PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 22382, 4 July 1936, Page 20

PICTURE THEATRES

THE NEW PROGRAMMES gripping mystery drama •THE TRIUMPH OF SHERLOCK HOLMES * Excellent acting, good photography, a gripping mystery, and an abundance of humour are the ingredients the producer of ‘ The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes,’ now showing at the btate Theatre, had at his disposal, and he undoubtedly mixed them into an entertaining production calculated to hold the interest of the most critical theatregoers. Sherlock Holmes has been interpreted in many different ways, but Arthur Wontner gives probably the best and most faithful picture yet offered of the master criminologist, and ho is supported bv a strong cast. The famous pipe, the dressing gown. Dr Watson, and the sinister figure of Professor Moriarty are all found in ‘ The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes, which‘is a British production. The picture is based on the story Valley of Fear,’ one of the most baffling of ' all the Sherlock Holmes tales. Additions have been made to the story, but always in excellent' taste, as in the case of the gangster scenes which add to the rousing qualities of the plot without offending the susceptibilities of those to whom a Sherlock Holmes tale is something not to be, modernised or tampered with in any way. Sherlock Holmes is a character endowed with perpetual youth. He grips the imagination as much to-day as when Conan Doyle created him towards the end ot the nineteenth century.' . When the - story opens Holmes is shown going into retirement on the advice of Dr Watson, who thinks he has had "quite enough experience ot crime for any one man. The picturegoer who knows Conan Doyle will not be long in realising that this is all leading up to the fact that Holmes will soon be called on to sacrifice _ his private’life and peace of mind in order to do battle again with Professor Moriarty, the bulky master-criminal who is Holmes’s only intellectual rival. Holmes is calfed to a castle where a man has been murdered. After investigations which are “ elementary, my dear Watson ’’—the audience was obviously waiting for this famous phrase, and laughed when it came—he deduces that the man’s wife knows more than she has told the police, and he forces a “ confession ” from her—not as to her guilt, blit about their past lives. There is then a lengthy “ flash-back ’ which carries the audience to a fearsome valley in a very lawless part of America. which is ruled by a secret society, Anyone'with even a hundredth part of the perceptive powers of Sherlock Holmes will realise that the crime is the work of the secret society, but there' is, an unexpected twist toward the end which brings the film to a si rpriso climax and Dr Moriarty to a nasty death. But the professor is Mich a necessary adjunct to Conan Doyle stories that he can doubtless be resurrected when required. It is Wontner’s picture from first to last, but lan Fleming makes Dr Watson »n excellent foil to the brilliant Holmes—without exaggerating to get his effects. Leslie Perrins and Jane Carr are good as the victim and his wife, and Lyn Harding is effective as the villainous Moriarty.

The supporting films are educative, entertaining, and amusing.

'ANNA KARENINA' GRETA GARIO'S FINEST PORTRAYAL The screen version of Tolstoi’s immortal novel, ‘Anna Karenina,’ began a season at the Empire Theatre yesterday. The film has preserved all the essential characteristics of the Russian temperament —the spirit of inevitability, the brooding sense of impending doom and certain retribution following on wrongdoing. There is, perhaps, no actress on the screen to-day so eminently capable of portraying that temperament tfian Greta Garbo. She alone can interpret fully the very soul of the Anna Karenina Tolstoi created, and in so doing she dwarfs the very considerable talent of the other players in the cast. The story is that of a woman who is forced to choose between living with a husband she no longer loves, simply for the sake of her son, or fleeing. with her lover and cutting adrift entirely from her old life. She chooses the latter course, but, as always in real life- this does not prove by any means easy, and ultimately the forcp-of their old associations at St. Petersburg drags them back. Here the real tragedy begins. They are ostracised and alone; but, worse than that, Anna’s lover, Vronsky, chafes to be back in the regiment he so blithely forsook for her sake, and his love for her begins to wane. The inevitability of the ending detracts in no way from the powerfulness of the theme. Miss Garbo’s interpretation of the woman who could make this supreme sacrifice for the man she loved is_ incomparable and gives added proof, if proof were needed, of the superb talent she possesses.

