PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 21824, 13 September 1934, Page 6

PICTURE THEATRES

STATE Richard Dix is seen in tlio title role of the romantic melodrama, ‘ Stingaree,’ which concludes at the State tonight. The other principal role is taken by Irene Dunne, and it is the first time those players have been seen together since their success in ‘ Cimarron.’ The story tells of a daring bandit who terrorised tho populous sections of Australia in 1870. Among his depredations was the kidnapping of tho Governor-General of Australia. Tho role gives Dix an opportunity to return to the adventurous type olj role in which he scored his early successes. Tho film is Fast-moving and works up to a thrilling climax. GRAGIE FIELDS AT EMPIRE In '* Love, Life, and Laughter,’ the Grade fields film which commenced at the Umpire to-day, there arc considerable sketches when Grade ceases to bo audacious, impudent, mocking, ribald, irrepressibly light-hearted. The cause is in the story, which gives her the part of an inn-keeper's daughter, in love with the heir to the little Kingdom of Granau, and loved by him, but firm enough to send him away to his duty, when the king dies, and to keep him to it, when he is hesitating to make a necessary political marriage. During these parts of the film it is Gracie’s business to subdue her spirits and to leave the broadest comedy to the soldiers and bandsmen and flunkeys of the Court of Granau—an accomplished troupe of clowns. Their farcical performance at the railway station and the palace, whore Grade receives the musical and military honours intended for tho young king’s future queen, could hardly he bettered. Gracio herself, in these circumstances, can only ’inf reduce into the pathetic song, ‘ I’m a failure, 1 one of her saxophone twiddles, sad and ironical now, and scrub and dress and encourage tho princess with delidous vigoiir. When her heroic, self-sacrificing part is over, she swings into the exhilarating song, ‘ Love, Life, and Laughter,’ and ends the picture happily among the orphanage, children for whom she has brought back pockets full of money from Granau, ami in whose cause she hit the old king’s chamberlain in tbc eye with an orange. A travelogue, ‘ Dreams of Venice,’ a coloured cartoon, and topical gazettes complete the programme. REGENT Anna Sten, the beautiful Russian actress, gives a splendid portrayal in ‘ Nana.’ which concludes at the Regent to-night. ' Brought specially from Soviet Russia to take this part, she reveals a most attractive screen personality and exceptional dramatic talent. The charm of Russia in the years immediately preceding the Fraiico-Prussian War have been admirably captured. Anna Sten is first introduced sharing the hardships of poverty with two friends. She attracts the attention of a 'grand duke, who is responsible for procuring her security and success as a performer at a popular Parisian theatre. ST. JAMES A characterisation equalling in brilliance her portrayal in 1 Lady for a Day ’ is given by May Robson in ‘ You Can’t Buy Everything,’ tho picture which will be shown for the last time at St. James Theatre to-night. _ It is a light comedy with a fascinating story running throughout, giving May Robson a role similar to tho “ grand old lady parts ” in which she excels. Lewis Stone gives a characteristic performance. Tho supporting cast has been chosen with care, and among the artists are Jean Parker, William Bakewell, and Tad Alexander. SGTA6SN ‘That’s a Good Girl,’ one of tho brightest musical comedies which has come this way for some time, will conclude a most successful season to-mor-row at the Octagon. Tho star of the show is undoubtedly Jack Buchanan, the leading English comedian of the day. Tho scene of the picture is set in the South of France, where a series-of farcical situations end in Buchanan amassing a promised fortune of an aunt, but not before his decidedly unorthodox but amusing behaviour nearly spells the loss of much-needed money. With linn is Elsie Randolph, an exceptionally clever actress, while Vera Pearce, Kate Cutler, and Garry Marsh are also excellent in their respective parts. WILL ROGERS AT HIS BEST GRAND HAS ENTERTAINING BILL That droll comedian, Will Rogers, whoso previous comedies have amused and delighted local patrons on many occasions, is undoubtedly at his best in liis latest effort, * Handy Andy,’ which is one of the new features appearing on the Grand Theatre’s bill, shown for the first time yesterday. A firm crescendo of mirth is .maintained from start to finish, clever dialogue and hilarious situations being responsible for Ibis happy result. It is not difficult to imagine what happens when Will Rogers, as a druggist whose main desire is to work in peace, ultimately gives in to a nagging wife, disposes of his business, and learns to play, not a musical instrument, but with all sorts of hobbies. First he becomes a pigeon fancier, but after letting tbc birds fly all over the bouse, decides to relinguish that hobby in favour of golf. The results in both cases, are, of course, excruciatingly funny. However, the climax comes when his wife persuades him to take a trip to the Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and the peace-loving husband is moved to violent rebellion when his bettor half suggests that he should don some sort of fancy dress to attend the Comns ball. In the end she goes by herself to the ball, leaving the exasperated husband at home. But he is lonely,_ and decides to cal! up a druggist friend, who, with the aid of a girl friend, causes him to attend the ball after all. Of all the costumes one could think of, lie chooses a Tarzan rig, which creates quite a sensation in the ballroom, where by his rough and tumble methods of dancing lie starts a free-for-all fight that lands him in the cells. Of course, this completely cures his wife of her ideas of making anything out of him but a druggist, ami she even pleads with him to go back to their quiet homo, but there is a surprising finish that rounds the comedy off in a most satisfactory style. Rogers is at the top of bis form in 1 Handy Andy,’ and by bis drawling tones and trudging movements keeps bis audience in a constantly happy state. Peggy Wood portrays the continually pecking wife in a superb manner, while other players lend every support to make tbc. film a success from all points of view. Dealing with the present day gold situation, and presenting a modern gold rush t lint lias all the fascination, drama, comedy, and romance of the

’forties, ‘ Wild Gold ’ is the second picture on the new programme. John Boles and Claire Trevor give pleasing performances in the main roles, and are together in many of the romantic scenes, while humour is supplied by Harry Green, the well-known Jewish comedian. The cast also boasts of many other performers who are decided acquisitions in their respective parts. Because of the feverish demand for gold due to the Government’s arbitrary fixing of its monetary value, the little ghost town of Red Rock reawakens to renewed life as men and women scour the hills for new veins of the shining metal. Long abandoned shafts are reopened, and mining stocks begin to soar. Into the town walks a young mining engineer, who looks upon a charming young entertainer lor the first time. He is attracted, but the lady remains aloof, and so the engineer tries new tactics, which meet with more success, and a romance is born. In the meantime the motley horde of gold seekers continue to pour into Red Rock, and men and women find romance and adventure. This briefly is tho theme upon which the producers of ‘ Wild Gold ’ worked, and from it they have built up a strong and compelling story that rushes on at a tremendous pace to a gripping climax. While it is a modern picture, it recaptures and makes the most of the picturesque settings and glamour of the early davs of the Klondike gold rush. It is a picture that should appeal to all types of patron, and was accorded a splendid reception at last night’s showing. Attention is drawn to the fact that as the programme is a long one the night screenings commence at 7.45. STRAND The excellent programme which concludes to-night at tho Strand is headed by ‘ Picture Snatcher,’ in which the forceful James Cagney is seen as a photographer attached to n disreputable American newspaper. A striking scene is that in which he secures a photograph of a woman in the electric chair by strapping a miniature camera to his ankle. The cast includes Ralph Bellamv Alice, While, and Patricia Kills—cadi of whom gives splendid performances.