PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 21641, 9 February 1934, Page 2

PICTURE THEATRES

GRAND The fact that the story of ‘ The Mad Game,’ at the Grand, embraces what might bo called America’s most menacing crime—kidnapping—stamps the film as one of importance. Spencer Tracy, who has the leading role, portrays the part of an ex-gangster, who is double-crossed by his associates and sent to prison for a live-year term. During lus stay in the penitentiary his former aide terrorises the country with his new-found “ racket ” the “ snatch racket.” Tracy is released from prison to aid the Government in wiping out the new dread. His knowledge of the underworld soon gains Tracy an entrance into the dominating ring of kidnappers. He secures ail the inside information necessary to aid the authorities and at the same time rescues the two latest victims of the •ring. ‘ The Mad Game ’ gives Tracy a remarkable opportunity to display the acting abihy lie has so ably manifest'd in previous roles. Afcr a wide search for the girl to play opposite Tracy, Claire Trevor was selected for the part. Others in the east, notable for its careful selection, are Ralph Morgan, Howard Lally, J. Carrol Naish, John Miljan. Matt MTlugh, Kathleen Burke, Mary Mason, Willard Robertson, John Davidson, Paul Fix, and Jerry Devine. In ‘ Olsen’s Big moment,’ the other film on this programme, El Brendel is elevated horn the position of a supporting comic to that of principal performer. If this picture is an example of what the Scandinavian comedian can do on his own, then audiences will want more pictures with him m the featured part, ‘ Olsen’s Big Moment ’ is a definite contribution to the new deal in sidesplitting entertainment. Cast in the role of an innocent janitor who is caught up m a mess of romance, “ racketeering,” and adventure, Braudel gives a sterling performance. He shows definitely that his years of experience as a comic on the stage and on the screen have borne Iruit. With him in this film is Walter Catlett, no mean comedian in his own right. Together they are a riot. Others in the cast are Barbara Weeks, Susan Fleming, John Arledge, Maidel Turner, Edward Pawley, and Joseph Sauers. EMPIRE Of the many outstanding stage productions which have been brought to the screen, probably none lias over proved more popular than ‘ The Desert Sung.’ The film version of this famous operetta has returned to the Empire, where its appeal will probably prove to be as strong as ever, for the lapse of time since it was first shown has done nothing to diminish its reputation as one of the finest productions of the ,screen, its tuneful songs and haunting melodies—well known already, no doubt, but ever Iresli and appealing—its striking panoramas of the desert, its magnificent backgrounds of garden and palace, and the mystery aim fascination of its story of life in trackless Morocco —all make for an effect which is not lightly forgotten. The story of the 1 Red Shadow,’ that glamorous figure of romance and adventure, is told in a much more spectacular way than was ever possible on the stage; and there is plenty ol scope for colourful settings in keeping with the glamorous theme. Add to this the singing of John Boles in a role which gives his -wonderful tenor voice full scope, and of Carlotta King, as a lyric soprano, and one has talent and variety enough to make for en tertainment on a very lavish scale, in the unfolding of the romantic drama, with the Red Shadow playing a double role, and surprising the heroine alone in the French stronghold, suddenly vanishing and reappearing as the halfwitted son of the French general, John Boles rises to the pinnacle pf lus powers. His voice blends perfectly with that of Miss King, and from a musical point of view the film could hardly be bettered. The chorus singing and dancing are equally as good, and there is a very strong oast in support of the two principals; while lor those who love the sight of line horses in action there are many scenes to bring delight, particularly* in the mountain retreat ol the lied Shadow and his baud.

