PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 21715, 9 May 1934, Page 2

PICTURE THEATRES

OCTAGON One of the most interesting and thrilling pictures that have been shown in Dunedin during recent months is ‘ Above the Clouds,’ at the Octagon. In this exciting film the audience is enabled to see the manner in which the newsreel cameramen work, and while there is never any lack of action, time is found for a charming romance, which has been carefully woven into the story. Robert Armstrong lias the role of “ Scoop ” Adams, a cameraman who can always be relied upon to get the best news first, and be lias as bis assistant Richard -Cromwell, as Dick Robinson, while the leading female role is in the hands of Dorothy Wilson. The cameramen are seen covering an aviation display and a big boxing fixture from which all cameras have been forbidden, an accident, in which a submarine is rammed by a cruiser, and the trial flight of an ill-fa.ted dirigible. The supporting programme, which includes a Mickey Mouse cartoon, is an unusually. entertaining one. EMPIRE In ‘ Penthouse, ■’ at the Empire, Warner Baxter and Myrna Loy are featufed. The story is one in which a .respectable lawyer, Durant, skilfully .brings about the last-minute acquittal of Gazzoti, a leading racketeer. He loses social prestige and with it his fiancee, who turns rather abruptly to bis best friend, Siddall. During a scene at a party given by Crelliman, a man of dou'btfiil associations, Siddall is involved in a scene in which Mimi Montaigne is murdered. Durant insists on taking up the case, and finds a charming ally in Gertie Waxted. In an effort to reconstruct the crime in the martments in which both fiis new friend and Crelliman live, he puts himself in a tight corner. Returning later with an escort of detectives, he extracts a confession from the unsavoury murderer. Crelliman has set the stage for the murder of Gertie in another oart of the building, but the situation is saved by the skilful gun work of Gazzoti, who, in destroying the rival gang, meets a racketeer’s end. A happy climax is reached. Baxter as Durant is responsible for one of his finest screen portrayals, and Myrna Loy as Gertie Waxted bring to the play a charm that relieves it of much of its sordidness. Tiler,e ar.e good supports, and also ■organ items by Miss Iris Mason. REGENT Based on a daring and provocative theme, which is bandied with great deftness, 1 Design for Living,’ Noel Coward’s play, forms the principal attraction at the Regent. it is not- a problem picture. It is comedy, based upon a serious and sophisticated subject. Gilda (Miriam Hopkins), after years of friendship with a dour advertising agent (Edward Everett Horton) meets two irrepressible bosom friends in Paris, an artist and playwright ,Gnry Cooper and Frederic March). A triple friendship develops with a gentleman’s agreement of what might be termed benevolent neutrality between the two men. Gilda ultimately runs away, marries the advertising director, returns to America, then finds her married life unhappy. The story rapidly moves to a most unusual conclusion. Lubitsch’s direction is flawless. The film is a delightfully smart, crisp piece of entertainment, very brightly executed, and possessing genuine, artistic quality,. Miriam Hopkins gives a thoroughly, enjoyable performance, and imbues her part with a levity quite in keeping with the highspirited humour of the piece. March interprets the’role of the .playwright with an intelligent 'understanding of the requirements of the part, while Cooper and Horton are also suitably cast. . A strong supporting programme h sli^wn. ST. JAMES Good singing, but not enough—that is the impression left by the bright musical picture ‘ Going Gay,’ at the St., James. The charming young German actress, Magda Schneider, is given a real cjian.ee to show her talent in singing from Offenbach’s ‘La Belle Helene.’ it is a great moment in the picture, and one is made to feel- it. Until now'an unknown' girl, Grete (Magda Schneider) has sung little more than catchy tunes, but now she finds new scope for her powers and opens the way for a successful career. The picture shows later her scoring a triumph in Donizetti’s ‘ Daughter of the Regiment,’ supported by a strong chorus of guardsmen, and then, by a sudden turn, the story ends as it bad begun with a scene in an aeroplane. Here Arthur Riseoe and Na unton Wayne appear as fun-makers, and the laughs always come freely when they are together. Their meeting with the girl Gerte and the adventures of the three in Vienna make for breezy entertainment. It is very different from Magda’s Schneider's work in ‘ Tell Me To-night,’ and it seems the producers are finding that she has a wider range ol -ability than they suspected, and, to their credit, they have given her rein, in the supporting programme are included several splendid featurettes. GRAND Wheeler and Woolsey have an excellent vehicle lor the expression of their peculiar talents in ‘ Hips, Hips, Hooray,’ at the Grand Theatre, it is one of their most diverting efforts to date. Assisted by a large cast, the comedians pursue their riotous course through the story in a fashion which creates extremely amusing entertainment. They are seen as salesmen of cosmetics and flavoured lipsticks. The manageress of a modern beauty parlour becomes wonied when her sales fall off, and endeavours to effect a merger with the opposition.. Wheeler and Woolsey are set up as controllers of tiie establishment. Not only have they succeeded financially, but they have become involved in romance, one with the manageress, and the other with her assistant. All goes on merrily until the proprietor of the salon becomes aware oi tile position, and in order to rid himself of his unwelcome assistants lie casts about for a scheme. Lie discovers that they are the unwitting thieves of lO.OUOtlol. Ho informs the detectives covering the case, and Wheeler and Woolsey are compelled to flee, but further complications arise when, in order to expedite their departure, they commandeer a racing motor car and find themselves involved in a transcontinental race, which provides maximum of thrills and humour. There is an entertaining supporting programme, including a Charlie Chaplin comedy. STATE 1 Falling For You,' at the State Theatre, is delicious entertainment, and if those who can and will laugh wake up to the merit ol tins latest Jack |-Jalbert comedy in time, tbe management may have to extend the season.’ it is a line exemplification that the comic oscillates between life and art. It is lull of delightful bailing, tinctured ■villi .Mihci- truth. Ilulhert is even inure successful than he was in his previous

