PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 21469, 21 July 1933, Page 3

PICTURE THEATRES

GRAND

Fiimgocrs this week should flock to the Grand Theatre, where ‘ No. 17 ' is showing. Never has so much talent been concentrated in one film, the result of which is an hour and a-half’s super-entertainment packed with thrills and laughter from beginning to end. The name of Alfred Hitchcock has long been an insignia of quality, and ‘ No. 17.' a new and delightful presentation of ihe ever-popular thriller, is no exception. •No 17 ' itself has been reproducer! in perfect detail with all its eeriness ami cobwebs, while the headlong rush of a goods train through the night to a dreadful and unknown fate has been hailed as the superbest piece of fihncrafb yet screened. From the story by .Jefferson Farjcon, which has run for so many years in the West End, ‘ No. 17 ’ boasts the well-known Leon M, Lion in his original role of “Ben,” supported by a cast whose names are ones with which lo conjure, such as Anno Grey, John Stuart. Donald Calthrop, Garry .Marsh. Ann Casson, Barry Jones, and Henry Caine. On the same bill the new British production, ‘ Fascination.’ is also showing. This stars Madeleine Carroll in her first “ l amp ” part, together with Dorothy Bartlam and Carl Harbord. This is a sophisticated marital drama of a husband’s lapse from grace with an actress, and of his wife’s novel method ot winning him hack. The wife discovers her husband's infidelity when she reads a letter his actress-paramour, has; been undiplomatic chough to send to his Hat. But instead ot stirring up l a luiions row. n« most film wives do in similar circumstances, his wife acts in a highly ingenious wav. She invites the actress to the flat and tells her that for her husband’s sake she. will not interfere with their affair, at which the “ vamp, greatly touched by the devotion, replies by revoking all claims on the man.

REGENT

Sympathetic direction and superb acting make ‘The Match King,’ which was shown for the first time at the Regent Theatre to-day, _ one ol the most satisfying films of the year. It is satisfying, becaus - e it was based on a story from life, the tragic history of ivar Kreuger, “ the match king, whose suicide caused widespread repercussions in world finance. 'Warren William, the polished actor of • Beauty and the Boss.’ gives a sterling performance in the title foie, which he enacts with an admirable restraint. His acting is convincing because it is sincere. In the talking play, Paul Kroll, “the match king.” is a tragic figure. Beginning life as a crossing sweeper in Chicago, he rises through sheer acumen and force of personality to ba a power in the financial work]. But. at the zenith of his power, Kroll is mined by antagonistic forces. Grim tragedy is relieved by a tender romance. and the ending, although logical. is nob an unhappy one. Warren William is fortunate in the calibre of his supporting players. There are Lily Damita, Glenda Farrell, Spencer Charters, and John Wray. Murray Kinnell and Juliette Compton also appear. The director was Howard Brethorton. A feature of the film is Hie gorgeous display of gowns worn by Lily Damita. for whom they were specially designed. '

ST. JAMES

Great popularity has been enjoyed by Ralph Lynn's latest British farce ‘ Just My Liick ’ during the past.week —so great, in fact, that the management 'of the St. James Theatre has decided to extend the season for another «eek. Bon Travers’s brilliant dialogue, exceptionally clever acting by Ralph Lynn, and a charming performance by Winifred Shelter combine to make this one of the most delightful of many highly successful films these popular players have produced. In the part of a poor music teacher who is almost comically unlucky Ralph Lynn has an excellent chance to reveal his talents, and he makes the most of the opportunity. His pretty girl pupil convinces him that by the law of averages; he must be extraordinarily lucky lov the rest of his life. The remarkable transformation that he undergoes is one of the best parts of the film. He becomes superbly self-confident, and a series of fortunate occurrences gains him the managership of a large hotel. It is not until a dishonest cashier absconds with the hotel’s funds and involves the manager and his assistant , (Robertson Hare) in an hilarious chase of several miles across country that he learns he cannot achieve everything by just waiting for luck to come his way. Davy Burnaby and Vera Pearce play prominent parts with distinction, and Frederick Burtwell and Phyllis Clare successfully fill minor roles. The supporting programme is'well balanced in interest and incident, all the “shorts’" being of high finality. _ All round, the entertainment is a delightful one.- and if the standard of this, the first, programme under the theatre's new British film contract is maintained the St. James is in for a prosperous time.

