PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 22327, 1 May 1936, Page 6

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE ‘ China Seas,’ which is now at the Empire, has been acclaimed as a film of films. The cast is headed by some of the greatest players on the screen, and it is said that the picture occupied two years in production. Certainly the lavish ness with which the many spectacular scenes are presented indicates the intensive preparation which must have been necessary. On its spectacle alone tbe picture would command a high place in the year’s productions; but the directors have taken every care. The major roles are played by Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, Wallace Beery, but, in addition, lesser parts are taken by such well-known actors as Lewis Stone, Rosalind Russell, Dudley Digges, C. Aubrey Smith, Robert Benchley, and Lilian Bond. The story is laid in the last nest of piracy, the stretch of sea off the south coast of China, In the close-guarded bays and coves of the rugged coastline the sampans of old China lie ready for their work of blood. Their method is simple. Coastal and overseas steamers passing in the night are boarded by these ruffians, their crews murdered and thir passengers robbed. The story of ‘ China Seas ’ deals with the adventures of a group of three white people aboard a liner off this wild coast. Gable as the “ hardboiled ” skipper of the vessel. Beery as the “ trader ” whose major task is the planning of the pirate raids, and Jean Harlow, as the sophisticated, wisecracking lady-of-the-workl, are brought together in a triangle romance which holds as many surprises as the scenes of greater action. REGENT The remembered charm of ‘ The Dubarry,’ the famous musical play that delighted New Zealand not so very long ago, and the lovely voice of the noted Hungarian soprano. Gitta Alpar, are two reasons why 1 1 Give My Heart,’ which opened at the Regent to-day, has been awaited with keen interest. The film, which is a 8.1. P. production, conies fully up to expectations. Nothing one looks for in a picture of the glittering reign of Louis XV is missing from this film. All the glamour and pageantry of the king’s court, the intrigues of statesmen and the subtle scheming of courtesans is here woven into a smoothly-devised production which is a triumph for British studios. Marcel Varnel, who does such good work in ‘ Girls Will bo Boys,’ was the director, and the manner in which he has told the story of ‘ I Give My Heart ’ invests the film with a uniquequality. Varnel has handled his crowd scenes with exceptional ease, and the romantic and dramatic moments, enriched by the superb voice of Gitta Alpar. are no less a delight. There is, for instance, one sequence which touches the heights of cinema artistry. This is when beautiful Watteau paintings decorating the walls of the king’s apartment come magically to life, while Gitta Alpar’s voice rises up. with a purity and ease not even excelled by Galli-Curci in her famous imitation of a flute. There is a strong supporting’ programme. OCTAGON < .loy Ride ’ opened at the Octagon to-dav. and most of the fun is provoked hv that extremely popular comedian, Gone Gerrard, who is given support by the vivacious little Zelma O’Neal. In ‘ Joy Bide ’ Zelma has a role after her own heart. She is a cabaret dancer, wbo, with her girl friend, is taken by two young men-about-town for a jaunt to tlicir uncle's country mansion. The car breaks down, and they have to stay i the night. All sorts of complications befall them, tlio climax being the return of tbe crusty old aunt. In order to get out of the tangle tbe girls have to pretend that they’ve lost their memory. The entanglement is finally straightened out following a garden fete, and the picture ends in a not of laughter. Authentic scenes of a large forest fire which sweeps down into _ a peaceful valley, wiping out a xialatial health resort in its fiery path of destruction. provides the background for the thrilling climax of ‘ The Healer,’ which is the supporting feature, with Bnlph Bellamv, Karen Morley, and Mickey Rooney iu the leading roles. The fire is of the utmost importance. The whole point of Herrick’s novel is contained in the fact that this fire, despite tbe tremendous havoc wrought by the flames, has an inspiring effect in the spiritual rejuvenation of the principal 'character. Dr Ralph Holden has been flattered into leaving his peaceful health farm, where he was doing such wonderful work, arid acccptng a posi-

tion as head of a great sanatorium. It is the fire which destroyed the sanatorium and restored Holden’s sense of values, taking him back once more to his loved ones and the scene of his finest work. 1

