PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 22516, 8 December 1936, Page 5

PICTURE THEATRES

GRAND ‘ She Shall Have Music,’ featuring Jack Hylton and his band, concludes to-night at the Grand. This spectacular musical marks the film debut of the world-famous Jack Hylton and his band, and it singles out this show as one of the biggest screen events of the year. The other film is ‘ First a Baby.’ NEW BILL TO-MORROW. Frank Buck’s life work of supplying birds, animals, and reptiles to the zoos and circuses of the United States and Europe has taken him across the ocean 43 times, 10 times around the globe, and led him into the jungles of South America, Africa, and Asia. Buck has travelled by every means of conveyance from tiie modern streamline train to the native carts of far countries and the hacks of jungle animals. In the animal collector’s travels of uncharted miles, reaching into the hundreds of thousands, is a matter of some 3,000 miles atop the hacks of giant elephants crashing their way through the jungles to his camps. Buck has done some hiking, too. During one trip to the Far East he walked the entire width of the island of Borneo. And he has done some running, as- those will hear witness.-who saw him breaking speed records in front of a charging rhinoceros in ‘ Wild Cargo 1 last year. His new picture is ‘ Fang and Claw,’ said to be oven more exciting, which will be shown at the Grand to-morrow. Described as a laughing epic of homespun people uprooted from their native soil and transplanted to Hollywood’s wonderland, ‘ The Farmer in the Dell ’ will bo the associate feature. REGENT Woven round the inauguration of Pan-American Airways’ service between San Francisco and the Orient, ‘ China Clipper,’ the Warner Bros, picture which is at present at the Regent, is a story which is as timely as it is entertaining and exciting. For commercial aviation is the topic of the hour, and with the possibility of PanAmerican Airways extending their service to Auckland, ‘ China Clipper holds a verv special interest for all New Zealanders. The story traces the growth of the project of spanning the Pacific on wings of steel, from its birth in the mind of a far-sighted pioneer (after Lindbergh had proved that long ocean flights were a practical possibility) to the triumphant day when the great China Clipper flying-boat first roared its way over thousands of miles of sea between San Francisco and Manila. VIVID WAR DRAMA. An absorbingly dramatic and exciting story is depicted in ‘ Till Wo Meet Again/ which is to open «a season on Friday at the Regent. The story clepicts London just prior to the declaration of war. Gertrude Michael enacts the role of Elsa. Duranyi, a Viennese actress playing in London, while Herbert Marshall is cast as Alan Barclay, an actor and Elsa’s lover. They arrange to marry, but the war ends their plans, and Elsa leaves for Germany, where she is a member of the German Intelligence Service. Alan, who speaks German fluently, becomes an English spy and manages to reach Germany in disguise. Some vivid war scenes are shown, and an excellent picturisation of an efficient spying organisation is seen, ft is while in the act of putting an end to seme of the German schemes that Alan is suspected and brought beforo Elsa, who recognises him. How she risks her liie to save him provides many exciting incidents. Lionel At will, who enacts the role of Ludwig, chief of the German Secret Service, gives a very convincing performance. EMPIRE Scenes of falling masonry and timber, of the panic of the people in the streets below, and of the ravages ol fire are presented in ‘San Francisco,’ the film in its third week at the Empire, which tells a story of human stress and strain when earthquake anti tire swept San Francisco in 1906. Jeanette MacDonald and Clark Gable are the leading players, she as a singer and he as dance-ITnll proprietor in a lawless city. Spencer Tracy contributes a fine character study as an Irish priest and Jessie Ralph and .lack Holt have assisting roles. Also on the programme is a novelty, ‘ Audioscopiks.’ SPLENDID COMEDY ON FRIDAY. Joo E. Brown, the inimitable comedian, comes to the Empire on Friday in * Earthworm Tractors,’ said to be his most hilarious comedy to date. The picture is based on a series of stories which appeared in the ‘ Saturday Evening Post.’ Joe brings to life on the screen the hero of these comedies, that blundering, and in his own egotistical estimation, natural-born super-salesman, Alexander Betts, who somehow always wins out in the cud despites his egregious mistakes. Joe has two leading women in the picture, one whom he loses to a rival when he leaves town, and the other who lie finds is quite unwilling to play second fiddle when he stupidly tells her he would have married the first girl only he discovered that she already had become a bride. The first love is played by Carol Hughes and the second by June Travis, whose love he finally regains by a series of mistakes in which lie almost causes her death, and then, playing the conquering hero, rescues her front a dynamite trap into which ho had led her. Not only does he win her back, but in an hilarious climax to the story he sells cantankerous father a flock of tractors. The management has arranged for a special treat for the children on Saturday, the programme in the afternoon talcing the form ot a special Christmas party. Each child is to receive a present. ST. JAMES ‘ Public Enemy’s Wife,’ Warner Bros.’ now and unique thriller of Gmen activities, is now at the St. James. The story is unusual in that a romance between the ace G-man and the public enemy’s wife forms a very definite and strong part of the plot. The picture is enacted by an exceptionally brilliant cast, which includes Pat O’Brien and Margaret Lindsay in the featured roles as lovers. O’Brien the ace G-man and Lindsay in the title role; Robert Armstrong, Cesar Romero, Dick Foran, Joseph King, Richard Purcell, Addison Richards, and others. The picture has au unusual flavour, as in addition to the exciting episodes, there is a fascinating romance between the ace Gman and the woman in the title role, the wife of a public enemy, although at the time she is the ox-wifo. An excellent supporting bill, fully maintaining this theatre’s standard, precedes the main feature. REFRESHING MUSICAL ROMANCE Laid in a colourful and romantic sotting, .Marion Davies’s new Cosmopolitan production, ‘ Hearts Divided.’ will commence screening on Friday at the St. James. Miss Davies plays the historical role of Betsy Patterson, the Baltimore belle who was wooed and won

by Jerome Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon, then Emperor of France. Ibo picture combines a glorious romance with comedy and drama, and is enlivened by catchy songs written by the famous team of Harry Warren and A 1 Dubin, and sung by Dick Powell, who has the leading masculine role opposite Miss Davies. Other delightful music is furnished by the Hal Johnson Choir, ■who sing the spirituals of the negro slaves quartered on the Patterson estate. The cast includes Charlie Buggies, Edward Everett Horton, Claude Rains, Arthur Treacher, Henry Stephenson, and Clara Blandick. Aloha Baker, the youthful “ globe-trotter, will make a personal appearance on the stage to supply the commentary to her own film, which is a splendid record of her travels through many lands. STRAHD The Strand’s main picture this week is ‘ Too Many Parents,’ which is set against a background of an American hoy’s college. The theme of the story is a boy’s love and hero worship lor a father who never comes to see him. Jn a large cast of juvenile players 1* ran-, ces Farmer, luster Matthews, Henry Travis, and Douglas Scott play the leading parts. Colin Japlcy is also seen for a brief period. Based oni the story ‘ Fer de Lance,’ ‘ Meet Nero Wolfe,’ the other film, reveals how Nero Wolfe, with the aid of his assistant (Lionel Stander) succeeds in exposing a murderer who has accounted for two victims. Wolfe makes all his inquiries from his own house. It, is when a young woman seeks Ins assistauce in locating a missing brother that Wolfe discovers evidence showing that the girl’s brother has been murdered. The climax is exciting. MAYFAIR Two strong features will conclude a limited season at the Mayfair to-night. Thev are ‘Mr Deeds Goes to ton n and" ‘ Captain January.’ The leading players in the respective productions are Garv Cooper and Shirley Temple. Both films had extended seasons when shown here previously. • riff RAFF ’ OPENS TO-MORROW. A story of the primitive emotions of men and women who go down to the sea in ships, wresting an existence from the constant struggle with the deep, is related in ‘Biff Raff.’ which opens a season to-morrow at the _ Mayfair. Like 1 China Seas,’ ‘ Riff Rnff gives Miss Harlow a tremendous opportunity to display her dramatic ability. This is no society, drama, no polite comedy of the drawing room. This is a love story without a word of love, a romance as savagely elemental as the environment in which it takes place. Jean Harlow gives an excellent portrayal of a young woman whose attempts to win the affections of a boastful young fisherman lead her into prison when she endeavours to help him out of his difficulties, while Spencer Tracy, as hoc lover, is also outstanding. Una Merkel and Joseph Galicia, who scored a notable success in ‘ Public Hero,’ head a strong supporting cast. • Annie Oakley ’ will also be shown. OCTAGON So amazing is the talent and the persuasiveness of Shirley Temple in her latest and best picture, ‘ The Littlcst Rebel,’ starring at the Octagon, that nobody could fail to leave the theatre without feelings of the greatest admiration. In addition to three songs and tap dances by the captivating “ staretto.” there are adventures a-plenty to thrill those who like a bit of excitement when Shirley lias scrapes with the “ Yankees ” and a thrilling fight as her father, John Boles, attempts to smuggle her through the “ Yankee ” lines, only to be caught and held as q spy. ‘ Everybody’s Old Man ’ starring Irvin S. Cobb, is the other feature. Irvin S.Cobb made a remarkable success of his part as the blustering skipper in ‘ Steamboat Round the Bend,’ and in ‘ Everybody’s Old Man ’ ills natural and infections “humour is given free rein. Rochelle Hudson, Alan Dinehart. and Norman Foster, and others are in the cast. STATE William Powell sets a new standard in detective mysteries in ‘ The Ex-Mrs Bradford,’ which is showing at the State. ‘ The Thin Man ’ created a new screen style in thrillers, which has had many imitators, but 1 The Ex-Mrs Bradford ’ far exceeds even ‘ The Thin Man ’ in cleverness of plot and in excellence of production. William Powell, a debonair society surgeon, is about to settle down into a steady,practice when his divorced wife, the beautiful Jean Arthur, who has a passion for sleuthing, returns to his home. Powell, is thrust into the middle of an engrossing murder mystery by the death of a friend whose body is found leaning against his front door. Verbal battles sparkling with humour are interspersed with gun battles, and the whole drama reaches a fine climax. LAURIER. PORT CHALMERS For breath-taking speed, suspense,, mystery, and romance few pictures have equalled ‘ The Murder Man,’ which presents Spencer Tracv and Virginia Bruce in the ’ leading roles. This picture opened a short season to-day pit. the Lanrier Theatre, Port Chalmers. The film has nothing to do with gangs or oangsters. Instead, “The Murder Man ” is the chief of staff of a powerful New York daily newspaper who has won success through solving the crimes that have baffled the police. The role is played by Tracy. Speed, suspense, drama, and romance are tbo keynotes of this powerful new picture. The east is ably chosen. Outstanding performances are contributed by Lionel A twill. Harvey Stephens. Robert Barrat, •lames Stewart. William Collier, Louise Henry, and others. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE ‘ DINNER AT 8 ’ RETURNS. Never before have so many loading players been assembled in one picture as in ‘ Dinner at B,’ which comes to His Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday. Jn discussing the the director, George Cukor, said; “ Wo have in this drama an extraordinary writing achievement. It has not two or three climaxes, but at least 12, each being strong and distinct. The number of climaxes ensures each player a strong characterisation and a dominating scene, and without such climaxes it would be silly to attempt such a gathering of talent as we have in ‘ Dinner at B.“’’ Marie Dressier gives a memorable portrayal as a stage player whose popularity has waned, while John Barrymore gives a fine performance as a fallen screen actor. Other prominent members of tbo cast are Lionel Barrymore, Wallace Beery, Joan Harlow. Billie Burke, and Jean Ilersholt.