PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 21994, 2 April 1935, Page 3

PICTURE THEATRES

GRAND There are some kinds of humour that can never be staled by years, and so it is that a British studio has been able to bring to the screen with such outstanding success that delightful farce of thirty years ago, ‘ Are You a Mason?’ which concludes tonight at the Grand. The story in itself makes wonderful reading, but acted by such a cast ns this, led by Robertson Hare and Sonnie Hale, it is little short of magnificent, if comedy can bo so. ST. JAMES ‘ Hide Out, 5 at the St. James, is indeed a notable film. Perhaps the most apparent reason for its popularity is a novel story, which introduces Robert Montgomery as “ Lucky ” Wilson, a man who has carved a niche for himself in New York by unscrupulous and often illegal methods, and yet whose star appears ever in the ascendant. A veritable King Midas, confident and a braggart, his star at last reaches its zenith, and to save it from a toe-rapid setting he is obliged to “ hide out.” A man who has never previously been outside the environs of New York, he is next seen vainly striving to accustom himself to a country existence. This period of the film is thoroughly entertaining and shows Montgomery in an entirely new light. When the law at last intrudes, the peaceful tenor of the story is abruptly broken, though after a ffew lesser disturbances there is the usual ending. STATE j Seldom has the charm of familiar and human figures been _ presented so well on the screen as in the sentimental drama, ‘Anne of Green Gables,* now in its second week at tho State. The story is adapted from the novel by L. M. Montgomery and is marked by the same homely good humour. Appearing in the title role is the charming Anne Shirley, and she captures admirably the spirit of her name-sake whose hitherto unhappy life has not quelled her confidence nor dulled the inquiring nature of her mind. She gives an outstanding portrayal of a gay, whimsical, and lovable nature. O. P. Heggie and Helen Westley take the other leading roles. There is a first-class supporting programme. EMPIRE In ‘ Grandad Rudd,’ starring Bert Bailey, the fine Australian picture which is showing to crowded audiences at the Empire this week, Grandad has prospered, but he still rules the family, His is the guiding hand, dominating, but always lovable; and his big family still has its grouch, yet works faithfully for the old man. There are many amusing situations in the farming activities _of the family. Indeed, it may be said that' ‘ Grandad Rudd ’ is one of the finest comedies yet seen on the screen. A rustic cricket match between the Rudds and neighbouring rivals, the Regans, provides more fun and exictement of an hilarious character than is recorded in the humours of the real cricket field. Captain Frank Hurley was responsible for the superb photography. The supporting programme is also very attractive. REGENT ‘Dr Monica ’ is one of the most fascinating triangular love dramas over screened, in which tho wife and the “ other woman ” both attempt to sacrifice themselves to give the other a chance for happiness. Miss Francis, as the beautiful Dr Monica, is very much in love with her authorhusband, Warren William, and is unaware that he is having a clandestine love affair with one of her girl friends in her own set. This girl, Mary, is played by the ravishing Jean Muir. After the first flush of love wears off, Mary and John find _ that their consciences are beginning to trouble them, and they decide to end their romance. It is on that situation that the theme of the picture is based ‘Dr Monica’ is not m any sense a hospital or medical picture. Rather it is an amazingly colourful drama and romance in which the central character happens to be a doctor. There is an attractive supporting programme. OCTAGON Those picture patrons who did not see \ Song of My Heart ’ when it was previously shown in Dunedin will welcome the opportunity offered by the return season at the Octagon. John M'Cormack, the gifted Irish tenor, has the leading role, and although the production is primarily a musical film it has much, more body than is usual in pictures of this kind. It contains a charming romance. M'Connack’s voice is a remarkable one, and the famous tenor sings no fewer than eleven songs, the best-known of which are ‘ Rose of Tralee,’ ‘ I Hear You Calling Me,’ ‘ Little Boy Blue,’ ‘ You’ll Remember Me,’ ‘Kitty, My Love,’ and ‘ Ireland, Mother Ireland.’ J. W. Kerrigan and J. Farrell Macdonald provide the wealth of Irish humour with which the film is endowed, while Maureen O’Sullivan and John Garrick are the principals, of the charming romance on which the picture is based. STRAND ‘ The Case of the Howling Dog ’ tells of a • baffling murder, in fact, of three murders, and of the shooting of a police dog, but the audience is not awaro till tho end that more than one murder has been committed. Right from the outset the story grips and Warren William, in the role of Perry Mason, an attorney with a flair for crime detection, in his clashes with District Attorney Drumm (Grant Mitchell) provides many thrilling situa. tions. Two families are involved, the Foleys and the Cartwrights, and Arthur Cartwright (Gordon Westcott) is annoyed by the howling at night of the dog owned by his neighbour Foley (Russell Hicks). Cartwright instructs Mason to draw up a will, but next day Mason finds that the instructions have been altered and this he regards as peculiar. The murder of Foley is discovered by Mason himself, and from that moment the mystery develops, rapidly becoming more baffling every hour.-’ The other picture is entitled ‘ High Finance.’ MAYFAIR A thrilling film ie ‘Tarzan and His Mate,’ which heads the double-feature programme which concludes at the Mayfair to-night. Johnny Weissmuller again takes the role of Tarzan, and is ably supported by Maureen O’Sullivan, Neil Hamilton, and Paul Cavanagh. The other picture is ‘ Tho Witchinc Hour,’ a strong drama featuring Sir Guy Standing and Judith Allen.