PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 22383, 6 July 1936, Page 2

PICTURE THEATRES

ST. JAMES Clean, crisp comedy dominates ‘Her Martyr’s Voice,’ a clever adaptation by Paramount of Clare Kummer’s Broadway eucceas which heads the outstanding double-feature programme, at the St. Jaines. It is a story of plain folk, which features that popular screen •atar,. Edward Everett Horton, as “ The Fireside Troubador ” for ; .* radio company, who triumphs over a nagging mother-in-law. In the suite of a manservant he is secretly following his work as a radio crooner who specialises in the mournful harmony numbers Which have been so dear to the hearts of every generation. Edward Everett Horton is at his best as the radio crooner who is the idol of American womanhood, and he is supported by Peggy Conklin as his speight’y young wife. Laura Hope Crews plays the part of a domineering aunt, and Elizabeth Paterson has the role of the tyrannical mother-in-law. The second feature subject is ‘ Woman Trap,’ telling of exciting happenings on the other side of the Rio Grande. George Murphy takes the part of a reporter who gets many valuable tips from den.zens of the underworld. His seal for front-page stories leads him Into more adventures than he cares for when he attempts to follow up the activities of a gang of bad men in Mexico. Gertrude Michael takes the part of a thrill-seeking girl, and the supporting oa"t includes Akim Tamairoff. Sidney Blackmer, and Roscoe Kama. EMPIRE Any picture with the famous Greta Garbo in the leading role is bound to attract the maximum of public attention, but a film in which this glamorout actress is associated with the brilliant Fredric March can well be described as outstanding. These two stars, together with Freddie Bartholomew, appear in ‘ Anna Karenina,’ which is now at the Empire. There could be no better medium for Greta Garbo’s wonderful interpretative ability than this story by Leo Tolstoi, and it has been freely admitted in world centres that in this production she is seen in her greatest role. The tale is set dn the 'Riissik of 50 years ago, when* the Imperial Court was at the height of its splendour. The period l ! is ideal for the presentation of magnificent settings and the reproduction of Russia’s nineteenth century glories. Fredric March needs no introduction to film audiences, and Freddie Bartholomew, who sprang into prominence in ‘ David Copperfield,’ shows that his work in that picture was not a case of isolated brilliance. In addition to these leading players, others in a very strong cast are the charming Maureen O’Su.Tivan, May Robson. Basil Rathbone, and Reginald Owen. RECENT * Street Singer’s Serenade,’_ which is now at the Regent, is one of the first of the 1935 “ World Standard ” productions for release in Australia and New Zealand by Associated Distributors. It is sparkling delightful entertainment, based on the real-life stories of its two world-popular costars. Anna Neagle. whose rise to the starring heights began as a chorus girl, and Arthur Tracy, the original “ Street Singer.” whose sensational climb to fame is one of the greatest romances of the entertainment world. Lavishly and spectacularly produced to the merry rhythm of irres’=tib!e song and dance hits, ‘ Street Singer’s Serenade has been acclaimed overseas as “ The Happiness Picture of 1936.” The story will bring home to picture patrons the thrill and glamour of London’s We=t F”d. as intimatelv as American f|ms have done with Broadway. Not on!y_ have He _ stage scenes been fd’ot in the historic Lyceum Theatre. b”t they have been filmed w’tb- He Hippodrome H under Rain'- Reader, p’aying in h:s real-life ro :1 e of dance doctor, and with Frank Boor, the _ TT'.pno' 1 ”cin',. manager, armcaring in his own Tenacity, in cWition to a number of oHer West End celebrities. The supporting programme is a noteworthy one, a feature being the South Australian travel film * Oasis.’ which gives an interesting insight into the topography and development of this great State. A delightful fragment of colour and melody. ‘ Time for Love,’ a Pathe Pictorial, and interesting newsreels complete the programme. STATE Since the advent of talking films no more entertaining subjects have been adapted to the screen than mystery fiction. In the past there have been all sorts of thrillers, but the mention of Sherlock Holmes is always an indication that the plot is. mystery-drama different from all others. ‘ The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes,’ which has been adapted to the screen from the . late Sir Arthur. Conan Doyle’s bestseller, ‘ The Valley of Fear,’ is now at the State. Arthur Wontner, undoubtedly the world’s outstanding exponent of the great character. Sherlock Holmes, heads the distinguished cast, other- well-known players being Lyn Harding, as Professor Moriarty,_ Jane Carr, as Kttie Douglas, lan Fleming, as Dr Watson. Minnie Baynor and Teslic Perrins. Of ‘ The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes.’ the ‘ Melbourne Star ’ wrotes: “ Sherlock Holmes makes another bow, complete with tattered dressing-gown, pipe. Dr Watson, and the sinister Professor Moriarty, weaving his evil designs in the background. Biographical students who are jealous of Baker street’s master sleuth, will find nothing to criticise in Arthur Wontner’s interpretation of the famous Holmes. The lean-jawed criminologist emerges, from the screen with an amazing fidelity to the figure who stepped out of Conan Doyle’s historic pages.

