PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 21656, 27 February 1934, Page 5

PICTURE THEATRES

GRAND On Saturday night the bookings were so heavy that every seat in the Grand Theatre was sold before the doors were opened, and a long queue of earlycomers was disappointed in not being able to gain admission. ‘ This Week of Grace ’ is musical comedy of the most pleasing variety, and by virtue of the high standard of its musical entertainment it does not require to rely to a great extent on its plot to carry it along. Gracie Fields sings her way through the production in very happy and tuneful fashion. The audience is captivated by ‘My Lucky Lay,’ ‘ Happy Ending,’ ‘ Heaven Will Protect an Honest Girl,’ ‘ Mary Rose,’ ‘ When Cupid Calls,’ and ‘ Melody at Dawn.’ The plot is one which, though not new, has always been found well worthy of treatment on the screen. It concerns the struggles of a poor working girl, who has been raised to unexpected wealth, to take her place in a stratum of society to which she is quite unaccustomed. Gracie Fields is admirablv suited to the interpretation of this role, and gives a pleasing characterisation of the somewhat uncouth factory girl and of the girl who later is sure of herself in any company. The actress is, therefore, seen not only in her own melodious Lancashire-mill-lass role, which is so familiar to her admirers, but she also blossoms out into society. The family lias been living in the slums, but one day Gracie accidentally meets the Duchess of Swinford, who, of course, lives on a plane far above that of Gracie and her family. At that time the duchess is heartily disgusted with the heir to the title, Clive, and his mother, who have allowed a fine old castle in their charge to go to ruins, and, as a grim jest, the old aristocrat determines to put Grace in charge of the estate. It is then that the fun begins. Clive, the lordling, has always been a reckless young man, but things change when Gracie comes on the scene. The tenants are soon much more contented, and in less than a year the castle and the estate arc running like, clockwork. There is later a misunderstanding between Gracie and Clive, and their fairy godmother puts the family back in the slums and sends Olive to work. Frank Pettingell, the father, fits into the picture as naturally as the background, and Douglas Wakefield, as the son Joe, is a character whom Dunedin audiences will want to see again. The supports are varied and interesting. ‘ The Door of Asia,’ the first of two travelogues of the Vagabond Adventure series, gives some enlightening glimpses- of China and its hard-working, < contented population. The second is ‘ Singapore,’ which is treated from a different angle, and is amusing as well as entertaining. There is also a Fox Movietone newsreel and a Grant Rico Sportlight entitled ‘ Uncrowned Champions.’ EMPIRE 1 Tugboat Annie,’ at the Empire, is a production with Marie Dressier and Wallace Beery in the leading roles, and that is a sufficient; recommendation to induce every film patron to make a point of seeing the picture. The qualities of Marie Dressler’s acting are brought readily to mind by the mere mention of her name and her ability to make each part she plays take on a real significance though every little mannerism is recognised. Wallace Reery is un less a favourite with everyone, his success being due to the simplicity and clever . methods which he instills into every action. The story is set in a background of a seafaring life in a large port, depicting the lives, of a family who have spent all their lives on a tug, the Narcissus, where life is a hard battle against keen competition. It is in this atmosphere that “Tugboat Annie” and her well-mean-ing but drunken husband, Terry, have spent their days, bringing up their son Alec. Years pass, and the hope that has always been uppermost is fulfilled —Alec is welcomed back to port commanding a large passenger vessel. The parents are overjoyed, and Terry, who has previously given his word to leave liquor alone, falls from grace when he imbibes too much —the only drink he can find being hair restorer. Alec falls in love with the daughter of the owner of the shipping line. There are quarrels and reconciliations, laughter, and tears in the story, and the brilliant performances of Marie Dressier _ and Wallace Beery bring a sympathetic re-

