PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 21710, 3 May 1934, Page 7

PICTURE THEATRES

HULBERT COMEDY AT STATE It seems to be a. rule in Hollywood and Elstree that every popular star must, at some stage in his or her career, play at being a reporter. Jack Hulbert and his wife, Cicely Courtneidge, are the latest ones to do it, the vehicle for their journalistic activities being ‘ Palling for You,’ a Fox-Gau-mont film whicli was initially screened at the State Theatre to-day. They are not orthodox reporters, of course; that would be impossible with either Jack Hulbert or Cicely Courtneidge, but they contrive to make ‘ Falling for You ’ a very gay and entertaining production, replete with absurd escapades, bright dialogue, tuneful songs, and eccentric dancing. The big moment ” of the film is Hulbert’s eccentric skating act, when he sets out to sweep the heroine off her feet with his prowess on the ice and is swept off his own feet several times, in the process. Hence the title, ‘ Falling for You,’ The romantic element is excellently handled by Tamara Desni, a newcomer to the screen, whose debut is most promising. She has a dark and piquant beauty, a fascinating trace of foreign accent, and a charming personality. It is to be hoped that England does not let her slip away to Hollywood. The British film industry can ill afford to lose such beautiful and talented heroines as Tamara Desni. She appears as a foreign girl of noble blood betrothed to ail unpleasant and podgy prince (Garry Marsh). She runs away to an alpine pleasure resort and is there assisted by Hulbert, the reporter, in escaping the pursuit of her would-be husband, who is determined to bold her to her marriage contract. Hulbert, however, does not know who she really is, and is given the assignment ’of getting a “story” about the runaway bride. In this he meets the rivalry of Cicely. Courtneidge, also a reporter', and there are many comical confusions before the two journalists combine forces to save the girl from the prince so that Jack can marry her himself. WHEELER AND WOOLSEY AT GRAND Ever since their first great musical comedy hit in ‘ Bio- Rita,’ Wheeler and Woolsey have been searching for material worthy of their undoubted talents as comedians. It is claimed that they have found it in 1 Hips, Hips, Hooray,’ the musical comedy which was shown at the Grand Theatre to-day. There are songs, gags, and comedy situations galore in this splendid entertaining film. The Powder Puff Ballot in itself is well worth seeing, introducing as it does some of the most beautiful girls that Hollywood may afford. Several other ballets and song, numbers are put over in lavish style, the settings and backgrounds being in keeping with the highest traditions. Apart from the- spectacle there are many side-splitting situations handled in the excruciatingly funny manner which is expected from two such expert comedy merchants as Wheeler and Woolsey. Adapted from a highly successful musical stage success, 'Hips, Hips, Hooray ’ depends not so much on plot as it does on gags, .comical situations, light music, songs, and, some splendid dancing. A. lively appreciation of real entertainment is shown by the' producers. Honest-to-gooduess humour spiced with pleasing romantic interest, in a slight story, makes this musical comedio opus most amusing and breezy fun. The development scores heavily on the comedy passages, which are highly diverting. The exuberant style of Wheeler and Woolsey, who are runnier than ever in ‘ Hips, Hips, Hooray,’ is the mainstay in keeping the fun going; and they are provided with plenty of opportunity. This most amusing musical show has been described as “ Grand entertainment for everyone.” 1 EMPIRE Easily one of the best entertainments of its kind 'ever heard in Dunedin, the Tom Katz Band has been extremely popular with audiences at the Empire Theatre during the past week. The attraction of its personal element has made its interest considerable, ami Dunedinites iwill be loth to farewell thd band after to-night’s ■performance. On the same programme is ‘ Tillie and Gus,’ a farce comedy of the highest order, in which W. C. Fields and Alison Skipworth appear as card sharps who delight in looting the “ wise guys.” Miss Iris Mason provides organ interludes. ' OCTAGON A particularly strong cast interprets ‘Torch. Singer,’ whicli will have its final serening tit the Octagon Theatre to-night. Claudette Colbert, who appeared very successfully opposite Ben Lyon in ‘ 1 Cover the Waterfront,’ has her first singing role as a celebrated radio performer, and her voice is shown to be one that should be a very valuable asset in her career. Baby Lo Roy, who created an ’ pression by his preformance in ‘ A Bedtime Story,’ has an important role, and other popular players are David Manners, Ricardo Cortez, and Lydia Roberti. ST. JAMES ■ Conrad Veidt, perhaps the most celebrated German character actor, gives a typical portrayal in 1 The Wandering Jew,’ at the St. James. Tho tory of the Jew who insulted Christ and was condemned Lo walk the earth for ever affords him • u splendid opportunity of •'splaying his great acting ability. The film is presented in four distinct phases, and the atmosphere of each period is captured perfectly. There are four leading ladies—one iq reach part—viz., Anne Grey, Joan Maude, Peggy Ashcroft, and New Zealand’s own Marie Ney. RECENT Down through the ages the literature of courage has always been popular and the success of ‘ Gallant Lady,’ at the Regent, shows how* men and women still regard courage as an honourable virtue. It is the story of a woman who had to contend against social opinion, and how she fought, suffered, endured, and achieved, exemplifies very truly thrt the mercy of men is to be just and tho justice of women is to he merciful. Ann Harding, who plays

the part of an expectant mother, gives to the “ gallant lady ” her; own charm and beauty,_ and creates a character sincere, tragic, brave, and refined. Opposite her it Clive Brook, as Dan, a doctor with a ruined reputation. STRAND Vivid dramas of love, hate, jealousy, despair, and even madness, among the hundreds of men incarcerated behind the German lines are climaxed by a most sensational denouement when Leslie Howard, as the Victoria Cross officer, discovers the unfaithfulness .of his wife and friend in ‘ Captured, at the Strand. A spectacular escape' of all the prisoners, engineered by Howard, his solution to his problem, and his deed more daring than that for which he won his decoration, are just a few of the high-lights of the sl'o / KING EDWARD Something out of the ordinary is presented in ‘ Salomy Jane,’ at the King Edward. It is a colourful tale of Californian mining camps. The heroine is a mountain girl, attracted to a ■stranger 'who is trailing an enemy, whom he eventually kills. The hold-up of a stage coach, the forming of a, vigilante posse, the capture of the stranger, the girl’s endeavours to save him from hanging, bis escape, and other exciting incidents form the climax. Charles Farrell and Joan Bennett are starred.