PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 20995, 8 January 1932, Page 7

PICTURE THEATRES

REGENT Many critics of British pictures, whilst readily admitting and praising her ability to produce comedies of a standard equal to the world’s best, have doubted this ability where drama is concerned. As if in answer to these critics, Britain has produced ‘ The Outsider,’ the picturisatiou of Dorothy Brandon’s internationally famous stage success—a dramatic triumph. Two new screen stars in Harold Huth and Joan Barry head the cast of the picture, and their work is worthy of the highest praise. * Smith’s Weekly,’ Australia's most caustic film critic, recently wrote of ‘ The Outsider ’: “ There can be no doubt that this is the finest piece of drama that the British camera has yet recorded. Indeed, in its field it is among tho finest dramatic works of the year produced by any country. The stride made by English directors is astounding. There is no need for any sentimental partiality to attest the merit of such a production as ‘ The Outsider.’ Its emotional intensity is sustained without a falter; its backgrounds have been intelligently prepared on a scale which can compete with all the machinery of Hollywood; and its acting is nothing short of magnificent. As a stage play ‘ The Outsider ’ was a remarkable success. As a film it will make history. So carefully has the cast been selected that the superb performances of tho principals, Harold Huth and Joan Barry, are almost minimised by the equally superb performances of the minor characters.” ‘ Smith’s Weekly ’ has not hesitated in the past to condemn British films where they have been inferior, in spite of the patriotic desire to assist a national industry against tremendous odds. There is no prejudice to be found, therefore, when ‘ Smith’s ’ hails ‘ The Outsider ’ as the outstanding screen drama of the season. Of Harold Huth and Joan Barry it is sufficient to say that in point of candle power either would be a major star in Hollywood. The combination of this brilliant acting with Dorothy Brandon’s powerful theme, Harry Bachman’s direction, and the polish of the supporting details produce a result which will spread consternation among the Californian parrot cotes. The film is enormously moving, intensely dramatic, and quite unusual. ‘ Smith’s ’ recommends it without reserve as the finest British picture that has been made. Harold Huth plays the role of Anton Ragatzy, and gives one of the finest exhibitions of sustained, emotional acting that has come from any screen player, and Joan Barry as Lalage Sturdee scores a triumpli. Frank Lawton as the fiancee and Norman M'Kinnel as Dr Sturdee add to their reputations, and the rest of the cast give creditable performances. Box plans are at the theatre and Tho Bristol. ST. JAMES Most films which have the theme of ‘ Seed,’ at St. James Theatre, are inclined to place the “ other woman ” in a particularly unsympathetic light. But this latest edition of the subject gives food for thought. Naturally, convention demands that the triump must eventually die with the wife and mother, but ‘ Seed ’ is inclined to defy convention in this respect, and the audience finds itself impressed with the other woman’s sincerity and her claims upon the husband. Obviously it was impossible to present the story in the same form as the book, which deals mainly with_ birth control, but while there is nothing in the film to offend anyone,_ and no propaganda either for or against, there is enough delicate and indirect reference to the problem to provoke discussion, and additional interest in what would be, even without this element, a strongly dramatic picture. It is because ‘ Seed ’ is treated from this angle that it is so different from the usual “ one man, two women ” typo of thing. Such a story demands sincere and powerful acting, _ and in this respect 1 Seed ’ as a talkie also scores heavily. John Boles has the role of Bart Carter, the young man who finds his ambition to be an author impossible to achieve because of the needs of his growing family. He loves his wife, but it is a matter for small wonder that he finds the obviously sincere interest of a former sweetheart, Mildred Bronson, rather disconcerting. Lois Wilson is the wife who thinks that babies are the most important things in married life, and her role is sympathetically and cleverly handled. The remaining star is Genevieve Tobin, as Mildred Bronson, who wins Bart only to lose him in the end.

‘ Seed ’ is distinctly adult entertainment, a challenge to the complacently sophisticated critic who, perhaps to make popular conversation, announces that the screen devotes itself to appeals to the minds of twe!ve-year : olds. The picture may not please this captious critic, because its morals may not be readily adapted to his own selfish philosophy. But to those, and more especially to the women who are mindful of their responsibilities of_ being father and mothers, there is undoubtedly much to entertain and inspire in this story of Bart Carter and the wife who gave him a family and the wife who gave him fame. The producer had no simple problem bringing this Norris story to the screen. Originally sensational as a novel devoted to the matter of birth control, it was obviously impossible thematically for general distribution upon the screen. Through the combined efforts of producers and directors the Norris story reaches the screen ns a brilliant conception of a controversial subject delicately, yet powerfully handled. EMPIRE ‘ Indiscreet,’ Gloria Swanson’s latest picture, now showing at the Empire Theatre, is the first feature to be produced by Dr Sylva, Brown, and Henderson for United Artists. In presenting ‘ Indiscreet/ this triumvirate, whose names have been associated almost entirely with musical productions, has invaded the field of straight comedy-drama and provided Miss Swanson with a fast-moving story, in which music plays a decidedly minor part. The story was written especially for the star by Do Sylva, Brown, and Henderson, who with this production make their bow in the dramatic field. The two numbers written by them especially for Miss Swanson— ‘ Come to Me ’ and ‘lf You Haven’t Got Love ’ —permit the star to demonstrate once again that she has one of the most engaging voices in pictures.

