PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 21714, 8 May 1934, Page 11

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE Outstanding for meritorious diameter delineation, unusually subtle dialogue and a Health of tensely dramatic situations cleverly blended with provocative and mirthful interludes, ‘ Penthouse, at the Empire, is a skilful combination of most of the elements in the world of amusement that comprise public taste. The story centres round the underworld of an American city, into which enters a rising barrister" whose social circles instantly ostracise him following a legal triumph by which he secures the release of a notorious “ public enemy.” Even his fiancee severs their relationship, feeling that she does not desire to lie associated with anyone whose clientele is drawn from the scum of the city. She later becomes betrothed to a young man whose association with a night club partner has to bo discontinued, and in his cloing-so a murder is committed, the woman is shot, and the young man is arrested and charged with the crime. The young lawyer is appealed to on behalf of his ■' successful' rival• in love, and he agrees to take I ;the case, which brings him to yet closer contact with the underworld. He meets a habitue of those haunts in the form of an exceedingly attractive young woman, and together the two set out, with the aid of the former “ public enemy,” to fight the case of the accused voting man. Warner Baxter, as the rising criminal lawyer, and Myrna Loy as the night club dance girl, who undertakes to help him, are excellently cast and responsible for a really finished portrayal of their respect tiro roles, while Nat Pendleton, as the gangster chief, acts as to the manner born. The supports include a Zasn Pitts-Thelma Todd comedy and Miss Iris Mason. ■ present's organ selections. OCTAGON The adventures and misadventures of newsreel cameramen in their efforts to secure the pictures which the public demands are woven into an exciting story in 1 Above,the Clouds,’ at the Octagon. .Robert' Armstrong has the role of ■‘-Scoop ’■’ Adams, a cameraman who can always be relied upon to secure the best pictures first, while Richard Cromwell is the hero of tho piece as “ Scoop’s ” assistant, Richard Robinson, the romantic side of the production being supplied by Dorothy Wilson. When the story opens “Scoop” is covering an aviation display from the ground, but Dick attempts to go one better by perching himself perilously on the wing of / ono of the machines in order to prove himself worthy of the position -of a regular photographer. “ Scoop,” hcbvever, gets all the credit. ‘“Scoop ” takes some screen tests of a girl for whom he has a passing infatuation, and later becomes so drunk that lie is unable to cover some naval manoeuvres. Dick takes his camera and secures a good shot of a submarine being rammed by a cruiser, but when the film is developed it is found to be double-exposed, the capering figure of “ Scoop’s ” friend being superimposed on the naval tragedy. Dick loses his job, and eventually his eyes are opened when he is turned down by “Scoop” over the matter of a trial flight by a dirigible.. The story works up to a stirring climax, and a satisfactory ending is achieved There is an excellent supporting programme, including a Mickey Mouse cartoon, a diverting comedy, and other attractive short subjects. . . ST. JAMES Colourful settings, lilting music, and engaging comedy are the features of ‘ Going Gay, 1 the attractive film at the St. James. Although it is essentially a comedy, it has its serious moments to whig.li-full effect is given by a large and competent cast, and throughout its length it is never lacking in music of the best and most acceptable kind. The honours of tho production undoubtedly go to charming little Magda Schneider, who will he remembered for her work in ‘ Tell Me To-night ’ with Jan Kiepura. She has a much more important part in ‘ Going Gay,’ and takes full advantage of the opportunities offered her, while her distinctive screen presence enables her to grace every scene in which she takes part. The male leads are in the hands of two ..capable-humorists, Arthur Riscoe and Nauntou Wayne. The opening scenes arc set aboard an air liner flying between London and Vienna, and the occupants upon which the attention is centred are two young men intent upon enjoying a holiday in the Austrian capital. Adventure takes them by the hand on their first night in their hotel, for - they meet a young woman. After an evening of merriment they fall under her spell, and her ability as a singer and a dancer makes a great impression on them. One interviews tbc director of the opera on her behalf, while the other decides that she is likely to be more successful. Greta,, however, is inclined toward an operatic career, which comes within her reach when the director of the opera is brought to her house by a ruse to bear ber sing an excerpt from ‘La Belle ■ Helene,’- This-establishes Greta’s popularity soundly, and it is not long before she appears-on the stage as the star in the ‘ Daughter of the Regiment,’ a scene that is',‘one of the gems of the film. There is an excellent supporting programme. GRAND •A gay-and hilariously insane saga of two slap-stickian heroes who let the world laugh with, for, and at them while they peddle flavoured lipsticks, participate in a cross-country automobile';, race, make love to beautiful girls, and wise-crack gaily is ‘ Hips, Hips, Hooray,’ the musical extravaganza starring Bert Wheeler and Robert .Woolsey, with 'Ruth Etting, Dorothy Lee, and Thelma Todd featured, at the Grand. ‘ Hips, Hips, Hooray ’ combines laughter, music, and gorgeous girls in its tomfoolery. Wheeler and Woolsey arc seen as cosmetic salesmen whose office is the city street. By a stroke of luck they find _ themselves promoting the sale of -Miss Erisby’s beauty preparations. Soon Woolsey is falling in love' with the languorous Miss Erisby,, Wheeler is falling in love with her assistant Daisy, and tho world is falling in love with flavoured lipsticks. Their luck runs smooth until George Meeker, the concern’s manager, jilts his sweetheart Ruth and makes designs dn Daisy. He frames the boys to get rid of them, making them the innocent thieves of 10,000dol. To escape detection they flee in a racing car which is entered in a cross-contin-ental' race. The climax is crammed with incidents said to set an audience howling. 1 Hips, Hips, Hooray ’ features an aggregation of beautiful blondes, brunettes, and red-heads sclented for their beauty of face and figure, which are shown in the spectacularly glittering dance sequences. With Hutu lilting the girls also participate In vocalising tho current popular melodies ‘Keep IJomancc Alive,’ ‘Keep on Doin’ What You’re Doin’,’ and ‘Tired of it AIL’ A Charlie Chaplin comedy entitled The Count ’ is among the entertaining supports.

