PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 22277, 2 March 1936, Page 16

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE For breath-taking speed, suspense, mystery, and romance, tew pictures, it is said, have equalled ' The Murder Man,' which presents Spencer Tracy and Virginia Bruce on the_ screen at the Empire. In a way its title is misleading, for it has nothing to do with gangs or gangsters. Instead " The Murder Man" is the star reporter of a powerful New York daily newspaper who has won the nick-name through his success in solving crimes that have baffled the police. The role is played by Tracy. Miss Bruce is the paper's " sob-sister," who is adept at giving *dvice to the lovelorn through her columns, but who cannot control her own heart when it comes to Tracy. She loves him;" He, embittered by a tragedy that has wrecked his home, is tolerantly fond of her. A mysterious crime shocks the city. Tracy swings into action for his paper. Through his alert detective work he is able not only to give his paper " scoops," but to give the police clues which lead to the arrest and conviction of the alleged murderer. And then, at the height of new success, Tracy suddenly amazes the police by tearing down the story which had sent the alleged murderer to the brink of the gallows! Speed, suspense, drama, and romance are the keynotes of this powerful new picture. The cast is ably chosen. Outstanding performances are contributed by, it is reported, Lionel Atwill, Harvey Stevens, Robert Barrat, James Stewart, William Collier, sen., Louise Henry, and others. An excellent supporting programme adds materially to the success of the large feature. ST. JAMES ' Shadow of Doubt.' the excellent mystery now at the St. Jame.s, is a picture enlivened by a good deal of humour and spiced with suspense. As Aunt Mellissa, Constance Collier plays the part-of an old rich New York dowager, who, soured by a thwarted love affair, has not left her house for 20 years. Her nephew Sim, acted by Ricardo Cortez, is in love with the film star Trenna Plaice (Virginia Bruce). Trenna will have none of him; in a fit of pique she promises to marry a debauched roue called Hey worth, the idol of a number of society girls. Heyworth and Sim quarrel and fight at a night club, and later that night Heyworth is killed—shot with a nine-millimetre pistolv That same night Trenna has gone to Heyworth's apartments to tell him the marriage is off. But when she finds .there the debutante daughter of a well-known, millionaire she lets her--1

self out unobserved. When the police hear of her visit and couple with it the fact that she is known to be a skilled shot and the owner of a ninemillimetre gun similar to that which killed Hey worth, suspicion,points to her or her lover. Although the police are unable to gain sufficient evidence to make an arrest, things look black when Aunt Mellissa undertak : to untangle them. Two further murders further baffled the detectives. The acting is excellent. There is also an excellent supporting programme. REGENT What is described as the year's brightest and most sophisticated comedy, ' Hands Across the Table,' starring Carole Lombard, Fred. MacMurray, and Ralph Bellamy, is at present being screened with ' At the Bottom of the World,' a record of Byrd's second expedition to the Antarctic, at the Regent. ' Hands Across the Tabic ' is adapted from a story by Vina Delmar; it is a comedy-drama marked by some of the wittiest dialogue beard in a long time, clever acting, and a sustained atmosphere of daring that is yet so brilliantly handled that it never comes near overstepping the limits of good taste. The title of the film is explained by the fact that the heroine is a manicurist. She wants to marry money, and could realise her ambition in the person of Allan Macklyn (Ralph Bellamy), a kindly, crippled, and very wealthy customer. But she prefers to chase the handsome Theodore Drew (Fred. Mac Murray), only to learn that he has lost all his money in a stock, market crash. He is soon in love with' her and she witli him, though she pretends to be still on the " look-out " for a wealthy marriage. Carole Lombard definitely establishes herself as a sprightly comedienne, and the acting of the others is in keeping with the excellence of the plot. 'At the Bottom of the World,' the screen record of Admiral Byrd's expedition to the Antarctic, is very much more than a mere travelogue: Scenes which would havo been interesting enough in themselves have been pieced together with such clever showmanship that the entertainment contains spectacle, thrills, drama, comedy, suspense, and even musical appeal. The photography is magnificent. GRAND Hollywood's unflagging search for new personalities has at last resulted j in a real find. The " find " is Tutta Rolf, a charming blonde Norwegian singing actress, who is featured with the ever-popular Clive Brook in Dressed to Thrill,' a delightful musical romance now at the Grand. Tha story gives Miss Rolf ample scope for her acting talent in the difficult dual role of a coquette and a demure French |