In choosing a director for ‘ Indiscreet,’ the producers entrusted the responsibility to Leo M'Carey, who recently has attained prominence among the few who are regarded as having a definite “flair” for comedy drama. His last picture was ‘Part Time Wife.’ The story of ‘ Indiscreet,’ being laid against smart backgrounds in and around New York, Miss Swanson is afforded an opportunity to appear in a wealth of interesting clothes. As a young woman who has very definite ideas on how to treat men, Miss Swanson puts her modern ideas to work, and the result provides numerous dramatic

situations that reach a climax when her fiance discovers her in a compromising position with a former admirer whom she is trying to prevent from marrying her sister.

_ln addition, there is the delightful singing and playing of Paul Cullen. Box plans aro at the theatre and The Bristol. OCTAGON “The Pnbli'i Defender” is a man of deep mystery, a public avenger, sworn to right wrong, no matter what the cost. The innocent have cause to admire him because he is a modern impersonation of Robin Hood—romantically mysterious—the thief and abscondo hate him; and the police, jealous of his activities, arc after him. This is the novel characterisation portrayed by Richard Dix in his .ew starring vehicle, ‘ The Public Defender,’ now showing at tho Octagon Theatre. The film is based on the supposition that there are two kinds of laws, one for the poor man and another for the rich. To equalise this law and to prevent rich swindlers from mulcting tho public, Dix assumes the character of a private enforce! of the basic law which declares all men equal under the Constitution. A beautiful romance has been woven through the story, in which Dix rescues a girl from the shame of her father, who has been accused of a bank crime which he did not commit. Others in tho cast of ‘ Tho Public Defender ’ aro Shirley Grey, Purnell Pratt, Alan Roscoe, Nella Walker, Ruth Weston, Boris Karloff, Paul Hurst, and Edmund Breese. ‘A Man from Wyoming,’ the second picture, reveals Gary Cooper in a typical role, this time as an engineer in Prance during the late war. lie meets and falls in love with June Collyer, a girl of social prominence, serving with the ambulance division behind the lines. Prom the very beginning their romance is tempestuous, culminating within a short time in their marriage in a battered French church while distant guns boom an ominous wedding march. From this point on the picture’s story takes several unusual and highly dramatic twists, as Cooper is torn from the arms of tho brids he lias hardly kissed. There is a powerful climax when Cooper, who has been reported killed, comes face to face with his young wife. Others in the cast who do good work include June Collyer, Begis Toomey, Morgan Parley, E. H. Calvert, Mary Foy, and William B. Davidson. Box plans are at The Bristol. STRAND All tho elements of splendid entertainment will be contained, it is said, in the double-feature programme booked to commence at the Strand Theatre to-day. In the first place there will bo the hilarious mystery comedy-drama, ‘ The Gorilla,’ in which the cast is headed by beautiful Lila Lee, and includes Walter Pidgeon and those two priceless comedians, Harry Gribbon and Roscoe Earns. The two last named have tho roles of a pair of silly detectives who are put on the trail of a mysterious animal killer, known as “ The Gorilla.” Their adventures and their blunderings lead them into many exciting incidents, and the audience is kept laughing and thrilled from start to finish. A pretty romance runs through the action. The second feature, ‘ Divorce Among Friends,’ is the laughable story of two people, newly married, who love each other very dearly, but who cannot help ■quarrelling. Friends take a hand, but instead of making things better they create a situation that is ten times worse for the husband and wife. Innumerable mixups eventuate before harmony is restored. ‘ Divorce Among Friends makes very gay entertainment for all tastes. It stars Irene Dolroy, James Hall, Lew Cody, and Natalie Moorhead. Box Plans are at The Bristol. KINS EDWARD ‘ Charlie Chan Carries On,’ the current attraction at the King Edward Theatre, has been warmly received at each of its screenings. The featured player in this interesting and attractive production is Warner Oland, one of tire most competent character actors on the His interpretation of the singularly interesting role of Charlie Chan, the Chinese detective, is an excellent piece of work, and should not be missed. In ‘ Charlie Chan Carries On ’ Warner Oland is supported by such well-known and popular players as John Garrick and Marguerite Churhill, who provide the romantic interest, Warren Hymer, Marjorie White, C. Henry Gordon, and Lumsden Hare. In addition to the principal film, an excellent programme of short subjects is being shown.