PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 20671, 19 December 1930, Page 7

PICTURE THEATRES

REGENT "Marion Davies’s new starring vehicle ‘The Gay Nineties,’ now at the Regent Theatre, gives the modern generation one of its biggest laughs yet seeing how its parents and grandparents dressed and courted in the ’nineties. Tho picture, lull of laughs, romance, and music, revives such ghosts ot tho picturesque past ns the bustle, the mull, the plumed hat, tho petticoat, the path-sweeping train, red flannels, ami the voluminous costumes fastened at tho rear by hooks and eyes. In connection with the latter it is said that the director made a final inspection pi “props’’.and costumes to make certain that there would be no discrepancy as regards accurate atmospheric details in ‘The Gay Nineties.’ The costumes lor dne sequence were examined and approved and. the set was all ready tor shooting—but six maids who were ready to bo filmed discovered that they knew nothing whatever about hooks and eyes, and wardrobe assistants were hurried to the set. It waa then revealed that there were 364 hooks and eyes on the sis costumes, requiring no little time and patience to get together. ■ Information is that ‘The Gay Nineties ’ abounds in scenes of the old New York, when Prohibition Avas not even thought of and •“ Avet ” cafes were Avell knoAvn ; scenes of Coney Island Avhen it was considered “ fast ” to be seen in a bathing costume higher than liin below the knee, the old-fashioned bicycles, the tandems “built for tivo. As regards the tandems, it is said that ono of the most humorous sequences that has ever graced the screen takes place in ‘ The." Gay Nineties,’ when Miss Davies is being courted by Lawrence Gray and he calls to take her home on a two-seated bicycle. . Another funny sequence that has been i stressed in reviews of this picture is the one in which a football match takes place, with the players so much padded that they are really about twice their natural size. , . A large cast supports Marion Davies, headed by Lawrence Gray, Walter Catlett, Jed Prouty, Sam Hardy, Nance O’Neill, and other favourites. The inclusion of famous old-time songs round out ‘ Tho Gay Nineties ’ as a most enjoyable comedy. Special sound supports are also •hoAvn. PRINCESS . To-day tho Warner Bros.’ version of the prime old stage comedy ‘ Spring is Here ’ commenced a season at the Princess Theatre.. Tt is excellent entertainment, rhythmical, tuneful, and deliciously humorous, with all sorts of diverting and interesting side issues. It has been produced on the usual lavish Vitaphono scale, and the very best artists of their kind ha\-e been engaged to fill the leading roles. ‘ Spring is Here ’ as a stage production ranks among the most popular comedies seen on the NeAV York stage, Avhere it survived an extraordinarily long season, and the adaptation of the play to the screen has been i attended by marked success. At the northern centres Avhere ‘Spring is Here ’ has already’ been screened it has been an instantaneous success, and there is every reason to believe it Avill meet with a similarly favourable reception at the Princess Theatre to-day. The story of tho film is delightfully simple and straightfonvard, and refreshingly wholesome. The comedy features have been skilfujly interpolated, and the romantic strain of tho Avhole theme is unusually restrained and acceptable. The tale is one of young Jove at its most interesting and provocative stage, and tho author of the exceedingly absorbing story has mode the most of half a. dozen really attractive characters which he has created. The principal roles aro taken by Alexander Gray and Bernice Claire, both of whom will be remembered for their excellent performances in ‘ Sally,’ 1 The Song of the (Flame,’ ‘No, No, Nanette,’ and one or tAvo other favourites, all of which Avero shown at tho Princess Theatre*. Both of the stars find plenty to do in this film, and they acquit themselves with their usual competence. The musical numbers are good and are specially suited to the vocal capabilities of the principals. Both Alexander Gray and Bernice Clairo have good singing voices, and they can ahvays be relied upon, to make the most of the characterisations entrusted to them. They fill the romantic roles of the story to perfection. The comedy Avork ot the piece is in tho hands of tAvo exceptionally gifted players, the .inimitable Louise Fazenda and the irresistible Ford Sterling, whoso. ludicrously expressive countenance is ahvays a source of merriment. Tho minor roles are all filled with Avell-known players. ‘ Spring is Here’ will be Avell worth a visit during the ensuing week. A good supporting programme of sound shorts and other featurettes has been provided. EMPIRE ‘Love Among the Millionaires,’ starring Clara Boav, - Afill oped a season at the Empire Theatre to-day. Clara as supported by a cast of comedians Avhich includes Sheets Gallagher, Stuart Erwin; and little Mitzi Green, Avho does an imitation of Clara Bow in ‘Loa;o Among tho Millionaires’ which is said to rival her mimicry of Chevalier in • - ‘Paramount On Parade.’ ‘Love Among tho Millionaires’ is really Clara. Boav’s first .appearance in a ttuo musical romance. The story centres around a little ... waitress. in a restaurant catering to railroad men. Gallagher and Envin ■ are trvo of her conquests, but they are so bothered squabbling Avith each other over their rights than Stanley Smith, son of tho railroad president, disguised as an ordinary brakeman, is very fav-{ ourably received. When Gallagher and Erwin hear Clara sing ‘Believe It Or Not, Fvo Found My Man’ they begin to suspect that all is not well. They help Clara’s father (Charles Scllon) expose the bogrr brakeman, and Scllon, who hates rich people, forbids Clara to have anything to do with Smith. Lovo has its Avay, however. Clara and Stanley elope. Then they face Stanley’s father (Claude King), and a nerv barrio.’ to their romance. When hope seems darkest Little Mitzi solves tho difficulty and unites the lovers. Mitzi has a song of her oavu in ‘ Lovo Among tho Millionaires.’. It is called ‘Don’t Be a Meanic.’ Frank Tuttle directed this picture. In addition to •'Believe (t Or Not,’ Clara Boav sings three other hits —‘That’s Worth While Waiting For,’ .‘That’s Love Among tho Millionaires,’ and ‘Barin’ To Go.’ STRAND A particularly bright remedy starring Loretta Young and Douglas Fairbanks, inn., and entitled ‘Looso Ankles,’ is hoav at the Strand Theatre. Ann Harper is bequeathed a million dollars, subject to a proviso in the will that she shall marry a man who meets the approval of her Aunts Sarah and Katherine. Otherwise the estate goes to other relatives, unless there is scandal in the family, in which ease the deceased rvills it to a eat and dog ..hospital. Ann and her cousin Betty plot to “compromise” Ann \ and lom; the aunts to approve of the man as a husband, to protect themselves (roni disinheritance by the scandal clause. They

advertise for a man Avilling to “compromise” a girl and Inwo a temporary marriage Avitli her for a cash consideration. The hero, Gil, Avho is considerably out of his clement with three friends as a gigolo, ans Avers tho adA’ertisemeut at the urging of his coniprnions. Ho meets Aim and lalis m love Avith her in tho process of “compromising n her, so tluxt ■when the relativcs arrive Avith Betty they find only Gil’s coat and pants there—he has dived out of tho aviikloav. Several new and most enjoyable talkie featurettes arc shoAvn on tho same programme. TALE FROM TIMBER LAND OCTAGON'S FINE OPEN-AIR, ROMANCE. Featuring Georgo O’Brien and Helen Chandler in a fine out-of-doors drama, ‘Rough Romance,’ Avas screened for tho first time at tho Octagon Theatre yesterday afternoon and eA’ening. It is the typo of film which Avill bo welcomed- by lovers of action, adventure, and simple, natural love themes. The scene is laid in tho great snow-carpetcd forests of the nortn-Avcst of America, and for the most, part the characters are those highcarted people Avhose dogged courage has defeated the forces of Nature andgiven stimulus to a A-aluablo industry. Sturdy George O’Brien plays the part of a genial lumberjack, Avho, Avhile Avorking at the top of a, forest giant, secs a murder committed m the distance. Immediate pursuit of the lleeing criminals leads to partial identification and the danger to himself that is brought about by the knoAvledge so acquired- For ,tho villain-in-chief, whoso part is taken by Antonia Moreno, is unscrupulous to a degree, and is quite prepared to kill anyone Avho as much as suspects his real character. Following the lumberjacks’ trip to the nearest timber toivn comes a senes or thrilling incidents Avhich completely hold the attention of the audience. Tho part of tho heroine, Mama Reynolds, is played A’ery attractively by Helen Chandler. Tho daughter of the oAvner of a lonely trading post, Mama longs for the company of young people of her oAvn generation, and Avhen Billy West (O’Brien) comes into her life she almost immediately finds herself attracted to him. As tho romance develops it becomes intermingled with the trouble that springs up betAveeii O’Brien and Moreno, and in a cleverly arranged sequence of adventures the story comes to a satisfactory conclusion. For the beauty of its photography alone the picture is Avell Avorth