PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 22514, 5 December 1936, Page 11

PICTURE THEATRES

THE NEW PROGRAMMES PACIFIC AIR ROUTE BACKGROUND OF ' CHINA CLIPPER' With the possibility of Pan-American Airways extending its service to this Dominion, ' China Clipper,- which came to the Regent Theatre yesterday is of special interest to New Zealanders. Based on the conquest of the Pacific jOcean by . a world-famous American aviation company, the picture is of fascinating interest to anyone who is not totally ignorant of aviation, and many of its scenes, taken on the actual route from San Francisco to China, possess ,an especial significance for New Zealand, in view of the project to link up New Zealand with the American transpacific network. The progress- of "American- commercial aviation forms J the basis of. the picture. fThe material- has been handled dramatically, with touches -of comedy and romance to give it that'variety of appeal that makes a film dependable and popular entertainment.'.' One ; of the several points about' this picture that command attention is the absolute lack of exaggeration of the kind-that might easily have been introduced to heighten the: suspense, and to which the HollyWood studios are frequently not averse. The essentiahdramatic values have been drawn froni, the subject by .honest use; and have succeeded so effectively in building up such, gripping ;entertainment: 'without -exaggeration- is evidence of more-than, average .ability.: in direction. 'I.;!-';!".'' ■" -

The;development ofcair- transport in the United States ■from-the time when LindbOrg.. rose _to fame until the re- - centestablishment of' the transpacific service is .traced, and used, as a background- for the career of ;Dave -Logan, & former war pilot, who, leaves a steady job to go back to aviation because he foresees .the jgreat potentialities of this form of transport. The part of Logan is played by Pat''O’Brien, who specialises' in -roles of this type which demand- vigour' father than subtlety in acting; - Logan lives for the ideal of spanning the world by air, and he is. ruthless ■ in the’ pursuit of his ambiat as a visionary, he. goes on indomitably, fighting obstacles- and mercilessly driving his employees ■ and associates. He builds up. a-huge* service covering America, and. then turns his energies to the establishment’of a transpacific service to China. V r- . 4 .

Tb'/de3rgn a'machine tbat experts say. canno£;/be designed to make the flight to, China in ; an incredibly fast time are ;the tasks that Logan drives .his designer; and his pilots to accomplish.' It; is one 'of the most realistic pictures, of aviation that Christchurch has seen, arid the story is enthralling. The development of the : story is smooth,-the climax being reserved until the giant flying boat'races across the Pacific to capture the rich trade of China. Supporting O'Brien are Beverly Roberts, who takes the part, of the wife whose husband is too engrpssed in his work to concern himsfelf-; with her welfare, and Ross Alexander and Humphrey Bogart as two of Logan's chief assistants. These three minor characters are overshadowed, however, by Henry R.. Walthall; whose portrayal of the aeroplane designer is splendid. Included in the supporting- programme is an unusual and diverting skit on Shakespeare, according to Hollywood. 'Plane Crazy,' a "Loony Tune " cartoon, and a Newsreel. DRAMA AND THRILLS 1 PUBLIC ENEMY'S WIFE ' AT ST. JAMES No more dramatic thrills ever were shown in a picture embracing the activities of America's G-men than in the Warner Bros', production, ' Public Enemy's Wife,' which was shown at the St. James Theatre yesterday for the first time.. Yet the picture has a unique and unusual flavour, as in addition to the exciting episodes, there is a fascinating romance between the " ace" G-man