ponse from the audience. In the supporting programme -there is a colour review, ‘ Nursery Rhymes,’ which is unusual from the points of view of presentation and elaborate scenes. Miss Iris Mason presides at the organ. BT. JAMES ‘ Loyalties,’ at the St. James, is an adaptation of the play by John Galsworthy. and is one of the most gripping dramas ever presented before Dunedin audiences. its theme is ol particular interest at the present time in view of the fact that public interest has recently been drawn to the illtreatment of Jews in Germany and to reports of a possibility of similar action elsewhere. In ‘ Loyalties ’ the position of the Jew in society is dealt with in masterly fashion by one who was for many years England’s leading novelist and playwright, and in the hands of an unusually talented cast the play is moulded into a picture which makes entertainment of the most acceptable type. The task of the players is by no means an easy one, for there is much that they must convey by action and emotion rather than by mere word of mouth, but they are equal to the demands that are made upon them. Basin Rathbone is cast as Ferdinand De Levis, an ambitious Jew, and in presenting this difficult character he gives a portrayal which is marked by delicacy of gesture and intonation as well as by a poise which stamps him as an actor of infinite feeling and experience. The feeling of racial prejudice which exists in some form in almost every mind is dealt with in a manner which shows the author’s remarkable insight into human nature. I)e Levis is, of course, the central character, and the story centres round an accusation of theft which he makes against a prominent member of the society in which he moves. While those who are "closely associated with the person who is accused secretly believe that he is guilty, their reaction to the announcement of his guilt is one of auger that ho should have been accused by a Jew. They spare no effort to persuade the Jew not to press his claim for the return of the money, but be insists upon doing so. His determination leads to interesting developments, ending, in a surprising climax, A film displaying the scenic beauties of Milford Sound is also shown. REGENT One of the most notable aerial pictures ever screened here is ‘ Central Airport,' at the Regent. A disabled passenger hydroplane adrift in the storm-tossed Caribbean, buffeted by savage gales, reeling and rocking under the incessant pounding of foaming waves, each white-crested breaker grasping hungrily at the half-dozen human beings clinging desperately to the derelict ship, threatening every second to sweep them into eternity—drenching sheets of,tropical rain beating upon the castaways, as the wad black sky is ripped from horizon ,to horizon by jagged blades of blinding lightning—a lone pilot crouching beside his anguished charges, , grimly sending up rocket after rocket in an appeal for h e lp—suddenly, out of the deafening tumult of the storm, the welcome rhythmic murmur of an aeroplane engine, far-off at first, but coming nearer as the last rocket goes up to guide the unknown rescuer to his goal —out of the heart of the hurricane the rescue plane looming up, hovering, settling down beside the stricken vesselsix human beings snatched from certain death while the tempest howls in impotent fury around them. Such is the climax of this drama of commercial aviation. An unusually distinguished cast supports Richard Barthelmess and Sally Filers. Tom Brown, who plays the part of a brother air pilot of Barthelmess. had a leading part in ‘ The Lady Lies.’ James Murray is well known as one of the screen’s leading players, appearing in ‘ ’Frisco Jenny.’ There is an attractive supporting programme. STRAND In ‘Charlie Chan’s Greatest Case,’ at the Strand. Warner Gland appears m the title role that has made him famous. Charlie Chan is again the crafty Chinese criminologist, whose astute insight into human nature enables him to unravel apparently hopelessly tangled clues. John Warburton, scion of an aristocratic Boston family, on arriving in Honolulu, finds his uncle murdered. Many could have benefited by his death, and there were no apparent clues. To track down the murderer Charlie Chan’s aid is enlisted, and from there on the story presents a senes ot baffling and mysterious episodes that are skilfully interpreted by the detective. Heather Angel, a newcomer to the American screen, gives a convincing portrayal in the leading feminine role. The English voice, the modish presence, and the ingenuous acting of Heather Angel make a pleasant background, for she is the most concerned little lady in the film. Virginia Cherrill, as tlie sister of the murdered man, carries the part admirably. Other wellknown players arc Jchn Warburton, Walter Byron, Ivan Simpson, and Francis Ford. There are several interesting supporting features. OCTAGON ‘Big Brain,’ the Octagon’s headliner, exposes the methods of amassing money that are adopted in certain sections of American life. Financial frauds on a large scale have .come so prominently into the news recently that this picture is given a special interest. , An exceptionally fine performance is given by George E. Stone in the leading role. He is seen first as a barber’s apprentice, who, despite his station in life, believes in his own ability to accumulate wealth. A man with few scruples, he begins by questionable methods to achieve his aim, and soon he is launching schemes of considerable magnitude. The success of these results in his becoming the leader, of a band of financiers whose activities are of the widest nature, the ex-barber’s belief that conscience should not enter into financial matters, together with his amazing confidence in his own infallibility giving him special qualifications for the position which he occupies. He eventually finds himself in gaol, however, as the result of the activities of a woman. The screen version of Rex Beach’s novel, ‘ The Goose Woman,’ filmed under the title of ‘The Past of Mary Holmes,’ is also showing. It is an , intensely dramatic story of a famous singer who loses her voice when her son is born. The film has many exciting moments, as well as many tender passages.. KING EDWARD A strong cast of well-known players interprets ‘The White Sister, a poignant drama based on F. Marion Crawford’s well-known novel, which heads the King Edward programme. Helen Hayes has the role which made Lilian Gish so popular in the silent version, while Clark Gable takes the part of the young officer. The story deals with an Italian princess, who, although engaged to a man of her own station, falls in love with an Italian officer. But he is reported as killed in an aeroplane crash, and she becomes a nun to escape the sorrows of the world. Almost immediately her lover returns, and a struggle

between spiritual and worldly .love ensues. An atmospheric prologue precedes the film..