PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 21009, 25 January 1932, Page 11

PICTURE THEATRES

rEMPIRE The main attraction at the Empire Theatre this week is a British produc- ’ tion entitled ‘ These Charming People, . in which the most important parts are ;taken by Cyril Maude, Godfrey Tearle, Nora Swinburne, and Ann iodd. Mi Cyril Maude has a part of generous and varied opportunity, which he 'handles in faultless style, and it at times the truth and accuracy of his portrayal'of the father greatly assisted by his son-in-law, induces in the audience a feeling of antipathy it is just a tribute to his acting of ,a part that is anything but an admirable one. In ’ startling fashion he allows the story to ' unfold itself,- until in the midst of situations that a lesser actor would welcome as an opportunity for unbridled melo- : drama, he treats his audience to a feast of delicate finesse and refreshing originality that is exquisitely, amusing to watch. It is truly difficult to imagine a production which would appeal more to the average audiepce than ‘These Charming People.’ In addition to an excellent programme of supporting pictures, an excellent musical interlude is offered by Mr Paul Cullen at the organ. His selections this week are ‘ The Student Prince,’ ‘ Lily of Laguna,’ and ‘ Strol- . ling Thru’ the Tulips,’ The box plans are at the theatre and The Bristol. RECENT . Arliss, who is probably one of the most outstanding figures among the present-day , moving picture actors, assumes the principal role in 1 The MiLlionaire,’ which is attracting very large audiences to the Regent Theatre. The story itself and the general produc- . tion of the film arb happily all that on"could expect in a pibture for which such an accomplished actor as Arliss i should have been chosen to act the leading part. The story is delightful in its y originality, and the unexpectedness of its dozens of amusing situations. Of course, Arliss is the dominating figure, but the supporting cast which has been chosen is one of quite unusual excellence, its members showing ' artistic ability and restraint. This is a picture the plot of which it would be unfair to disclose, and it should be sufficient to say that Arliss has the part of James Alden, a motor manufacturer, whose health breaks down, <and who is ’ sent to the west to rest. As a patient he’ is delightfully humorous, but when he decides to rebel the fun is even merrier, and until a very happily conceived climhx is reached the audience is treated to an entertainment which keeps it both highly amused and expectant. Arliss is assisted in this picture by his wife, and the performances of all of the other principals will be found, exceedingly enjoyable. The choice of supporting pictures is an excellent, one. The box plans are at the theatre and The Bristol. ST. JAMES With Lionel Barrymore, Kay Francis, and Madge Evans in the most im- ' portant parts, ‘ Guilty Hands,’ now being c.: cened at the St. James Theatre, ' is probably one of the most arresting pictures shown in Dunedin for a long time. The outstanding feature of the production is the wonderful acting of Barrymore, who has the part of a widower, passionately fond of his only daughter, who is determined shall marry only the right type of man. Having had so much to do with criminal prosecutions ? ho is intensely interested in the subject of murder, and has evolved the idea that in some cases such an act is _ justifiable, and also that if a man is clever enough and takes sufficient precautions he might never have to pay’ the penalty do- , manded by the Iqw for such a crime. These theories he unexpectedly discovers he might have to carry into prac-

tice when he finds that his daughter is deeply, infatuated with a prosperous business man old enough to be her father, and a man whpm the lawyer ’ knows to be nothing more or less than an. unmitigated scoundrel. Rather than allow his daughter to be the victim of such a-man, the lawyer attempts to prevent the mesalliance by warning the man that if he does not cease his attentions to his daughter he will meet with a sudden end. . . The supporting- programme includes a Charley Chase comedy and several other pictures. The box plans are at the theatre, Hall’s fruit shop, and The Bristol. OCTAGON The mother in ‘ Mother’s Millions,’ now at the Octagon Theatre, is a very wealthy woman. The world _ thinks that she is concerned only with the amassing of wealth and with the destruction of her financial enemies and opponents. Naturally those, too, take up a great deal of her time, But her major concerns are her two children, her boy and her girl. She wants to ma 1 e sure that the possession of wealth does not bias their outlook on life and does not serve as a lure to those who would make their wealth an objective. She wants to guard her daughter from fortune hunters; she wants to make it possible for her to meet and fall in Jove with the right man. For her son she strives in every way to make him selfreliant. Though her means seem at the time to be utterly cruel, heartless, and unmaternal, they are dramatic, and they serve to bring into focus the tremendous mother love in this woman who dresses like Tenth avenue and who talks like a Bowery politician. You will like this wolf woman, who is real, vital, and tremendously interesting. The role is taken by May Robson, who is supported by James Hall, Lawrence Gray, Frances Dade, and Elinor Flinn. STRAND . Huge skyscrapers towering almost to the clouds, forced upward, as it were, by the pressure of the teeming masses on the sidewalks hundreds of feet below, form the canvas oh which is depicted an absorbing drama of modern American life in ‘ Skyline ’ now at the Strand Theatre. The film _ serves to bring once more to the notice of pic-ture-goers the fact that Thomas Meighan, one of the great favourites of the silent days/ has lost none of his old skill as an actor of virile parts. Meighan is the real star of thol film, but not the hero. This all-important part is left to Hardie Albright, whose name will bo better known in the near future. These two are the main players, but they do not exhaust the list of those deserving creditable mention: there are Maureen O’Sullivan, as Irish as her name, in the role of the heroine; M.Vrna Loy, with a blonde wig and a , false heart, once more acting in a thoroughly sirenic manner; Jack Kennedy, as a lovable, noisy old Irish foreman; Robert M‘Wadc, and one or two others who do good work. Excellent entertainment is also provided by Herbert Mundin, well-known English comedian, who is featured .in a British comedy, ‘ We Dine at Seven.’ It is a play of. most amusing and farcical situations. The latest Fox Movietone News is also shown. The box plans are at The Bristol and the theatre. KING EDWARD A particularly amusing comedy is featured on the programme which received its initial screening at the King Edward Theatre on Saturday night. El Brendel, who, with Fid Dorsay, caries the burden of the acting, essays a “ dual ” role in this production, and proves that ho is able to enact a “ straight ” character part as well as his customary Swedish dialect performance. Ho is first and foremost the inoffensive “ Mr Lemon,” a toy salesman in a big department store. Ho bears a remarkable resemblance to_ “Silent M‘Gee,” a gangster chieftain, and is mistaken for the latter by friend as well as foe. Miss Dorsay, whoso brother has been killed in a melee, invites the supposed “ M‘Gee ” to her night club, where she sings. Once there, she tries first to wrest information from him regarding the liquor truck, and later seeks to “ put him on

the spot.” Brcndel’s escape from this precarious position is delightfully funny. The second picture is ‘ Gun Smoko,’ featuring Richard Arlcn, Mary Brian, and William Boyd.