PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 21993, 1 April 1935, Page 3

PICTURE THEATRES

STATE All the lovable figures of L. M. Montgomery’s well-known novel, ‘ Anne of Green Gables,’ are brought to life with vivid realism in the outstanding sentimental drama of the same name which is delighting patrons of the State. The film is marked by the homely charm which was responsible for the success of ‘ Little Women,’ one of the best pictures of last year. It is the sensitive and appealing performance of Anne Shirley more than anything else that gives the picture its real values. She makes the character of the imaginative fourteen-year-old orphan so human and so lovable that one’s interest in her welfare is held throughout. The .story is a simple one dealing with Anne’s happy life after she has been adopted anti with her girlhood romance. Several excellent short films also arc being screened. EMPIRE Broad and boisterous humour is the ingredient most favoured by the makers of films in Australia at -present, and it is an ingredient that seems to suit the palates of most New Zealand audiences, judging by the laughter and applause that is greeting the Cinesound comedy, ‘ Grandad Rudd,’ at the Empire. This film is a sequel to ‘On Our Selection,’ and will probably be just as successful. While there is little attempt at telling a connected story in ‘Grandad Rudd,’ there is always interest and amusement at seeing what new rustic adventures Grandad and his numerous brood of' relatives will engage in._ To some of them the milking of cows is the most important thing in the world—far more important than a mere wedding—while some find excitement in chasing a runaway tractor all over the farm. And whatever they do they imbue the bluff humour and outspoken speech that are always associated with life in the Australian backblocks. STRAND A good mystery film is always assured of an enthusiastic reception, and ‘ The Case of the Howling Dog,’ the Warnci Brothers’ production, screening af the Strand in conjunction with a drama. ‘ High Finance,’ is an outstanding film. An original note is struck in that instead of the familiar detective taking the centra) part of the plot, the outstanding character is a criminal lawyer, Berry Mason. . Not only does he contrive to be on the spot when a murder is discovered, and to collect some important evidence which the police, in their impetuosity, overlook, but he also has the admirable faculty of playing his cards at an opportune moment, to the embarrassment of a cock-sure prosecution. The mystery which surrounds the howling of an Alsatian police dog, - and the subsequent disappearance of a man and his wife is admirably sustained, and when Mason discloses in court that • not one, but three. murders have been committed, the audience in the theatre is almost as- dumbfounded as that in the court room on the screen ST. JAMES Robert Montgomery’s latest picture, ‘Hide-out,’ now at the St. James, is a refreshing production by reason of the fact that the simple life of an American family engaged in farming is contrasted ivilh the artificial, riotous Jiving of frequenters of Broadway and its' night clubs. As “ Lucky ” Wilson, Robert Montgomery is seen first as a carefree philanderer, whoso business it is to compel successful night-dub proprietors to give him a partnership in their business in return for protection fronr his gang of “racketeers.” His departure from New York and his adoption or new surroundings is not voluntary. After a long period of success ho is forced from the association of his notorious male and female friends by the unwelcome attentions of the police. For the audience it is all for the good. Successful as a crook, ho rises to greater heights in the part ho plays while living on a farm, his place of refuge. There he meets the charming Maureen O’Sullivan, who leads him to a new life. REGENT The age-old theatrical policy of surrounding an outstanding star with a mediocre cast, in order that the featured actor might shine the brighter in comparison with the others, is a thing of tho past, in so far as Warner Bros, are concerned. These producers go to the other extreme, and each picture is given the benefit of the players who can best portray the characters. Thus it frequently happens that a Warner Bros, star will appear in a supporting role. In ‘Dr Monica,’ at the Regent, Kay Francis is the featured star, but m the company are also Warren AVilliam, an outstanding screen favourite, who plays the part of Kay’s husband, and Jean Muir, who enacts the role of the girl who stole William’s love. All three are definite stars. There is also Verree Teasdale, who made her first hit in ‘ Fashions of 1934.’ She has one of the important feminine roles as the confidante of Miss Francis. Other players in the cast are Phillip Reed, Emma Dunn, Herbert Bunston, Ann Shoemaker, Virginia Hammond, Hale Hamilton, and Virginia- Pine. The picture is a thrilling story of love and sacrifice GRAND The popularity of ‘ Are You a Mason ?’ at the Grand, is well deserved, as it is one of the funniest and most entertaining comedies that has yet reached the screen. Two favourites, Sonnie Hale and Robertson Hare, head a, strong cast of players, which includes the cheery Dave Burnaby, Lewis Shaw, and a charming newcomer to the screen, Gwyneth Lloyd. Briefly, tho story centres round the desire of a young wife that her husband should become a member of the Masonic Lodge. This whim is sponsored by her mother, whose iron hand has ruled her husband since a disastrous indiscretion in, his earlier days. It is impossible to write of all the situations that occur in this hilarious farce, but the happy team of stars carry it along at a jaugh-a-second pace, and the audience is kept in fits of laughter throughout the whole of the film. An enjoyable programme is completed by a splendid mystery drama, Passing Shadows,’ starring the fine character actor Edmund Gwenn.

the numbers which were most appreciated were ‘ You’ll Remember Me,’ ‘ Just for a Day,’ ‘ I Feel You Near Me,’ ‘Kitty, My Love.’ ‘ Rose of Tralee,’ * Little Boy Blue,’ ‘ Ireland, Mother Ireland,’ ‘ and ‘ I Hear You Calling Me.’ Together with the music and songs there is an appealing and moving story, which could be appreciated for itself without the excellent accompaniment. MAYFAIR A double-feature programme of unusual excellence is showing at the Mayfair. In ‘ The. Witching Hour,’ a murder story of considerable power, an unusual _ and enthralling theme is treated in a masterly manner. The story concerns the proprietor of a fashionable .gambling house. Jack Brookfield (John Halliday), who has an uncanny gift of mind-reading and of hypnosis of which he himself 'is afraid, Clay Thorne (Tom Brown), his daughter’s fiance, proves dangerously susceptible to hypnotism, and events which occur whilst he is under the uncontrolled spell of Brookfield’s halfunderstood power lead him to commit murder. Martin Prentice, a retired advocate, is drawn through love of Thorne’s grandmother to undertake the defence. This he carries through brilliantly to a successful conclusion in a dramatic court scene. The acting of Sir Guy Standing, as Prentice, is superb, as also is that of John Haliiday. The other feature is ‘ Tarzan and His Mate.’