STATE Excellent opportunities to entertain audiences with their famous comedy fooling are afforded Jack Hulbcrt and Cicely Courtneidge in ‘Falling for You,’ the Gainsborough picture released throughout Australia and New Zealand by Eox Film Corporation, and now screening to large audiences at tin- • State Theatre. Written by Sidney Gilliat, the/ amusing story concerns the experiences of two Elect street journalists, Jack llazoidcn (-lack .Hulbcrti and Minnie' Tucker , (Cicely Courtneidge) ,"wildarc fluxions to scoop one another on an “ abducted heiress ” story. The heiress is believed to be :n Switzerland, and there the two of them meet. Jack is too busy falling in love with a pretty newcomer to worry about news stories,' and Minnie gets a big laugh, as Jack is unaware that his beloved is none other than tho missing heiress. The opening scones of the' film were takes in Switzerland above St. Moritz, G,oooft up, and the magnificent background lends Colour ami chinin' to tho uproarious comedy situations. On.'skis' Jack is helpless; to the joy. of the onlooker, but on . the ice rink lie is a figure of agile grace. Nut to bo-..beaten. Cicely shows us somethingnew in- the - way of luigiug,- and shots of her careering clown the' 'mountain slopes- leave nothing to- be desired in the way of riotous comedy. A delightful newcomer to the screen,. Tamara Dcsni, has the important role or the missing heiress. There is an especially entertaining programme of featurettes. REGENT A remarkable array of talent contributes to the brilliant success of ‘Design for Living,’ which is attracting largo audiences to the Regent Theatre. It was adapted from the noted stage play by Noel Coward, and the film version was directed by 1 Ernst Lnb'itsch, who has a. long list of successful productions to his credit. The story, which deals with the love of two men for, the same woman, is splendidly interpreted - by a notable cast, which in--eludes Gary ' Cooper, Fredric Marsh. Miriam Hopkins, and Edward Everett ■Horton. The one necessity which is demanded for tho proper..reproduction, of the formal precision that tho scheme requires is a uniform trio of principals, The three star performers must be able to hold tho balance of quality evenly between them: Lubitsch’s handling of Miriam' Hopkins’s soft and mincing American speech makes it the focal point of satire. . When, he controls Ercdric March's- stage-virtuosities they take oil not only grace, but effect us well. These two are the prominent figures in the- film,- and they capture the imagination in an instant.' ‘ Design for Living ’ may not’ be the best .film Lubitscli ever., made,, ..but it shows the little German in 'oi'ie" of his wicked moods', tongue in check and sly, and irresponsibly amusing. The supporting programme of short subjects is a good, one. including an interesting sports feature,-..topical, news gazette, and a musical production of the 1 Bouncing Ball Series.’ STRAND All engrossing .mystery story of the most attractive kind, entitled ‘From Headquarters,’ is now at the Strand, it illustrates many ol the' scientific methods used by police in the unearthing of clues. ; Among them is the microscopic detection of clues in, bloodstained handkerchiefs—the readim of invisible markings and, routings by tbc' aid of ultra-violet rays, and the ballistic studies which establish beyond a shadow of doubt, whether a. bullet lias been fired from a ; certain pistol and how far from, the gun the victim w,«s at. the. time the pistol was.fired. Due to these scientific methods the police have been able to do away with the brutal third degree methods of obtaining confessions and. in a. large measure remove much of the air of “ circumstantial evidence” from.-a majority of homicide cases. Heading the large oast are George Brent, Margaret Lindsay, Eugene Pallette, and Hugh Herbert. The picture is not without its romantic angle,-with the lovers placed, in a most unusual situation, tho lieutenant investigating the crime having been the sweetheart of oiie'of tho girl suspects until her love had seemingly turned to the playboy later found slain. -There is also a good supporting programme. KING EDWARD Libiiel Bai-i-y iiiof c, one "of the screen’s finest character actors, heads a cast of distinguished 'players in ‘ Stranger’s Return,’ which will be finally shown to-night at The King Edward Theatre. Ho appears'as an octogenarian farmer whose family is waiting-for him to die, a shrewd, determined old man who does not hide his dislike for his relations.' The coming of the “ stranger,V a citybred grand-daughter, changes the tenor •of‘life on the farm., and the old man neatly'turns -thc-tables on his grasping relatives. ‘ Melody Cruise,’ a musical comedy, featuring Phil Harris ahd : Charlie Ruggles, is tho other film.