EMPIRE

It is the custom to cjuestion the veracity of the statement that there is no professional jealousy between screen comedians. Laurel and Hardy, costarring for more than five years in dispensing film laughter, are an outstanding example. There is declared to he no friction or jealousy whatever in their professional pursuit. The best evidence of this fact is that for several years the comedians had planned to spend . a vacation together in Europe. And the plan was carried out recently, following the completion of their latest Hal Roach feature-length comedy ' Pack Up A’our Troubles,' which came to the Empire Theatre to-day. They mot by chance at the Hal Roach studios in Hollywood. Hardy had just been placed under contract, while Laurel was •working on the lot. Quite accidentally Hardy caused a hot grease pan to spijj on Laurel’s hand. Under the circumstances a feud was in order. Instead they became acquainted, and this ripened into genuine friendship. Together they have made more than forty comedies. ' Pack Up Your Troubles ' is their second feature-length comedy, the other being ‘ Pardon Us.’ Charles Middleton, Richard Tucker, Alary Carr, Donald Dillaway, and Jacquie Lyn are included in the supporting cast. It is easily one of the best and the funniest comedies of this year or any other year, '(’hat's saying a great deal, but tho fnnnv men are positively a riot as they wander about taking things lightly, particularly in view of the fact that a serious war is going on. When the comedians are suddenly catapulted into the array and begin hauling a garbage can to the general’s office—well, yon can imagine just what happens. Tho boys are always serious, however, and the war is seemingly a very serious matter to them. ’ Into their dumb minds has been instilled the fact that they must never ask questions in the army, AVhon ordered to do things they must do them, even though they were asked to jump over Niagara Falls. Equally amusing and interesting is

little Jacquie Lyn, the little three-year-old actress. There are many others in the cast whose performances are uniformly good.

OCTAGON

Concerning ’ The Conquerors,’ which began a season at the Octagon Theatre to-day. Seton Margrave, London ’ Daily Mail ’ film critic, says: 1 wish to commend this talking picture to your favour as one of the finest achievements of the film world. In sheer physical dimensions. ’ Tho Conquerors ’ is a gigantic production. It spans sixty vital years /of histofy and presents a thrilling and tremendous pageant of industrial enterprise. ‘ The Conquerors * is a surging, soaring drama of all that is most admiraßle in a great nation. When I saw it I was completely enthralled by its spectacular grandeur and its emotional inspiration. Without being guilty of critical insincerity. I cannot withhold from ' The Conquerors ’ the highest possible praise. As the husband and wife around whom the action of ‘ The Conquerors ’ is laid, Richard Dix and Ann Harding give" superb performances. The acting of these two distinguished players seems to me perfect in its understanding of the physical endeavour and the spiritual faith which go to the making of ‘ The Conquerors.’ Apart from the acting of its two principal players. * The Conquerors ’ is made delightful by the humour and tho humanity of the two supporting characters created by Edna Alay Oliver and Guy Kihbec.” Supporting 'I ho Conquerors ’ is a racing story, entitled ‘ Sweepstakes.' which features Eddie Quillan. James Gleason, and Low Cody. Eddie is seen as a jockey whose -unfortunate exclusion from national race tracks causes him tc sock necessary employment in a cheap cafe in Mexico. There the disillusioned rider is hired to serve the pleasure-sekiug patrons with refreshments along with a frequent old-time song.

STRAND

It very often happens that the titles of films are not good indications of the contents. 1 Lady and Gent,’ tho name of the Paramount talkie which opened to-day at the .Strand, might mean anything. What it does happen to to‘mean, however, is another personal triumph for the popular C >rgo Bancroft. There is a large and a capable cast supporting him. but Bancroft himself carries off’ the majority ot the honours. This persona 1 success may be attributed to the fact that the role was built for his particular style ol acting. It is a role that makes him into a human being: something more than a mcr.c shadow on the screen. And it b a vibrant and lovable character. He i? "Slag’' -Hailey a steelmill worker: hut he is more than .hat —he is a friendly, good-natured, it

bun„- _ icllow of the type that everyone discovers among his or her own acquaintances at one time or another. With fists that are large and a heart that is larger he blusters through adversity with never a care for the illluck that he sometimes encounters. Wvnno Gibson has the main supporting role, and Charles Starrett and James Gleason are also prominent.

KING EDWARD

Unique entertainment is the keynote of ' The Wumm- at the King Edward. It is notable for the clever portrayal of Karloff as a high priest of ancient Egypt, who falls in love with a priestess'" of Isis. On the death of the girl the priest steals from the .temple the Book of Thoth. with which he intends toi bring her back to life. but. discovered in" the act, ho is embalmed alive for his sacrilege. After the passage of 3.01X1 years the tombs are entered by a party of Egyptologists, who _ unearth the mummy and the Book of Thotii, with which the mummy was buried. When' a member of the party roads aloud the spell from the Book of Thoth the mummy comes to life. The plot then becomes complicated and thrilling.