dressmaker. The possessor of a rich contralto, Miss Rolf sings a number of new songs in delightful manner. Clive Brook can always be relied on to give of his b'est. On this occasion he deserts his usual type of straight dramatic role to score an even greater success in a fast-moving romantic musical comedy. May Robson is featured in the other picture, ' Strangers All,' a story of the problems a mother has to faco in bringing up her family. STRAND A really funny musical comedy, with tuneful songs and good singers, and a story that is much more than a peg On which to hang the songs, is ' The Girl Friend,' principal attraction of a double-feature programme at the Strand. The story of a hard-up trio of actors, who impersonate an impresario and his staff to obtain free board and lodging for the summer, on the grounds that they are considering an amateurish play by a rustic author, is an excellent foil for all the situations necessary for good entertainment. ' The Girl Friend ' succeeds from beginning in capturing the interest of the audience, and interest grows as the plot develops. There are some very funny situations, notably a performance of .a musical comedy in a barn, with amateur actors who don't know their lines and whose costumes will not stay put. The actual twists that are given to the srory to make everything come out as it should, making the play (turned from a tragedy to a comedy and entirely different from its rustic author's plan) a box-office success in a big theatre, are unexpected and full of humour. The three principal actors are Ann Sothern, Jack Haley, and Roger Pryor. All three sing, and the excellent comedy numbers which they have to do are made the funnier by good acting. Showing on the same programme is a thrilling drama of the racing tracks, ' Straightaway.' The ever-popular Tim M f Coy is the featured player, with Sue Carroll and William Blakewell in supporting roles. STATE Shirley Temple's delightful personality has never been seen to better advantage than in ' Curly Top,' which continues to prove a big attraction at the State. Added to her previous talents must be that of singing, for in this picture she sings two numbers, ' When I Grow Up ' and ' Animal Crackers In My Soup.' With John Boles and Rochelle Hudson heading the supporting cast, ' Curly Top ' provides a wealth of entertainment, its straightforward story being treated in an appealing manner. John Boles is cast as a benevolent bachelor who adopts two girls, Rochelle Hudson and Shirley Temple. He takes them from poor surroundings to his palatial home.

Naturally, Shirley is extremely grateful, and shows it in convincing fashion. John Boles's magnificent voice is heard in ' Curly Top ' and ' It's All So New To Me,' while Rochello Hudson sings ' The Simple Things In Life.' Altogether, the film is not lacking in any respect, and enhances the child star's already enviable reputation. OCTAGON Shirley Temple, the charming little child star who has made such a big name for herself in- the films during the past year or so, has the principal role in ' The Little Colonel,' which commenced a season before large audiences at the Octagon on Friday. Child prodigies are seldom looked on favourably by theatregoers, for, apart from the fact that they are generally overrated, there is usually the feeling that they are innocent frauds. Shirley Temple, however, leaves no such impression, for she is a competent little actress, who understands what is required of her and has a captivating style that cannot fail to appeal to all classes of audiences. In ' The Little Colonel ' a series of delightful brawls between an American colonel and 'his granddaughter fills in time between the action of a somewhat slender story. The tussles between Shirley'and Lionel Barrymore, who takes the part of the colonel, are a perfect vehicle for the child's acting, and nothing more amusing could be imagined than the child standing up to ber grandfather and stoutly defending the people of the Northern States against his outbursts. ' The Little Colonel ' is excellent entertainment, and should definitely not be missed. The other feature on the programme is 'Ten Dollar Raise,' which boasts a fine cast headed by Edward Everett Horton, Karen Morley, and Alan Dinehart. MAYFAIR The memorable battle between the M'Faddens and the M'Tavishes in their classic feud is the background of the amiable and always interesting film, ' M'Fadden's Flats,' which, with ' It's a Boy,' is at present at the Mayfair. Supported by Andy Clyde, Jane liarwell, Richard Cromwell, and Betty Furness, Walter Kelly acts the role of the battling Irishman who rises from bricklaying to wealth without once relenting" in his feud with his' Scottish enemy. ' It's a Boy,' the second feature, is, it is said, a picture very full of fun. Leslie Henson has long been established as a comedian who thoroughly knows the art of extracting laughter. In this delightful picture he has an admirable foil in Edward Everett Horton. whose portrayal of a bridegroom haunted by a spectre.of the past is admirably painted. Albert Burdon, Alfred Drayton, and Wendy 15arrie are also notable in a picture giving I really good entertainment.