ST. JAMES Drama with the right infusion of comedy is the basis of ‘ The Lone Wolf Returns,’ the film which opened at the St. James to-day. This is good fare for theatre patrons who relish excitement spiced with romance. The story is evergreen—the tale of the gentleman crook who mends his ways for love of the girl whose jewellery he plans to remove. But this time it goes further: the gentleman thief, ‘ The Lone Wolf, ; turns round to aid the police in the capture of a dangerous international gang who have eluded the best detectives of two continents. The debonair Mervyn Douglas has the name-part, and opposite him is the alluring Gail Patrick, cast as an heiress who has a remarkable collection of jewels, .which are coveted by more than one crook operating in a big way. Tala Birell and Henry Mollison have the roles of well-known jewel thieves working against Douglas in planning a grand coup. Excellent comedy is provided by Raymond Walburn, as Douglas’s “ gentleman’s gentleman,” whose face has something in it reminiscent of Herbert Mundin’s. The rest of the. cast is strong, particularly Thurston Hall, as Crane-, a flower-growing detective, brought out of retirement to track down the mysterious “ Lone Wolf,” where younger sleuths have failed. There are thrills in plenty in this film, and ample fun in it for relief from the heavier theme of the story. In support of the main feature there is an excellent programme of shorts. GRAND Bebe Daniels, who is featured in a leading role in the Fox musical romance, 1 Music is Magic,’ showing at the Grand,, returns to the screen after a two-years’ absence. Alice Faye tops the cast in the picture, in which Miss Daniels enacts the role of a motion picture star whose popularity is on the wane. In ‘ Music Is Magic ’ she reveals the charm which made her one of the favourites of the silent screen. During the course of her great career she has played almost every conceivable type of role. Ray Walker and Mitchell and Durant are prominent in the supporting cast of the picture, directed by George Marshall. The second film on the programme is ‘Bad Boy,’ featuring James Dunn and Dorothy Wilson. It is an excellent comedy-drama, and concerns the endeavours of Dunn, .who has relied on bis skill at billiards to keep him in funds, to get steady work so that he may marry liis sweetheart. His efforts are at first far from successful, so he secretly marries Miss Wilson, and then has to sit back and watch her being courted by the man of her family’s choice. Dunn receives his chance when he becomes mixed up with a robbery in a big departmental store, and he brings the criminals to book in a spectacular and exciting manner. Dunn is admirably cast, and gives one of his virile performances, while Dorothy Wilson lends him admirable support. STRAND Four of filmdom’s most prominent actors are starred and featured in one of the greatest outdoor-spectacle classes —* The Virginian,’ coming to the Strand to-morrow. They are Gary Cooper, Walter Huston, Richard Alien, and Mary Brian. Each has had phenomenal success in the years since the picture was first produced, but their performances in ‘‘The Virginian,’ the first all-talking outdoor romance, made these stars the favourites they are. Gary Cooper, who recently appeared in ‘ Lives of a Bengal Lancer,’ plays the role of the Virg.nian. Walter Huston, veteran of the stage and screen, is seen as Trampas, the ringleader of the cattle rustlers in the play. Richard Arlen is Sieve, and Miss Brian is cast_ as Molly Wood, the school teacher with whom the Virginian falls in love. ‘ The Virginian,’ a novel by Owen Wister, was first published in the ’eighties, and was acclaimed at that time as the great America novel. Silvia Sidney and George Raft appear together for the first time on the screen in Paramount’s ‘ Pick Dp.’ The story of ‘ Pick Dp ’ centres around Sylvia, who plays the role of a girl released from prison to shift for herself while her husband is still behind the bars on a murder charge. Once out, Silvia finds herself destitute, and on a rainy night takes refuge in an empty taxi cab, and Raft (the driver) orders her out, but when he realises the genuineness of her plight offers to help her. They are soon deeply in love, but an exciting climax is presented when her convict husband

escapes from gaol-and comes after th* couple seeking revenge.

MAYFAIR A successful film version of a famou* play, ‘No More Ladies,’ will conclude at the Mayfair this evening. On the stage the play was successful because'of its drama and excellent humour, and these features have been added to by an excellent cast in the film version, Franchot Tone, Robert Montgomery. Joan Crawford. Charles Ruggles. and Edna May Oliver head an excellent cast.

LAURIER, PORT CHALMERS Commencing to-day at the Lanrier, Port Chalmers, is the brilliant comedy, ‘ The Irish in Us,’ which features James Cagney, Pat O’Brien. Frank M'Hugh, and Olivia de Havilland, at the head of an excellent cast. Tha story itself is the story of most families—internal battles, but a common front against an outside attack. Mary Gordon, a 55-ycar-old Irish widow, portrays the part of an Irish mother whose three sons are Pat • O’Brien, a policeman; Frank M'Hugh, a fireman ; and James Cagney, who refusesto take a steady job, but devotes himself to managing broken down prizefighters. How the sorrows and joys mingle with the anxieties and triumphs of this little family, make one of tho most enjoyable film productions yet seen at this theatre.