and the woman in the title role, the wife of a public enemy, although at the time she is the cx-wjfe. There is an unusually talented cast, which includes Pat O'Brien, Margaret Lindsay, Robert Armstrong, Cesar Romero, Dick Foran, Joseph King, Richard Purcell, and Addison Richards in the featured roles. The story by P. Ji Wolf son is filled with fire. It centres about the life of a beautiful and cultured young girl who falls for the blandishments of a handsome and maguetic youth and marries him, not knowing he is one of the leaders of a band of the country's most dangerous crooks and killers. She comes to a sharp awakening when her husband is finally convicted of a crime and she as his accomplice. Leaving the prison before her husband, he informs her he will kill any man who comes between them. She thinks he is safe enough m prison, gets a divorce, and falls in love with a rich "play-hoy" at . Palm Beach. On the eve of their marriage the killer escapes and heads south to carry out his threat. Learning of tins, the " play-boy " fakes a tumble from his polo pony to get out of the match But the G-man persuades the girl to go through a pseudo ceremony with him hoping in this way to trap the killer. From then on there are gun battles and kidnappings and other thrilling episodes which lead up to a smashing climax,. i„i4™ .+!,„„ ■ Pat O'Brien never was better than in his part of the. G-man who thinks the killer's wife is! a member Of •. the ■gang, until he begins to know her and •love her. He is cool, suaye, but full of energy at the crucial moments. Margaret Lindsay plays opposite him as -lie wife of the killer She does some splendid acting in a difficult role and he? work is finished and polished aS CeJar y ßomero makes a dashing criminal whose surface polish is enough to attract a beautiful girl. Robert Armstrong is excellent as the associate of O'Brien, while Dick Foran makes as excellent a " play-boy as he does a cowboy in his Western lP ic-. tU There is a supporting programme; including: a delightful coloured Son/an amusing comedy, a musical comedy, and a gazette. Public S Wife ' will be shown to-night and during the week. 'THE EX-MRS BRADFORD' DELIGHTFUL FARE AT STATE ;The deft blending of comedy with mystery, which contributed largely to Se success of < The Thin Man,' is again evident in < The Ex-Mrs Bradford'an R K O. Radio picture, which opened a stason at:the State Theatre yesterday. The widespread popularity of i.ne Thin Man' has. been responsible tor many films that have JranMy "Stated it, and in ' The Ex-Mrs Bradford it is to the credit of the leading players, William Powell and Jean Arthur, and the director, Stephen Roberts that a picture has been produced which really, does bear comparison with the,orginai masterpiece. ■~,■■ ~ ..'■ ■ - A ■ Polished acting, skilful direction, and witty dialogue make it splendid entertainment of its type. From the opening scene, when Powell pops a champagne cork at a dinner gong, the story keeps up a sustained pitch .of sparkling facetiousness. The tale concerns racing and.the criminals it draws in jits train,, Powell is *a leading society doctor with an ex-wife, Jean Arthur, who is intent on remarrying him. She persuades him, •much against his.-will, to turn detective when a jockey is murdered while riding a favourite home to win an important race. This racecourse crime has more than a touch of novelty. Poisonous black spiders in gelatine capsules are concealed in jockeys' jackets to prevent them from winning, and Powell, spurred on by his former wife, is obliged to solve the mystery m order to clear himself from suspicion in another murder. T,he situation "amusingly exploited from the start. The exwife's enthusiasm for murders and mysteries knows no bounds, but her constant interference is a continual menace to Powell and of only accidental help. Twice during a life-and-death struggle, coming to the aid of justice, she unintentionally knocks her partner senseless. Splendid team work makes the story speed to a brilliant and exciting close. William Powell is at his best in the part of the doctor. His irresistible personality and easy acting make him a joy to watch. Excellent support is given by Jean Arthur, who follows up her work in ' Mr Deeds Goes to Town ' with a first-rate comedy performance. The shorter films on the programme attain a high standad of entertainment value, and, like the featured attraction, are certain to find much favour.

STRAND'S DOUBLE BILL EXCELLENT CONTRAST OFFERED An exciting murder mystery introducing a new screen detective, ' Meet Nero Wolfe,' and an equally entertaining comedy, ' Too Many Parents ' form the attractive programme which opened at the Strand yesterday. Excellent entertainment is provided in both films and fully maintains the Strand's reputation for good pictures. Brimful of youthful spirit is ' Too Many Parents, 'and there is just that relieving vein of pathos that will make the kiddiea parent-conscious, and the parents, perhaps, a little more attentive and understanding. Were the production merely a series of laughs—and there are many of them—it might become wearisome; but there is a sympathy of treatment and refreshingly ingenuous juvenile talent that win the support of child and adult. Freckledfaced Clarence is heir to lots of money, and knows it. He bullies his board of directors, has policemen to guard him. He accepts a bet that he cannot stay in a military academy a week, and that is just where all the fun starts. His colleagues in working and brawling hours are as delightful a bunch of healthy youngsters as it is possible to imagine. They range from about five to eleven, and represent a class of juvenile ability that has not been seen in Dunedin before. The advertised assertion that five of them have become world famous as a result of this production is not exaggerated. It is probably because they constitute such a welcome change from " sob and sophistication " that they find so spontaneous a response in the audience. Incidentally, the film is a great boost for the American military academy. It is inconceivable that one housing such small-scale boys could exist, but the children slip into the ranks so happily and comfortably that the value of such an-educa-tion is easily appreciated. Based on the widely-read novel, h er Do Lance,' by Bex Stout, the Warner Bros.' production, * Meet Nero Wolfe, introduces to screen audiences the fascinating character Nero Wolfe. Unlike most fictional detectives this eccentric but at the same time engaging man does not leave the precincts of Ins luxuriously-furnished home to solve his cases. With agents making all the routine inquiries necessary, ho sits

