PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 22247, 27 January 1936, Page 3

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE Enchanting music, spectacular routines set in backgrounds ol unprecedented splendour, a pageant of the world’s greatest entertainers headed by Jack Benny and Eleanor Powell, and an intriguing story, all combine to make ‘ Broadway Melody of 1936,’ which is at present screening at the Empire, an outstanding offering. The five songs by. Nareio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed are ‘ Broadway Rhythm,’ ‘l’ve Got a Feeliu’ You’re Foolin’,’ ‘On a Sunday Afternoon,’ ‘ Sing Before Breakfast,’ and 1 You Are My Luckv Star,’ Jack Benny, recently declared the most popular of all radio stars, repeats his success on the screen as the smart Broadway columnist. Sid Silvers gets many a laugh with his droll humour. Other new screen personalities who definitely score in this elaborate musical are Eleanor Powell, acclaimed as “ the world’s greatest tapdancer," who plays the lead opposite Robert Taylor. The latter does his best screen work to date. Uni Merkel, as a wise-cracking secretary; _ J vino Knight, as a spoiled darling New York society; Vilma and Buddy Ehsen. famous comedians and dancers; Nick Long, jun., noted acrobatic dancer; Frances Langford, radio’s song bird; and Harry Stockwel), concert baritone, all deserve the highest praise for their amazing entertainment talents. REGENT One can almost smell the gunpowder and the tang of the salt sea air as Captain Marryatt’s immortal story, Midshipman Easy,’ is brought to bounding, vigorous life on the screen in the British film which is now showing at the Recent. ‘ Midshipman Easy ’is a tale of youth and high adventure, of storms at sea, desperate fights and last-minute rescues, of crashing broadsides and boarding parties, of encounters with Sicilian brigands and the saving of beauty in distress —and running through it all is the delightful, infectious ,htinionr of a young midshipman who went to sea in Nelson s navy, firmly believin g in the quality of man and willing to argue the point with all and sundry. As this veSt-pocket hero, . Hughie Green (the idol of millions of British radio fans) has both dash and a pleasing confidence. He rather resembles a juvenile Leslie Howard, and is so perfectly natural in his portrayal of Jack Easy that it is to be hoped that he will be seen again soon. There is robust humour and a touch of simple heroism in the performance of the negro actor, Robert Adams, as “ Mesty,” Mr Easy’s huge black companion in a series of daring escapades by land and sea, Roger Livesey brings great understanding to the role of the captain of the “ Harpy,” and Bos’un Biggs becomes an hilarious buffoon—an easy target for the wit of Mr Easy—in the hands of the celebrated comedian Harry Tate. ST. JAMES An amusing comedy-drama, ‘ Accent on Youth,’ featuring Herbert Marshall and Sylvia Sidney, is at present showing at the St. James. The humorous story of a man who thought his days for love were over, and who became engaged in a spirited duel with his young and pretty secretary, forms the basis of this film. The directors have performed their work very capably and the action is animated. Marshall has the role of a successful playwright who creates for the stage,just such a situation ns he faces in real life. Miss Sidney’s heart is divided between Herbert Marshall,' elderly, intelligent, and successful playwright, and Phillip ' Reed, youthful, impetuous, rich; and good looking. Marshall almost solves the difficulty for her by coaching the proposal that wins Miss Sidney’s consent. But Miss Sidney, after a time with Reed, find.s out where her love truly lies. In a humorously conceived, brilliantly written climax, the film proves that love belongs to the young—but no man in love, is ever old. Astrid Alwyn. Holmes Herbert, and Ernest Cossart are in support. STATE A feature of the programme at the State his week is the appearance on the stage of Miss Gladys Moncrieff, the celebrated soprano, and Mr Gil Deeh, who is well known as a pianist well above the ordinary. These two artists will provide an entertainment at each evening session for one week only. To say that ‘Redheads on Parade ’ is a musical treat is perhaps not describing the picture fully, because it has so many novel and interesting features that it stands by itself in this class of entertainment. The outstanding feature of the production is the appearance of 48 red-headed girls who were chosen as the premier beauties of the States of America. In addition to this, there is an imposing cast of actors. John Boles and the popular Dixie Lee have the leading roles, and it is to their singing and acting that the picture owes much of its success. Manynew musical numbers are introduced. The story concerns the attempts of a film company