Among the other stars in the cast probably the best sustained performance is given by Basil Rathbone as Karenina, Anna’s husband. His cold, ruthless attitude, his hypocrisy and egotism contribute to • the spirit of fatalism that hovers over the actors in the drama. .One feels from the beginning , that if breaking point is reached it will be as much because of his maddening selfish# 633 and concern only for appearance# as because of Anna’s great love for Vronsky. His performance of this hateful part- is brilliant. Never a glimmer of pity or understanding crosses his handsome face, never even a look of real affection for his son, Sergei. The role of the child is played with rare sympathy and feeling by Freddie Bartholomew. It is he who innocently keeps Anna so long by her husband’s side and it is the memory of him that drags her back to St. Petersburg after some months’ absence. _ No hint of exaggeration or self-consciousness mars the act-

ing of this child who captured all hearts in ‘ David Copperfield,’ and will confirm his place in their affections in this film. Fredric March, as Vronsky, also plays a very difficult role with eminent success. Particularly towards the end, where his love for Anna is obviously waning, does his artistry reveal itself. The • supporting programme includes a very pleasing coloured cartoon, ‘ The Chinese Nightingale,’ a Pete Smith oddity, ‘ Trained Hoofs,’ and two recent news reefs, DRAMA AND MUSICAL GDMEDY ENTERTAINING FARE AT ST. JAMES Two outstanding pictures are bracketed in the outstanding programme which opened at the St. James yesterday. ‘ Her Master’s Voice,’ featuring the ever-popular comedian, Edward Everett Horton, as a crooner, provides refreshing comedy, while 1 Woman Trap,’ is an exciting film of a journalist’s efforts to secure the release of a kidnapped girl. That proverbial fear of one’s mother-in-law and her caustic tongue which has been made famous in film action, together with the successful attempts of the middle-aged Babbit to overcome it furnish the theme of ‘ Her Master’s Voice,’ the sparkling new comedy featuring Edward Everett Horton, Peggy Conklin, Laura HopeCrews, and Elizabeth Patterson. Taken from Clare Hummer’s successful Broadway stage play, ‘ Her Master's Voice ’ is grand comedy, felling of the trials and tribulations of Ned Farrar (Horton), who is suffering from a combination of too much mother-in-law and the fact that he is just out of a job. Mother-in-law (Elizabeth Patterson) is one of those delightful persons who only stops reminding Ned that he’s out of work when she shifts over to the theme of her daughter’s mistake in marrying him. While Ned is home alone, warbling ‘ Dip’ll By the Old Mill Stream ’ at the top of his lungs, his rich wife’s old Aunt Min shows up, and, mistaking him for a servant, offers him a job on her estate. Ned accepts, only to be near his beloved Queena, who is going to Aunt Min’s for a visit. There nobody dares to tell Aunt Min his real identity, for, without ever having seen Ned, she has conceived a violent dislike for him. It is not until the arrival of Ndd’s old boss, Mr Twilling, head of a large broadcasting system, that the secret of Ned’s mysterious daily trips to the city is revealed. For then it is discovered that Ned is the famous “ Fireside Troubadour,” who sings to an adoring audience over the air. The combination of film fare offered in ‘Her Master's Voice ’ is a highly successful one; “ every-day ” folk faced with the average man’s problems'. Amusing comedy situations and brilliant dialogue have been blended into a picture that will appeal to every type of audience. Drama of engrossing quality is the order of the day in Paramount’s ‘ Woman Trap,’ which has an excellent cast of players. As its name implies this thriller has for central idea the sinister use of an innocent woman to assist a gang of desperadoes, killers from the States, to blaze a way to freedom and elude the law. Gertrude Michael lends dash' and fire to the role of the thrill-seeking girl who gets the frontpage reporter into trouble. George Murphy plays the reporter who gets his tips from gangland, and knows top much for his own good. Akim Tannroff, one of the best screen characters living, gives a grand, human performance as the federal agent who poses as a crook in order to trap the killers. He is in the best Holbrook Blinn tradition, a character that audiences have always loved. Others who further the action are Roscie Earns, Samuel S. Hinds, Sidney Blackmer, and Dean Jagger,

BRILLIANT**MUSICAL FILM REGENT FEATURING 1 STREET SINGER'S SERENADE' There have been many outstanding romantic musical comedies produced, but it can be safely said that it would be hard to find an equal to ‘ Street Singer’s Serenade,’ featuring Anna Neagle and Arthur Tracy, which opened at the Regent yesterday. All that goes to provide first-class entertainment is contained in the film —good dancing, outstanding singing, bright comedy, and a true life story, while the film as a whole shows that British films are meeting the challenge of American studios in musical films at least.

