PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 21581, 29 November 1933, Page 7

PICTURE THEATRES

GRAND The film version of J. B. Priestley’s highly-successfnl novel, ‘ The Good Companions,’ which is now showing at the Grand Theatre, is notable for the breath of freshness which it- brings to the screen by its atmosphere of realism and simplicity. The. director. Victor Saville, has achieved a triumph in the organisation of his material by budding interest and dropping all unnecessary trivialities. The film keeps closer to The original than the stage play possibly because it was supervised tboroughout by Mr Priestley, and the characters have been transferred to the screen with such genius that they li'c there even more vividly than in the pages of the book. There is nothing meretricious, nothing out of harmony, and nothing that has been introduced simply for the sake of padding out the storyTir giving it “ box office appeal. And as there was nothing of this nature in the novel, which yet sold in eiery part of the English world in an amazing manner, so it may be anticipated that Urn film, by its vorv simplicity and sincerity, v. jil appeal to all classes of _ the community as more sophist u-a-.cd entertainment has failed to do. It mil be strange indeed if ‘ The Good Companions ‘ is not one of the most popular pictures to bo shown in Dunedin for a considerable lime. The cast has been chosen with that infinite care typical of the best English p.-odnetions—even verv minor roles are filled by players of note —and every aefor gives lull support to his fellows. _ It is to Jessie Matthews that the principal honours must go. but not far behind her comes that great actor Edmund Gwcnn. who takes'Tiie bv no means easy part of Jess Oakrovd. One better suited for the vole if would be impossible to imagine. He is no one else than Jess Oakrovd himself, the man, mostly m■’rticnlafe. who breaks from the bomiaec of life in a home where be is misunderstood and takes the open road, ovcrvwhere seeing something wonderful in the common things. Half a dozen others in the cast there are who give marvello-s performances, performances so lifo-h’ke that it is easy to forget that ‘The Good Companions’ is a screen entertainment at all and to imagine that one is looking on at the actual life of that concert pavtv which for a brief space enjoyed a grmit companionship on the roads of England. EMPIRE One of the most appealing and moving romances ever shown on the screen. ‘ The White Sister.’ is scon in a new and modernised form at the Empire Theatre this week. The present version is an entirely different one from that in which Lillian Gish and Ronald Colman were so successful on the silent screen, and the story has been rewritten to bring its wealth of human feeling into greater prominence. It concerns the love of an Italian girl for an officer whom she meets at a carnival, and how she severs herself from the world and enters a convent when he is b-ought down in an air crash and is given np for dead. His dramatic return after she has been fully initiated ns a nun forms a fitting climax to the film. Clark Gable, virile actor of * No Man of Her Own,’ and Helen Hayes, described as the foremost emotional actress in America, have the principal roles, and the supporting cast includes Lewis Slope, May Robson, and Louise Glosser Hale. There is a special, atmospheric prologue before the main film lr- Mks Gweinln Burt, The shorter films include ‘ Old King Cole.’ another of Walt Disney’s coloured cartoons. ST. JAMES ' Tell Me To-night ’ will close a particularly Successful season at the St. James Theatre to-morrow night. The picture K notable for the fine singing of Jan Kicpura. who takes the part of a young opera singer who flees from bis tyrannous manageress to have a holiday in Switzerland. Other players are Magda Schneider. Edmund Gwcnn. and Sonnie Hale. ‘ Tell Ale To-night ’ is one of the finest musical films over screened in Dnnerlin. Jan Kiepnra, the young Polish singer, is excellent in the leading role, and his magnificent tenor voice is allowed ample scope. His singing of excerpts from 1 Rigoletto,’ ‘ La Traviata.’ and ‘ La Boheme ’ is noteworthy, while the theme song. ‘ Tell Ale To-night,’ is particularly melodious and tuneful. An interesting and amusing story runs through the film concerning the revolt of a famous singer against his tyrannical manageress, and his adventures in Switzerland in company with an international criminal whom bo meets on the journey, Afagdn Schneider. Sonnie Halo, and Edmund Gwenn are in the cast. ‘Tell Ale Tonight’ ran for three weeks in Auckland. and its season hero lias made people realise why its success overseas should road like a book—seven months in Afelbonrne. five months in Sycß’ey. several months in Los Anrrclcs. Perbar-.- ; !■(■> fir'si: rc-ommcndai ion the film eon Id h < —el •<i”etl in Pm fact that it ran kw so long in Los Amre'os, flip '•nine of the "'•oalest competitors of British films 1 Our Fighting Navy.’ an informative film of the activities of ihe British Navy, is the supporting feature. STRAND ‘She Done Him Wrong,’ the Paramount feature which heads the programme at the Strand, is a picture packed with action, drama, suspense, glamour, broad comedy, and romance. Mac West, one of the most spectacular figures in the current Broadway theatrical world, makes her debut ill this stirring melodrama, which she herself wrote. It is a gripping story of the Bowery, a notorious section of New York, during the naughty ’nineties, with its collection of wide-open saloons. *‘ tough men.” and frivolous women. It centres around a singer known as ' Ladv Lon,’ who has a way with men. ami who accepts their attentions in return for diamonds. Her collection of gems is ransom for half a dozen kings, Aliss West anpears in that role. Noah Beery is the saloon keeper who is furnishing the jewels at the moment, t'niw Grant is ostensibly the head of a nearby mission, who turns out to he as susceptible to her charms as any of the natives of the district. REGENT One of the most entertaining comedies to come from British studios for some time, ‘ Counsel’s Opinion,’ is attracting large audiences to the Regent Theatre. The picture is replete with clever and diverting situations, and its humour has that quality of brightness which makes a distinctive appeal. Henry Kendall, a London stage player of note, appears as a young lawyer in a divorce case. Cyril Maude, who will be remembered for bis likeable characterisations in ‘ Grumpy ’ and ‘ These Charming People.’ gives an excellent portrayal as a kindly old solicitor, while others who appear are Lawrence Grossmith. Binnic Barnes, and Francis Lister. Kendall plays the part of Logan, a famous divorce counsel. Obliged, owing to flic thick fog, to stay the night at the over-crowded Royal Barks Hofei, he manages to. secure a bedroom and sitting room. Ho

