PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 22350, 28 May 1936, Page 6

PICTURE THEATRES

TWO OUTSTANDING PICTURES ‘PEOPLES’ ENEMY' AND ‘THE ARIZONIAN ’ The West in the early ’eighties is recalled to Dunedin audiences by The Arizonian,’ tho RKO-Radio picture which commenced a season _ at the Grand Theatre yesterday. This picture has been referred to as a cavalcade of the West, and tolls the story of a courageous peacemaker in a country teeming with outlaws and gunmen. In order that tho picture might he typical of the hectic and often sanguinary days it portravs early Arizona history in detail. No incident of that thrilling period was neglected, and as a result, maul' incidents with an authentic background have keen reproduced. ‘ Tho Arizonian ’ could well bo called a monument, to the early peace officers of Western America, and thrilling episodes from the lives of famous marshals and sheriffs have been 'included in the picture. Richard Dl>c is afforded one or the finest parts in his career in this picture, and although the drama centres closely upon one character, roles of extraordinary power and human qualities are portrayed by Margot Grahame, Preston Foster, Louis Calhern, James Bush, .Too Sauers, Ray Mayer, Willie Best, Etta M'Daniels, and other members of tho large supporting cast. Miss Grahame, the blonde English beauty, who appeared in British films before coming to America to score in ‘ The Informer,’ continues on her way to American stardom in the leading feminine role. Having tho mythical town of Silver City. Arizona, during the troubled days of the early ’eighties a,s its locale, 1 The Arizonian ’ centres around the dramatic theme of tho frontier marshal and his fight for law and order. Olay Tallant (Richard Dix) as a fighting marshal, lias achieved a reputation for bringing peace to troubled sections of the West. When he arrives in Silver City to visit his brother, he is immediately drafted into tho town’s service to clean out the had men and crooked politicians with which it is infested. Tho climax comes when Dix is arrested on faked charges by those trying to destroy him. The star fights his way from the burning gaol to defeat his enemies, and brings to the picture an unusual ending. The heavier parts of the picture arc relieved by some good comedy, while a romance develops between Miss Grahame and Dix between the latter’s gnu fights. Background settings include two blocks of a frontier town, especially built for the picture; an opera house common in tho ’eighties, and outside locations at the famous Vasqnez Rocks, the hide-out for many notorious bandits of early Californian history. The main picture is supported by ‘ The People’s Enemy,’ which is notable for tho capable performances of its cast,' at tho bead of which are several distinguished artists—Melvyn Douglas, Lila Lee, and Preston Foster. The story centres around the exploits of a dangerous criminal who evades all the efforts made for his arrest and runs through a multitude of exciting situations to a well-planned climax. It always holds the interest of the audience. MAYFAIR Au attractive double-feature programme is at present being screened at the Mayfair, the two films being ‘ Dr Socrates ’ and 1 Silver Streak.’ Featuring such accomplished players as Paul Muni, Barton Mac Lane. Aim Dvorak, and Mayo Metbot, 1 Dr Socrates ’ is an exciting story of the criminal escapades of American gangsters and tho activities of the G-men in bringing them to justice. Dr Caldwell, a famous surgeon, who, because of the tragic death of his fiancee, has established a practice in the small town of Big Bend, becomes entangled in the machinations of the gang when ho is forced, at the point of a gun, to doctor its leader’s bullet wounds. A girl hiker comes into tho clutches of the gangsters, and is wounded during a bank robbery. She is 1 treated by Caldwell, who himself is captured and taken to attend to wounded members of the gang. On his release he is able to give valuable evidence against tho gang to tho organised vigilantes of the town. In tho meantime the girl is kidnapped, and a desperate pursuit follows with plenty of excitement and fast-moving action until a satisfactory climax is

reached. The supporting picture, ‘ Silver Streak,’ features Sally Blane, Charles Starrett, Hardie Albright, and William Farnum. It is a fast-moving story centring round America’s first Diesel-engined streamline train. EMPIRE Courage, gallantry, and romance arc to bo found in Dickens’s story, ‘ A Tale of Two Cities,’ which will conclude an extended season at the Umpire tonight. As well as an excellent story, the film presents an outstanding cast, which includes such players as Donald Colman, Elizabeth Allen, and Edna May Oliver. ST. JAKES Entertainment of 'a light and extremely enjoyable nature is to be found in ‘ If' You Could Only Cook,’ at the St. James. Herbert Marshall and Jean Arthur are cast as a blithesome couple —he a millionaire and she a povertystrickefa waif—who take service as butler and maid in the household of a gangster. Events leading up to their eventual marriage form a diverting theme, REGENT George du Manner’s ‘Peter Ibbctsou,’ one of the strangest and most beautiful romances ever written, _ has been transferred to the screen in a subtle and moving production, which | is now at the ‘Regent. Gary Cooper and | Ann Harding play the parts of Peter I and Mary. This exquisite film has been correctly described as “a challeijgc to discriminating audiences.’’ STATE A musical production incorporating a scries of striking and novel song and dance effects, ‘ First a Girl,’ concludes to-nigbt at the Stat c. Jessie Matthews commands every major scene, and her songs and dances have rarely been equalled for originality and presentation. Miss Matthews’s husband, Sonuio Halo, whose nart was one of the best things in ‘ Tell Me To-night,’ gives a first-class performance. ( STRAND Two good pictures, ‘ Transient Lady ’ and ‘ Too Tough to Kill,’ will conclude at the Strand this evening. The latter film is a fast-moving action drama of tunnel construction in the Sierra Nevadas,. and features Victor .lory and Sally O’Neill. ‘ Transient LadyJ starring Gene Raymond and Frances Drake, is the drama of a man against whom a murder charge has been framed, striving to clear himself. OCTAGON The latest trend in screen entertainment is well exemplified in ‘ Forsaking All Others,’ which will conclude at the Octagon this evening. Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, and Robert Montgomery arc the featured players,_ and tho film is a fast comedy, containing a continual stream of amusing dialogue. Also being shown is ‘ Evelyn Prentice,’ which features William Powell and Myrn a Loy.,