films. As It is J oil is Cicely Courtneidge, polished comedienne, whose rapid-lire f unmaking keeps the action moving. The languorous Tamara Dasm drifts into the story as a newcomer to the screen. She is the mysterious German beauty round whom Jack and Cicely, as rival journalists, Hit continually in search of “ copy.” Tamara is Heeing from an archduke to whom she promised marriage. She becomes live news to the rival reporters, and both are kept very busy through a series of adventures. Jack’s impersonation of the ghostly drummer in the haunted house is a comedy gem. ‘ Falling Tor You ’ is very tuneful, and superbly presented. Much use has been made of magnificent snow-covered alpine slopes, where Jack’s use of skis creates much fun. and with Tamara Desni he shows what expert ice-skating really is. The rest of the programme is of a very high standard, STRAND George Brent is the principal in ‘ From Headquarters,’ the film on the entertaining programme which is now being shown at the Strand Theatre, Margaret Lymlsay, a popular young actress who has come into prominence in recent years, gives a convincing performance in the opposite role. She will he remembered for the part she played in 1 Cavalcade.’ Brent plays the part of a' highly-succ-essful detective who employs the latest scientific methods in the solution of crime. The story concerns the murder of two people at police headquarters. The complications arising from misleading clues are most baffling, and the manner in which they are finally solved gives a true insight into the methods used by the modern police organisation. A most entertaining supporting programme is also presented. KING EDWARD A swift-paced picture, ‘ Emergency Call,’ which will be shown to-night at the King. Edward Theatre, it notable for the splendid acting by Bill Boyd, Wynne Gibson, and William Gargan. Trapped in an abandoned warehouse, where they have been lured by a fake emergency call, Bradley and Brennan engage in a savage hand-to-band fight with murderous ruffians. Police come to their aid, but not before Brennan has been stabbed in the encounter and an operation is necessary to save his life. Bradley performs the delicate surgery. The action reaches a _sensational climax when Bradley, thirsting to avenge his friend, tracks down and corners the racketeering chief. GREEN ISLAND It is said that wedding rehearsals are unlucky, but the luckiest thing that has happened to filmgoers for many a month is the return of ‘ Wedding Rehearsal,’ which will be screened at the Green island Cinema to-night.. .It has a real kick; it babbles, and it sparkles. Like champagne of the finest vintage it sparkles its way to one’s head, and one is exhilarated with its brilliance. Threatened with marriage, one of society’s most popular young men marries off all bis friends to retain his own freedom. In this gay comedy a galaxy of British stars is presented, including Roland Young. Lady Tree, and George Grossmith. Alexander Korda, famous director of ‘ The Private Life of Henry Vl ll., produced the film. 4