is tlio impressionable young iVum who gives in to Leslie and allows her to occupy his sitting room for the night. Later', through many amusing coincidences, he is convinced that the girl is Lady Itockburn and that he will ho cited as co-respondent. This is particularly unfortunate, because Lord Uockburn wishes to brief him as bis counsel, in order to make sure that ho really laves her emrudi to abandon his carcc-, Leslie '■■aintains dm deception until the ve -- v cud, whim ■dr:- cxu’ains that she is nol married afler all a rendition he hastens to remedy. OCTAGON It’s an old and a mio adage that two wrongs never make a right, but it does appear sometimes that from wrong acts right will eventually emerge. At any rate, it is often the case that on the anvil of life only under the hammering of trouble is happiness forged. This is what is demonstrated in ‘ Perfect Understanding,’ at the Octagon. It is almost as much a comedy as it is a drama, though it is hy no moans light entertainment, being based on ps'-cc '.,.ry The nephew of an English peer. Xieholas (Laurence Olivier), lias fallen in love with Judy, a young American woman (Gloria Swanson), who has climbed to success on life’s ladder, and who is visiting England. Thev wish to marry, but the unhappiness so obvious in the lives of many of their married friends makes them afraid to venture into matrimony. In order to ensure happiness for themselves after marriage, they draw up a contract embodying their ideas of a perfect understanding and individual freedom. After a honeymoon in Europe Judv goes ahead to London to prepare their homo. A misunderstanding' occurs over a communication. and Nicholas recklessly becomes compromised wit l ' a former There are complications. _ ‘'Self-made Lady, which is also showing, is a story of London, with all its difficulties, hrvs, dangers, opportunities, and comedies. KING EDWARD Janet Gaynor and Charles Carroll appear in ‘ Tess of the Storm Country,’ which commences its season at the King Edward Theatre to-night. Adapted from the novel hy Grace Miller White and the dramatisation by Rupert Hughes, ‘ Tess ’ is said to ofier plenty of thrilling moments along with its vivid romance. With Dudley Diggcs. Claude Gillingwater, Juno Clyde, Edward Pawley. Matty Kemp, George Meeker, and De Witt Jennings in prominent roles and the diroelion of Alfred Santell. ‘ Toss ’ promises to.he om> of the imisi .successful of its slai's' offerings.