seeing. The magnificent expanses of virgin shoav, the statelv forests, and the rushing rivers all make a very pleasing impression. The last scene—in Avhich O’Brien rescues the girl ficin a torrent that is seething Avith a hurly-burly of logs lias been worked out with extreme ingenuity. / ~ When the Octagon Theatre provides its patrons Avitn a double-leaturo programme there is 1 1 ways something good to be seen and heard. The present bill certainly docs noo break tho chain of successes. The other big being screened this Aveek is an excellent comedy depicting an aspect of Bohemian New York little known outside the American metropolis. ‘ Tho Golden Calf ’ is an amusing talkie, in Avhich Jack Mulhall, cast as a commercial artist, seek? a model Avith perfect legs, the harmless object being to make every Avoman in America wear a certain biancl of silk stocking. Tbo picture has that rather rare thing in the talkies —an original theme. Certainly it features tho contention that clothes make the woman. Avith its theme of an ugly duckling Avho becomes beautiful, but the cause and effect of her transition aro entirely new. And, as Sue Carol is the ngiy Ruckling, it is obvious that she is beautiful right from the start, though tho fact is Avell concealed by horn-nmmed spectacles, oldfashioned skirts, and high collars. As Knnte Olsen, a feAA’ede, El Brendel furnishes some inimitable comedy Avork, and is Avell supported by Marjorie White. . . The Fox Movietone News contains an interesting budget of Avorld happenings, most of Avliich deal Avith sporting events of a spectacular nature. ' Occupying pride of place in the Australasian edition is a fino view of Kingsford Smith’s “ Southern Cross ” in full Right. The famous Smithy himself subsequently makes his voice known through the medium of a brief speech. ROXY AND KING EDWARD Now at the Roxy and King Edward Theatres is tho first Western talkie since Fox’s ‘ln Old Arizona.’ It is Universal’s ‘ The Wagon Master,’ one of tho most successful dialogue films produced by that company. A typical outdoor drama Avitli a. host of thrills leading up to an exciting climax, this picture demonstrates dearly the great Increase in entertainment value made possible by speech. It has been said that the coming of talkies spelt the doom of Western pictures. This may be true in tho sense that the Western is killed as a leading story type, but isolated Western talkies are appearing Avith consistent regularit> now that some the difficulties of outdoor reproduction have been overcome ‘The Wagon ''aster’ is a AvorthAvhile programme feature lor several reasons. 'First, it is a particularly good talkie, Avell devised and technically excellent; secondly, Ken Maynard "offers the best Avork of his career ; and, thirdly, no pains have been spared to provide the star Avith a good story, a strong supporting cast, and a backing of magnificent scenes. Maynard appears as “ The Rambler,” who organises ■a Avegon service in the Far West to combat a poAverfnl transport monopoly. Acting as Avagon master, lie falls foul of various interests who aro attempting to prevent tho Avagon from reaching its destination, and affairs culminate in a A’iolent battle Avith Avhips in a dance hall. “ The Rambler’s ” efforts are brought to successful' fruition by tho action of a girl who secures the confidence of the enemy and carries their plans to her lover. Opposite Maynard is Edith "Roberts, who is excellently cast as Sue, the girl avlio battles so valiantly against the transport monopoly. Frederick Dana plays the ranchman, and Tom Santscbi, dean of Western “ bad men,” is the particularly efficient “ menace ” of the production. In the course of , tbo picture the star both talks and sings the songs of tbo old Western coAvboys. LAURIER. PORT CHALMERS • ‘ Young Nowhere* ’ will bo the main attraction at tho Laurier Theatre, Port Clin liners, tonight and to-morrow, it will bo supported to-night by the ‘Long, Long, Trail’ and to-morrow by ‘ A Royal Romance.’ . Ted Lewis and Alice Day in Is Everybody Happy?’ Avill bo screened on Tuesday and Wednesday, and on .Thursday (Christmas Day) Mary Picklord and Douglas Fairbanks will be seen in " Taming of tho Shrciv.’ LYRIC. NORTH-EAST VALLEY The Lyric Theatre, North-east Valley, having installed talkies an ill in tho future screen all-talking programmes every, Saturday at 2.30 p.m.

and 7.‘ld p.m. commencing to-morrow. ‘ The Mississippi Gambler,’ a fine drama starring Joseph Scbildkrant, will head to-morrow’s bill, and short sound subjects will also be screened, including a new serial entitled ‘ Ace of Scotland Yard,' which tells of _ a gang of criminals operating against au old homestead.