere is . created. There is a well-constructed story of the rivalry between two men for the hand of a singer who achieves some measure of fame. Jeanette MacDonald, who took the part of Marietta in “Naughty Marietta,” has the feminine lead and sings a number of classical and modern songs. Clark Gable in his role of Blackie Norton, dance-hall proprietor, whose views are changed with the earthquake, has another of the “toughguy” parts which suit him so well. The supporting programme will be headed by “Audioscopiks,” a Pete Smith novelty, which introduces third-dimension to the talking screen.

Joe E. Brown in “Earthworm Tractors” at De Luxe

Joe E. Brown, the inimitable comedian, comes to the De Luxe Theatre to-day in “Earthworm Tractors,” said to be his most hilarious comedy to date. The picture is based on a series of stories which appeared in the “Saturday Evening Post.” Joe brings to life, on the screen the hero of these comedies, that blundering, and in his own egotistical estimation, natural-lborn super-salesman. Alexander Botts, who somehow always wins out in the end despite his egregious mistakes. Joe has two leading women in the picture, one whom lie loses to a rival when he leaves town, and the other who he finds is quite unwilling to play second fiddie when he stupidly tells her he would have married the first girl only he discovered that she already had become a bride. The first love is played by Carol Hughes, and the second by June Travis, whose love he finally regains by a series of mistakes in which he almost causes her death, and then, playing the conquering hero, rescues her from a dynamite trap into which he had led her. Not only does he win her back, but in a hilarious climax to the story he sells cantankerous father a flock of tractors. In addition to a varied list of supporting featurettes. Miss Iris Mason will entertain at the Wurlitzer with “My Kingdom for a Kiss” (from "Hearts Divided”), and a selection of Army and Navy melodies, and the Orchestra De Luxe will present popular musical items.

“Suicide Club” Transferred to St. James Theatre Robert Montgomery, suavest and most nonchalant young lover of the screen today, has made love to countless leading women in films, including the greatest in pictures, but in “The Suicide Club,” which is to continue its Wellington season at the St. James Theatre, he continues to add to his list. This time, his heart interest is Rosalind Russell, and these two make a sparkling and entertaining couple-in-love. Even without their bright quips and youthful buoyance, a film based on the stories by Robert Louis Stevenson would be completely amusing. An excellent cast supports this new starring team, including such reliable actors as Frank Morgan, Reginald Owen, Louis Hayward, Robert Creig, and E. E. Clive. Especially appealing is the theme of the story, for in it Montgomery is'the Crown Prince of a mythical kingdom, while Miss Russell is the Princess of another equally mythical kingdom, and their adventures in company all take place while they are travelling incognito.

“The Mystery of the Mary Celeste” at Opera House

The story of the ill-fated "Mary Celesite” is the most famous of all sea mysteries. She was found adrift off the coast of North Africa in 1872, with all sails set, her cargo of 1700 barrels ot alcohol intact, everything ship-shape, her small boats still in their davits —but not a single member of her crew of thirteen on board, nor has any trace of them ever been found since. The only living creature on this “ship of death” was a snarling, crazed, black cat —an omen in itself. Many and varied have been the solutions put forward for this strangest of all sea mysteries. A recent play presented by the 8.8. C., gave an octopus coming on board as the solution to the mystery, but the film, “The Mystery of the Mary Celeste,” which is to commence at the 'New Opera House to-day, advances a new and strikingly possible explanation. The glamorous Norwegian star, Greta Nissen, heads the cast of “Honours Easy,” a sophisticated drama of conflicting love and revenge, which will also be on the programme.

“The Flying Doctor” to Screen

at Plaza Theatre

In conjunction with ihe initial screenings of the outstanding new Australian film "The Flying Doctor,” Miss Jean Batten will make personal appearances at the Plaza Theatre to-day. Charles Farrell, who. as "Sandy,” is admirably cast in "The Flying Doctor,” needs no introduction to this country. As “Jenny,” Miss Mary Maguire, small, dark and romantic, is another excellent choice. James Raglan makes his first appearance in an Australian picture. He invests the part of John Vaughan, the flying doctor, with great dignity. His ease of manner and ■clever interpretation of 11 difficult role are in complete support of Margaret Vyner, who is already famous on both sides of the world for her grace and beauty. The comedy theme is a remarkable feature of the film. Joe Valli_ as '“Dodger” is ably supported by Katie Towers, another popular “oidistager,” who is at her best as Mrs. O'Toole. Tom Lurich, international wrestler, makes a surprising film debut. The cricket match scene shows the famous Don Bradman in action. Full use of Australia’s natural scenic beauty has been made in the outdoor photography.

Two New Films Coming to King’s Theatre

Two adventurous new films will commence to-day at the King’s Theatre, where Miss Jean Batten is to make personal appearances at all sessions. Thrills and dangers in the lives of motor-cycle patrolmen form the background of “Crash Donovan.” Jack Holt is presented as a hard riding member of the California highway patrol. His pursuit of a band of criminals makes him the centre of a fast-moving drama filled witli exciting situations. Holt’s supporting cast includes John King, Nan Gray, Eddie

Acuff, Hugh Buckler, Douglas Fowley, Ward Bond, James Donlan and many others, including the Caliafornia State highway crack drill squad of 32 men, who execute in front of the cameras the spectacular drills for which they have become famous. Many and varied are the adventures of postal inspectors who protect the mail and the public from criminal plans. There are mail robberies, swindling®, frauds, poison letters and other deeds perpetrated by the jackals of larceny lane. Some of the actual cases are matched by incidents in “Postal Inspector." The postal inspector has to match his courage and cunning against the tigers -of crookdom, the train robbers, mail truck bandits and other desperadoes who take what they want where they find it. In the end the inspector runs down the criminals, just as Ricardo Cortez captures those who rob £600,000 from a mai] truck in “Postal Inspector.”

“Swing Time,” Astaire-Rogers Musical, at State

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers introduce a wealth of novelty in their newest RKO Radio vehicle, "Swing Time,” opening to-day at the State Theatre. Unlike their former offerings, the new picture has an intricately romantic story, Astaire is a cheerful gambler, seeking his fortune in Manhattan so he can go back to his home town and marry his childhood sweetLenrt. Nliss Rogers is a dancing; academy instructress who takes Astaire as a pupil, despite the glowering of an orchestra leader who intends to marry the lady. Complications come thick and fast, especially when Astaire’s fian.cee shows up to find out what he's doing, and the band leader makes frantic efforts to break up the growing romance between Astaire and Miss Rogers. All this is interwoven with some of the catchiest song numbers and dances the famous pair have yet presented, and the hilarious counterplay of a new screen comedy team in the persons of Victor Moore and Helen Broderick.

‘Magnificent Obsession’ Returns

to Paramount

Tragedy stalks the lives of two lovers in “‘Magnificent Obsession,” the absorbing dramatic film which will commence a revival season at the Paramount Theatre today. In tlie story Irene Dunne has acquired a bitter hatred of Robert Taylor, and it is only after long manoeuvring that he is able to induce her to enter his automobile. While the car is parked Taylor, affected by the beautiful moonlight night, attempts to put his arm about the shoulders of the girl he admires so much/ Leaping opt, Miss Dunne steps directly in the path of an oncoming car, suffering in the ensuing crash a brain injury which brings on apparently incurable blindness. The story in its subsequent development progresses to situations of the utmost pathos. Rarely has the screen shown a more touching motion picture than this, filled with heartquickening drama and delightful comedy.