PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 21129, 15 June 1932, Page 5

PICTURE THEATRES

♦— EMPIRE One of your last chances to be “ tickled to tears ” by the antics ol George Sidney and Charlie Murray as they out-Hollywood Hollywood will bo to-night, when ‘ Cohens and Kellys in Hollywood ’ will be shown for the third last time. , . . Theatre patrons arc admitting their sides are truly sore from laughing at the exhilarating gambols of the famous comedy pair as they attack the him capital in search of fame and fortune,, in the seventh annual appearance of “Cohen” and “Kelly.” The picture runs with sparkling vigour, and audiences that have already witnessed it have called it the outstanding achievement in mirth Sidney and Murray have done. The supporting cast is a brilliant one, headed by June Clyde and Norman Foster, - with Emma Dunn, Esther Howard, Dorothv Christy, Luis Alberni, Edwin Maxwell, John Roche, Robert Greig, and Eileen Percy. A most entertaining vaudeville act is included on the programme, the performers being Paula and Pauline, who take part in a dancing and wire-walk-ing act. These dainty little ladies give a performance that is characterised by real finish, and their work on the wire is something different from many of the wire-walking turns that have been here before. The double turn on the wire is a daring performance, and the feat of jumping over | a small gate and a table is an ex- ■ ample of the wonderful balance these I girls are able to attain. The playing j and singing of Mr Paul Cullen at the organ form another feature of this attractive bill, which includes a Lloyd Hamilton comedy and a universal gaz- ! ette. REGENT ‘The Cheat,’ at the Regent, is one of the most interesting stories seen on the screen in some time. It is the drama of a woman who, despite her deep love for her husband, enters into a strange pact with another man; a man who plots to hold her in his power. I How this woman finally attempts to save herself from-this sinister influence of tile other man without telling her husband of her unfortunate prcdica- | ment, contributes vitally to the vivid, I fascinating story of ‘ The Cheat.’ There is a climax of compelling power and strength. In the role of the woman 'who gambles desperately with love and, | in so doing, jeopardises her life and the ' happiness of her husband, Tallulah Bankhead conies into her own. It is a role which Miss Bankhead interprets with deep understanding and sympathy. And Irving Pichel as the man who menaces her life is superbly cast in one of hirf best roles. Others in i The Cheat include Harvey Stephens, Jay Fassett, Ann Andrews, and William Ingersoll. ST. JAMES A legion of admirers have learned to expect much from Janet Gay nor and Charles Farrell, and ‘ Delicious,’ at the St. James, does not disappoint. Janet Gaynor is a delicious—it is impossible to escape from the word—little Scottish immigrant to America who drops ashore in the stall of her hero’s polo pony. She is a new kind of Cinderella in a new kind of Cinderella story, and she wins her prince fi’om a rather lovely Ugly Sister. Charles Farrell, as a rich young American, who deserts an ash-blonde with a drawl for a plain, a burr, and a dimple, is in good form, but ‘ Delicious ’ provides him with a worthy rival—one Raul Roulien, who makes a most successful talking picture debut as an unsuccessful suitor. The supporting cast is headed by El Brqndel, a comedian who becomes funnier and funnier with each successive picture. His ‘ Blah Blah ’ Jove song provides one of the brightest moments in an uncommonly bright film. Janet Gaynor is excellent throughout, and this time she does some real acting, depending not alone on her big soulful eyes to achieve success. She has by far the lion’s share of the footage of the film, and uses every inch to advantage. Charles Farrell is still improving, and he is better than ever in ‘ Delicious,’ but in spite of this he is thrust into the background, a mere foil for Janet, though a very necessary part of the plot. There are some first-class supports. OCTAGON The virility of Garry Cooper is at its best in ‘ His Woman,’ the talkie at the Octagon, a tale of hard-fisted men, seaport towns, dives and dancers, high lights and crude lights, sentiment, and action of the mile-a-minute type. The acting throughout is excellent. Paired for the first time, Gary Cooper and Claudette Colbert set off one another as by Nature intended. Their work is unforced, natural, and they' have the happy knack of realising the effect of the little, inconsidered touches that lesser stars either ignore or are not aware of. The story is that of an abandoned girl from a tropical port strangely attracted and attached to a handsome and aggressive young man, who secs in her only a chance to mother his foundling. The manner in which real love and mutual understanding ultimately dissolves both their pasts and leads them to a happy goal arm in arm, but only after the most dramatic kind of adventures, is excellent as a screen formula. if you like football, thrills, laughs, or drama you will find them all in ‘ Touchdown,’ the other feature. It is unlike anything that you have seen before. It rises head and shoulders above other college pictures. If yon can’t find at least a couple of your favourite players among those who perform in this picture it will bo surprising. Look them over —Richard Arlen, Peggy .Shannon, .lack Oakio. Regis Tooiiiey. Charles Starrott. George Barbier. and ,1. Farrell MacDonald. ‘STRAND ‘ Cheaters at Play,’ at the Strand, has the elements of tense mystery drama interspersed with an abundance of bright comedy, and it grips the audience from start to finish. Tho efforts of various international criminals to obtain possession of a priceless emerald necklace form tho basis of the exciting plot, the majority of which is enacted on board a transatlantic liner en route to New York. The necklace belongs to a millionaire’s wife (Charlotte Greenwood), who is endeavouring to smuggle it into the country to avoid the Customs duty, The emeralds are stolen on three separate occasions, and each time an old friend of Mrs Crozier (the millionairess wife), himself a former master thief, recovers them for her in thrilling circumstances. The role of the suave ex-thief is taken by Thomas Meighau. Charlotte Greenwood, the tall blonde comedienne, is responsible for the lighter side of the story, and causes many laughs ns, tho rich Mrs Crozier. KINS EOVMRD James Dunn and Sally Filers are costarred in ‘ Dance Team.' which heads the programme to be shown at the King Edward Theatre to-night. Dunn once more draws on. his familiarity with

genuine human typos. His part is that of an ambitious Irish lad who yearns to become Broadway's most famous dancer. In creating the role Dunn made a composite of three different boys he knew—one who also was a dancer in vaudeville, another a fellow salesman, and the third a former school mate in New Rochelle. All three, ho says, had the same impelling urge to succeed, and their other outstanding characteristics arc deftly woven into his pattern of the character he portrays, Jimmy Mulligan. Miss Filers also gives a very line performance. Lily Danuta is tho leading player in tho second picture, ‘ Madame Julie,’ which discusses frankly and fearlessly a very urgent problem.