The story opens with Marjorie Kaye, a struggling chorus girl, hearing a man singing in the street, and being instantly impressed with his voice. On the opening night of the show, when the star’s voice fails him, she persuades the producer to try out the street singer, Bob Grant. After a very brief rehearsal Grant goes on and makes an instant success. Instead of keeping his appointment with Marjorie the next night, he is “ collected ” by Lady Madeline Knox, a celebrity hunter, and arrives at the theatre drunk. Only Marjorie is able to make him pull himself together in time for his big number. When bis success is assured Grant accepts an offer for a tour, and the show suffers in consequence. The publicity man conceives the idea of starring Marjorie as the girl who discovered the “ Street-Singer.” Marjorie, however, is suffering from an inferiority complex, thinking that Bob Grant has forgotten her in his association with a wealthy American girl. Bitterly unhappy, she suffers badly from stage fright and is only saved from complete failure by the unexpected appearance of 'Grant, who strolls on to the stage and makes her act a success.

Beautiful Anna Neagle re-enacts the commencement, of her own career as a chorus girl, and throws herself with tremendous zest into a role which means even more to her than past successes. . Arthur Tracy, a street singer who had a_ sensational rise to fame, plays opposite the star. Tracy recorded 10 numbers for the film, one the wellknown aria ‘ La Donna e Mobile,’ from ‘ Rigoletto.’ The numbers in which he appears provide a feast of music and amply demonstrate his amazing versatility. In addition to some outstanding ballet work, there are several brilliant solo dances. Miss Neagle herself is a dancer of considerable ability, appearing in an exhibition tango, while Tilly Losch, the brilliant young Austrian dancer, is seen in a dreamy waltz and a novel Eastern creation. Lesser parts are played by Ellis Jeffreys, as a gushing dowager, Alexander Field as Tracy’s friend and fellow musician, Jane Winton, as a young society girl who interferes in the romance between the two lending characters, and Muriel George, as Anna Neagle’s mother. An outstanding supporting programme, well in keeping with the excellence of the main attraction, includes * Oasis,’ which deals with development work in Central Australia. A colour classic is ‘ Time for Love,’ while also he’ng ‘ is a Pa the pici.. . a I : ” 1 ic. !.

