PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 22379, 1 July 1936, Page 2

PICTURE THEATRES

ST. JAMES Sir Guy Standing repeats his triumph in ‘ Lives of a Bengal Lancer ’ in ‘ Gentlemen of the Navy,’ which is now at the St. James, An absorbing story has been incorporated into the film, which uses the daily routine life of Annapolis midshipmen as a background to the central theme. Sir Guy Standing, as a retired naval officer with bachelor quarters on the school’s grounds, lives in the memories of the days when he commanded the Congress at Manila Bay. There are many interesting and amusing sequences behind the scenes showing the rigorous schedule to which every midshipman is subjected from the _ moment reveille is sounded early in the morning until taps is heard at bedtime. Richard Cromwell, Tom Brown, and Rosalind Keith play the principal supporting roles in this pictorial document of the training" and problems that confront the fortunate group of American youth admitted to Annapolis. GRAND Gripping suspense is provided in the dramatic picture ‘ Th Return of Peter Grimm,’ which stars Lionel Barrymore, rated America’s outstanding character actor. The film commenced a season at the Grand to-day. Having involved his foster-daughter and her lover in a train of tragic circumstances through his determination to bend their destinies to his will, Peter comes back from the spirit land to rectify his mistakes. He finds himself unable to communicate with his loved ones, and is forced to seek some means of undoing the wrongs he has committed. Through the medium of a dying child who loved him he/ finally is able to get his message across and restore .happiness and harmony to his family. The efforts of Peter to make his presence known to his loved ones provides dramatic suspense that has been rarely equalled on the screen. Lovers of aviation films will be delighted with ' Speed Wings,’ the supporting feature. Tim M'Coy has the leading roje as a daredevil pilot who is endeavouring to help a small syndicate to break the world speed record with a machine it has acquired. A rival firm, also determined to secure the honour, provides an additional inducement to break the record, and several underhand ruses and a great deal of subterfuge add to the troubles of the syndicate. Evalyn Knapp is a delightful little heroine. There are many spectacular crash and parachute scenes, the photography being outstanding. STATE All the elements of the up-to-date mystery film are combined in ‘ Remember Last Night,’ which is now at the State. The film opens with a gay party which is being held on Long Island, New York, as a wedding celebration. More than ordinary confusion is caused the following morning when it is found that one of their number who is blessed with fabulous wealth has been murdered overnight. The arrival of an astute detective does not improve matters, especially when it appears that each and every member present has just and legitimate cause for desiring the _ death of the dead man. The behaviour of the cast under suspicion brings excellent opportunities for character acting, ana the suspense _ is heightened as the audience’s attention is turned first on one and then on another person. Edward Arnold, as the detective, gives his usual finished performance, and a capable cast includes Constance Cummings, Sally Eilers, Robert Young. (* EMPIRE 'As timely as the black headlines from which it is fashioned is the MetroGold wyn-Mayer production, ‘ Exclusive Story,’ featuring Franchot Tone and Madge Evans, now at the Empire. Written by an ace reporter, Martin Mooney, it is a dramatisation of his crusade against the racketeer overlords of New York, dealing in particular with the notorious “ policy game,” which is said to rob citizens of millions every year. Briefly, the _ exciting theme of ‘ Exclusive Story ’ is told in the- lives of a group of people who are in one way or another affected by the machinations of the gang bosses. A beautiful girl, daughter of a “ policy racket ” victim, appeals to a great metropolitan newspaper for aid. With her help and information, the paper’s young attorney and crack reporter bring to a dramatic close the supremacy of the gang. Franchot Tone portrays the attorney and Madge Evans the girl. REGENT Few pictures have reached such a high standard of perfection in all respects as the brilliant comedy ‘ The Ghost Goes West,’ which is now at the Regent. Robert Donat, in his double role of the ghost, Murdoch Glourie, and Donald Glourie, the remaining survivor of a famous Scottish clan, embarks with marked success on all kinds of laughable adventures. Murdoch Glourie proved to be a coward, and his spirit could not rest until a wrong had been avenged. His particular kind of penance was to haunt the family castle until such time as he had righted the wrong. An American millionaire buys the castle and transplants it to America. The ghost, very much bewildered by this time, follows. Donald is also taken along to help with the building process. And then true comedy reigns supreme. Jean Parker, as the rich American’s daughter, is an excellent foil for Donat, and they keep the fun moving at a rapid rate. STRAND The Strand has an excellent doublefeature programme this week with 1 The Night Life of the Gods ’ and ‘ Disgraced.’ The former film, which is amusing all through, strikes an entirely novel note and holds the close attention of the audience from start to finish. The story in ‘ Night Life of the Gods ’ is about Hunter Hawks, a young scientist with a very peculiar sense of humour. While working in his laboratory he discovers a light ray by which he can turn people into stone and bring images to lire. He takes his invention to the museum of art, selects eight gods and goddesses to bring to life, and takes them all out for a party. The leading roles are taken by Alan Mowbray and Florine M'Kinney. The other feature, a dramatic production dealing with society life, provides loading roles for Helen Twelvetrees and Adnenno Ames. OCTAGON With such an outstanding pair of players as John Boles and Rochelle Hudson, Shirley Temple is given every support in making ‘ Curly Top ’ one of the most delightful of her film successes. It is a film that should appeal to all classes of theatregoers, as it contains practically all the ingredients of enjoyable entertainment. There is an attractive romance between Boles and

Miss Hudson, there is the delightful comedy provided by the juvenile actress, and there are the tuneful song numbers by both Shirley _ and John Boles. The supporting picture, * Silk Hat Kid ’ is of a vastly different type, as it tells a fast-moving and dramatic story of gangster warfare in America. A feature of the film is the unusual nature of its climax, which is both exciting and unexpected. The notable cast includes Lew Ayres, Paul Kelly, and Mae Clarke. MAYFAIR George Arliss in ‘ Cardinal Richelieu, the star’s latest Twentieth Century vehicle, which began to-day, is the feature’'attraction at the Mayfair. Cameron Rogers and Maude Howell based the screen story on Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton’s famous play about the prelate who stood behind the throne of Louis XIII. of France. W. P. Lipscomb, who collaborated on both the screen and stage productions of ‘ Clive of India,’ wrote the dialogue. Maureen O’Sulliyan, Edward Arnold, Francis Lister, Douglas Dumbrille, and Cesar Romero head the imposing supporting cast of this production, which Was directed by Rowland V. Lee, who last season directed the highly successful ‘ Count of Monte Cristo.’ Also prominent in the supporting cast are Violet Cooper, Kathryn Alexander, Lumsdein Hare, Robert Harrigan, and Halliwell Hobbes. LAURIER. PORT CHALMERS Murder is no joke, but the solution of one becomes an amusing affair in ‘ The Nitwits,’ the Wheeler and Woolsey comedy, now at the Laurier, Port Chalmers. As a pair of amateur detectives, Bert and Bob stumble into the ramifications of a spectacular crime which has the city aroused. In their mad and merry manner they solve the murder,' But don’t know what to do with the criminal. Only the timely intervention of the law relieves them of an embarrassing situation. Nonsense runs amok in ‘The Nitwits,’ but the results are highly entertaining. The ridiculousness of their sleuthing methods is best exemplified with a truth-detecting machine calculated to shock the truth out of the best Munchausen—and it gets results.