among his collection of exotic orchids, opening innumerable bottles of beer, and examining every aspect of the crime with painstaking analysis. Forced to play a desperate trump card, Wolte subtly challenges the murderer's sense of pride and forces him to show his hand. Edward Arnold gives an excellent performance in the title role, and there is a talented cast of supporting players. •"•■MR BEEDS' AT MAYFAiR BRILLIANT COMEDY'S RETURN SEASON One of the finest productions ever screened in Dunedin is ' Mr Deeds Goes to Town,' which opened a short season to-day at the Mayfair. No one else could possibly have been found who would have represented! M> Deeds with as much sympathy, penetration, and finesse as Gary Cooper. Every detail is extraordinarily vivid and extraordinarily real. A movement of the hand, the lift of an eyebrow, will impart to the most ordinary bit of dialogue a sudden spice of humour or pathos or colourful drama. As an example, one may cite the wan smile which Mr Deeds spares for a sympathiser at the moment when a dreadful emotional blow has rendered him speechless. That one fugitive flash of warmth' inspires the situation and the central character with a rare nobility. .'.'''Captain January,' starring Shirley Temple, is the associate feature. UNBIMINSSHED POPULARITY •SAN FRANCISCO' IN THIRD WEEK The huge crowds of people who have attended every session at the Empire during the past two weeks indicate the amazing popularity of 'San Francisco,' ,the outstanding film of America's onetime most romantic spot, the„Barbary Coast. It is doubtful if any other film screened in Dunedin recently has attracted move attention than this brilliant production which contains every essential for first-class entertainment.fl With such a notable pair as Clark Gable and Jeanette MacDonald in the leading roles, it is not to be wondered at that the film is so popular. The story is a strong one, there is the glorious singing of Miss MacDonald, there is the wonderfully realistic photography, there is an attractive romance, and lastly there is a certain amount of comedy. The earthquake and fire which swept the city _ in 1906 are recreated with astonishing attention to historical accuracy and detail, and into this event is woven a-story which grows in intensity of interest through the film. To see buildings crumble, totter, and fall, crushing to their death the terrified people in the streets, to watch the agony of the panic-stricken inhabitants of a lawless city—these are among the sensations to be enjoyed in this film. A remarkably comprehensive idea is given of the life of the city before the disaster, of the (pleasureloving people and their wild and reckless pursuits. In contrast is the sober mein of those who escape death in the disaster, and the change in character, wrought by sucb a catastrophe. There is withal a well-defined story having a definite relation to the earthquake and the fire which followed it. Miss Mac,Donald has. seldom; sung .better or been so perfectly reproduced as in this brilliant film. Her selections vary greatly and include a modern song, ' San Francisco,' 4 which takes the fancy at first hearing, . and numbers from ' Faust.' • Of the associate items, ' Audioscopiks' -is one that should please. '. This novelty combines colour, sound, and is explained by Pete Smith. MUSIGAL FEAST FAMOUS BAND AND ARTISTS The mention of the name of Jack Hylton and his famous band as the central figures in a sound film naturally caused some conjecture as to whether full justice had been done to their artistry. However, after seeing ' She Shall Have Music,' which is having a successful season at the Grand, one realises that seldom before has the movie camera given such a faithful representation of a group of artists. Even to those who are not over-en-thusiastic about modern music, ' She Shall Have Music' brings enjoyment, for, in addition to having an engrossing story, the film boasts other artists who could quite easily have been a picture in themselves. Jack Hylton has not earned his reputation for nothing. His music is not entirely of the strict rhythm variety, but it is notable for its sweetness, restraint, and melodious tone. And the- other artists who contribute such an amazing variety of specialtv " turns " must not be forgotten. They add further to a film that is. already first-class. 'The First Baby,' a Fox picture, stars Johnny Downes and Shirley Deane in support. It follows the adventures of two honest-to-goodnesg people who wed and have a baby, and lots of " in-law" trouble. Marjorie Gateson aB the girl's mother is the chief source of worry to ■ the two youngsters. And after baby, arrives and Johnny Downs attempts to set nip-a.home of his own, a serious rift threatens their love. But the baby becomes seriously ill, and the two youngsters, brought face to face with the facts, decide that they love each other more than anything else in the world and act on the decision. IRRESISTIBLE SHIRLEY CHILD STAR RETURNS TO OCTAGON There is one child on the screen who is always delightful, ever captivating. She is Shirley Temple. She has no equal on the films to-day, nor has there ever been any small star before her who has been taken so willingly to the hearts of young and old in every Englishspeaking country. Her position is, therefore, unique, and, although sceptics have prophesied that she would soon become spoiled by publicity, their assumption has been proved unfounded. Little Shirley has now returned to the Octagon Theatre in one of her most successful and appealing pictures, ' The Littlest llebel,' in which she appears, as usual, as an unsophisticated, refreshingly simple little girl. She is simply Shirley Temple in her speech, actions, and singing. The result of her every word and movement is unstudied and, therefore, most pleasing. The story of ' The Littlest Rebel' comes from the American Civil War. Shirley Temple plays the part of Virgie, daughter of Captain Cary (John Boles), of the Confederate army; her mother (Karen Morley) and father have taught Virgie never to tell a lie. But as the trouble between North and South becomes more acute, and Captain Cary has to take graver risks for his army,