BRILLIANT ACTING LIONEL BARRYMORE AT GRAND There is a good deal that is amusing in ‘ The Return of Peter Grimm,’ the film which is at present showing at the Grand. Lic*.el Barrymore, as Peter Grimm, displays those whimsically clever touches which put people in the best of humour, and Donald Meek and Ethel Griffies, as husband and wife, provide the necessary leavening of laughter in a picture of this type. The film runs on so easily in pleasant sequence that Peter Grimm, wealthy old horticulturist, dies, and his “ spirit ” returns to the home in so natural a manner that one has little difficulty in accepting the situation. The somewhat egotistical old man is always trying to direct the lives of those about him, ostensibly for their own good. His foster daughter, a role which Helen Mack capably fills, bows to his wishes anti promises to marry Peter’s scoundrelly nephew, although she loves another.’After death Peter’s “ spirit ” returns to see how his old world is situated. He sees that some of his friends are hut grasping ingrates, that his nephew is totally unworthy, that his foster daughter is heartbroken, and that his old friend the doctor is steadfast, and it is through him and a dying boy that Peter communicates his revised wishes. The scoundrel is exposed and disinherited, the girl is 1 united with her true love, and the “ spirit ” is able to retire at rest. The associate film is ‘ Speed Wings,’ with Tim M‘Coy and Kvalyn Knapp in a story of dangers and efforts in constructing and testing speed engines for racing planes. THRILLING ENTERTAINMENT STRAND HAS EXCELLENT FARE Those who favour entertainment that contains a plentiful supply of thrills are well catered for at the Strand Theatre. There are two feature pictures on the new hill, and although each is of a different type, both move at top speed and keep the audience keyed up throughout. To start with, there is ‘The Story of Temple Drake,’ an unusual talc of present-day youth, which has Miriam Hopkins in 'the main role. Miss Hopkins is a curidus mixture of the sedate and the wanton. She refuses an offer -of marriage from a young lawyer whom she loves and drives away with a brainless college youth in search of high life. The car, screeching along the highway at 60 miles an hour, crashes, and the pair extricate themselves from the wreckage to find themselves confronted liy a gangster, who imprisons* them in a country hide-out. The college youth is allowed to drink more than his fill of liquor, and when in a thoroughly dazed condition is scut secretly back to the city, hut the girl is forced to remain. The gangster kills the one man who attempts to protect her, ami carries her to a tawdry room in a city house. The young lawyer whose offer of marriage was refused by the’girl, is appointed to defend the man who is accused of the murder, and in his search for evidence ho uncovers the true facts of the case, and involves the girl in a most unsavoury situation. The film rises to dramatic heights in the climax that follows. William-' Gargan is cast as the young lawyer, who gives a very convincing performance, while excellent work is also done by Jack La Rue as the gangster. Combining tense, exciting melodrama and bright comedy, ‘ Man Hunt,’ the second picture, is a delightful story of. a small-town newspaperman and detectives who finally beat their city brethren in a game of hunting a notorious bank robber. Richard Cortez gives an unusually finished ami forceful performance as the suave, soft-spoken, and outwardly gentlemanly rascal. He is the gaol-breaking bandit whose honeyed words completely fool a romantic school teacher into trying to help him to escape the officers on his trail. Marguerite Churchill, who has not been prominent on the screen for the last two years, makes a welcome reappearance in this picture. She makes a very capable school teacher 1 , showing the same artistry that marked her performances before she went into temporary retirement. William Gargan has a semi-comic and semi-heroic role as the small-town reporter and lover of Miss Churchill, and handles the part with unusual skill. “ Chic ” Sale gives a wonderful portrayal of the romanemg ex-sheriff, who has repeated his tales of his encounters with Jesse James and the Dalton pang so often that he believes them himself. He is responsible for a good deal of the humour. Others in the oast who do excellent work include Richard Purcell, Olin Howland, Anita Kerry, and Don Barclay, as the city reporters who are outwitted and scooped by the small newspaperman; George E. Stone. Addison Richards. Nick Coneland, Russell Simpson, and Eddie Shnhcrt.

The only other item on the programme is an all-too-sliort Walt Disney Silly Symphony cartoon in colour. ANOTHER JUVENILE STAR JANE WITHERS AT OCTAGON Another of th© popular double-fea-ture bills is screening at the Octagon this week, when ‘ Ladies Lovo Danger ’ and ‘ Ginger ’ opened yesterday. Apparently made for the purpose of revitalising jaded nerves, ‘ Ladies Love Danger ’ proves that mystery dramas, if they are well presented, are still very popular with the screen public. The theme of the picture is perhaps the only ono which could be served up time and time again and still retain its piquancy—a desirabl girl suspected of complicity in an unusually fiendish crime who arouses the sympathetic interest of the hero by her brave stand against seemingly insurmountable circumstances. Mona Barrie, as the beautiful heroine, Rita, gives a superb characterisation. Allegedly implicated in the murder of a millionaire revue promoter, she unquestionably takes the acting honours from Gilbert Roland, who is in the leading male role. _ The stirring performances of the principals, ' however, do not by any means overshadow the work of the players in the minor roles. Herbert Mundin, who has distinguished himself in several films, gives of his best as the irrepressible butler. Other players include Adrienne Ames. Donald Cook, Hardie Albright, and Marion Clayton.

