PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 21622, 18 January 1934, Page 6

PICTURE THEATRES

REGENT Lifted above the ordinary level in dialogue and setting of the great majority or pictures, ‘ When Ladies Meet,’ which concludes its season at the Regent to-night, really caters for the intelligentsia of picture patrons, and tone is present throughout. As a stage play ‘ When Ladies Meet ’ was an abnormal success, but on the screen it has the advantage of swinging along at an even tenor midst setting not possible on any theatrical stage. It is a picture which overflows with interest-: ing situations and delightfully witty humour. The stars are Robert Montgomery and Ann Harding, while also in the cast are Myrna Loy and Frank Morgan. GRAND Proof of her brilliance in handling a light role is given' by Madeline Carroll in the Gaumont-British production ‘ Sleeping Car,’ now attracting appreciative audiences to the Grand Theatre. Miss Carroll takes the part of a young widow who falls in love with a sleeping car attendant, a man notorious for the frequency of his own love affairs. The subsequent development of the plot is a light-hearted fantasy more in the spirit of carnival than musical comedy, and Kay Hammond, Ivor Novello, and Claude Allister handle it with facile grace. EMPIRE Jean Harlow and Clark Gable, who appeared together so successfully in * Red Dust,’ establish their position rs a romantic team in ‘ Hold Your Man,’ which is attracting large audiences to the Empire. 1 The story, which was written by Anita Loos, author of ‘ Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,’ is one which gives full scope to the distinctive talents of the principals and deals with a romance between a confidence man and a girl who shelters him during a police search. The w;hole picture is vividly produced, especially scenes in a woman’s reformatory, which are treated with admirable restraint. STRAND ‘ Flying Devils,’ RKO-Radio Pictures’ drama of the courageous lives and loves of the barn-storming air stunters portrayed by Eric Linden, Arline Judge, Bruce Cabot, and others, has delighted Strand patrons during the week. Miss Judge and Linden are especially likeable and convincing as the lovers, while Bruce Cabot as Ace is perfectly cast as the devil-may-care sacrificing stunter. • Ralph Bellamy departs from his conventional roles for a vivid characterisation of the mad Speed, and Cliff Edwards contributes the comedy. ST. JAMES A combination of P. G. Wodehpuse, Ralph Lynn, and Winifred Shotter can hardly fail to produce something outstanding in the way of a talking picture. Those who have seen ‘ Summer Lightning ’ at the St. James during the week will agree that British and Dominion Films have made the most of the association and have produced one of the most enjoyable comedies that have been seen here during recent months. The Wodehouse humour lightens every line. There is a subtlety about it and an air of complete naturalness that can hardly fail to captivate, and Ralph Lynn makes the most of every word. „ KING EDWARD The ever-popular Eddie Cantor is the star in ‘ The Kid From Spain,’ which is now being shown at the King Edward Theatre. It is Samuel Goldwyn's annual presentation of the Cantor song-and-dance, following ‘ Palmy Days ’ and ‘ Whoopee.’ In ‘ The Kid From' Spain’’ Cantor marches out, neither bravely nor willingly, to show his skill and grace as a matador. Escape from the police who are pusuing him, protection from the Mexican thugs about to “ put him on the spot,” the adoring eyes of the elongated hlond sex menace, and solving his room-mate’s difficult Jove affairs are all among the reasons that throw Cantor into_ the arena in the thrilling colourful climax to the Story. Against a magnificent background of lavish scenery and delightful music tho humour of the production is particularly attractive. OCTAGON People always have liked and always will like “thrillers,” and if they always' get them as good as ‘ The Man Outside,’ at the Octagon this week, they will always be satisfied. In this, first-class British mystery drama Henry Kendall, who has appeared in many fine films recently, provides a piquant spicing of comedy. Kendall plays the ■part of that popular character in contemporary detective fiction —the amateur detective who hides his activities behind a barrage of “ wisecracks ” and an exterior of rather inane amiability. This flippant role suits the suave happy-go-lucky Kendall admirably. ‘ Son of tho Border,’ in which the dashing Tom Keene is starred, is the supporting attraction.