things become very unhappy for the people who live at the Cary home. Yet through it all this little girl, clad as she is in old Southern American dress, pantalets, laces, and frills, is still the same naive personality as before. It is her smile that is so charming. It breaks out in all sorts of unexpected places until one feels it is not the sort of stage smile that is “ registered,” blit quite and unintentionally ‘natural. Not the least enjoyable part of the picture is her tapdancing and singing. In the former she is aided, perhaps guided, by that old-time expert, Bill Robinson. In her songs she is guided by no one but herself. Those who see the picture will surely find themselves unconsciously humming the refrain of such numbers ns l lf All Those Endearing Young Charms ’ and ‘ Polly Wolly Doodle.’ As a wit and as a columnist, Irvin S. Cobb is a strong candidate for the position of successor to the late Will Rogers. In ‘ Everybody’s Old Man,’ which is the supporting picture on the Octagon’s programme, he is a canned food magnate who is deeply shocked by the death of a rival manufacturer, even more shocked when he finds his rival’s son and daughter discrediting the family name and running their father’s business into bankruptcy. Under a pseudonym, he wins the confidence of the young people, and is appointed as their trustee. Cobh’s natural and infections manner is given free rein. He plays in the Rogers tradition. Johnny Downs and Rochelle Hudson contribute valuable parts to a well-acted screen entertainment that establishes a new personality.

GREEN ISLAND CINEMA 1 A MESSAGE TO GARCIA ' * A Message to Garcia,' which will"bescreened to-night at the Green Island Cinema, is an engrossing story of the adventure that changed the destinies of three nations. John Boles is the hero of ' A Message to Garcia.' Entrusted with a dispatch to. Garcia, somewhere in the tropical interior of Cuba, he sets out with Wallace Beery, a, crafty, humorous renegade. In the course of their wanderings they meet" Barbara Stanwyck, whose father has been executed, and who .is willing to lead them to Garcia. Their venture almost fails because of treacherous guides; Miss Stanwyck is wounded in an encounter with the enemy, and left behind by Boles and Beery as they forgo ahead to their goal. The climax of the picture is approached when Beery mistakenly lets Boles fall into a trap laid by Alan Hale, and then leads Garcia's forces in a charge to the rescue that sets things right, reunites the lovers, and brings the story to a happy close. LAURIER, PORT CHALMERS • BIG BROADCAST OF 1936 * Specialty numbers by such famous stage and screen stars as the Vienna Boys' Choir, Richard Tauber, Bing Crosby, Amos 'n Andy, Raj' Noble and his band, Gill Robinson, the famous dancer, are seen and heard in ' The Big Broadcast of 1936,' which will be shown to-night at the Laurier. The story is an hilarious comedy concerning the amusing adventures that two radio entertainers undergo when a spoiled, wealthy young countess kidnaps them to her island estate on her yacht to decide which one she wants for her husband. Many uproarious situations confront the two boys, which are climaxed with a thrilling chase when they unintentionally take part in a nation-wide radio contest. Oakie appears as a " wise-cracking " radio announcer who impersonates the tenor, "Lochinvar" of the air waves, whose co-worker, Henry "Wadsworth, does the singing.