REGENT Kay Francis and Nils Asther arc the principals in 1 Storm at Daybreak,’ now at the Regent, and the cast also features such prominent film names as Walter Huston, Phillips Holmes, Eugene Pallette, C. Henry Gordon, Louise Glosser Hale, and Jean Parker. The picture is a thrilling romance laid in the Balkans at the outbreak of the World War. The stage version created a sensation in Budapest and subsequently repeated its triumph-in Vienna. The photoplay version, filmed at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, was directed by Richard Boleslavsky, who previously scored with the three Barrymore picture, ‘ Rasputin and the .Empress.’ The story of 1 Storm at Daybreak ’ opens with the spectacular assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand and his wife in Serajevo, which precipitated the World War, and then centres on the lives of three persons who become engulfed in the bitter strife between Hungarians and Serbs. Miss Francis plays the wife of a man old enough to be ' her father; Asther is seen as a Hungarian officer, and Walter Huston plays the husband. The triangular dilemma which results is unfolded in a series of adventurous and exciting incidents involving Huston’s rescue from an angry mob, the young wife s reckless attempts to aid a group of deserters, the conflict of the wife who falls in love with the young officer but refuses to be disloyal to her husband, and the latter’s problem when he is brought to realisation of the truth. ‘ Storm at Daybreak ’ has been filmed on a scale parallelling- that of the spectacular ‘ Rasputin and the Empress, the colourful story requiring construction of tremendous sets and the use of hundreds of extras. ST. JAMES To-day, at the St. James Theatre, Ralph Lynn and Tom Walls entered upon what should prove to be the most successful comedy they have ever appeared in. Written by Ben Travers, the famous author of ‘Rookery No°ki and ‘ Plunder,’ ‘ Thark, undoubtedly overshadows all his previous efforts. With the talented assistance of the Aiwvch Theatre cast, including Mary Brough and Robertson Hare, the LynnWalls combination keeps the audience m roars of laughter, which does not stop from beginning to end. IhaiK offers everything the comedy-loi ei onjoys—subtle wit, last and furious tun, full of rib-tickling situations. Jom Walls, in the role of Sir Hector Benbow, a middle-aged sportsman with an eve for a pretty girl, gives the fii.cst comedv characterisation in his screen career'; and Ralph Lynn is as joyously Lvnnish as ever.. The story surrounds “Thark,” a residential nianm 'which has the reputation of being haunted. To disprove the story, die owners, v. o have recently disposed of the property, aerreo to sleep in the haunted room. When one realises that toe woidd be heroes are none other ban Tom W.-lls and Ralph Lynn, one can imagine the comical situations that are bound to occur. Another interesting fi ii o'd same programme is with Gobnam to Kivu,’ a graphic film recording thefts of Sir Alan Cobham’s flight. Tlip sceuerv is magnificent of both - river and jungle, and there are a so me absorbing shots of wild game life OCTAGON A success equal to that achieved in Australia has fallen to the lot of The Hayseeds,’ a picture which apparently all Dunedin is going to see, to judge from the crowds that have been packing the Empire Theatre.. Due .to the popularity of the film, it has been transferred to the Octagon Theatre, where it will remain for the coming week, i xhe Hayseeds ’ are an interesting family group who have fought storm and drought with little success, but are still battling away on their bush farm On precisely the same day that the hikers Mr and Mrs Townleigh, an ageing couple, turn up worn out by the effort to step it out with the rest thev are genially succoured by Dad and Mum Havsecd. When it is time to go there is consternation, as young Marv Townleigh is missing. She has wandered off to gather flowers and be-

come “ bushed.” Tired out, she come* upon the lonely camp of John Manners, who conducts her back to her people, and by doing so as an .English gentleman not only wins her gratitude, but her love. Then when Joe Hayseed marries Pansy the family make it an excuse to go a trip to Sydney and stay with the Townleighs. Their advent and experiences there are screamingly funny. The sturdy manliness and subtle humour of Dad Hayseed are delightfully depicted by Cecil Kellaway, the well-known comedian. Miss Shirley Dale acts and sings charmingly as Mary, and Arthur Clarke exhibits a fine voice as John Manners. Miss Katie Towers is natural as Mum, and Tal Ordell and Molly Raynor supply the comic relief in broad splashes. The gorgeous technicolour version of ‘ The Pied Piper,’ by Walt Disney, and other features are included in the supporting programme. ‘ STRAND George O’Brien arrived at the Strand Theatre to-dav in his latest Zane Grey story, ‘ The Last Trail.’ The story concerns itself with a group of racketeers from the big city who try to “ muscle in ” on a new racket. They have abandoned beer-running for cattle rustling, and make an attempt to transplant their “ hijacking ”, methods from the metropolis to the canyons of the primitive West. They encounter a new typo of opposition in "this new territory—the opposition of men more dangerous and daring than they ever dreamed of being themselves. ‘ The Last Trail ’ is a film that combines the sophistication of the East with the simple openness of the West. With the attempt to introduce new methods of doing “ business ’ among the cattle raisers the story combines adventure, comedy, and romance. Claire Trevor, the young stage star, who will he remembered for her. recent screen debut opposite George O’Brien in ‘ Life in the Raw,’ has the leading feminine role again in this one. Her rise has been a rapid one, and she holds a great promise for a brilliant future as a leading lady of the films. The comedy of ‘ The Last Trail ’ is in the hands of El Brendel, Matt M’Hugh, and Lucille La Verne. Others in the cast are J. Carrol Naish, George Reed, Ruth Warren, Luis Alberni, and Edward Le Saint. XING EDWARD The unusual and thoughtful film Christopher Strong,’ which is 'based on the novel of the same name, is screening at the King Edward Theatre. The leading role is taken by Katharine Hepburn, the youngest star who has forced her way to the front of the moving picture world by the sheer merit of her acting. The hostess at_ a gay London party conceives of the idea to entertain her guests of a search for a girl over 21 who has not had a love affair and a man who has been married five years and has remained faithful to his wife. The person found to answer the first description is Lady Cynthia, a famous airwoman; and a young, impetuous daughter brings forward her father. Sir Christopher Strong, as the man having the second set of qualifications. These two, however, find after a short while that they have become infatuated with each other. A dramatic sequel to the subsequent domestic tangle provides a convincing conclusion to the story.