It is beyond question the most satisfying of all the many film portrayals of Sherlock Holmes. An entertainment and a full-length portrait of the greatest detective of all time, it is a film to see and delight in,” STRAND Two films which offer a wide variety of entertainment are combined on the programme now at the Strand. * The Story of Temple Drake ’ is based on a novel by William Faulkner, a leading American novelist who casts his tales in sombre form. Temple Drake is the daughter of an old Kentucky family in whose blood there is a wild streak. This recklessness takes her to a drunken party which ends in an accident. In a lonely house, where she takes-shel-ter, a murder is committed, and she is . abducted by the murderer, whom she 'is later compelled to kill. Miriam Hopkins gives an excellent performance as Temple Drake, but the acting honours go to Jack La Rue as the ruthless “ Trigger.” William Gargan, Sir Guy Standing, and Irving Pichel are also included in the cast, * Man Hunt tells how tho life of a village community is affected when a desperate bank robber and gaol-breaker (Ricardo Cortez) takes refuge in the district, which is immediately besieged with Government agents and newspapermen. The schoolmistress (Marguerite Churchill) takes pity on the fugitive and shelters him, only to find that he intends to rob the bank. How she and her lover (William Gargan), a local reporter, with the assistance of a town character (“ Chic ” Sale) foil the robber makes a thrilling, and, at times, comical story. OCTAGON *! Ladies Love Danger ’ and ‘ Ginger ’ are the two films oi» the programme at the Octagon. The first picture is certainly a drama of merit, and the cast—Mona Barrie, Gilbert Roland, Donald Cook, Adrienne Ames, and Herbert Muridin —is no mean one. Gilbert Roland, a successful playwright, becomes interested in the murder of a theatrical man, and finds its consequences in two other murders, besides the suspicion that a beautiful newspaper woman from London (Mona Barrie) is the guilty person. Herbent Mundin carries the humour of the piece until the crimes are cleared up. ‘Ginger’ tells'the story of a little girl of the New York slums (Jane Withers), who is taken to a palatial home by a woman dabbling in child welfare. “Ginger’s” uncle, played by 0. P. Heggie, is a broken-down Shakespearean actor, who suffers to allow his niece the advantages of comfort in the Park Avenue mansion. Jackie Sean portrays the pampered son of the house who, under “ Ginger’s ” lively 'example, *‘ reforms ” and becomes as lively as the wild little girl. GRAND Lionel Barrymore makes a welcome return to the screen after a short absence in ‘ The Return of Peter Grimm,’ the present attraction at the Grand. The rather original theme is that of a man who returns from the spirit world to clear up a misunderstanding between two people in the living world. Barrymore gives his usual _ carefullydetailed performance, while Helen Mack, at the head of the feminine cast, and Edward Ellis both maintain a high standard of acting. Dealing with pre-sent-day commercial aviation, ‘ Speed Wings ’ tells in entertaining fashion of the efforts of a band of aviators to win the world’s speed record. In rather striking contrast to the series of aerial stunts, thrilling though they may be, that generally constitute aviation dramas, ‘ Speed Wings ’ has an excellent and well-sustained plot that should hold the interest from the opening scenes until the final curtain. Tim M‘Coy acquits himself wel' ns an aviator, while He attractive Evelyn Knapp plays opposite to him. C.V.TAIS A Tariod" and highly entertaining double-feature programme is at pres eh t being screened at the Mayfair, the two films being Jack Hulbert’s most recent success, ‘ Bulldog Jack,’ and Shirley Temple’s delightml film, ‘ Curly Top.’ In ‘ Bulldog Jack ’ Hulbert is featured in a mixture of heroics and comedy, a role which, incidentally, he fills to perfection. Associated with him in this amusing, laughter-laden film is his brother, Claude, who is responsible for a large share of tho laughs. Miss Fay Wray is the featured feminine player, and her performance is equally in keeping with that of the rest of the cast. With John Boles and Rochelle Hudson in the leading romantic roles, Shirley Temple gives her most delightful presentation to date in 1 Curly Top,’ which depicts s the little actress in studies of herself as she will probably appear in tho various stages of her life.