The child actress who scored such a notable success with Shirley.- Temple in ‘ Bright Eyes,’ Jane Withers, will win the hearts of all who see her in ‘ Ginger,’ the supporting feature on the programme. The acting of this eight-year-old performer has a soreness and a sense of maturity which give her interpretation of an everyday American child an extraordinary fascination. It is a story which brings out all her ability to handh* the whiinf'cnl, i .-ntimcutr!. end <!v:'.i”.r.ti re-

quireraents of tho theme with rare skill. Tho story is endowed with pathos, but also a great deal of humour. It concerns Ginger, an orphaned “ tomboy ’L girl, living with an old out-of-work Snakespearean actor who refuses to lower himself to the level i the cinema. His penchant for liquor results in an argument with a cinema manager, and his subsequent arrest r-d imprisonment. Ginger then embarks on a series of systematic petty thefts in order to reach her guardian. She is taken to a children’s court, but a sympathetic judge gives her into the charge of a ricji authoress. A series of delightfully comic scenes follows, tho film ending with the incursions of the authoress into the delights of Irish stew. In tho strong supporting cast are O. P. Heggie, Jackie Searle, Walter King and Katharine Alexander. .

1 BULLDOG JACK' AMUSING FARCE AT MAYFAIR One of the highlights of ‘ Bulldog Jack,’ Gaumont-British comedy, which is now at the Mayfair, is a battle royal in the British Museum between the hero and a band of crooks. The climax is as unusual as it is amusing. But packed as it is with thrills and suspense, the picture is equally as rich in comedy. Jack' Hulbert defending himself from a massed attack by ‘the gang, calling to his aid only a handful of boomerangs and tho stern portion of a suit of war horse’s armour, is delightful. Equally diverting is his toboggan slide on a table down a long spiral staircase. But there are many more comedy highlights, to most of which Claude Hulbert, as Algy, brings his priceless fatuity to aid and_ abet his brother. Fay Wray is cast in the leading feminine role. From the dull and drab life of a small-town orphanage to a sunny, palatial mansion in Southampton adequately sums up the quick rise to luxury and happiness enjoyed by Shirley Temple in ‘ Curly Top,’ the associate picture. In this new comedy-drama with music Shirley, along with Rochelle Hudson, who portrays tho role of her big sister, are adopted by John Boles and taken from an orphanage to his palatial summer home._ Shirley and Rochelle enter upon their new life i all the joy of two youngsters in a dreamland of happiness. Shirley’s newfound happiness blossoms forth into laughter, song, and dance, and soon her charm and childish pranks form 'h° foundation of a delightful romance between’John Boles and Rochelle Hudson. •MERRY WIDOW POPULAR OPERA AT GREEN ISLAND One of the most popular teams in Hollywood, and one which lias continued in existence for longer than most in the fluctuating state of the film world, is that comprised of Jeanette MacDonald and Maurice Chevalier. They have been brought together again in

‘ The Merry Widow,’ which will be shown at the Green Island Cinema tonight. The picture has been staged on a lavish, scale, and the entertainment which it provides is decidedly above the average. The story has been followed, and the director has added to the production touches of his own genius which are entirely in keeping with the spirit of the theme.. The gay revels in Paris, the romantic episode of the _ ‘ Merry Widow Waltz,* the gay night at Maxim’s—all are staged as only the screen can produce them. Jeanette MacDonald makes an attractive Sonia, and her singing is as delightful as ever, while Maurice Chevalier is his usual gay, insouciant self, full of the most amusing contrasts in moods, and ever the languishing suitor.

CHARLIE GHAN POPULAR ORIENTAL AT LAURIER When the secret service men of two nations encounter a desperate ring of dope smugglers who defy and baffle them at every turn, what more natural than sending Charlie Chau to track down the desperadoes? That is how Warner Gland’s adventures begin in the latest of the pictures built about the adventures of the shrewd and kindly Oriental detective, ‘ Charlie Chan"in Shanghai,’ which is now at the Laurier, Port Chalmers. From the moment he sets foot in Shanghai Gland meets perilous adventures. His host, ah English secret service man, is killed, and an attempt is made on his own life. Together with Keyc Luke, who plays his son, Gland is lured to the den of the smugglers, and must fight his way out to safety. Russell Hicks, an American secret service man, arrives, and Charles Lochcr, secretary to the murdered Englishman, seems to be implicated in another plot on Chan’s life.