to make a 'picture, and the old thdme of the love triangle is exploited in a novel manner. Several tuneful and attractively staged song numbers are introduced in the film, while some unusual photographic effects, which change the actors’ clothes from, black to white and back again, are a feature of the spectacular dance scenes with which the picture concludes. STRAND . There is plenty of action and comedy in .the new Paramount production, ‘Smart Girl,’ which, with 'Jennie Gerhardt,’ is showing at the Strand. Ida Lnpino, Kent Taylor, and Gail Patrick head the cast in this bright romantic drama. It is the story of a modern girl and her adventures in love-making and in the business of making a living. Two sisters find themselves faced with the problem of earning a living after their father’s loss of his huge fortune and his suicide. A handsome young lawyer comes into the picture at this stage, and both girls fall in love with him. The eternal triangle is created, • and many amusing and dramatic moments arise. 4 Jennie Gerhardt ’ is based on the novel of the same name, written byTheodore Dreiser. It is a moving drama dealing with the unswerving love of a woman for a man and the mental anguish and, bitterness the woman suffered to preserve that love. The oast is a large one, including Donald Cook, a new star, Sylvia Sydney, Mary Astor, Edward Arnold. H. G. Warner, and Louis Carter. The story covers a period from early in this century to recent years, and the costuming details have not been neglected. Particularly interesting is the opportunity for comparison of the styles of 1903 and 1933. OCTAGON The double-feature programme at present screening at the Octagon contains all the elements that go to make first-class entertainment. In the first picture. 1 Circus Clown,’ Joe E. Brown, the versatile comedian with the cav-

ornous mouth, provides laughs and thrills with a rapidity that takes the audience all too quickly through the delights of a big circus and the life of its principals. This picture alone is worth the price of admission, but the audience is further provided with outstanding entertainment in the second feature, ‘ The Clock Strikes Eight.’ Two murders and one attempted .murder confront the students of a large university, and the audience is pro-, vided with thrilling entertainment as the fast-moving story progresses. The film begins with a' suicide, which is afterwards proved to be murder, and then a singer is strangled while giving a song over the telephone. More attempts at murder follow, but finally a time-bomb destroys the murderer, 1 and the film is brought to a satisfactory conclusion. In between the murders and the oxciting detective work arc two romances, plenty of very good comedy, tuneful singing, and excellent dancing. The cast is a large one, and includes such accomplished players as Arline Judge, Kent Taylor, Wendy Barrie, William Frawley, Benny Baker, and William Benedict. The acting throughout is excellent, and contributes largely to the tenseness and excitement of the climax. GRAND Claude Bains, who scored a big success in the title role of ‘ The Invisible Man,’ gives a splendid performance in ‘ The Clairvoyant.’ a Gaumont-British picture which is now showing at the Grand. It is an intriguing story ..of a variety actor and his wife who tour the music halls with a bogus mindreading act. Suddenly, when in the presence of the daughter of a newspaper proprietor, the man acquires real powers of clairvoyance, foretelling with remarkable accuracy coming events, including a train smash and the winner of the Derby. After a chequered career, which culminates in the dock of a court for alleged implication in a shocking tunnel disaster which he predicted, the clairvoyant is acquitted, and all ends well. The balance of the programme includes an enjoyable comedy entitled ‘ Car of Dreams,’ in which the featured player is Robertson Hare, who has appeared in so many successful comedies, MAYFAIR 4 Mississippi ’ is the featured film at the Mayfair, and, as the hero, Bing Crosby plays the role of a romantic youth in the old South who sings, duels, and charms the ladies with equal ease. Crosby is starred with W. C. Fields and Joan Bennett in this picture, adapted from the play by Booth Tarkington. Crosby, when he first arrives in the South to claim the hand of his lady love, is disinclined to duel for her, and naturally falls into disgrace with the entire family, but under a friend’s tutelage, develops into the river’s most notorious gambler and most feared gun-fighter. The latest Philo Vance novel to be filmed, ‘ The Dragon Murder Case,’ will also be screened, with Warren William making his debut in the role of Vance. He is ideally suited to the role of Philo Vance, and Eugene Pallctte is once more Sergeant Heath, while Margaret Lindsay and Llye Talbot are in the supporting cast.