PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 22203, 4 December 1935, Page 3

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE Spectacular and amusing, ‘ Dance Band,’ which is being shown at the Empire, provides a type of musical entertainment that should appeal to all. Buddy Rogers, the famous dance band leader, and June Clyde are the principals, and they keep the fun going in good style. Many new songs are included, and novelty stamps every scene. The action centres round a dance bands’ contest in London, and many are the misunderstandings that occur between two rival bands —one led by Rogers and the other by June, Clyde. Fred Duprey is responsible for some clever burlesque, while Richard Hearne is amusing as an inebriated acrobat. ‘ Dance Band ' is definitely a film made for the “ bright young things ” of the present day who enjoy catchy tunes, clever dancing, and quick action. -As such, it should not be missed. ST. JAMES ‘ Bright Lights,’ now at the St. .fames, where it is attracting large crowds, affords Joe E. Brown the perfect opportunity to give of his best in a farcical comedy. Into the hilarity of ‘ Bright Lights ’ is woven a romance which moves at high speed. Being a story of theatrical life, pathos has a place in ‘Bright Lights.’ Anne Dvorak and Patricia Ellis fill the principal supporting roles. Lively songs are the feature of the picture. ‘ She Was an Acrobat’s Daughter ’ is one of the best. The Five Maxellos, a world-fam-ous acrobatic troupe, appear in the story in one of the most thrilling acts of its kind yet screened. One of the highlights of the picture is the scene where Joe finds himself in the middle of the Maxellos’ act. Needless to sav, the wide-mouthed comedian makes it a 'riot of laughter. . REGENT Slipping from comedy to drama with -characteristic ease, tlie inimitable Grade Fields makes a further screen appearance in ‘ Look Up and Laugh,’ the British comedy which heads the programme at the Regent. With a story written by no less a literary personality than J. B. Priestley, with many tuneful song numbers and capable direction, the film is said to provide outstanding entertainment. The story concerns a “ war ” between the stallholders in Plumborough market and the owner of a large department store who, to serve his own ends, has persuaded the mayor, a comic opera figure, and his councillors, to order the demolition of the market. The comedy is exceptionally good. The Regent Orchestra is a feature of programme, and it renders several enjoyable numbers under the experienced leadership of M. De Rose. STRAND ‘ The Glass Key,’ heading the Strand’s fare, has been adapted for the screen from the story by Dashiell Hammett, and is brsed on an engrossing murder mystery. The plot is logical and well connected, find through an exciting series of incidents thrill follows thrill, until the narrative is ■ brought to a more or less satisfactory ending. A fine piece of character acting is given by George Raft, who, controls the destinies of the city from the background. Edward Arnold plays the part of the genial but despotic ward politician, and Rosalind Keith, as his daughter, makes an appealing heroine. ‘ People Will Talk,’ the supporting feature, stars the popular comedy team Mary Boland and Charles Ruggles. STATE Screened by Royal command before the King and Queen, the film' ‘ Brown on Resolution,’ this week at the State, is having a wide appeal The story, which is not altogether unusual, is di T vided into two chapters, the first dealing with the romance of one Elizabeth Brown with a young naval officer and her ultimate expulsion from Her home. She is, however, determined that her son should he a sailor, and it is the second chapter which deals with the life of this sailor-son who serves on a semiobsolete cruiser, H.M.S. Rutland, at the outbreak of the war. The director’s particular success is in the scenes of naval warfare. • Filmed with the cooperation of the Admiralty, the seagoing part of the picture is most realistic. OCTAGON Ralph Bellamy and Tala Birrell are featured in the leading roles of ‘ Air Hawks,’ .which is now showing at the Octagon. The picture concerns the hitter rivalry which exists between two large air lines which are struggling to obtain an important transcontinental air mail contract. Ralph Bellamy is seen as the owner of one company, which depends for its supremacy, on a special strnthosphere plane. His, firm is opposed by a group which will stop at nothing in its efforts to gain control of the air and to secure the contracts. Its principal method of fighting is to discredit its opponents, and for this purpose it employs a mad scientist, whose invention of a terrible death ray is calculated to achieve the end in view by forcing down Bellamy’s planes. MAYFAIR The Cosmopolitan production, ‘ Devil Dogs of the Air,’ opened at the Alhyfair to-day. The picture deals with the romantic and daring exploits of members of the Aviation Corps of the United States Marines, and is said to be a follow-up of ‘ Here. Comes the Navy.’ The same trio head the .cast of this new service picture, James Cagney, Pat O’Brien, and Frank M‘Hugh. .Margaret Lindsay has the leading feminine’role. Spectacular air stunts, with planes crashing in mid-air, bursting into flame, and spinning to the ground, while pilots leap for their lives in parachutes, are some of the many thrills in the picture. The story concerns a youth who joins the Marine Corps and tries to tell the officers what it is all about. He, however, wakes up one day to what the service means after a thrilling incident which brings an exciting climax. LAURIER, PGRT CHALMERS With its colour, its action, its blare, and heraldry, the circus—both as seen in the ring and in the tents —is shown in ‘ The Circus Clown,’ which will be screened to-night at the Laurier. Joe E. Brown is cast in the leading role as a comedian. Though essentially a comedy, the picture possesses a romantic interest that adds to its appeal. Patricia Ellis plays the leading feminine role opposite Joe, and is the acrialist with whom he finally falls in love, although when he first joins the circus be is madly infatuated with a bareback rider who is a female impersonator. This love affair makes him the butt of no end of jokes until be finally discovers that his enamorata is a man.